Shmup suggestions

[crux]

Ack, I didn't clarify myself properly. I love the shooter articles and they were actually the reason I started browsing this site (years before I joined the forums). What I meant to say is that the articles aren't the perfect source for suggestions (as per the topic creator's request), but for general information. I was really responding to the comment "/thread" after the articles were linked, as the articles really are a good starting point, but do not serve as definitive recommendations.

I am planning on writing some articles myself, so I do appreciate the feedback, all the same. It is nice to find recommendations without visiting every appropriate forum, but you're right in that there has to be a start somewhere. Various opinions will breed various suggestions - part of the problem with forums, but also part of the problem with "definitive" articles as well.

[Hobie-wan]

You should take a look here as well:

http://shmups.com/xenocidefiles/saturn.html
http://shmups.com/xenocidefiles/dreamcast.html

[Frizz.Meister]

Wow thanks for all the great suggestions, looking into getting Zero gunner 2 and Giga Wing 1&2 at the moment.

As for why i believe Shmups need good graphics. It not that they need to be HD and photorealistic, but more that lots of great explosions and moving objects add to the overall 'hectic' feel of the game which is what i love. For example i have Gunbird on my saturn which is a great game but there is only really one thing to look at, the bullets making it no only feel easier but calmer? If that makes sense.

Xbox 360 Shmups do look really good especially Radient 4. However i live in the UK and have a PAL Xbox which cant play them, and as of yet i havn't found an easy way to play imports without getting banned from Xbox live. So any help there would be apreciated.

[dsheinem]

For example i have Gunbird on my saturn which is a great game but there is only really one thing to look at, the bullets making it no only feel easier but calmer? If that makes sense.

If you like Gunbird, Gunbird 2 is SO MUCH BETTER and looks gorgeous on the Dreamcast.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Not for the Saturn or Dreamcast, but my favorite shmup of all is Thunder Force II for the Megadrive/Genesis. It has a unique mix of overhead/sidescrolling stages like Lifeforce, but the overhead levels aren't auto scrolling, and the only comparison I can make is all-range mode in Star Fox. TF2 is also one of the hardest Genesis games I can think of.

[retroaddict]

I'm not sure if anyone suggested already, so I'm just gonna suggest:

MAME Space Invaders '95
Invader Attack from CoderGames.com
Jets'n'guns from RakeInGrass.com