Famicom World

Family Computer => Famicom / Disk System => Topic started by: OZMA WARS on June 15, 2012, 01:47:03 am

Title: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: OZMA WARS on June 15, 2012, 01:47:03 am
Hi there
Love space shooters of the era 1979 - 1990. My favourite at the arcades were Juno First, Gyruss, Ozma Wars, MegaZone, R-Type, Salamander...good old times.
Because I consider myself more a gamer than a collector I would like to have at least all the Nes and Famicom games related to this kind of games. Can you supply a list of all games of this kind released for both versions ? Then, which the best ones ?
Someone can explain why Juno First was released for MSX and why not for the Famicom ? Same question for Tutankham Konami, but this another kind of, sorry.
Many thanks for yr. help and welcome all suggests indicating the games I cannot miss...
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: fami-ave on June 15, 2012, 01:57:10 am
This is a pretty comprehensive list (German website). Not sure if there's something missing, but it's usually always updated and pretty well maintained.

http://www.triggerzone.de/gamesdb/index.php?action=system&id=42

For FC Disk System:
http://www.triggerzone.de/gamesdb/index.php?action=system&id=639

Some shooters you may wanna check out (excluding most arcade ports such as Salamander, Gradius, Galaxian etc since you probably know them anyway):

Abadox
Crisis Force
Recca (more of a tech demo and/or crazy score shooter)
Over Horizon
Final Mission (aka S.C.A.T.)
Twinbee 3
Star Soldier
Guardic Gaiden (aka Guardian Legend)

For the Disk System, check out Gun Smoke (arcade port with altered gameplay), Zanac, ...


Avoid at all costs:
Front Line
Volguard II
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: OZMA WARS on June 15, 2012, 02:30:55 am
Thanks !
front Line is ridicoulous ! but funny if u play it on Colecovision with the Super Action Controllers.
thanks again.
Max
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: 80sFREAK on June 15, 2012, 04:04:25 am
Star Luster
Gradius
Argus
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: OZMA WARS on June 15, 2012, 05:08:43 am
Argus I didn't know. Thanks.
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: L___E___T on June 15, 2012, 05:11:15 am
Nobody mentioned Parodius yet?  Or Dezaemon? Sacrilege...
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: 80sFREAK on June 15, 2012, 05:41:27 am
Quote from: L___E___T on June 15, 2012, 05:11:15 am
Nobody mentioned Parodius yet?  Or Dezaemon? Sacrilege...
Parodius=Gradius isn't it? Well, kinda parody.
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: Nightstar699 on June 15, 2012, 05:52:13 am
Halo 3.

No but seriously, Gun Nac. That game is the game, right there.
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: OZMA WARS on June 15, 2012, 07:08:09 am
thanks ...
so, I shall suppose the author of this :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpA676NU2rg

not a friend of yours  :D :D ;D
but ok, believe you, will get it. ;)
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: L___E___T on June 15, 2012, 08:54:50 am
A talented creator never blames his tools.  It's up to you to make good games with it of course ;)
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: famifan on June 15, 2012, 11:26:57 am
why nobody mentioned 'star force' and b-wings ?

i like 'front line' because it's so stupid, naive and oldschoolish!

does arcade classic count? checkout galaga, galaxian, space invaders  ;D
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: GohanX on June 15, 2012, 01:41:22 pm
Up until recently, I had completely dismissed NES and Famicom shooters, as the hardware just couldn't do a decent job (I thought.) I have the PC Engine, the Saturn, Japanese Xbox 360-all the strong shooter systems, and what I had played on the NES (mainly stuff like 1941, Tiger Heli, etc) had been pretty boring. Many of the shooters that were on the system were obsolete, such as Gradius and Parodius, considering you could play "superior" versions on other systems I had.

Last weekend, I was at a local shop digging through their $4.99 and under Famicom bin that I've never seen anyone but me look at. Among other games, I grabbed Star Solder (I love the PCE series) and Gradius. What the hell, they were 8 bucks total. I get home and pop in Gradius, and it's much better than I remember! I guess emulation didn't do it justice, but the NES version definately has its own charm over the PCE version I'm used to, and despite the limitations I may even like it better. Star Soldier is brutal, but it's fast, with lots of crap going on, and pretty darned fun. I wouldn't have thought it possible on the Famicom without severe flicker/slowdown!

I now have my eye out on other shooters, I've probably unjustly ignored the genre on this system.
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: tonev on June 15, 2012, 02:34:27 pm
Nobody mentioned Life Force?
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: L___E___T on June 15, 2012, 03:19:33 pm
It was in the first post buddy... ;)
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: Phosphora on June 15, 2012, 03:52:51 pm
Recca for cart & Ryuujin Sensei Kiki Ippatsu (Touma Senki #3) for disk.
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: fredJ on June 15, 2012, 05:15:43 pm
Quote from: GohanX on June 15, 2012, 01:41:22 pm
Up until recently, I had completely dismissed NES and Famicom shooters, as the hardware just couldn't do a decent job (I thought.) I have the PC Engine, the Saturn, Japanese Xbox 360-all the strong shooter systems, and what I had played on the NES (mainly stuff like 1941, Tiger Heli, etc) had been pretty boring. Many of the shooters that were on the system were obsolete, such as Gradius and Parodius, considering you could play "superior" versions on other systems I had.

Last weekend, I was at a local shop digging through their $4.99 and under Famicom bin that I've never seen anyone but me look at. Among other games, I grabbed Star Solder (I love the PCE series) and Gradius. What the hell, they were 8 bucks total. I get home and pop in Gradius, and it's much better than I remember! I guess emulation didn't do it justice, but the NES version definately has its own charm over the PCE version I'm used to, and despite the limitations I may even like it better. Star Soldier is brutal, but it's fast, with lots of crap going on, and pretty darned fun. I wouldn't have thought it possible on the Famicom without severe flicker/slowdown!

I now have my eye out on other shooters, I've probably unjustly ignored the genre on this system.


I would say there are indeed several good shooters. Just avoid the early ones, like Xevious and .. Argus (sorry).
Many of them manage to deal with the flicker problem suprisingly well.
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: GohanX on June 15, 2012, 07:04:17 pm
Actually, I did buy Xevious while I was there. It was $1.99. I hate it, but I hate the arcade game too. I only got it since it was Namco, and it goes with some of the other Namco games I have acquired.
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: jpx72 on June 16, 2012, 02:55:36 am
Uchuu keibitai SDF is also very nice!
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: 80sFREAK on June 16, 2012, 03:40:34 am
Quote from: fredJ on June 15, 2012, 05:15:43 pm
Quote from: GohanX on June 15, 2012, 01:41:22 pm
Up until recently, I had completely dismissed NES and Famicom shooters, as the hardware just couldn't do a decent job (I thought.) I have the PC Engine, the Saturn, Japanese Xbox 360-all the strong shooter systems, and what I had played on the NES (mainly stuff like 1941, Tiger Heli, etc) had been pretty boring. Many of the shooters that were on the system were obsolete, such as Gradius and Parodius, considering you could play "superior" versions on other systems I had.

Last weekend, I was at a local shop digging through their $4.99 and under Famicom bin that I've never seen anyone but me look at. Among other games, I grabbed Star Solder (I love the PCE series) and Gradius. What the hell, they were 8 bucks total. I get home and pop in Gradius, and it's much better than I remember! I guess emulation didn't do it justice, but the NES version definately has its own charm over the PCE version I'm used to, and despite the limitations I may even like it better. Star Soldier is brutal, but it's fast, with lots of crap going on, and pretty darned fun. I wouldn't have thought it possible on the Famicom without severe flicker/slowdown!

I now have my eye out on other shooters, I've probably unjustly ignored the genre on this system.


I would say there are indeed several good shooters. Just avoid the early ones, like Xevious and .. Argus (sorry).
Many of them manage to deal with the flicker problem suprisingly well.
It was third on the list ;) So, if i have to choose one - Star Luster
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: chazbc24 on June 16, 2012, 06:08:05 am
Gradius 2
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: tonev on June 16, 2012, 11:29:05 am
Quote from: L___E___T on June 15, 2012, 03:19:33 pm
It was in the first post buddy... ;)


Am i blind... or maybe my broswer is blind too  ;D when i search for live in the first page nothing comes up
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: Parodius Duh on June 17, 2012, 03:46:38 pm
Id say Salamander and Gradius and all that, but I prefer the sega saturn versions. Games exclusive to the Famicom Id say Over Horizon definitely, The Unreleased Titan Warriors is bad ass as well.
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: L___E___T on June 17, 2012, 05:57:27 pm
Quote from: tonev on June 16, 2012, 11:29:05 am
Quote from: L___E___T on June 15, 2012, 03:19:33 pm
It was in the first post buddy... ;)


Am i blind... or maybe my broswer is blind too  ;D when i search for live in the first page nothing comes up


Just listed as Salamander, but that and life Force are the same game in terms of gameplay.
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: Parodius Duh on June 17, 2012, 07:20:37 pm
Quote from: L___E___T on June 17, 2012, 05:57:27 pm
Quote from: tonev on June 16, 2012, 11:29:05 am
Quote from: L___E___T on June 15, 2012, 03:19:33 pm
It was in the first post buddy... ;)


Am i blind... or maybe my broswer is blind too  ;D when i search for live in the first page nothing comes up


Just listed as Salamander, but that and life Force are the same game in terms of gameplay.


Actually, Life Force has some differences with the gameplay, but its not anything to significant. No multiple endings, only 2 option power ups instead of 3, and it uses the Konami code (which is nice for the beginners) which the Japan version does not.

Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: L___E___T on June 18, 2012, 02:57:47 am
But Salamander has a better name :)  Sounds like Life Force is the better, updated polished game though.
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: OZMA WARS on June 19, 2012, 01:32:06 am
uchuu keibitai famicom seem great, both graphics and gameplay (youtube). A pity no one for sale on Ebay.

hey Famifan : if you like to play FrontLine on the Famicom ( better that on Colecovision ) let me have yr. comment on Dough Boy .. I am really curious.
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: MWK on June 19, 2012, 01:41:23 am
OZMA WARS, I believe I saw SDF at Manuel's Little Shoppe, go and check it out if you're interested :-)

As being an owner of this game all I can say is that I highly recommend it, really unique (in it's style), murky but beautiful, tough but rewarding at the same time, one of my favorite vertical shooters.

Sadly HALken didn't use MMC5 extra sound channels, but that's in my opinion the only downside.
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: Oreanor on June 19, 2012, 02:20:12 am
My favorite is Blade Buster, though it's new and unreleased one.
Very fast, smooth graphics and smart gameplay.
I wish Famicom had at least one more such game.
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: fredJ on June 19, 2012, 11:34:17 am
I can never like Salamander (or Life Force)... too little freedom and too much difficulty.
Same reason I never liked R-Type.

However, I find Gradius and Parodius to be a lot more fun.
Better ability to chose powerups, a strategy element I appreciate. Also, music is more lively.  And, there are no suprise deaths like in Salamander.
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: NintendoKing on June 19, 2012, 12:09:58 pm
Argus, is the game on my top as it was first for me to play on Famicom.
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: MWK on June 19, 2012, 02:18:18 pm
You mean... this Argus?

(http://www.images.net.pl/?di=Q2FW)  :crazy:
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: NintendoKing on June 19, 2012, 02:29:19 pm
Heh, funny. :)
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: Nightstar699 on June 20, 2012, 01:19:01 am
Quote from: MWK on June 19, 2012, 02:18:18 pm
You mean... this Argus?

(http://www.images.net.pl/?di=Q2FW)  :crazy:


I have that CIB.
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: OZMA WARS on June 20, 2012, 03:58:36 am
I am a little bit retarded today ( not only today ! ). SDF what is that ?

Post Merge: June 20, 2012, 04:00:08 am

Is that Argus box for the NES or for the FAMICOM ?
that box was / is not imported here, sigh
;D
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: MWK on June 21, 2012, 04:55:23 am
It's a full title of that shooter : "Uchuu Keibitai SDF" and that SDF at the end means "Space Defending Force".

Here, I did it for you >> http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=2960.0
You'll find your game under "FC-289"
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: Yelir on June 22, 2012, 12:58:02 pm
I'm not big on NES/FC shooters since the PC-Engine is better suited for that, but I'm really into Abadox. I love the look of the FC boxart for it, simple but pretty interesting compared to it's NES release.

Speaking of Recca, I've always wanted to buy the soundtrack on CD to go along with the cart. :)
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: OZMA WARS on June 26, 2012, 02:03:37 am
Thanks MWK
Title: Re: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: RGB_Gamer on July 02, 2012, 09:21:19 pm
I can't believe nobody said Life Force...
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: PunkicCyborg on July 05, 2012, 02:25:29 pm
Hector '87 is just so badass. It's a cheap cart and has a cool 2 minute caravan mode which is a lot of fun. It's tough as nails too, I can't get too far in it yet. It's part of the Soldier series in my books even though it has some horizontal stages.
Title: Re: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: GohanX on July 05, 2012, 03:11:30 pm
I tried playing Recca on an emulator. Holy balls, this game is insane! How does a Famicom do this? I couldn't even get past the first level with the keyboard.
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: narunetto on July 05, 2012, 08:18:23 pm
I don't know if this would count but, Gyruss is a really good shooter.
Title: Re: NES/FAMICOM : which the best space shooters for you (both vertical/horizontal) ?
Post by: rantz97 on July 20, 2012, 05:20:03 pm
Recca
Gunnac
Salamander
Star Soldier
Star Force