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In case you didn't know, there's this thing called MAME, which provides 100% true emulation of Arcade Cabinets.
The fun part about MAME is that it's totally compatible with the Xbox 360 controller and has tons of other customizable options.
I know all of you like shmups, but since it's hard to find out which ones are good (or find them altogether), I will post the ones you must play at some point in time. (download-links below)
5. Gradius V (Treasure, 2004)
Stages 8 || Difficulty Very Hard || Length 40-50 min || Platform PlayStation 2
This one is actually made by Treasure after Konami approached them back in 2003 (after being impressed by Ikaruga) - Gradius V turned out to be the best of the series.
The game got some critique from current babby-gamers that couldn't get past the first level. The hard part in Gradius is that you lose all your collected upgrades once you get hit.
Some obstacles can become very hard without the appropriate speed/gun upgrades. Then again you can reacquire these fairly quick (plus it's your job not to suck)
It's a PlayStation 2 exclusive - but it's not exactly cheap - it's become quite a rarity. You could also just simply emulate it on PCSX2; the emulation is very accurate.
This is one of the hardest shmups ever, so if you're a controller-throwing babby don't play this.
4. DoDonPachi (Cave, 1997)
Stages 6 || Difficulty Medium || Length 25-30 min || Platform Arcade(MAME), SOON: 360(Retail)
A "bullet-hell" game in which you can barely move and bullets fill up 90% of the screen.
The trick with a "bullet-hell" is literally to just barely move. Inexperienced shmup-players fly around the screen all the time like idiots making the game ten times harder than it actually is.
As with most shmups with screen-filling patterns: look at your ship and not the bullet-patterns (no matter how cool they are) - the bullet-patterns are only there to distract you, look at your ship.
DoDonPachi's first few stages are easy - the latter half of the game consist out of ridiculously fast patterns but - since it's MAME (you can just throw in infinite credits) it shouldn't be hard.
The game gets a retail release later this year for the 360 with its predecessor DonPachi included.
3. Ikaruga (Treasure, 2001)
Stages 5 || Difficulty Hard || Length 20-25 min || Platform XBLA, Cube, DC
Fast-paced shmup which requires good hand-eye coordination. Instead of multicolor bullet-fests this game only gives you black and white and a ship that transforms in black and white.
When your ship is white, you can absorb white bullets. When your ship is black, you absorb black. Absorb enough to fill your energy meter up with a screen-clearing attack.
The game is pretty short and relies heavily on pattern-memorization (the first few times will destroy you) but the more you play (and the more credits you receive) it will get progressively easier.
The (advanced) point of the game is building CHAINS - which you get by destroying three enemies of the same color in a row. By getting CHAINS you will multiply your score immensely (and get better rankings).
Once you find out how the patterns of the game work you'll see why Treasure is often called the pioneer in shmup design.
2. Raiden Fighter Jets (Seibu Keihatsu, 1998)
Stages 7 || Difficulty Medium || Length 25-30 min || Platform Arcade(MAME), 360(Retail)
A real hyperactive shmup. Very fast-paced. Great soundtrack. Most realistic scenario. (heh)
Raiden actually rewards you for your skill (or punishes you for lack of skill by removing parts of levels)
If you suck it's over in 5 small stages - if you're pro (which you should be aiming for anyway) you'll have 7 extended stages full of hectic fun (and added bosses)
Bundled as "Raiden Fighter Aces" for the 360 - includes Raiden Fighters 1, 2 and Jets for just u$20 - awesome deal. Get it. Otherwise play them on MAME.
If you're playing on MAME anyway, check out Raiden I, II and III as well. Raiden IV is a 360-exclusive sequel and all of them NTSC region-locked (fml)
1. Radiant Silvergun (Treasure, 1998)
Stages 7 || Difficulty Very Hard || Length 50-60 min || Platform Saturn, XBLA
The best shmup ever. Sadly, almost nobody played it because it was a Japanese SATURN exclusive.
Radiant Silvergun mostly consists out of bosses - it's basically one big boss rush with small parts in between.
The game starts with all seven weapons from the get-go and it's up to you to find out how to use them accordingly while fighting bosses.
The game levels up your weapons the more you use them (weapons have a max level of 33) - the weapons-lvls move on to your next game, so each game gets progressively easier.
Radiant Silvergun is all about patterns - you won't finish the 1st stage first time playing. You won't finish it the second time either. Bit by bit, as you level up, you'll progress further
into the game until you memorize everything in all its excellence - with all Bosses destroyed at a "100% rate" (bosses can be destroyed by simply shooting at them, but the battles can be extended by
strategically destroying all parts of them)
This game releases next wednesday on XBLA for a measly 1200MSP (used to go on eBay for u$400+)
If you're only going to check out one shmup in your entire life (why?) let it be Radiant Silvergun.
It is by the far the best, most diverse and enjoyable shmup you'll ever play.
FILES
Latest version of MAME
MAME GUI (for browsing games, editing settings)
(PM me if you want the ROMS)
Also, there's a very fun shmup on STEAM which was released a couple of months ago called "Jamestown" - you should try it. It's a really easy one - but great nonetheless.
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