What is your ONE favourite vertical shooter of all times?

[Big Seany]

I have been playing loads of vertical shooters lately, on MAME, on my DC, and any other platform I have shooters on. Obsessed by them to be honest, just in one of those phases.

I have come to the conclusion, and not through lack of playing a wide variety of games from a number of eras - that my favourite one of all time is......

Donpachi

I know people will say it is sacrilege what with the sequels and lack of sophistication and all that but I just love it so much, I am so familiar with it, and for a lad like me who remembers the early Raidens and Slap Fight, Image Fight etc, it is like a supercharged newer version of that. The difficulty curve is really nice - I can glide through it on one credit - but I always fancy another go.

So - everyone - what is your favourite? ONLY ONE GAME ALLOWED PER POST! Don't want lists as we have seen f'ing lists before and they are boooring. Just elaborate on your favourite pls.

[eastyy]

gigawing 2


I just really think its really underated and its the only shooter i can say that i am reasonably good at
i loved the reflect laser and the multiple ships


And there was nothing quite as satisfying as getting multiple gem explosions

[Yoshimax]

Not the biggest shooter fan in the world but probably my favourite shooter would be Xenon2 as a product of its time and being on a home computer before consoles and "console gaming" was really mainstream.

[VR46]

Psyvariar 2

Just love everything about it (the DC version with no rotate button), virtually perfection imo.

[buster_broon]

probably Kyukyoku tiger

a bit different and alot of fun, just remember twin cobra being in the arcades when i was growing up

i like the more modern shooters but its just a bullet fest and it gets annoying

**edit**
cause i didnt read it correctly and i'm a chump/douche

[MonkeyWrench]

Ohhh good question. I'm not a big fan of shooters anymore but back in the 8/16-bit days I used to love them. It would probably have to be something like Gunhed or Super Aleste, I'll go with Gunhed...no Super Star Soldier!

[Radioactive Apostle]

Battle Garegga. First JP shooter I bought after I had my Saturn modded.

I have bought and sold many consoles, but will never sell that chipped Saturn.

[zipper]

I really like Under Defeat.
The graphical style, the unique control method, the nicely balanced difficulty.. Best of all, the satisfying explosions and the smoke effects - these alone keep me coming back for more. I love the music ...+ it's also one of the few I can complete :-)

[lurch996]

Dodonpachi for me.

The bullet patterns, level design, boss design and soundtrack are all top notch. Will take me years to master.

[kernow]

Sonic Wings 2 / Aero Fighters 2




I just love it.

[Geoff D]

Radiant Silvergun

I adore everything about it (except the daft price) - the fact that it adds a level of complexity that renders it part puzzle game at times is the icing on a very sweet cake. Beautiful to look at, handles like a dream & a rock, rock hard challenge. Wonderful.

[DeathAdder]

Galaga - on a formula of years since release multiplied by fun factor, no game will ever touch it.

[neoboy259]

Its probably not quite retro (yet)

ESPgaluda:

Complex scoring system, highly satisfying when you nail a big chain and navigate a tough/ complicated sequence. When you die, it feels like its your fault, but you don't get frustrated, just more determined to do better next time.
For me, cave's best game.

[jnm23]

Flying Shark

Nice difficulty curve, handy powerups (but not overblown). Reasonable restart points. Banging music too

[fuse]

A real 'flavour of the month' for me as it's something I've just got into recently (mainly as I've only just discovered the joys of Casino ), but Ketsui gets my vote. Obviously I still suck at it, and the price of the PCB upsets me, but it's one of the few shmups where I actually feel like I'm progressing.