MORE FEBUARY SHMUP PICKUPS

Game: DEATHSMILES: DELUXE EDITION
Format: XBOX 360 (PAL)
Developer: CAVE
Released: 2011



I had already missed out on the original Japanese release of Deathsmiles, having only got a Japanese Xbox 360 around the second quarter of 2010, so went straight to the not so loved second game in the series, Deathsmiles IIX. I have to admit, I really liked DSIIX. initial reactions to the graphics were a bit, "really.. is this game finished".. All things aside, i grew to love the game and 1CC'd it many a time.. though could never take out that final boss on top rank on 360 mode.

Anyway, when i heard that DS was getting a US release, I thought it was only a matter of time before it hits European shores. So it's here, and I wasn't that keen on it after the first few times I played it. I found it alot less accessible than the sequel, but on extended play, it's becoming alot more enjoyable. I have yet to 1CC it, even on lowest rank.

Here's my current high score on MBL 360 mode.








Game: 式神の城II - SHIKIGAMI NO SHIRO II (Castle Shikigami 2)
Format: PLAYSTATION 2 (NTSC-J)
Developer: ALFA SYSTEM/TAITO
Released: 2004



I already owned the PAL counterpart, Castle Of Shikigami: War Of The Worlds, but at a bargain £5 delivered, I could never turn down a Japanese PS2 shmup for my collection. A Japanese PS2 is on my list of consoles to get.








Game: DRAGON BLAZE
Format: PLAYSTATION 2 (PAL)
Developer: PSIKYO
Released: 2006



A superb arcade port of Psikyo's Dragon Blaze. I picked this up from the same seller as Shikigami above, for £10 delivered as it was still sealed. I broke that seal of course.. it has Psikyo's trademark, Gunbird/Strikers power up system, epic boss battles and tough default arcade gameplay.




Game: POWER STRIKE (ALESTE)
Format: MASTER SYSTEM (EU)
Developer: COMPILE
Released: 1988



One of the shmups on the master system that goes for a higher price. I've been looking at this and it's sequel for awhile. This game goes for around £20-40 on Ebay. i got it for about £13 so was pretty happy. The sequel is alot harder to find, and alot more pricey too.



Game: XENON 2: MEGA BLAST
Format: MASTER SYSTEM (EU)
Developer: BITMAP BROTHERS
Released: 1991



Not heard great things about this shmup for Sega's Master System but another to the collection and super cheap too.




Game: ARCADE SMASH HITS
(Missile Command)
Format: MASTER SYSTEM (EU)
Developer: ATARI
Released: 1992



I found this 3 game Atari compilation whilst searching for Master System shmups on Ebay.. was unaware that it existed. Turns out that it has Missile Command on it, so that was it really. Done deal, another MS shmup for the collection.

RECENT SHUMP PICKUPS

ALPHA MISSION II (ASO II:LAST GUARDIAN)
NEO GEO AES
SNK
1991









This is the US version of Alpha Mission II and the cover art is fantastic. This is my first ever Neo Geo AES game, though Ive owned the system for over a year. I already have this game as the MVS version which I play through my AES using the Super MVS II Converter. A really tough arcade shooter and perhaps one of the best on the the system. I've only scratched the surface of this so far.


FAST STRIKER
Sega Dreamcast
NG-DEV
2010







A beautiful shooter from NG:DEV. This was ported over from the NEO GEO version and was released in 2010. It's region free. I've been playing this alot over the past few days and at first couldn't get anywhere, even on the suprisingly hard, Novice mode. I've now moved on to Original mode, though Novice not completed without credit feeding. I have so far managed to reach the Stage 3 boss on 1 credit, but I have started to realise ways of chaining better and that there are tech bonuses for destroying certain parts of the bosses before you atack the core. Other modes include Maniac and Omake which are more aimed at bullet hell fans. I actually prefer these modes but they are alot tougher to score points and involve a slightly different chaining system.

Current high score for original mode is below, though I can hit above 500 million on the first level now alone, so the room for score improvement is massive. This game is a worthy edition to the Dreamcast Shooter library. Thank NG:DEV.




GYNOUG (WINGS OF WOR)
UK PAL SEGA MEGA DRIVE
MASAYA
1991



Perhaps my most played Mega Drive shooter so far. It's not a system I show much love for and this is something I'm trying to change. Enjoying this game alot, though Stage 3 suprises me during the water section, as you can literally hold down the shoot button all the way to the end with very minimal bullet dodging. In some ways I found the game to be a little tedious as I tend to play on the assumption that I'm aiming to 1CC games when I play them rather than credit feed them to the end.. so generally as a rule, I have to restart from the beginning when I run out of lives.


GALAXY FORCE
UK PAL SEGA MASTER SYSTEM
SEGA
1989



SPACE HARRIER II
UK PAL SEGA MEGA DRIVE
SEGA
1990