Mr Heli/Battle Chopper

Stand out 8-bit version - Amstrad

Really nice "cute-em-up" originally made by Irem, shoot the blocks and money falls out then use the money to buy ship upgrades.

Over Horizon

1 player

Stand out 8-bit version - NES

One of the more notable games without a US release that appeared in Europe, Over Horizon is one of the true stand out NES shooters, it contains some fiendishly clever level designs, great power-up system and a really impressive amount of options (it even allows you to choose the positions of your options in an edit screen before the game begins) A true unknown gem.

Parodius

1 Player

Stand Out 8-bit versions - MSX

The start of a great series of wacky re-workings of the Gradius theme (hence the parody-Gradius mixture title) only ever made for the MSX and very good it is too, the scrolling isn't too bad either compared to the usual MSX game.

Parodius Da!/Parodius

1 player

Stand out 8-bit versions - NES

Fantastic sequel to the MSX only game (many people wrongly think that this was the first in the series) this is where Paradius was really starting to build it's own personality and fan base.

Phobia

2 player Simultaneous

Play it on - C64

Very difficult (but rarely unfair) shooter, with each level themed after a different fear, such the fear of spiders, or...er..the fear of butterflies and birds (shown above) I really like this game, I only wish I was good enough to play it! definitely one for the hardcore shooter fan.

 

Power Strike 2

1 Player

Play it on - Master System

Don't bother with the original Master System game (which had completely unbalanced game play) get the sequel instead, it's a much better looking and better playing game (the music however can be shockingly bad at times)

R-Type

1 Player

8-Bit versions - SMS, Spectrum

Recca (Summer Carnival 92')

1 Player

Stand out 8-bit versions - NES

Ridiculously fast shmup used for Naxat's Summer carnival competition in 92'. The game is quite difficult and pushes the NES hardware to the max with tons of sprites and intense action (though it does suffer from quite a bit of flicker)

Sagaia/Darius II

1 Player

Stand out 8-Bit version - SMS

One of the best looking 8-bit shooters of them all, the Master System really shows it's power with this game, with high quality throughout, it does suffer from flicker (like many MS shooters) but fortunately it doesn't lessen the experience, rock hard game play too.

Saint Dragon

1 Player

Stand out 8-Bit version - C64

One of the more unappreciated of C64 shooters, Saint Dragon also stands as one of the more accessible for the system. You control a dragon flying through levels with some of the best graphics and music realized on the C64, the bosses are big, well drawn and very impressive and the game play feature of allowing you to block bullets with your tail helps to add some nice individuality to the proceedings.

Salamander/Lifeforce

2 Player simultaneous (NES only)

Stand out versions - C64, NES

In my opinion Konami really perfected their shmup game play with Salamander, they totally went to town with their fantastic level designs which had you dodging moving spikes through a strange biological level one second, and flying over a sun whilst it threw up flames the next. The 2 player option and upwards scrolling levels were also a fantastic addition for the series.

S.C.A.T

2 Player simultaneous

Stand out version - N.E.S

A real gem of a game from Natsume which is similar to Capcom's Forgotten Worlds. SCAT has some really excellent style and game play, and control wise manages to feel much better suited to home consoles than the Forgotten Worlds ports. Another criminally under-rated NES game that all genre fans should check out