Your favorite PC only SHMUP.

[corn619]

Thanks for all the recommendations guys. Where can all these awesome games be obtained?

[skate323k137]

http://shootthecore.moonpod.com/database.php

enough PC shmups to make your eyes bleed.

[t0yrobo]

second shoot the core, great place.
You might want to check this place out also http://www.tigsource.com/features/doujin-shmups.html pretty much everything already mentioned is on there, with links. Some games you may have to resort to torrents to get full versions of, getting real copies of doujin games can be tricky at times.

[Ivo]

well Raptor comes to mind

That's also the one I thought up reading the thread.

Ivo.

[Bootaaay]

Just came across this strange shmup called Flight & Annihilation where you can control multiple ships at once - it's a Chinese developed shmup based on the RTS game Total Annihilation and uses the same engine. Theres some screenshots & a download link in this thread;

http://www.taclub.net/taclub/newTA/thread-9044-1-1.html

And here's a quick guide I nabbed from an english speaking forum;

Use the arrow keys to control your plane.
Z: fires main lasers.
X: fires missiles.
Left shift: Makes aircraft climb into the air, avoiding enemy fire. Your aircraft will not take damage while being used. Uses a small amount of energy per second used.
Number keys, 1-9: call reinforcements.
Space: calls all reinforcements at once. Very useful for boss battles.
Mouse: used to control the game's user interface.
Ctrl: skip through the mission dialog.

You have three important resources, shown with bars:

Health is represented by the red bar. When it reaches 0, you will lose the game.
Energy is represented by the blue bar, and is used to summon special attacks and to dodge enemy fire. It can be renewed by picking up powerups, and slowly recharges. Metal is represented by the gray bar, and is used to summon reinforcements. Your flying army will typically do most of the damage; therefore it is very important to collect the gray metal powerups, to keep sending in reinforcements.

[RCF86-Q2]

Zen-Ichi, PatriotDark and Siter Skain games (Kamui and RefleX)

Free games: Blue wish resurrection, Cho Ren Sha 68K, Xeno Fighters EX and XOP Black

[brickiemart]

I totally agree with Kamui from the above post. That is my favorite PC-only shooter so far. Check for a demo on Shoot the Core, the whole game requires money. It's worth it though.

[corn619]

I just picked up Cloudphobia. Its pretty freaking good, I highly recommend it.

[Ivo]

Warning Forever is freeware, it's not the best but it is somewhat unique and cool for some high-score chasing bouts.

[Matthew Doucette]

Any of you guys remember Nebula Fighter by One Reality? It was featured in some huge PC gaming magazine, and came on CD way back in the late 90's. It was low-res (320x240x256 I think) and started off in a space/asteroid stage that was super hyped up. All 3D rendered graphics, which was very cool back then. The game was not the greatest, but it still stands out to me as one of the best shooters on the PC up until that time.