11 replies to this topic

[DistantStorm]

The retro future stylings of the Vic Viper? The elegant polygons of the Arwing? Perhaps the nostalgic appeal of the fighters of 1942 or U.N. Squadron? The history of old school shooters is filled with a varied fleet of One-Pilot-Against A Galactic Armada death machines; indeed the look of your ship has a pretty direct effect on your connection to game, I think. So which one are you most partial to? (Referring to in-game models/sprites here.)

I'd have to say that as cool as the R-Types and Ikarugas (player 2 version ship in particular) are, my favorite would have to be the Axelay, from the SNES Konami title of the same name.
The game was split evenly between top-down and side scrolling. It was the side scrolling levels that really showed off the attention to detail that went into the Axelay sprite: A deep rust red in color with a small cockpit up front dwarfed by four giant engines; nav lights would glow on and off, speed flaps moved independent of the hull as the massive main thrusters powered up or down; it just looked like a deep space fighter capable of serious damage. There really hasn't, in my opinion, been anything quite as distinct looking since, although honorable mention has to go to the ships of Square's very cool Einhander on the PS1.

To all the pilots who have answered the suicide call of galactic defense over the years, which was your favorite fighter, aesthetically speaking, to strap into?

[Rena]

I'm gonna have to go with the ol Vic Viper. My tried and true Shmup buddy. Oh the adventures we've been on! Oh the number of new curse words we've probably invented while out in deep space as we were robbed yet again of our Multiples and lasers!

Such a basic and slick design. Vic's the icon of shmuppage (fun word!) for me.

[mik]

Definitely the SNES ones--viva la slowdown!

Seriously, I loved Axelay, Gradius, Parodius, Pop N Twinbee, etc.

[falcomadol]

rRootage

Twinkle Star Sprites is fun, because it's a two player versus vertical shooter puzzle game.

Edited by falcomadol, 14 February 2007 - 02:18 PM.

[DistantStorm]

wow, I totally forgot about Twinbee. Nothing like apiloting a giant flying Pokeball with little angel wings on it. And yeah, the Viper's got a pretty classic design, no doubt.
Just remember, I'm not talking about the gameplay or anything here, it's based purely on visual preference.

[SwimOdin]

Zanac. Such an amazing game for an early NES title. Battling the "System" that changes what enemies it throws at you based on what weapon you have.

[mrplaid]

Do the ships/Mechs from MUSHA count? When you had your weapons fully leveled up you could unleash some serious ass pounding.

[DistantStorm]

Do the ships/Mechs from MUSHA count? When you had your weapons fully leveled up you could unleash some serious ass pounding.

totally. although I'm not sure Lords of Thunder would qualify. Can't remember if there were actually ships in that game, or just flying guys in armor with huge-ass guns...

[PlayerOneCJ]

No doubt about it, the Vic Viper. I enjoy a good Gradius game and have messed up my thumb so much playing through some of those games. So frustrating, but soooo fun.

[falcomadol]

totally. although I'm not sure Lords of Thunder would qualify. Can't remember if there were actually ships in that game, or just flying guys in armor with huge-ass guns...

Guys in armor with huge ass swords and magic spells, actually.

PCE/Turbo is the 2nd greatest shooter platform of all time.

[DistantStorm]

Guys in armor with huge ass swords and magic spells, actually.

PCE/Turbo is the 2nd greatest shooter platform of all time.

you're probably right about that, though I never had one m'self. Can't decide if the Dreamcast tops the Neo Geo for the #1 spot... nah, that's just crazy talk.
no love here for the R-Type fleet? more shooters should be like R-Type Final, where there are a HUNDRED ships to unlock in the game. eh, there need to be more scrolling shooters in general.
speaking of Neo Geo, another cool-looking ship that comes to mind is the one from Last Resort, which I think I saw maybe twice in arcade machines, back in the day.

[falcomadol]

you're probably right about that, though I never had one m'self. Can't decide if the Dreamcast tops the Neo Geo for the #1 spot... nah, that's just crazy talk.
no love here for the R-Type fleet? more shooters should be like R-Type Final, where there are a HUNDRED ships to unlock in the game. eh, there need to be more scrolling shooters in general.
speaking of Neo Geo, another cool-looking ship that comes to mind is the one from Last Resort, which I think I saw maybe twice in arcade machines, back in the day.

Neo's good, but I'd have to give the edge to the DC.

Speaking of Neo Geo and R-Type, Pulstar nearly wins it all by itself though. Nearly.


Pulstar...look familiar? It should, same developer as another well known shmup.

Edited by falcomadol, 15 February 2007 - 10:04 AM.