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2D Shmups - History, Prospects?

Posted by simoniker on from the bydo-empire-delighted-by-press dept.

Thanks to Gamers.com for their article discussing a brief survey of the 2D shoot-em-up (shmup) market. The article summarizes: "Shooters seem to have a very basic appeal, rewarding as they usually do indiscriminate destruction. They're also a pure example of the most basic of videogame challenges - simple, instantaneous, twitchy response... there are still a few gamers who seek classic shooting action, and a few companies willing to support them." It goes on to reference classic Japanese shmup companies such as Irem, Treasure, and Cave, and provide information on their former and current projects.

5 of 21 comments (clear)

  1. 2d shooters for linux? by croddy · · Score: 2, Insightful

    are there any good side- or top-scrollers for linux? FPS are fine, but I'd much rather be playing duke nukem 2.

  2. Classic shmups got nothin by AvitarX · · Score: 1, Insightful

    The "classics" got nothing on the newer 2-d games.

    Mars Matrix owns 1942 any day of the week.

    With the new games having well over 1000 things on screen at a time and awsome sound it makes the classics look, well, classic.

    --
    Wow, sent an e-mail as suggested when clicking on "use classic" banner, and got a fast response that addressed my msg
    1. Re:Classic shmups got nothin by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      I agree and as was mentioned the other day, Starscape is an excellent example of modern schmups trying to take things in new directions. Anyone who enjoys a good top down blast should check it out here, the only thing missing is multiplayer otherwise very good.

  3. No Mention of Gradius by mmdurrant · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I'm surprised that there is no mention of Gradius, my favorite 2D shooter of all time.

    --
    I see my shadow changing, stretching up and over me...
  4. Where the hell is COMPILE?! by MilenCent · · Score: 2, Insightful

    No mention whatsoever of COMPILE! Those hep cats made ZANAC, The Guardian Legend, Gun-Nac, Power Strike, Power Strike 2, Blazing Lasers, MUSHA, Space Megaforce (named something else in Japan), ZANAC x ZANAC and others!

    I think they've been bought out recently, and they've been making mostly Puyo Puyo lately, but still...!