Complete US/PAL Sega Master System Shmup Collection In Pictures

Here are the 31 standalone boxed version Shooters for the Sega Master Systems. Included is an Atari Compilation with Missile Command.

*EDIT* - Since this post I have one more US/PAL release that I do not own - Predator 2, and also a handful of JAP only releases. Look at my Collection checklists for the full listing.

Not the most exciting collection achievement, but a small milestone in my collection. It's nice to finally have one system completely signed off. There are still a few variants I could pickup, such as the Astro Warrior double packs and there is a Brazil release 20 in 1 that came bundled with the Master System III in Brazil, which is a collection of absolutely dire games, that can't even be called games, they're programmed that poorly.



It was a system I focused on mainly because I knew I could pick up a majority of the games cheaply, and it wasn't until I started searching for certain games that i realised this wasn't always the case. A few games that I had trouble finding were, Astro Warrior (standalone version), that I had to import from the States.

Power Strike II goes for really high prices on Ebay, but I managed to find a copy from a fellow collector in New Zealand for a good price.

Sapo Xule, is a Brazilian release only and was very hard to find. When I received the game from a Brazilian seller, he had included the wrong cartridge. It took many emails back and forth, thankfully translated by Edward (Ed's 1CC log/KollisionBR), so a massive thank you to him for his help so I finally got the right game cartridge at no extra cost.

Bomber Raid I had to import from Australia, and the 3D titles seem to fluctuate in price from high to bargain low. I think i imported all of these from the States.

JUNE/JULY SHMUP PICKUPS

It's been awhile without an update on this blog, and this pickup post has been a long time coming. I've had most of these games since early June and some of the ones from Japan were ordered as early as May.

I've been taking a break from shmup playing, which was initially unplanned. I got stuck into some really big and involving games the last few months. After an initial stint of the excellant Akai Katana Shin, my attention was turned to quite a few other non shmup games, Uncharted, Medal Of Honour, Battlefield Bad Company 2, Little Big Planet 2, Mario Galaxy 2, LA Noire & the mighty Fallout: New Vegas, which i have already put 90+ hours into, with Fallout 3: GOTY edition now started but put on hold before I have a Fallout brain overload.

I would just like to say a massive thank you to Geoff or Gmintyfresh as some of you may know him, for sending me through a copy of Arcade Unplugged on the 360 and Steel Dragon Ex on the PS2. Really kind of him and if you haven't already checked out his blog and Youtube channel, here are the links. He is passionate about shmups and also video games in general, always has alot to say on a given subject and his videos are always informative, and has some great pickups to show.

gmintyfresh YouTube

gmintyfresh blogspot

The following are all the shmups I picked up late May through to July.

Game: Akai Katana Shin
Developer: Cave
Region: NTSC J
System: Xbox 360
Released: 2011



Game: Raiden IV (1st print with ost)
Developer: Moss/Taito
Region: NTSC J
System: Xbox 360
Released: 2008



Game: Radirgy Noa Massive
Developer: Milestone
Region: NTSC J
System: Xbox 360
Released: 2010



Game: Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved
Developer: Bizarre Creations
Region: PAL
System: Xbox 360
Released: 2005



Game: Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2
Developer: Bizarre Creations
Region: PAL
System: Xbox 360
Released: 2008



Game: Steel Dragon Ex
Developer: Warashi/Midas
Region: PAL
System: Sony PS2
Released: 2005



Game: Fantasy Zone
Developer: Sega
Region: NTSC J
System: Sony PS2
Released: 2003 Japan



Game: Tiny Phalanx (bonus game included on Zero Divide)
Developer: Zoom/Time Warner Interactive
Region: NTSC J
System: Sony PS1
Released: 1995



Game: Darius Gaiden
Developer: Taito
Region: NTSC J
System: Sega Saturn
Released: 1995



Game: Choplifter II
Developer: Victor
Region: NTSC J
System: Nintendo Game Boy
Released: 1991



Game: Sol-Feace
Developer: Sega
Region: PAL EUR
System: Sega Mega CD
Released: 1992



Game: Darius II
Developer: Taito
Region: NTSC J
System: Sega Mega Drive
Released: 1990



Game: Thunde Force II
Developer: Technosoft
Region: NTSC J
System: Sega Mega Drive
Released: 1989



Game: Zillion II: The Tri Formation
Developer: Sega
Region: -
System: Sega Master System
Released: 1988



Game: Astro Warrior
Developer: Sega
Region: -
System: Sega Master System
Released: 1986



I would just like to add that Astro Warrior standalone version was the final game I needed to complete my collection of Master System shmups. It's quite hard to find in good condition and for a reasonable price. I imported it from the States and it was in mint condition.

I know own all 31 standalone versions. There are variants, for eg. the twin game packs with Pit Pot, Hang On etc. but I don't feel the need to own these.

MAY 2011 SHMUP PICKUPS

It's been a small haul this month. My bank account has still to recover from March, but still managed to squeeze in a few bargains.

Game: Xevious
System: Atari 7800
Developer: Atari
Released: 1987

I actually picked this up in April but somehow missed it in last months post. My first ever Atari 7800 game. I never had any plans of collecting for anything pre NES, but I loved the cover art for this and it was boxed and complete and a bargain at £3 delivered.

I don't actually own the system, but I remember wanting a 7800 as a child. I always liked the look of the console for some reason. My parents wouldn't buy me one as they had already bought me an Atari 520ST (*cue hisses from the Amiga heads), and a NES. Fair enough I suppose. I will pick one up one day, it's one of the few consoles that i've wanted that I don't now own.


Game: Mega Swiv
System: Sega Mega Drive
Developer: Sales Curve Interactive/Time Warner Interactive
Released: 1994 EUR

A Europe exclusive for Sega's Mega Drive, and not a bad shmup at that. 

On a recent interest I took in finding a complete list of Game Boy shmups, I stumbled across a few DS ones, and went on a further search. The next two purchases are ones I picked up super cheap.

Game: Glory Days 2
System: Nintendo DS
Developer: ODENIS Studios/Secret Stash Games
Released: 2007

 

Not really a big fan of the DS. I own 2, an original JAP 'phat' model as they call it, and the slim, brighter screened, DS lite. I always find it gives me hand cramps and isn't that great to play for long periods of time, let alone the thought of using it to play my favourite genre. All things aside, I really wanted to pick up Ketsui Death Label one day so I kept hold of the system just incase. Glory Days 2 reminds me of games like Choplifter. I have't really given it more than a quick try but found it hard to control and shoot accurately, as your forward motion forces the front of the helicopter to point angled towards the ground. The DS stylus can be used for controls or you can use the standard D-pad thankfully.

Game: Nanostray

System: Nintendo DS

Developer: Shin'en/Majesco Games

Released: 2005

First impressions are really good for Nanostray. Not had a chance to play it more than the first level, but looks very promising indeed. Will definitely be looking to pick up the sequel soon too.

GUNHEAD'S SHMUP OF THE MONTH

Game: Eschatos
System: Xbox 360
Developer: Qute
Released: 2011

It finally arrived, just over a month after release date and a little bit of worry from myself. This is by far my most played shmup in the month of May, and so I give it my Gunhead shmup of the month award. I'm sure it's very proud of itself :P

Ist print includes OST CD

Included on the disc are the Wonderswan/WonderWitch exclusive fan made games, Judgement Silversword and Cardinal Sins. Both two fun little shooters. I did a mini review of Cardinal Sins on a previous post here.

I also inherited a Master System II back in March, for absolutely nothing but the cost of postage. Doesn't work too well. Some picture issues at times, but I think it may just need a good clean inside. Sadly these units only output an RF signal. Perhaps a future mod project for myself?