Favorite genesis shooter

[zetastrike]

Gleylancer is my favorite, hands down. The graphics have great use of parallax, the music is very upbeat and catchy, the weapon system is pretty unique and not too derivative of anything else, the voices are better than TFIV, and most of all it's pretty accessible for people who aren't that good at shooters. As much as I like and enjoy shooters, I'm just not very good at them and great games that do I like, such as TFIV and Truxton and Gradius are hard for me to get into because they kick my ass. I just have an easier time with Gleylancer and that makes all the difference.

[Drakon]

It's not you shmups tend to be overly difficult.

Gleylancer is my favorite, hands down. The graphics have great use of parallax, the music is very upbeat and catchy, the weapon system is pretty unique and not too derivative of anything else, the voices are better than TFIV, and most of all it's pretty accessible for people who aren't that good at shooters. As much as I like and enjoy shooters, I'm just not very good at them and great games that do I like, such as TFIV and Truxton and Gradius are hard for me to get into because they kick my ass. I just have an easier time with Gleylancer and that makes all the difference.

[NostalgicMachine]

A lot of them will still kick your ass (no matter how many times you play), and I think that's part of what makes them so rewarding.

[marlowe221]

Yeah, I have to confess that I have never actually beaten a shmup. The folks who can 1CC these games are astounding to me.

I really like some of them (Fire Shark, Truxton, Thunderforce series, etc.) but I can't beat them. I did get to Stage 9 in Fire Shark the other night... there are 10 stages in that one right? It's all I can do to get to the 3rd stage of Truxton.

But I still enjoy trying!

[Barman]

Thunder Force IV, Elemental Master and Undead Line are my 3 favorites.

Good to see the Truxton love around here...

I must confess that I wonder why this game is loved so much. I find it boring.
And Musha... I can't cope with the graphics style, too weird.

[Drakon]

Unfortunately very few are actually worth the effort learning well enough to clear without credit feeding. Ketsui is the only shmup I bothered learning that well.

A lot of them will still kick your ass (no matter how many times you play), and I think that's part of what makes them so rewarding.

[sketch]

I must confess that I wonder why this game is loved so much. I find it boring.
And Musha... I can't cope with the graphics style, too weird.

The speed at which it plays is slower than most shmups, to be sure. And the graphics style is a bit date, and not top notch aesthetically. However, the gameplay is great. I like the power up system (you don't lose all your powerups when you get hit; you just get knocked down a level), the weapons, and the difficulty. Things come at you from every which way, always keeping you on your toes and maintaining tension. It can be maddeningly difficult, but still never feels cheap.

Truxton is an acquired taste, but worth putting some time into IMHO.

[brainerdrainer]

I haven't played a genesis shooter yet. Curious to see how that is though

[Chimaera]

I'd say Grind Stormer, with Elemental Master a very close second.

So beautiful

[midnightrider]

Super fantasy zony has much better music than I expected.

Sunsoft.

Anyway, after having gone through it recently, I'd have to say probably the best on the console for beginners would be Trouble Shooter.

[OverDrone]

Anyway, after having gone through it recently, I'd have to say probably the best on the console for beginners would be Trouble Shooter.

Can't speak for the first one, but the sequel is by far the easiest shooter I've cleared on the MD, both Normal and Hard modes with all the different specials. The eight way shooting makes it even easier (and is on by default IIRC), so I'd disable that ASAP if I was planning to clear as a new player.

As for Grind Stormer/VV, I expected a more polished port that late in the MD's lifespan. Colour use isn't really up to par IMO, amongst other things.

[Jump Space]

As for Grind Stormer/VV, I expected a more polished port that late in the MD's lifespan. Colour use isn't really up to par IMO, amongst other things.

Yes, but it kicks so many different kinds of @$$ so indescriminately. I love that frigging game. It would be down to Truxton, Twin Cobra or Grind Stormer for me. Possibly Twin Cobra, because it might be the most challenging overall (for me at least). Almost as soon as you press start you're being beaten within an inch of your life. The bass in that game is crushing. This game hates me! Too cool.

I always have a hard time picking between either Truxton or Twin Cobra. It's continually back and forth. I'm leaning towards Twin Cobra again lately.

[Edit.] Top 10 Baby!

1. Twin Cobra
2. Truxton
3. Grind Stormer
4. Twin Hawks (It should be called Tank Killer... until the boats show up.)
5. Fire Shark
6. Raiden Trad
7. Thunder Force III
8. Atomic Robo Kid (A sentimental favorite.)
9. Wings of Wor
10. Elemental Master

[OverDrone]

So you're a Toaplan guy, Jump Space. You like their horizontal games?

[DJ_Convoy]

Oh man, a list!

1) M.U.S.H.A. (I loved this game before it was cool to do so, you whippersnappers!!!)
2) Thunder Force III (I like this one better than IV. Dunno why; just do)
3) Grind Stormer (wish I still had my copy)
4) Fire Shark (I like this one slightly better than Truxton, but I like both)
5) Lightening Force (all right, here it is)
6) Elemental Master
7) Phelios
8) Truxton
9) Steel Empire
10) ???

I left off the Sega CD ones I like Like Robo Aleste, Bari Arm and Lords of Thunder (yes, I know the Turbo version is better, but the Sega CD one is the one I own). I also have time for the WHip Rushes and Zero Wings of the world.

[needler420]

Twinkle tale