SHMUPS


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Arcades: The Motherlode of Shmups! Since videogames infiltrated the electric delights of the smoky arcades there have always been shmups. From the earliest scrollers such as Scramble and Xevious, through the golden age of classics with R-Type and Nemesis, to the modern G-Darius and Raystorm, this list attempts to chronicle them all.

Many of the home consoles raided the arcade archives for shootemups, but a great many classics still languish unconverted today. We've all got our own favourites which in time may become emulated or ported, before they moulder away to be forgotten completely.

*thanks to everybody who contributed to this list, especially Sixtoe who spent aaaages recently sifting through all the arcade shmups I missed!


GAME COMPANY YEAR INFORMATION

1941

Capcom

1990

3rd in series, lots of weapons and great graphics. I like how you can rub the walls and spin your ship!

1942

Capcom

1984

The first WW2 plane style basic shooter. Still very addictive after all these years!

1943

Capcom

1987

2ND in series, much better looking with weapon powerups and a life guage.

19XX

Capcom

1996

4th in series, more akin to Cave's output in gameplay style in later levels, while retaining classic Capcom design, see review.

1944: The Loop Master

Capcom / Raizing

2000

5th in series. Hmm. Not my favourite in the series, but playable enough. Expected a lot more after 19XX.

Acrobat Mission

UPL

1991

Average describes this fairly nondescript vertical shmup.

Aero Blasters (PCE review) / Airbuster

Kaneko

1990

Good fun side scroller with some unusual graphics and difficult sections. Bit of a classic! Got some great MD and PCE conversions.

Aerofighters (snes review) / Sonic Wings

Video System

1992

One of the first shooters to give you a large selection of ships to choose from.

Aero Fighters 2 / Sonic Wings 2

Video System

1994

More of the same…

Aerofighters 3 / Sonic Wings 3

Video System

1995

More of the same…

Airbuster / Aeroblasters

Kaneko

1990

Good fun side scroller with some unusual graphics and difficult sections. Bit of a classic! Got some great MD and PCE conversions.

Air Duel

Irem

1990

Average unspectacular shmup.

Air Gallet

Banpresto

1996

 

Ajax / Typhoon

Konami

1987

Unique shooter that alternates between overhead helicopter shooter and behindview jetfighter divebombing shooter.

Alcon / Slap Fight

Taito

1986

Great early shmup with loads of powerups and some great level design, poor Megadrive version.

Alpha Mission / Armored Scrum Object

SNK

1985

Destroy ground targets to release special weapons, which can be used when you have enough energy.

Alpha Mission 2 / Armored Scrum Object II

SNK

1991

Sequel to above.

Arbalester

Seta

1989

Vertical plane shooter,

Area 88 / UN Squadron

Capcom

1989

Great manga based horizontal shooter, has health bar and your plane smokes and falls apart as damaged.

Argus

Jaleco

1986

Vertical shmup where screen scrolls slightly to left and right when near edge of screen.

Armed Formation F

Nichibutsu

1988

Vertical format, bio-organic style graphics

Armed Police Batrider

Raizing / Eighting

1998

Decent little 'cut - and - paste from back catalogue' shmup. See if you spot the Allstars!

Armed Police Unit / Gallop

Irem

1996

Despite what some say, I'm 99% sure this is not part of the R-Type family.

Armored Scrum Object / Alpha Mission

SNK

1985

Destroy ground targets to release special weapons, which can be used when you have enough energy.

Armored Scrum Object II / Alpha Mission II

SNK

1991

Sequel to above.

Ashura Blaster

Taito

1990

Vertical helicopter shooter, similar to Twin Cobra.

Assault

Namco

1988

Tank shooter: rotating 3d graphics, unique control method. Available on Playstation Museum Pack

Astron Belt

Sega

1983

Laserdisk based shooter, sprites over video footage.

Asuka & Asuka

Taito

1989

Vertical jet shmup.

Aurail

Sega

1990

Tank shooter, free 4-way scrolling

Batsugun (review 1)
Batsugun (review 2)

Toaplan

1993

Hilariously over-manic shmup with massive weapons, also available on Saturn

Battle Bakraid

8ing

1999

Superb shmup, see review.

Battle Chopper / Mr.Heli

Irem

1987

Cute slow paced multidirectional scrolling shooter, loads of powerups to reveal by shooting landscape.

Battle Garegga

Raizing

1996

Old skool style super shmup, WW1 planes, realistic bullets (which are hard to see). Saturn version.

Detana!! Twin Bee / Bells'n'Whistles

Konami

1991

Sequel to Twin Bee, great colorful vertical cartoon shmup with lots of powerups.

Bermuda Triangle

SNK

1987

Bizarre shmup with a rotatable turret on top, when you reach end of level you fly backwards down level again, before flying up for final time.

Black Heart

UPL

1991

  

Blasteroids

Atari

1987

Asteroids clone with pre-rendered moon rocks as asteroid and end of level bosses

Blast Off

Namco

1989

Vertical shmup, can change firing patterns with button, has bosconian motherships in it!

Blazeon

Atlus

1992

Nice horizontal shmup where you can capture and use enemy ships, also SNES version.

Blazing Star

Yumekobo

1998

Sequel to Pulstar, great pre-rendered neogeo shooter, probably the best on the system.

Blue Hawk

Dooyong

1993

Vertical futuristic jet based shmup.

Bosconian

Namco

1981

Basic 4 way scrolling game. Also available on Namco Museum Pack

Carrier Airwing / US Navy

Capcom

1990

Sequel to UN Squadron/Area 88, anime series scrolling shooter, tanks, planes and stealth bombers!

Change Air Blade Sammy 1999 Unique one-on-one shmup

Chariot, from Three Wonders

Capcom

1991

3-in-1 pack, Chariot is a semi-cute horizontally scrolling game. Also on Saturn

Chimera Beast

Jaleco

1993

Underwater horizontal shmup like

Cotton

Success/Sega

1989

Cute flying witchs on broomsticks shmup.

Cotton II

Success/Sega

1997

Stunning looking sequel to the cutesy flying witch shmup, also available for Saturn.

Cotton Boomerang

Success/Sega

1998

Even nicer looking, kinda like "Cotton II Remix"

Cybattler

Jaleco

1993

Coolest Jaleco game, manga robots the shoot and slice enemies with a sword!

Cyvern

Kaneko

1998

Great looking cyborg mutant dragon shmup, rock hard, see review…

Daioh

Athena

1993

Shmup with special moves and the most buttons of any arcade shooter ever (6!)

Dangerous Seed

Namco

1989

Average vertical shmup with insect-type enemies and bosses.

Dangun Feveron

Cave

1998

Fantastic disco-themed space blaster... manic, insane and even has a Time Attack mode!

Darius

Taito

1986

Massive 3 screen hoizontal shooter, the original fish-blasting shmup! Robotic seafood anyone?

Darius II / Sagaia

Taito

1989

3 or 2 screen side scroller, great mech-fish bosses. Also on Megadrive, Playstation and Saturn.

Darius Gaiden

Taito

1994

Superb single screen effects laden shmup.

Defender

Williams

1980

The original maniac shmup with load of enemys, bullets, good guys and buttons.

Desert War

Jaleco

1995

 

Detana!! Twin Bee / Bells'n'Whistles

Konami

1991

Sequel to Twin Bee, great colorful vertical cartoon shmup with lots of powerups.

Dimahoo

8ing/Raizing

2000

Great sequel to Mahou Daisakusen

Dodonpachi

Atlus / Cave

1996

Followup to Donpachi, the first "beserk" shmup that completely filled the screen with bullets and enemys, also on Saturn.

Dodonpachi II

Atlus/Cave

2001

Dissapointing followup, not bad but not the tour-de-force DoDonPachi was.

Dodonpachi Dai-Oujou

Atlas/Cave

2003

4th in the DonPachi series, more manic over the top shmup action.

Dogyuun

Toaplan

1992

Brilliant 2 player vert toaplan shooter

Donpachi

Atlus / Cave

1995

1995, vertical, busy and manic shooter, also on Saturn

Dragon Blaze

Psikyo

2000

Stunningly beautiful shmup, able to jump from your dragon and fight seperatly, superb.

Dragon Breed

Irem

1989

Unusual side scrolling game – you control a dragon rider riding an invincible dragon, and can hop off.

Dragon Saber

Namco

1990

Followup to Dragon Spirit. Available on Namco Encore Pack for Playstation

Dragon Spirit

Namco

1987

Difficult vertically scrolling game, you control a dragon. Also on Namco Museum Packs for Playstation

Dyger

Philko

1989

 

EDF : Earth Defence Force

Jaleco

1991

Old space game, also on the SNES afaik...

Earth Joker

Visco

1993

Very poor vertical scroller...

ECO Fighters

Capcom

1994

Ecological shmup, where you’re out to stop polluters.

Eight Forces

Tecmo

1994

 

Equites

Alpha Denshi

1984

 

Espial

Orca/Thunderbolt

1983

?

ESP Ra.De

Atlus/Cave

1998

Fantastic ESP based shmup, with heavy bullet spray and loads of wicked weapons.

Exed Exes

Capcom

1985

Decent early vert shooter

Exzisus

Taito

1987

 

Fantasy Zone

Sega

1986

Funny cute'em up action, one of the original side scrollers

Fighting Hawk

Taito

1989

 

Final Star Force

Tecmo

1992

 

Finalizer - Super Transformation

Konami

1985

 

Fire Shark / Same! Same! Same!

Toaplan

1990

Sequel to Flying Shark

Fixeight

Toaplan

1992

Good walking vertical shooter, followup to Out Zone.

Flying Shark

Taito

1987

Hugely difficult yet compulsively playable vertical scroller.

Forgotten Worlds / Lost Worlds

Capcom

1988

A very debatable side scrolling game, like a mix of Robotron, Asteroids, R-Type and Contra...

Future Spy

Sega

1994

Zaxxon clone, but without the up and down element (easier!)

Galaga

Namco

1981

Followup to Galaxian, with a few extra touchs, could link 2 of your ships to double firepower

Galaxian

Namco

1979

The first game were the baddies came down the screen at you.

Gallop / Armed Police Unit

Irem

1996

Despite what some say, I'm 99% sure this is not part of the R-Type family.

Galmedes

Visco

1992

 

Game Paradise: Master Of Shooting

Jaleco

1995

 

Gaplus

Namco

1984

Followup to Galaga

G-Darius

Taito

1997

Darius moves into 3D, some amazing bosses, Also on Playstation.

Gekirindan

Taito

1995

A staple shooter, time travel based much like Radiant Silvergun. Also on the Saturn...

Gemini Wing

Tecmo

1987

Semi-cute vertical. Two player mode is excellent.

Ghost Pilots SNK   Average war shmup. Drab and basic.

Giga Wing

Takumi / Capcom

1998

Maniac shmup with unavoidable bullets, you have to use the "reflect" power which it introduced to repel them.

Giga Wing 2

Takumi / Capcom

2001

Superb update to the series, looks and plays fantastically.

Gigandes

East Technology

1989

Unusual and highly addictive weapon system makes this horizontally scrolling shmup with crap graphics lots of fun

Gokujyou Parodius!

Konami

1994

2nd in the series, fantastic and insane shooter, superb soundtrack.

Gorf

Midway

1981

One of the originals, comprised of several mini games and one of the first games with speech.

Gradius / Nemesis

Konami

1985

The grandfather of the scrolling shooter, introduced powerups and the "option". A real classic. Also on PC-Engine, good C64 version, perfect X-68000 conversion.

Gradius II / Vulcan Venture

Konami

1988

Improved graphics and damn hard gameplay. On Playstation, Saturn and PCengine CD and NES.

Gradius III

Konami

1989

Rock hard great looking shooter. released in the home on SNES, and now on the PS2

Gradius IV

Konami

1998

Superb looking 2D shooter on 3D hardware. Also available in the Gradius 3&4 pack for the Playstation 2

Gratia - Second Earth

Jaleco

1996

 

Gridseeker: Project Stormhammer

Taito

1992

Superb looking and sounding shooter, great powerup system in timing your enemys attacks with yours.

Grindstormer / V-Five

Toaplan

1993

 

Gulf Storm

Dooyong

1991

 

Gulf War II

Comad

1991

 

Gunbird

Psikyo

1995

Vertically scrolling, semi-cute manga style, also on Playstation.

Gunbird 2

Psikyo

1998

Superb sequel, outdoes the original in every way, manic, cute and amusing shmup.

Gun Frontier

Taito

1990

"The Revolver" shmup, all ships look like they’re made of guns, great playing very stylised game, unsure why!

Gunlock / Rayforce

Taito

1993

Great space shooter featuring lock-on Also on Saturn as Layer Section and Galactic Attack.

Gunnail

NMK/Tecmo

1992

Average vertical shooter.

Guwange

Atlus / Cave

1999

Fantastic manic shmup set in a demon filled Feudal Japan. Prepare for some bizarre demon hunting!

Gyrodine

Taito

1985

Very, very poor heli shmup. Avoid like the plague!

Gyruss

Konami

1983

Great old school shmup, superb music for the time.

Halleys Comet

Taito

1986

Ahead of its time old shool shmup with great powerup system and some great effects.

Heavy Unit

Kaneko

1988

Side scrolling space shmup, also on PC-Engine and Megadrive.

Hellfire

Toaplan

1989

Average horizontal scroller, with weird geometric weapon system.

Hishou Same

Toaplan

1987

Alternate name for Flying Shark.

HotDog Storm

Marble

1996

Very average.

Hyper Duel

Technosoft

1996

Also out on Saturn, very difficult to find! Macross inspired ship mechanics with the now famous Thunderforce gameplay...

Ikaruga (DC review)

Treasure

2000

 

Image Fight

Irem

1991

Vertical scroller, hugely difficult. On PC-Engine and Playstation as part of X-Multiply Pack.

In The Hunt

Irem

1995

Highly detailed side scroller, pilot a submarine with torpedo and anti-air weapons. Also on Playstation and Saturn.

Insector X

Taito

1988

Cutesy cartoon horizontal shooter where you play an insect exterminator.

Juno First

Konami

1983

Maniac old school shooter, worth a play.

Ketsui Cave / AMI   Manic Bullet Joy!

Kingdom Grandprix / Shippu Mahou Daisakusen

Raizing / Eighting

1994

Nice little racing - shmup crossbreed... do you blast or do you race? :)

Kyukyoku Tiger / Twin Cobra

Taito

1987

Helicopter shmup, much like Raiden...

Kyukyoku Tiger 2 / Twin Cobra 2

Taito

1995

Sequel, better graphics and more balanced. Also available for Saturn

Land, sea, air squad

Taito

1986

 

The Last Day

Dooyong

1990

 

Last Duel

Capcom

1988

Futuristic shmup where your ship alternates between a car and a spaceship.

Last Resort SNK   R-Typeish shmup featuring a long ship and a weapon orb.

Legendary Wings

Capcom

1988

Levels alternates between overhead shooter and side scrolling platformer.

Lethal Thunder

Irem

1991

Irem vertical scroller, weapons get more powerful the faster you fire. Impressive!

Life Force / Salamander

Konami

1986

Sister series to Gradius, organic themed with vertical and side scrolling levels

Lightning Fighters / Trigon

Konami

1990

Vertical shmup, massive lasers of doom and cool dragon superweapon, US version missing stuff.

Lost Worlds / Forgotten Worlds

Capcom

1988

A very debatable side scrolling game, like a mix of Robotron, Asteroids, R-Type and Contra...

Macross II

Banpresto

1993

Horizontal shooter

Macross Plus

Banpresto

1996

Mahou Daisakusen

Raizing/Able

1993

Nice little fantasy shmup, shades of a more macabre Cotton... now available on the X68000 (woah!)

Mars Matrix [REV 1]
Mars Matrix [REV 2]

Capcom / Takumi

2000

Average looking but great fun pre-rendered manic shmup with loads of bullets and things to collect.

Master of Weapon

Taito

1989

 

Mazinger Z

Banpresto

1994

 

Megablast

Taito

1989

 

Meta Fox

Seta

1989

 

Metal Black

Taito

1991

Good shooter with good powerup system and superb bosses. Also on Saturn.

Metal Hawk

Namco

1988

Fantastic playing, great looking, rotating above view zooming scaling helicoptor shooter with custom cabinet.

Mission 660

Taito

1986

 

Mr. Heli / Battle Chopper

Irem

1987

Cute slow paced multidirectional scrolling shooter, loads of powerups to reveal by shooting landscape.

Mister Viking

Sega

1984

Overhead runabout style shmup from 1984, fun graphics, basic game though...

Moon Cresta

Nichibutsu

1980

A true classic! non scrolling but with modern shooter elements: powerups, different waves.

Mystic Riders

Irem

1992

Fantastic Cotton/Magical Chase style cute-em-up!

Nebulas Ray

Namco

1994

Very rare coin-op, vertical scroller, pre-rendered graphics.

Nemesis / Gradius

Konami

1985

The grandfather of the scrolling shooter, introduced powerups and the "option". A real classic. Also on PC-Engine, good C64 version, perfect X-68000 conversion.

The Next Space

SNK

1989

 

Nostradamus

Face

1993

Lovely vert shmup but extremely hard in later levels. So that's how crop circles are made!

Omega Fighter

UPL

1989

Very old vert scroller, like a continuous "destroy the giant battleship" shmup. Very nice!

Omega Fighter Special

UPL

1989

Sequel, minor updates.

Ordyne

Namco

1988

Also on Playstation Namco Museum pack and PC-Engine

Orius / Xexex

Konami

1991

Fantastic "ahead of its time" shmup... all time classic...

Out Zone

Toaplan

1990

Vertical walking shmup.

P-47 The Phantom Fighter

Jaleco

1988

Great WW2 horizontal shooter with bombs.

P-47 Aces

Jaleco

1995

Sequel to P47, better graphics, gameplay not quite as good.

Parodius Da!

Konami

1990

The original cute'em-up/parody shmup, takes swipes at most older Konami shooters, great game as well.

Phelios

Namco

1988

Similar to Dragon Spirit, you’re a god riding pegasus and have a big sword, no, really.

Phoenix

Amstar

1980

Old school shooter with different style levels, including end of level mothership.

Plus Alpha

Jaleco

1989

 

Pollux

Dooyong

1991

 

Polystars

Konami

1997

A bit like Twin Bee crossed with Raystorm

Progear

Cave/Capcom

2001

Amazingly fun horizontally scrolling manic shooter

Prehistoric Isle in 1930

SNK

1989

Side scrolling biplanes vs dinosaurs shmup.

Prehistoric Isle 2

Yumekobo

2000

Nice looking but very average sequel.

Pulstar

Aicom

1995

Above average pre-rendered neogeo shooter, similar to R-Type in style.

R-Shark

Dooyong

1994

Unspecacular derivitive Korean shooter, hard to tell from anything else.

R-Type

Irem

1987

Probably the finest designed shooter in the world! Fabulous PC-Engine version, great Amiga conversion.

R-Type II

Irem

1989

Slightly inferior followup. Available on Playstation R-Types Pack with the first game and for the Amiga, also on the SNES as Super R-Type...

R-Type Leo

Irem

1992

The latest R-Type arcade game with impressive graphics and subtly hidden classic R-Type gameplay.

Radiant Silvergun Treasure   The most AWESOME vert scroller ever created. A work of genius, and a must have!

Raiden

Seibu Kaihatsu

1990

One of the all time classics, great gameplay. Home versions on everything.

Raiden II

Seibu Kaihatsu

1993

Improved on original, includes many huge lasers of doom. On PSX as part of Raiden Project Pack.

Raiden DX

Seibu Kaihatsu

1994

Remix of Raiden II.

Raiden Fighters

Seibu Kaihatsu

1996

1st of the next gen Raidens on new hardware, great looking and great gameplay.

Raiden Fighters 2

Seibu Kaihatsu

1997

More of the same, bigger and better though.

Raiden Fighters Jet

Seibu Kaihatsu

1998

Last in series of awesome shooters featuring more selectable planes than any other shooter ever.

Raiga - Strato Fighter

Tecmo

1991

Good fun side scrolling shmup in which you can turn backwards.

Rapid Hero

Media Trading Corp.

1994

 

Rayforce (review 1)
Rayforce (review 2)

Taito

1993

Great space shooter featuring lock-on Also on Saturn as Layer Section and Galactic Attack.

Raystorm

Taito

1996

3D sequel with good end of level bosses. Also on Saturn and Playstation as Layer Section 2.

RayCrisis

Taito

1998

Latest and one of the best vertical scrollers going. Fantastic gameplay mechanics, manic gameplay and massive bosses...

Red Clash

Tehkan

1982

 

Regulus

Sega

1983

Average vertical shooter.

Rezon

Alhummer

1991

Excellent R-Type clone, very difficult!

Robotron 2084

Williams

1982

single-screen manic shooter with dual controls. Also available for Playstation and N64

Ryu Jin

Taito

1993

 

Sagaia / Darius II

Taito

1989

3 or 2 screen side scroller, great mech-fish bosses. Also on Megadrive, Playstation and Saturn.

Salamander / Life Force

Konami

1986

Sister series to Gradius, organic themed with vertical and side scrolling levels

Salamander 2

Konami

1996

10 years later we get a followup, fantastic graphics but slightly poorer gameplay. Also on Saturn.

Saint Dragon

Jaleco

1989

Flying dragon shmup, good music, Very good Amiga port

Same! Same! Same! / Fire Shark

Toaplan

1990

Sequel to Flying Shark

Sand Scorpion

Face

1992

Vertical shooter, nice weapons but not a lot else.

Saturn

Jaleco

1983

Old shmup, defend Saturn, horrible colours.

Scramble

Konami

1981

The original Konami side scrolling shmup, Gradius’s daddy.

Scramble Formation / Tokio

Taito

1986

Vertical scrolling, one of Malc's old favourites!

Scramble Spirits

Sega

1988

Great vertical shmup with super graphics and fancy zooming effects.

Section Z

Capcom

1988

Early multiscrolling shooter like Sidearms, one of the first shmups you could turn backwards in as well.

Sengeki Striker

Kaneko / Warashi

1997

Old fashioned vertical shmup with modern graphics.

Sengoku Ace, also Samurai Aces

Psikyo

1993

Feudal Japan style vertscroller, also on Saturn.

Sengoku Ace 2, also Sengoku Blade

Psikyo

1996

Followup to above, unsurprisingly, also on Saturn.

Sen Jin - Guardian Storm

Afega

1998

 

Sexy Parodius

Konami

1996

3rd in the mad Parodius series. Lots of semi naked bunny girls straddling missiles (heh heh)

Shippu Mahou Daisakusen / Kingdom Grandprix

Raizing / Eighting

1994

Nice little racing - shmup crossbreed... do you blast or do you race?!

Side Arms

Capcom

1986

multi-scrolling shooter, unusual graphics and hard gameplay.

Silkworm

Tecmo

1988

Play as a jeep or helicopter, excellent Amiga and C64 versions.

Sinistar

Williams

1982

Analog controller shooter, fast paced but thinking mans shmup, also rock hard.

Skull Fang

Data East

1996

Average vertical scroller, good 'chase' theme, fantastic soundtrack. Also for Saturn

Sky Adventure

Alpha Denshi

1989

 

Sky Alert

Metro

1993

 

Sky Shark

Toaplan

1987

Alternate name for Flying Shark.

Sky Soldiers

SNK

1987

Rather bizarre time travelling shooter, and very busy too.

Slap Fight / Alcon

Taito

1986

Great early shmup with loads of powerups and some great level design, poor Megadrive version.

Smash TV

Williams

1990

Sequel to Robotron in all but name, multidirectional runabout 2 player gameshow based shmup. Also for SNES

Sol Divide

Psikyo

1997

Beautiful graphics, average gameplay.

Sonic Wings / Aerofighters

Video System

1992

One of the first shooters to give you a large selection of ships to choose from.

Sonic Wings 2 / Aerofighters 2

Video System

1994

More of the same…

Sonic Wings 3 / Aerofighters 3

Video System

1995

More of the same…

Space Bomber

Psikyo

1998

Undoubtedly the strangest shmup ever, take over enemies to be your comrades.

Space Invaders

Midway

1978

The original shmup!

Space Pilot / Time Pilot

Konami

1982

Old skool multidirection shooter going through the different air war ages from WW1 to futuristic.

Stagger I

Afega

1998

 

Star Force

Tehkan

1984

Early vertical scroller, fun but basic

Star Jacker

Sega

1983

Amusingly primitive vertical scroller

Stinger

Seibu Denshi

1983

Adrenaline side scroller. Recommended if you like old fast games...

Storm Blade

Visco

1996

Little known straightforward vert blaster thats stupidly easy on normal. Lots of fun on hard setting though!

Strahl

UPL Ltd.

1992

Rather pants Area 88 ripoff...

Strike Force

Williams

1991

Remake of defender, massive amount of weapons and lots of comedy moments.

Strike Gunner S.T.G.

Athena/Tecmo

1991

 

Strikers 1945

Psikyo

1995

Superb shmup set in alternate reality WW2 with mecha bosses. also on Saturn.

Strikers 1945 II

Psikyo

1997

Superb update to an already great game, bigger, better and more beautiful. also on Saturn.

Strikers 1945 III

Psikyo

1999

Strikers brought into the 90’s era with modern jetfighters, still OTT mecha bosses tho’

Strikers 1945 Plus

Psikyo

1995

Terrible version squeezed onto the Neogeo, vertical on horizontal screen and horrid slowdown, avoid. [malc: to whoever wrote this - I have to disagree - I really like this version lots on cart. Mame does destroy it badly though.]

Strikers 1999

Psikyo

1999

Alternate name for Strikers 1945 III

Super Space Fortress Macross

Banpresto

1992

Good vertical shooter based on the famous transforming anime

Super Space Invaders '91

Taito

1990

Updated version of the original, with new graphics, new attack patterns and new weapons!

Super Xevious

Namco

1984

Harder version of Xevious with more and different enemys.

Syvalion

Taito

1988

A very hard one where you pilot a dragon around a maze – timed and very hard to play...

Tac-Scan Sega 1983 Sexy fast and thrilling vector based shmup

Tatsujin / Truxton

Toaplan

1988

Flying Shark in space, hard and compulsive. Good Megadrive and PCE conversion

Tatsujin 2 / Truxton 2 (marty review)

Toaplan

1992

Fabulous vertical scroller, arcade and Marty console releases only (gah!)

Tempest

Atari

1980

Superb vector fixed-screen shooter, classic frantic into the screen gameplay.

Terra Cresta

Nichibutsu

1985

Great early vertical scroller with good powerups that attach to your ship.

Terra Force

Nichibutsu

1987

Poor sequel, very average.

Thundercross

Konami

1988

Superb sister shmup to Gradius, US version is rubbish as Japanese and US versions differ in powerups and options. Great music.

Thunder Cross 2

Konami

1991

Sequel, just as good as 1, great shmup, great music.

Thunder Dragon

NMK/Tecmo

1991

 

Thunder Dragon 2

NMK/Tecmo

1993

 

Thunderforce AC

Technosoft

1990

1990, also SNES conversion (Thunder Spirits), and on Saturn pack, the only Thunderforce in the arcades

Tiger Heli

Taito

1985

1985. Old school shooter, with smart bombs that visibly dissapear from ship when used.

Time Pilot / Space Pilot

Konami

1982

Old skool multidirection shooter going through the different air war ages from WW1 to futuristic.

Time Pilot '84

Konami

1984

Sequel, not as good as original.

Tokio / Scramble Formation

Taito

1986

Vertical scrolling, one of Malc's old favourites!

Trigon / Lightning Fighters

Konami

1990

Vertical shmup, massive lasers of doom and cool dragon superweapon.

Truxton / Tatsujin

Toaplan

1988

Flying Shark in space, hard and compulsive. Good Megadrive and PCE conversion

Truxton 2 / Tatsujin 2

Toaplan

1992

Fabulous vertical scroller, arcade and Marty console releases only (gah!)

Turbo Force

Video System

1991

Vertical shooter in a car, similar to Aero Fighters.

Twin Bee

Konami

1985

One of the first cute shooters in the arcade. Available for the X68000 and PSX

Twin Bee Yahoo!

Konami

1995

Even better looking colorful cartoon vertical shmup, also released on Playstation with the original.

Twin Cobra / Kyukyoku Tiger

Taito

1987

Helicopter shmup, much like Raiden...

Twin Cobra 2 / Kyukyoku Tiger 2

Taito

1995

Sequel, better graphics and more balanced. Also available for Saturn.

Twin Eagle

Seta

1989

A rather boring helicopter shmup, but at least it has a 2-players-at-once mode - tries to beat the world record for vertical scrolling speed

Twin Eagle 2

Seta

1994

Improves on the original in every way, looks and plays superb, not emulated or converted.

Twinkle Star Sprites

ADK

Also available for the Dreamcast

Typhoon / Ajax

Konami

1987

Unique shooter that alternates between overhead helicopter shooter and behindview jetfighter divebombing shooter.

UFO Robo Dangar

Nichibutsu

1986

Malc's all time favourite arcade shooter!!

UN Defense Force: Earth Joker

Visco

1993

 

UN Squadron / Area 88

Capcom

1989

Great manga based horizontal shooter, has health bar and your plane smokes and falls apart as damaged.

US AAF Mustang

UPL

1990

Cool WWII pacific shooter.

US Navy / Carrier Airwing

Capcom

1990

Sequel to UN Squadron/Area 88, anime series scrolling shooter, tanks, planes and stealth bombers!

Valtric

Jaleco

1986

 

Vapor Trail

Data East

1989

Arguably Data Easts first good shooter, good soundtrack. Also available for the Megadrive.

Varth

Capcom

1992

Excellent vertical shooter by Capcom.

Vasara Visco 2000 Great Feudal Japan with mechs style manic shmup
Vasara 2 Visco As above :)

Vastar

Sesame Japan

1983

  

V-Five / Grindstormer

Toaplan

1993

Same game, two different weapon systems. I prefer the weapon bar of V-Five, more complex and fulfilling to play.

Victory Road

SNK

1986

Ikari warriors in space.

Vimana

Toaplan

1991

 

Viper Phase I

Seibu Kaihatsu

1995

Raiden in space!

Viper Phase I: New Version

Seibu Kaihatsu

1995

Bugfixed/tweaked version.

Vulcan Venture / Gradius II

Konami

1988

With improved graphics and damn hard gameplay. On Playstation, Saturn and PCengine CD and NES.

Vulgus

Capcom

1984

 

War of Aero

Yeng-Chan

1993

 

Wonder Planet

Data East

1987

 

Xevious

Namco

1983

One of the first shooters to scroll!

Xevious 3D/G

Namco

1996

3D update of the original, available on a Playstation compilation pack

Xexex / Orius

Konami

1991

A fantastic sidescroller, one of the best. Never released on any other format unfortunately...

X-Multiply

Irem

1989

Released after R-Type, not as classy and decidedly average. Also on Playstation as a pack with Image Fight

XII Stag

Triangle Service

2003

Modern military style shmup,

XX Mission

U.A. Game

1987

Very average vertical shooter.

Zaxxon

Sega

1982

Incredibly hard shmup with isometric perspective, could go up and down as well as left and right.

Zero Wing

Toaplan

1989

Average side scroller that plagiarises lots of others, arcade version doesn’t have "All Your Base" either.

Zing Zing Zip

Allumer/Tecmo

1992

  

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