16-bit Shmups appreciation thread

[Hobie-wan]

I'll check out Space Megaforce.

It's a game that I play still very regularly. I think out of all the Compile shooters, I like Space Megaforce and Blazing Lazers best.

Zanac on the NES is also awesome. Graphics are ok, but the gameplay and speed are amazing considering it is an early title. I also play SMF every time I hook up the SNES. I love me some Compile shmups.

[D.D.D.]

I'll check out Space Megaforce.

It's a game that I play still very regularly. I think out of all the Compile shooters, I like Space Megaforce and Blazing Lazers best.

Zanac on the NES is also awesome. Graphics are ok, but the gameplay and speed are amazing considering it is an early title. I also play SMF every time I hook up the SNES. I love me some Compile shmups.

Yeah I dig some Zanac too but sometimes it just feels a little old compared to the newer/evolved 16bit Compile shooters. Speaking of Compile, it sucks they became a puzzle game company towards the end...

[GigaPepsiMan]

Only 16-bit shumps that I play these days are U.N.Squadron and Thunderforce IV. I think they are both great shumps, I give hellfire on the Mega drive/Genisis the odd go too.
I should look into getting more 16-bit shooters Tunderforce III, R-Type III and Axelay are on the top of my list.

[Breetai]

Only 16-bit shumps that I play these days are U.N.Squadron and Thunderforce IV. I think they are both great shumps, I give hellfire on the Mega drive/Genisis the odd go too.
I should look into getting more 16-bit shooters Tunderforce III, R-Type III and Axelay are on the top of my list.

When you play R-Type III, try to imagine that you are in 1992, the Super Nintendo is still the newest and most wanted system, and R-Type III just came out (instead of a few years later). You'll feel like you are living in the future of 3D graphics!

[GigaPepsiMan]

Only 16-bit shumps that I play these days are U.N.Squadron and Thunderforce IV. I think they are both great shumps, I give hellfire on the Mega drive/Genisis the odd go too.
I should look into getting more 16-bit shooters Tunderforce III, R-Type III and Axelay are on the top of my list.

When you play R-Type III, try to imagine that you are in 1992, the Super Nintendo is still the newest and most wanted system, and R-Type III just came out (instead of a few years later). You'll feel like you are living in the future of 3D graphics!

I'll keep that in mind, then again old things fascinate, I actually like the loading screens on the old micro computers, something about that stuff that I like.

[Aaendi]

Apparently you guys were not joking about how the Gen shmup library blows the SNES shmup library away! Wow. Can't wait for the Rackeboy guide on Gen & SNES shmups now!

Actually, I prefer the SNES/SFC shmup library. Yes, the Genesis/MD has more and doesn't have the slowdown issues that early SNES shmups have, but I still find the SNES to have a greater amount of top-notch shooters.

PC Engine/Saturn = shooter heaven

I don't know what is wrong with developers. I have more fun optimizing my code for speed, than any other part of programming. Bug catching is my least favorite part.

[dunpeal2064]

Man, how did I miss this thread!

One old school shooter that I love that gets very little love for being in arguably the worst shmup series ever, the "Fang" series, is Vapor Trail. Even though they only used one track for each level, that track is cool enough. But, this game is manic! Not patterns and such, but it almost feels like early Psikyo.

The game does give you health, along with lives, and a shield, which makes it look like the game is going to be too easy, but I have not made it past stage 3 on the PCB or Genesis port (which is quite accurate!)

The Toaplan shooters are king of that era though imo, closely followed by Seibu. Still trying to become a Konami/Irem fan myself, their games are something else.

[o.pwuaioc]

^That's because it was last posted in (besides Aaendi) before you got here.

Surprised there's no love for Aerofighters, and Raiden Trad was on the SNES, too, not just the Genesis.

[dunpeal2064]

Oh wow! Totally missed that one.

Aero Fighters is awesome, how did I forget that one! Now that game REALLY feels like Psikyo. I think its interesting how the AF series evolved after their devs left and formed Psikyo (I think they were only there for the first AF)

[Aaendi]

From reading a lot of old magazine articles I found on the web, it sure looks like the 68000 was the only CPU programmers were taught to program back then.

Sure your 65816 code will run like crap, if you're taught to always do everything in 16 registers, just like a 68000 would.