What shmup are you playing now?

[BoneSnapDeez]

Are Mushihimesama Futari and Akai Katana decent games? I'm lookin' for some 360 stuff. I just ordered Dodonpachi Resurrection...

Deathsmiles. Do you have it?

Haha yes. Played through that and Otomedius Excellent several times last year...

[sabrage]

Thought I'd blow off some Raiden 3 steam with Sky Shark... I forgot that this game is a million times harder. Maybe because the hitboxes are enormous? I don't think NES shmups are for me.

Edit: Right, so, I've been craving a new shmup since Raiden 3 is a fair sight more taxing than I was anticipating. Money's tight, so I'm only buying one and preferably something cheap. I'm looking for:
-Vertical scrolling
-Not a manic shooter
-No rank system
-16-bit era or later with no slowdown!

Going back over the "Games that Defined" article, I think I'm leaning towards Gunbird 2, but I'm open to any suggestions. Truxton is my other choice, but I think that might be a bit too difficult (given its reputation) for me to really enjoy right now. I definitely plan on picking up Xevious 3D in the near future, but I'm content with Galactic Attack and want something a little different (though I absolutely adore Xevious)

[noiseredux]

@sabrage - Gunbird 2 is amazing. Psykio is sort of well-known for bridging the gap between "old school" shooters and bullet hells. Gunbird 2, like many Psykio games isn't really either. It's somewhere in between.

[dunpeal2064]

Gunbird 2 is manic. Not bullet hell, but definitely manic. I'd say its as hard or harder than Raiden III.

Its tough to think of a good post 16bit non manic vert shooter, and its tough to find a 16 bit shooter port that doesn't have slowdown

Trizeal fits that bill, but its not too cheap. Same with Under Defeat.

Giga Wing and Shikigami 2 are bullet hell, but they don't "feel" bullet hell like Cave stuff. Maybe check some tube vids out?

[mjmjr25]

Trizeal is def. easier than Raiden III and Gunbird.

PS2-J copy isn't too bad, $40 range. DC is $60+

[ExedExes]

and its tough to find a 16 bit shooter port that doesn't have slowdown

I was so ready to suggest Space Megaforce to him, but he said the *s* word

[foxhound1022]

What about Raystorm?

[dunpeal2064]

What about Raystorm?

But Rayforce is one of his only shooters! A great game, but prolly not differrnt enough from Rayforce to suffice.

Zero Gunner 2 would be perfect for you Sabrage! But... its pricey

I was going to also suggest Soukyugurentai, but I'd say its also too similar to Rayforce if you are looking for something different.

Its like a shmup riddle! ..

.. shmup riddles would be awesome!!!

[foxhound1022]

What about Raystorm?

But Rayforce is one of his only shooters!

Zero Gunner 2 would be perfect for you Sabrage! But... its pricey

??? These are the same game?

[dunpeal2064]

Oh whoops, no! Sorry, my posts are confusing, I'm on my phone.

Raystorm is the sequel to Rayforce/Layer Section/Gunlock/Galactic Attack.

I was just saying its probably too similar to one of his only shooters, since he said he was lookin for somethin diff