Ultimate Shmup Gamelist

[BadMouth]

I suck at shmups, but want to get into them more when I finish the current build.
I'm working on an ultimate shmup gamelist (arcade only). 
Don't want it to include all of them, just those that shmup enthusiasts consider good.
If a sequal was good, I'll probably include the predecessors, even if they aren't as good.

Here is what I've come up with so far from browsing forums and including everything on newer systems.
EDIT: Updated to include recommendations through post #15.

(On my system, they'll all show up in one gamelist, but I thought it would be useful for others if separated by emulator here)

MAME v.146 or higher

1942
1943
1944: The Loop Master
Aero Fighters
Air Gallet
Air Buster
Alpha Mission
Alpha Mission II
Ark Area
Armed Police Batrider
Basugun
Battle Bakraid - Unlimited Version
Battle Chopper
Battle Garegga
Bee Storm
Bells and Whistles
Blaze On
Blazing Star
Boogie Wings
Bosconian
Brave Blade
Carrier Air Wing
Change Air Blade
Chopper I
Cosmo Gang The Video
Cotton
Cotton 2
Cotton Boomerang
Cybattler
Cyvern
Dangan Feveron
Darius
Darius II
Darius Gaiden
Desert War
Dimahoo
DoDonPachi
DoDonPachi Dai-Ou-Jou
DonPachi
Double Wings
Dr Toppels Adventure
Dragon Blaze
Dragon Breed
Dragon Spirit
Earth Defense Force
Eco Fighters
ESP Ra.De.
Espgaluda
Fantastic Journey
Final Star Force
Fever SOS
Flying Shark
Galaga
Galaga 88
Galaxian
Gemini Wing
Giga Wing
Gorf
Gradius
Gradius II
Gradius III
Grid Seeker:Project Storm Hammer
Gunbird
Gunbird 2
Gunlock
Guwange (Master)
Guwange (Special)
Gyruss
Hellfire
In the Hunt
Juno First
Ketsui Kizuna Jigoku Tachi
Last Resort
Legendary Wings
Lethal Thunder
Macross Pluss
Mad Shark
Mars Matrix:Hyper solid Shooting
Mazinger Z
Moon Cresta
Mystic Riders
Nostradamus
Outzone
P-47: The Phantom Fighters
P-47: Aces
Parodius DA!
Phelios
Plus Alpha
Prehistoric Isle II
Progear
Pulstar
R-Type
R-Type II
R-Type Leo
Radient Silvergun
Raiden
Raiden Fighters
Raiden Fighters 2
Raiden Fighters Jet
Raiga Strato Fighter
Ray Force
Ray Storm
Rohga Armor Force
Salamander
Salamander 2
Samurai Aces
Sexy Parodius
Shikigami no Shiro
Sourcer Striker
Soukyugurentai/Terra Driver
Space Invaders
Space Invaders 91
Super Spacefortress Macross II
Storm Blade
Strikers 1945
Strikers 1945 II
Strikers 1945 III
Tengai
Tenkomori Shooting
Terra Cresta
Terra Force
The Game Paradise: Master of Shooting
Twin Cobra
Twin Cobra 2
Twin Eagle II
Twin Hawk
TwinBee
Twinkle Star Sprites
UN Defense Force
Vasara
Vasara 2
Viper Phase 1
Wonder Planet
Xevious
Xevious 3D
Xexex

MAME v.145u7 (cavesh3)

Deathsmiles
Espgaluda II
Ibara
Ibara Black Label
Muchi Muchi Pork!
Mushihime-Sama
Mushihime-Sama Futari
Mushihime-Sama Futari Black Label
Pink Sweets: Ibara Sorekara

M2Emulator

Pilot Kids
Zero Gunner

NAOMI (Demul/Makaron)

Border Down
Chaos Field
Giga Wing 2
Ikaruga
Illmatic Envelope
Karous
Mamoru-kun was Norowarete Shimatta
Psyvariar 2
Radirgy
Radirgy Noa
Shikigami no Shiro II
Shooting Love 2007/Exzeal
Trigger Heart Exelica
Trizeal
Under Defeat
Zero Gunner 2

Taito Type X/X2

Giga Wing Generations
Homura
Raiden III
Raiden IV
Shikigam No Shiro III
Trouble Witches

Missing anything?

[harveybirdman]

Aero Fighters
Air Gallet
Air Buster
Alpha Mission (I, II)
Ark Area
Battle Chopper
Bells and Whistles
Blaze On
Blazing Star
Boogie Wings
Carrier Air Wing
Change Air Blade
Chopper I
Cosmo Gang The Video
Cotton (2 & Boomerang)
Cybattler
Cyvern
Desert War
Double Wings
Dr Toppels Adventure
Dragon Blaze
Dragon Breed
Dragon Spirit
Earth Defense Force
Eco Fighters
Final Star Force
Grid Seeker Project Storm Hammer
Gunbird (1 & 2)
Gunlock
Juno First
Legendary Wings
Macross Plus
Mad Shark
Mazinger Z
Moon Cresta
Mystic Riders
Nostradamus
P-47 (Phantom Fighters & Aces)
Phelios
Plus Alpha
Prehistoric Isle II
Pulstar
Raiga Strato Fighter
Rohga Armor Force
Samurai Aces
Sorcer Striker
Super Spacefortree Macross II
Tengai
Terra Cresta
Terra Force
The Game Paradise Master of Shooting
Twin Cobra 2
UN Defense Force
Wonder Planet
Xevious
Xevious 3D
Xexex

[BadMouth]

just vertical?  I notice you have a few horizontal in there.

I don't always play shmups, but when I do, I prefer an automatically rotating monitor.
Stay thirsty my friends.

[Nephasth]

Right now my gameroom's featured MAME game is Raiden Fighters Jet. I'm diggin' it.

[harveybirdman]

 Edited my post with some you might want to check out, granted I know you said you didn't want everything and some may not be your cup o tea.  You really did hit a lot of the "best" ones.

But I love this genre....


i.e. Final Star Force for it's upgrade system alone....  Some may play it and say this game sucks balz... But I love it.

[harveybirdman]

Right now my gameroom's featured MAME game is Raiden Fighters Jet. I'm diggin' it.

Love the little dragon in that one...

I didn't put any of those on my list, cause of Badmouth's disclaimer about sequels.   But Viper Phase I and Raiden Fighters too

[Nephasth]

Right now my gameroom's featured MAME game is Raiden Fighters Jet. I'm diggin' it.

Love the little dragon in that one...

I didn't put any of those on my list, cause of Badmouth's disclaimer about sequels.   But Viper Phase I and Raiden Fighters too

I'm a Blue Javelin man myself...

[harveybirdman]

Forgot to include what my CPU isn't capable of playing

Radient Silvergun for starters

Add to that category

Twin Eagle II
Tenkomori Shooting
Soukyugurentai/Terra Diver
Sexy Parodius
Fantastic Journey

[harveybirdman]

I've realized that I took a bunch for granted, I guess thinking that it's safe to assume that everyone already has 1942, 1943, Space Invaders, Galaga, Gorf, Bosconian, etc without adding them to this list?

[BadMouth]

Thanks harveybirdman & Nephasth.  First post has been updated to include your recommendations.
Including other emulators, the list is up to 143 games.

I'm not sure that I want that many in my gamelist, but it's a good starting point.
(a lot better than starting with crappy games included and not knowing which ones they are)

[BadMouth]

I've realized that I took a bunch for granted, I guess thinking that it's safe to assume that everyone already has 1942, 1943, Space Invaders, Galaga, Gorf, Bosconian, etc without adding them to this list?

Might be blasphemy, but I don't really consider the ones without a scrolling background a shmup.

[harveybirdman]

Fair enough, that applies to all my previous suggestions with the exception of Cosmo Gang the Video and Juno First.

[shponglefan]

To add to the Mame list:

Darius
Darius II
Darius Gaiden
Gyruss
In the Hunt
Last Resort
Lethal Thunder
R-Type II
R-Type Leo
Twinkle Star Sprites

[Nephasth]

One side scroller shmup is Hellfire. I prefer vertical scrolling shmups, but it's worth a try to see if you want to add it to your list.

[shponglefan]

Might be blasphemy, but I don't really consider the ones without a scrolling background a shmup.

[emphatic]

Flying Shark
Galaga 88
Gemini Wing
Outzone
Progear
Storm Blade
Super Space Invaders '91
Twin Cobra (way better than Twin Cobra II)
Twin Hawk
Vasara
Vasara 2

[harveybirdman]

One side scroller shmup is Hellfire. I prefer vertical scrolling shmups, but it's worth a try to see if you want to add it to your list.

I like this one, left it off my first list because I figured one need to be a genre enthusiast to look past the graphics to appreciate the multi-directional shooting features.  But after watching it on youtube (played by someone that doesn't suck, as I tend to) I agree with you... it's a fine horizontal shooter.

I also noticed you have the board and have been testing the briefcase components with it, awesome project BTW.

[Le Chuck]

Good list, a bit long tho.  Any chance of doing a collective top twenty with a brief description by our resident shmup masters?

[harveybirdman]

that's a good idea LeChuck.

I think though for a well-rounded list we'd need to lay some ground rules for somehow limiting the number of games from a franchise/developer otherwise my top twenty are all going to be Altus/Cave 

And you know it's not fair to bump someone out of the list for Galaga, I mean we all know that rules.

[Well Fed Games]

Ah, a list will be easy to make. I will start with the obvious #1- Raiden II. 

[harveybirdman]

I'll start.  First one on our list that has and an A rating from me is Battle Bakraid



This to me takes the best things about the Raiden games and combines them with a nice game play sensibility.

Here are the categories I think we can all rate SHMUPS on.

Arsenal: This games scores in this category for quick power ups for shot, side, and option.  The bomb leaves a bit to be desired, but if you are a purist you probably want to get by without using many anyways.  Nice feature of auto fire devastating shot if you don't fire for a few seconds.  Battle Bakraid doesn't let you down when you feel like blowing stuff up

Difficulty:  It's a bit tough, but even my loser skillz can get through a level or two on one ship so it's manageable.  It also has a stepped difficulty so the learning curve isn't too bad.  Of course maybe some desire more of a challenge and see this as a bad thing.  Perhaps we have more discussions about what is a good "difficulty"

Graphics:  Graphics are very smooth, screen holds up to a ton of bullets better than some with this level of firepower.  There is that Raiden realism effect, as apposed to a cartoon feel.  Environments look very good, and offer a nice contrast.  The screen can get busy but otherwise the graphics are appealing

Intangibles (sound etc.):  Soundtrack is pretty good, name of the tune appears at the bottom left during levels as if you needed your attention drawn to it to appreciate it.  Control is good, and makes to overall experience top notch.

[BadMouth]

Ah, a list will be easy to make. I will start with the obvious #1- Raiden II. 

Is anyone running a version of Raiden II on their cab? (other than an original board)
I read the pc version sucks.  Been debating on messing with it for the sake of having the complete series.

Good list, a bit long tho.

Agreed.  I'm wondering how many total shmups there are in MAME vs this list. 
No such thing as a bad shmup if you're a shmup lover? 
I've given in and added the classics.

For my own use, I'll start out with the whole thing and whittle it down to 100.

[Well Fed Games]

Ah, a list will be easy to make. I will start with the obvious #1- Raiden II. 

Is anyone running a version of Raiden II on their cab? (other than an original board)
I read the pc version sucks.  Been debating on messing with it for the sake of having the complete series.

I "acquired" the PC version at one point and tried it out, it seemed to be pretty similar to the port of it on the PS1 in the Raiden Project. I think there are a few graphical differences, such as some of the shading and shadows. I joke about Raiden II because it is he one PCB I decided to own- actually, twice, as I have II and DX now. I need to get that cab done! Someday if someone who wins the lottery gives me a bunch of money I will get the first Raiden, Viper Phase 1, a couple of the Fighters series, a 6-in-1 Jamma switcher, and then adopt that cabinet as my child.

[sharpfork]

Ah, a list will be easy to make. I will start with the obvious #1- Raiden II. 

Is anyone running a version of Raiden II on their cab? (other than an original board)
I read the pc version sucks.  Been debating on messing with it for the sake of having the complete series.

..first Raiden, Viper Phase 1, a couple of the Fighters series, a 6-in-1 Jamma switcher, and then adopt that cabinet as my child.

You might have a custody battle with me on your hands!

I'm curious about emulating Raiden II as well.  Other than the Raiden Project on PS1, I haven't found a decent way to play it.

[harveybirdman]

Okay so ones that I didn't think about that I don't think have been mentioned yet.... This is probably second tier for the most part and likely out of the scope of Bad Mouth's intentions... but I fell compelled to list...

1941 Counterattack
19XX War Against Destiny
Aero Fighters 2, 3, and Special
Air Buster
Armed Formation
Ashura Blaster
Black Heart
Blast Off
Blue Hawk
Captain Tomaday
Cobra Command
Cosmic Cop
Daioh
Dangar UFO Robo
Dangerous Seed
Dyger
Explosive Breaker
Exzisus
Fantasy Zone
Fighter and Attacker
Fighting Hawk
Fire Hawk
Flying Tiger
Galmedes
Gekiriaden
Hacha Mecha Fighter
Insector X
Lethal Thunder
Lightning Fighters
Mag Max
Master of Weapon
Mission 660
Rafflesia
Repulse
Return of the Invaders
Satans Hollow
SD Gundam Neo Battling
Sinistar
Skull Fang
Sol Divide: The Sword of Darkness
Space Bomber
Spiders
Strike Gunner S.T.G.
Super Spacefortress Macross
Super-X
The Next Space
Thunder Cross
Thunder Dragon 2
Thundercade (probably an omnishooter instead of a SHUMP but...)
Time Pilot
Truxton II
Turbo Force
U.N. Squadron
Ultra X Weapons
Valtric
Vapor Trail
Varth
Viewpoint
Zero Wing
Zaxxon
Zing Zing Zip

[Nephasth]

This is probably second tier...

Satans Hollow

 

Another unique old school one... Exerion.

Man, I don't consider myself a "shmup enthusiast", I haven't played many but have enjoyed most all of the ones I've played... I haven't heard of about 80% of the games listed, glad this thread came about!

[harveybirdman]

for the most part 

[harveybirdman]

Good list, a bit long tho.

Agreed.  I'm wondering how many total shmups there are in MAME vs this list. 
No such thing as a bad shmup if you're a shmup lover? 
I've given in and added the classics.

around 1284 including clones, and that's just what's listed on mamedb