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HeavyMetalMe wrote:

denpanosekai wrote:why no option for both? I like SHMUPs no matter what.

Don't take the easy way out. Choose a side!

And if you choose the "wrong" side....

dlmvii wrote:Anybody that does not vote for vertical is a terrorist

Choose wisely!

I wouldn't say either is better...but I think I like hori games a bit more because there are so many great 16 bit titles. It seems vertical games, although definatly present in the 16-bit era, are really more of a 32 and onward specialty. I know there are alot of great tg-16 titles that are vertical, some great genesis ones, and a few here and there on the nes and snes. To me when I think "quality retro shooter" it always brings to mind games like Super R-Type and Thunderforce III.

Even though there are some stellar verts on early systems...I think they truly perfected it on the dreamcast. Unlike hori's which have basically remain unchanged since the 16 bit days. Same old ideas and power ups....just improved (sometimes not-so improved) graphics. Think about Gradius V...amazing game...but nothing new there. It seems that the vertical style is a bit more versitle. New innovations on games like Trigger Heart Excelica and Karous make the genre innovative and give a new feel. Thats just my take.

and oh yeah....i still voted hori.

ott0bot wrote:and oh yeah....i still voted hori.

The underdog orientation of the underdog genre.

Hori, reason? Gradius!

I prefer vertical. A lot of this is due to the fact that I just got into the habit of putting my modest-sized widescreen TV on its side and playing the game in Tate screen mode. All my vertical console shmups that support this have even more replay value now. Even without this though I still have always favored the vertical scrolling games.

Why is vertical better? I chose horizontal, but it's mostly to match the aspect ratio of home TVs. I have a bias from playing these games at home.

It's funny as I am making a verticle shooter right now, but only because of development reasons. In other words, lack of resources, and horizontal shooters are harder to make.

...and Thunder Force series also plays a heavy bias on my mind!

For whatever reason, Horizontal and Vertical shooters tend to create very different level designs and enemy patterns. It might be a psychological thing that causes people to think different for vertical and horizontal, which then causes games to be developed around the two styles.

As for real-estate, that's only a concern for the home system. In arcades all the vertical shooters use a rotated monitor anyway.

I knewthis poll HAD to exist already..

Personally, I have more fun and stand more of a chance playing Vertical Shmups
my favourite is probably Radiant Silvergun... I'll never 1cc clear it but it's just so beautiful and stressful - so good!

just ordered the Castle of Shikigami III and Ultimate Shooting Collection combo on Amazon for $26 with free shipping
pretty sweet deal - looking forward to checking those out

there are definitely some great horizontal shooters though.. Thunder Force V!
my all time fav hori shooter is probably Air Fortress (that counts! hehe) One of my first games as a kid, I even remember my parents buying it for me at Ames.. must have been '89/'90..one of my earliest memories..
finally finished it in 2008, hahaha Great music!!

I went with Horizontal. I love most shmups, but the ones I love the most are R-Type, Cotton, Parodius, Forgotten Worlds and others. Heck, I'm pretty sure R-Type was the first shmup I ever played.

It all depends on my mood, though. Hell, sometimes I'll even go for shmups that are neither! Space Harrier, Viewpoint and Zaxxon are fun diversions.

Vertical of horizontal, it doesn't matter: it must be hard.

Anyway, my vote goes to horizontal, I grew up with games like Life Force Salamander and Parodius.