Playing well with others (Multiplayer Shmups)

[jinx]

So the other day I was wanting to get back into playing shmups. I've mentioned before that I'm terrible at them, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying blowing stuff up. For whatever reason, I thought it was a good idea to start with Ikaruga. Amazing game, but very challenging.

I was getting frustrated with one part, and voicing my concerns to both the Dreamcast and the TV when all of 'the' sudden my girlfriend plops down on the sofa next to me, picks up a controller and presses start. I quickly gave her the basics of what to do, and too my surprise she actually helped me get passed the sh~storm of enemies I was having difficulties with.

This made me think.
What other shmups out there have decent multiplayer?
Not just games that threw in multiplayer because they could, but ones that have totally different feel, or have benefits when it comes to playing with others. I know the screen could get quite hectic, and cluttered, but what about three or four player shmups?

*all of the sudden is a reference from Homestuck

[aaron]

the raiden games are fun multiplayer. radiant silvergun is a good one, too.

[o.pwuaioc]

Tons! This will actually be a great list. Merely off the top of my head:

2 player simultaneous

Darius
Darius Twin
DonPachi
DoDonPachi
Exed Exes (NES, better on Taito Legends though)
Strikers 1945
Strikers 1945 II
Strikers 1945 Plus
Strikers 1999
Thunder Cross

2 player in turns (not what you're looking for, but what the heck, let's compile a list anyway)

Centipede
Galaga
Gradius
Gradius III
Xevious

I just realized how rarely I play shmups with other people, since my fiancée doesn't care for them.

[EllertMichael]

Anything with checkpoints would be good

But anything with chaining (like Ikaruga or DoDonPachi) would be bad for multiplayer...
unless you're just playing for survival

[Ghegs]

R-Type Dimensions for XBLA can be played co-op, and it actually works really well, especially considering the game was never actually designed for it. The slower, methodical pace really works nicely for it.

Here's a video of my and a friend going through the first four stages, until I bite the bullet. I've been meaning to get back to it and do a co-op superplay video.

And now I realize the video is over three years old...man, time goes fast.

[jinx]

the raiden games are fun multiplayer. radiant silvergun is a good one, too.

Tons! This will actually be a great list.

Awesome guys! Thanks for the games. I've been meaning to play Radiant Silvergun, but don't want to until I actually own the game on Saturn. May take me a while, but I think it will be worth it.

I did actually mean to mention simultaneous play in my original post, but there's nothing wrong with taking turns to see who gets the highest score.

I'm adding a few of these games to my Wish List next time I edit it.

Anything with checkpoints would be good

But anything with chaining (like Ikaruga or DoDonPachi) would be bad for multiplayer...

I agree with this, and that's what I meant by throwing in "multiplayer because they could". Games that requires chaining or is primarily made for single player actually kind of loses some if it's charm when a second player hops on. Although it was still fun, it was quite frustrating when I was attempting to chain, and then she shot one I was going for.

R-Type Dimensions for XBLA can be played co-op, and it actually works really well, especially considering the game was never actually designed for it. The slower, methodical pace really works nicely for it.

Here's a video of my and a friend going through the first four stages, until I bite the bullet. I've been meaning to get back to it and do a co-op superplay video.

And now I realize the video is over three years old...man, time goes fast.

Great video! I've never seen this version of R-Type, and really wish I could get it on PSN. I've never thought of R-Type as being a multiplayer game, but this seems to work really well. That's quite a nice surprise. I think I may try to play this next time I visit my dad.

I feel you on the time flying by. Seems to keep getting faster the older I get.