Silkworm

2 player simultaneous

Play it on - C64, NES

One of the first relatively accurate arcade conversions when appearing on the C64. Silkworm was cool for its two player action as unusually it forced one played to play as a helicopter whilst the other had to play on the ground as a jeep, both needing to watch each others backs.

Silver Surfer

1 player

Play it on - NES

Silver Surfer was pretty much Software Creation's love letter to hardcore shmup fans, it was filled to the brim with relentless attack waves and constrictive, intricate level designs which kept the player on his toes at all times. Add to this the fantastic soundtrack from Tim Follin and you have a game perfect for those looking for a challenge.

Space Manbow

1 player

Play it on - MSX 2

Another tour de force of a shooter from Konami with amazing graphics, level design, and bosses along with some brilliant set-pieces, this game really showed what the MSX 2 was capable of.

SWIV

2 player simultaneous

Stand out 8-bit versions - C64

The SWIV series never really gets the attention it deserves, It had pretty excellent iterations on all the 8-bit and 16-bit machines but always seems to be overlooked, must've been one of the best 2-player shooters out there for the time.

Terra Cresta

1 player

Play it on - Spectrum, C64, NES

Classic shooter with a great power-up system, the first time I realized I could split myself into different parts and shoot the hell outta' everything was one of those great video game moments.

 

Twin Cobra

1 player

Stand out 8-bit version - NES

Another example of that addictive and fun, yet uncomplicated shoot-em-up game play Toaplan made their name with. Twin Cobra stands with Flying Shark as one of their best shmups of the 1980s era.

Uridium

1 player

Play it on - C64

Few shooters are quite as fast and frenetic as Uridium. Shoot an allocated amount of enemies until you hear the tone, then make your way to the right of the level to land. one of those shooters where you can really get into that "zen" area of focus.

X-Out

1 Player

Stand out 8-bit versions - C64

Classic game with really impressive presentation, an interesting tactical element was also brought into play with you actually buying your power-ups before you begin the game, having been allocated a limited amount of funds.

Xevious

1 Player

Stand out 8-bit version - NES

Xevious was one of the first vertical scrolling shooters made, and was very influential on the whole genre. Many of the shooters that followed it "borrowed" it's excellent bomb the ground mechanic.

Zynaps

1 Player

Play it on - Spectrum

One of those shooters where everything seems to fall into place, the power-up system was a perfect fix for the 8-bits only having 1 fire button (it works kinda' like Gradius, but instead of pressing a second button to make your choice, you have to hold down the fire button when you scoop your next item up) the game play was interesting and well judged and the game was simply a classic for its time.