learning to fly

[Lord_Santa]

I played some of the classics back when, but never got into the genre enough, apart from S.E.U.C.K., where I created Commando-type games

at the moment I'm checking out a couple of MAME titles to compare PC -> Xbox performance (yes... I'm emulating) and played through DonPachi, DoDonPachi, Aerowings and Progear

I gotta say, I've never quite felt "it" when playing Shoot 'em up's
but these games truly got me into the flow of the games
I have not been this focused for well over a decade

thus I'm finding more and more titles to give a try
unfortunately I can only hope to one day being able to get hold of all the real hardware required to play these games, hence I am "limited" to emulators

this however does provide me with a wide variety of flavors
I also have a Dreamcast

bottom-line would be, I'm getting to know the genre
what can you all recommend to ease me into all of this?

for example, is it worth to buy an Arcade-stick to enhance the experience?
in which case: will a cheap-middle-price ranged do?

at the moment I am using my Wii Classic Controller on PC and PS2/Xbox1 controller on Xbox

what games do you recommend? from ordinary shooter's -> Bullet Hell shooter's

which companies should I be on the lookout for? I've been playing Cave shooters right now and am still getting to know the business

and whatever other questions come to mind

[EllertMichael]

DoDonPachi is a GREAT game to get you started in the genre and can really help to hone your skills. Especially if you are gonna get into the Cave games.. with DoDonPachi you can feel yourself progressing and you can apply those same mechanics to a vast majority of other shooters.
WARNING: You do kinda have to become borderline obsessed with the game.

With the Dreamcast, Ikaruga is necessary. It's a game you can casually play-to-survive, or really sink your teeth into when racking up chains and playing for score. It's beautiful and stressful and super-fun.

As far as the arcade stick goes, it takes a little getting used to if all you've been using is a pad, but it's really worth it. It does well to enhance the experience.
I just recently started using a Wii Hori stick (for Wii shmups along with emulation of TG-16, Genesis, SNES, NES) and I love it. Star Soldier R plays extremely well with the stick. ALSO! I can run the Wii Hori Stick through my computer with the Wiimote's bluetooth and play MAME with a stick. Pfft. Fucking Awesome.
And my buddy went to Japan and brought me back the Sega Saturn Hori stick! I got it like 2 weeks ago, so I've been using that a lot lately and it's a really nice stick. Trying to play Radiant Silvergun in the 3-button method for the first time was a nightmare, hahaha but Yeah after getting used to the stick you won't wanna play shmups any other way. (No disrespect to the Saturn pad!)

[pjvdg]

As far as classics go, I loved pilotwings on the snes (a bit too short though).
For shooters, give Tyrian a try, I believe it was re-released as freeware.

[D.D.D.]

I also really like shooters by Compile. http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/aleste/compile.htm
Blazing Lazers (TG16) and Super Aleste/Space Megaforce (SNES) are two of my all-time favorites in the non-bullet-hell shooters.

[chupon]

And I was hoping for a Tom Petty thread.

Why don't you give 1942 a go. It's always been one of my fav's.

[D.D.D.]

And I was hoping for a Tom Petty thread.

(I thought it was Foo Fighters)

[dsheinem]

And I was hoping for a Tom Petty thread.

Why don't you give 1942 a go. It's always been one of my fav's.

Shmups without a good stick is like "learning to fly...but I ain't got wings"

[noiseredux]

yeah the arcade stick is absolutely necessary. I wouldn't be able to play a Shmup without anymore. Price of arcade stick is less important as feel. We all like a different feel. Do you like flat buttons? Concave buttons? Should they "click"? Round stick or not? Button layout? Etc.

I don't have a DC myself, but I just did a GCN Shmup post on my blog. Three of the titles I covered (Ikaruga, Chaos Field, and Radirgy) are available on DC. So check those out for sure. (In that order )

(btw, once you "get" Shmups -- it becomes a bit of an addiction.)

[Hatta]

And I was hoping for a Tom Petty thread.

(I thought it was Foo Fighters)

Don't you both mean Pink Floyd?

Anyway I went on my first big shmup kick earlier this year. I have an X-arcade and a Saturn pad and I found myself playing with the saturn pad more. It's more convenient to use a little gamepad, and the pad registers smaller movements. Maybe if I had a stick with real Happ parts it would be better. I still love the X-arcade for classic arcade games.

I spent most of my time playing DDP and Touhou 6. These are both games that take a lot of practice and memorization, but they reward that effort immensely. I haven't finished either of them, been doing some modern gaming for a breather. Looking forward to getting back to it though.

[dsheinem]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_to_fly

I think we really should turn this into a Hillary Duff video discussion.