Wii Warm Up: New pew pew pew

by JC Fletcher { Feb 15th 2008 at 9:00AM }

If there's one thing the Wii has plenty of, it's scrolling shooters, vertical and horizontal. Thanks to the Virtual Console, the Wii has probably the best library of shmups in history. You can go play something like Lords of Thunder or Blazing Lazers right now without even having to go to a store first. That's pretty compelling.

Which means that original disc-based shooters actually face a lot of competition from the VC. If you're just now discovering that you love shooters, you can get some of the best ones ever made for a few bucks. That could mean trouble for Castle of Shikigami III, Monkey King and Blast Works.

If you like shooters, are you content with the vintage offerings? Do you feel that there's enough of a reason to continue checking out the new games, or have you been reveling in undiscovered classics?

Tags: blast-works, blazing-lazers, lords-of-thunder, monkey-king, shikigami, shmup, shooter

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

danny. @ Feb 15th 2008 9:19AM

I certainly rediscovered my love for these games on the VC. I don't see myself getting any of the new games unless they get some great reviews or come from a great developer like Treasure.

In addition to the greats on the VC I haven't played yet (Lords of Thunder) I am waiting for the first two I owned to come out on VC. Star Force, and Sky Kid: they probably aren't even that good, but you take waht you can get as a kid...

bob @ Feb 15th 2008 9:25AM

ive been playing shmups almost all my life...
a few years ago i got into the manic shmups... =D

ill play/buy just about any good one...

Buntaro @ Feb 15th 2008 9:56AM

I stopped playing fighting games in favor of shmups (I’m also currently programming one) and I never regreted my decision.

The games offered on VC are cool and I hope we see more of them , especially some Thunder Force and Aleste games.
I also plan to buy all DVD based Wii shmups at some point. (PAL release please)

Dan @ Feb 15th 2008 10:49AM

Lords of Thunder is totally phenomenal. I didn't have a TG-16 back in the day, so this is all new to me.

Shmups have long been a tough sell in the US. That's why the upcoming Karous for the Wii is expected to be bundled with Radio Allergy and Chaos Field.

It's also why shmups fans have had to resort to importing (yes, I just pre-ordered the Japanese Space Invaders Extreme). But I've already preordered the US release of Shikigami no Shiro III for the Wii and expect it'll be worth every penny.

Heck, if I'm willing to import this stuff, I can totally pay full price for a US issue.

Synergistic @ Feb 15th 2008 10:53AM

I'm not a huge fan of shooters, but I did really enjoy Sigma Star Saga for the GBA.

However I don't know any of the old ones, so doubt I'll go back to buy any.

dav4550 @ Feb 15th 2008 8:12PM

I have Lords of Thunder, Axelay, Soldier Blade and Blazing Lazers for the VC...I love the VC because I always have enjoyed shmups but I never knew a console that had any, I always saw them in arcades...but I will probably stick to VC titles unless something unexpected happens, because shmups with a giant lady taking up a lot of the screen which could be used for more action sounds annoying. I want to get Ikaruga for GCN though.

Jay @ Feb 15th 2008 11:33PM

I was never big on Shmups until recently. Airzonk, Lords of Thunder, Blazing Lazers, Axelay - man, I play more Shmups on the VC than anything else (except maybe mario games).

It was Lords of Thunder that sealed the deal for me. I have been playing at least 2 one hour sessions of that game a day, and I'm still not sick of it. It's so fun experimenting with the different firepower and store items. And the gameplay and music just totally rocks!