S.C.A.T.: Special Cybernetic Attack Team
Okay yes, we know, the North American name is infamous, but S.C.A.T.: Special Cybernetic Attack Team is actually a great shmup originally released for the NES. The game was similar to the Capcom game Forgotten Worlds, but much more suited to the home console format in terms of controls. The two-player options and the use of the two satellite modules made the gameplay stand out and allowed a lot of interesting possibilities. With great music and a good challenge, this is one to enjoy on NSO.
Star Soldier
Star Soldier may seem basic by some standards but it is a fantastic shmup with solid mechanics that has aged far better than most give it credit for. The combat is solid and the controls feel perfectly responsive, making this a great beginner shmup for those looking to get into the genre. With music that is minimalist while still sounding great and a fun gameplay loop, Star Soldier still feels great to play.
Xevious
Another title that has shown its age a bit, Xevious is nonetheless still an amazing game that serves as a great introduction to the shoot em up genre. It may not have music that is as good as Star Soldier, but that game came later. Xevious is one of the most important shmups ever and had a major influence on later games, laying down the framework for vertical shmups, and being the direct influence for games like RayForce. The game itself is still fun to play once you understand its mechanics and it can provide a healthy beginner challenge while being a solid experience to this day.
Gradius
Gradius is the quintessential side scrolling shoot em up and has aged extremely well. The powerup mechanics formed the basis for Konami shooters going forward and still provide a unique gameplay hook to this day. The excellent music and controls combine with the fun gameplay to create one of the best side-scrolling shmups available on NSO and an absolute must-play.
Super Fantasy Zone
The Fantasy Zone series from SEGA was amazing in all its entries, but Super Fantasy Zone is hands down one of the best in the series. This game didn’t need to do much to change the format but instead perfected and polished it. Super Fantasy Zone has amazing visuals, excellent gameplay and music and has that hook that keeps you coming back over and over again. A must for those with the NSO expansion pack.
Target Earth/Assault Suit Leynos
A side scrolling Mech shooter, Target Earth/Assault Suit Leynos is not a typical shmup. This one mixes in platforming elements alongside the standard horizontal shooter elements and yet it works well. There is a good amount of challenge and the game encourages replays to experiment with different weapons and different ways of taking out the enemies. One of the more inventive shmups, Target Earth/Assault Suit Leynos is a game that just never gets old.
Zero Wing
Yes, yes, we all know about the memes, but aside from them, Zero Wing is a very good shmup from Toaplan. The game may seem standard initially, but the unique Seizer Beam system changes things up immensely by letting players grab some enemies to use as shields or projectiles. This would be picked up on by later games and would be an influence on titles like G-Darius, but besides that, Zero Wing is just a fun game with a good variety of weapons and powerups. This is one you can play many times without it getting old.
MUSHA
A game that was ahead of its time, MUSHA is pure excitement. An entry in the Aleste series, the game kept much of what made the series work but also tried some different aesthetics with this one, creating a different experience. MUSHA is faster, more energetic and an overall delight, with excellent music and visuals that have aged well. One of Compile’s finest shmups.
Thunder Force II
Technosoft’s legendary series made its debut on the Genesis/Mega Drive with this title, beginning its association with SEGA, Mixing top view and side-scrolling stages, Thunder Force II is a bombastic game with a unique weapon system that set it apart and laid the foundation for the rest of the series. While not the absolute best in the series, Lighting Force IV and Thunder Force AC are both available on the Switch eShop as Sega Ages releases. Thunder Force II on its own though is still a fun shmup and it is interesting to see how innovative this game was for its time.
Pop’n Twinbee
Pop’n Twinbee is perhaps the best entry in the Twinbee series. The gameplay is closest to the second arcade game in the series but adds on to the gameplay and mechanics and makes a number of changes, such as giving players a life meter and limited continues at the spot where you died. Two-player gameplay works excellent here and players can use each other’s ships as weapons or give some life to each other to keep going. The companion ships work great as well, and the difficulty levels are handled right, especially the different options when playing in co-op mode. And it must be said that this game along with all others mentioned here that have co-op modes, can be played online thanks to NSO.
And there you have it. We will continue looking at retro games on NSO going forward with our next look to be focused on RPGs available on the service. In the meantime, feel free to share with us your favourite shmups to play on NSO or Shmups you hope to see come to the service.
