Good shmups for beginner

[alienjesus]

Gunhed (PCE)/ Blazing Lazers (TG16) is a great game for shmup newbies imo. Not too difficult, lots of weapon variety, and nicely chaotic without being crazy.

Personally, I got started on shmups with Ikaruga.

[prfsnl_gmr]

Space Shot (PS1) is a budget game that is, admittedly, pretty fun and incredibly easy. Also, I always thought that Axelay (SNES) was a fun, easy shooter, but several members of this forum would disagree with me on both points.

EDIT: Also, I always thought that the games in the Darius series - particularly Darius Gaiden (SAT) and G-Darius (PS1) - were a lot of fun and not too difficult.

[CavZee]

Gunhed (PCE)/ Blazing Lazers (TG16) is a great game for shmup newbies imo. Not too difficult, lots of weapon variety, and nicely chaotic without being crazy.

Personally, I got started on shmups with Ikaruga.

I own Ikaruga on GameCube, just haven't played it. It's kinda in the same boat as Radiant Silver gun in that I really want to play it but didn't know if I'd be better off starting with something simpler.

[prfsnl_gmr]

Gunhed (PCE)/ Blazing Lazers (TG16) is a great game for shmup newbies imo. Not too difficult, lots of weapon variety, and nicely chaotic without being crazy.

Personally, I got started on shmups with Ikaruga.

I own Ikaruga on GameCube, just haven't played it. It's kinda in the same boat as Radiant Silver gun in that I really want to play it but didn't know if I'd be better off starting with something simpler.

I will answer that question for you:

"You will be better off starting with something simpler."

[MoNsTeRzKHAOS]

I would recommend Raiden Trad for SNES, for being one of the first shmups I ever played it was easy.

[Duane Dibbley]

Tyrian is a pretty easy shmup to get into. You can get it free on GOG.

[o.pwuaioc]

Best three for starting off:

1. Xevious
2. Axelay
3. Mars Matrix

Good luck!

[CavZee]

Best three for starting off:

1. Xevious
2. Axelay
3. Mars Matrix

Good luck!

I'll check em out thanks.

[marurun]

I think the best intro shooter ever is Raiden. Find The Raiden Project for PS1. It has Raiden 1 and 2 in their arcade incarnations and is fantastic as well as approachable. Also, Soldier Blade and Air Zonk/PC Denjin on the PCE are fantastic shmups to get started on.

[o.pwuaioc]

Best three for starting off:

1. Xevious
2. Axelay
3. Mars Matrix

Good luck!

I'll check em out thanks.

Definitely kidding! I forgot to make a rejoinder, though. :/

In all seriousness, I would argue for these three:

Dragon Spirit (NES) (alt. Adventures of Dino Riki (NES))

Great little shmup that isn't too easy, but is definitely beatable, even by a beginner.

Gradius III (SNES) (alt. Thunder Force III (Gen))

Notoriously difficult for beginners, but I think it's pretty fair for most of the way through. This was my first SNES shmup, actually, and the music, the atmosphere, and the art is definitely attractive. It also pushes you right into the meat, so you should quickly see an improvement with each playthrough.

Zanac Neo (PS1) (alt. Castle Shikigami II (DC, PS2)

A nice modern shmup, but still easy to get into, despite coming from Compile. It also sounds and looks nice enough as well.