R-Type II/Super R-Type

1 Player

Stand out 16-bit version - Amiga

R-Type II is one of those sequels where you can tell the developers were thinking "why change a good thing" as for the most part the game play doesn't stray too far from the original, it just goes in the direction of being bigger than before, bigger bosses, bigger power-ups and bigger set-pieces. Personally I'd say avoid the remixed SNES version as it loses the check point system, has loads of slowdown, and many of the newer levels are pretty uninspired for the most part.

R-Type III: The Third Lightning

1 Player

Stand out version - SNES

This is more like it! this is what you get when people who have the necessary experience with SNES programming design a game from the ground up specifically for it. Taking advantage of all sorts of SNES graphical abilities such as a very noticeable element of rotation, R-Type III adds a constant stream of new ideas to the series and never rests on it's laurels. The classic R-Type style and difficulty is also still very much apparent.

Robo Aleste

1 Player

Stand out version - Mega-CD

This was the final game in the highly acclaimed Aleste series, and it may not have been quite the best of them all but was still a fantastic high note for the series to end on and a great showpiece game for the poor under appreciated Mega-CD

Sapphire

1 player

Stand out versions - TG-CD

Any skepticism about the TG-16's graphical prowess ends here, graphically Sapphire quite simply blows everything on SNES and Mega Drive away with masses of very impressive effects and tons of onscreen action, at times the game even looks like the sort of thing that might belong on the PS1! Requires Arcade card ram expansion.

Side Arms Hyper Dyne

1 player (TG-16)

Stand out version - TG-16

The oldest game on the list, Side Arms is part of Capcom's loosely connected series of jet pack shmups (sandwiched between Section Z and Forgotten Worlds) It was an early pioneer of the Thunder Force style power-up system whereby guns are accumulated and switched between, though it's utilization of this system is obviously cruder than in later games due to its age. I would have liked to have included this in the 3rd Generation feature where it would've fitted much better, but unfortunately none of the ports from that era did the game the justice it deserved.

 

Soldier Blade

1 player

Stand out versions - TG-16

The 3rd in the "Soldier" series of shmups made by Hudson (4th if you count Star Parodier), and is pretty much the culmination of its three predecessors, including and building on everything that made the previous games good, big power-ups, big bosses, and well judged game play.

Spriggan (Seirei Senshi Spriggan)

1 player

Stand out versions - TG-CD

Another great vertical shooter on the Turbo, Spriggan sports great graphics, an interesting mix and match power-up system and a very cool team spirit feel (your team mates will often fly in to help you at certain intervals). It plays very much like an unofficial member of the Aleste series.

Spriggan Mark 2

1 player

Stand out versions - TG-CD

For the sequel to Spriggan the developers decided on a big change of direction, firstly and most importantly the game went from being a vertical scroller to a horizontal one, other changes include a particularly excellent health system whereby you're afforded a regenerating shield similar to the one popularized in Halo, this shield gives the game play a certain amount of tension as you'll often find yourself desperately trying to avoid bullets just long enough for your health to return. The game does still retain some of the feel of the original though, like before team mates will still regularly come in the assist you for instance.

Strikers 1945 Plus

1 Player

Stand out versions - NEO GEO

An awesome vertical scroller, with great graphics, refined game play and an excellent level of options. Strikers feels reminiscent of older shmups such as Flying Shark but at the same time actually also feels like its moving into bullet hell territory as the screen can often become swamped with multi coloured bullets moving in variety of patterns. The amalgamation of styles really works very well.

Super Aleste/Space Megaforce

1 Player

Stand out versions - SNES

Super Aleste is easily the best vertical shmup on the SNES, the game play has a level of quality that everyone has come to expect from the Aleste series and the SNES hardware lends the game a very distinct look when compared to its siblings, with an abundance of transparencies and mode 7.