My first SHMUP

[PGchris]

So I have almost completely ignored this genre my whole life, never really played more than ten minutes of any SHMUP, but today I picked up Gradius III for SNES. So I'm curious what the general consensus for this game is, I picked it for 10 bucks at my local shop, is it a good game to start with?

[MrPopo]

Gradius III is a really fun game. I definately consider myself a SHMUP noob, and even though Gradius III kicks my ass I still enjoy it. It's a little more involved than other shooters (thanks to the powerup bar) but I'd still say it's a pretty good one to start with.

[bobbynewmarkiii]

Gradius III is fun, but it's Gradius, so don't expect a walk in the park. Not a bad starting point for retro shmups, although not quite in the same league as Gradius and Gradius II (or V) imho. Things really start to get interesting in this genre from the Saturn / Playstation era and the advent of bullet hell, although this is more of a vertically orientated phenomenon.

[ott0bot]

Gradius III isn't a bad starting point, but there are definately better games on the system. If you are looking for some other great SNES shumps check out these titles:

Axelay - this one is pretty difficult at times but it's quite awesome. has a combination on vert and hori stages. Great game.

R-Type III - really outstanding hori on the system. great levels and ememies. epic boss fights.

Space Megaforce - great vert shump. tons of powerups and weapons. Made by Compile just before they made the amazing MUSHA for the genesis.

Biometal - pretty solid little hori shmup with a cool absorb feature and fun power up system. I love the huge creepy enemy sprites too.

UN Squadron - fun military styled hori with great weapons and fun boss fights. lots of cheap shots though. thanks crapcom.

There are more...but these are my favorites on the system. The genesis has many more titles, and is probalby my favorite shmup system....maybe purely base on nostalgia!
The ps1 and Saturn, and Dreamcast have aweome libraries too. Check the features on this site for more info.

[PGchris]

yea so far my thought are that this game is really fun and addictive, but i must suck at Shmups cause i got cant get past the second boss I wish racketboy would do a "cheapest games worth your time" article dedicated just to schmups cause I don't know where to go from here

[corn619]

Super R-Type is great and Axelay is really different as well. I have to agree with 0ttobot and say U.N Squadron is really good as well. Thats the game that made me really like SHMUPs, the level with the battleship was pure reflexes.

[baphomet_irl]

Gradius III is fun, but it's Gradius, so don't expect a walk in the park. Not a bad starting point for retro shmups, although not quite in the same league as Gradius and Gradius II (or V) imho. Things really start to get interesting in this genre from the Saturn / Playstation era and the advent of bullet hell, although this is more of a vertically orientated phenomenon.

I myself find Gradius games a bit more accessible than R-Type though...

[bobbynewmarkiii]

I myself find Gradius games a bit more accessible than R-Type though...

For sure.... but Gradius is still like 10 times harder than sonic (unless you use continues)

[MrPopo]

Zero Wing isn't a bad starter. All you have to know is that you want the green powerups.

[PGchris]

good god this game is hard I can not get past level three, its like a two part boss and it is so hard