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WiiWare's Phalanx remake is almost a Virtual Console game

by JC Fletcher { Dec 2nd 2009 at 12:30PM }

The trailer for the WiiWare version of Phalanx (after the break) reveals that it looks very much like a 16-bit game, rather than a remake of a 16-bit game. In fact, it looks identical to the Sharp X68000 version upon which it is based (and which is included in its unaltered form in the 500-point download).

Essentially, developer Zoom is using WiiWare to release a Virtual Console game whose platform isn't supported on the Virtual Console -- with some new bonus content, like a new mode with new stages and manual weapon selection. We approve of this tactic. Phalanx will be released on December 22 in Japan.

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R-Type to shoot 'em up on iPhone

by JC Fletcher { Nov 10th 2009 at 5:00PM }

DotEmu, the developer responsible for the random iPhone port of the Zelda-esque Golvellius, is porting a much more recognizable game to the platform for its next release: IREM's epochal shmup, R-Type. CEO Xavier Liard told Touch Arcade, "We are very pleased to work on R-Type and to start our collaboration with Irem Software Engineering Inc." DotEmu didn't announce which of the many versions of R-Type will be the basis of the port.

Having IREM involved seems like a good sign and, while the touch interface is not ideal for shooting games, Space Invaders Infinity Gene proved that it can work, at least better than it does for platforming or run & gun games. Of course, R-Type is really, really difficult, and the iPhone's controls aren't going to make destroying the Bydo Empire any easier.

Darius Burst trailer is explosive

by JC Fletcher { Oct 10th 2009 at 6:00AM }

The PSP is home to some unexpected shooter revivals. Thexder was just released on PSN, R-Type returned -- as a strategy game! -- and there's even a new Cho Aniki. Compared to those random releases, the announcement of a new Darius isn't too shocking. But it is very welcome.

The trailer for Darius Burst seems to hit the highlights of the Darius experience -- namely, spaceships and giant robot versions of aquatic creatures. And it looks hot. Hot enough to send us back through the series in anticipation of the December 24 Japanese release, and for us to send our sincerest wishes to Taito parent company Square Enix. Sell this to us!

TGS 2009: Hands-on: Thexder Neo

by JC Fletcher { Sep 27th 2009 at 1:30PM }

Thexder originally came out in 1985, and has been ported to several different platforms in its lifetime, mostly computers. However, I can say with some confidence that the PSP remake of Game Arts' classic free-scrolling, transforming shmup, called Thexder Neo, is much more enjoyable to play than the retro versions. And people who didn't go to TGS will get to enjoy it soon: Square Enix announced that Thexder Neo will be available worldwide on October 1.

Gallery: Thexder Neo

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Two cheapo DSiWare shmups in Japan this week

by JC Fletcher { Sep 14th 2009 at 12:30PM }

The surprise announcement that Nintendo would publish an Arika-developed shooter on DSiWare was weird enough. We didn't expect to see more shmups on the service within a couple of weeks, but Genterprise has revealed exactly that.

Publisher Genterprise has announced two shooters as part of its 200 DSi Point "GG Series," both developed by Wario: Master of Disguise/Boing! Docomodake DS developer Suzak. Z-One is a horizontally scrolling shooter featuring a "Pod," a multidirectional-shooting "Option" kind of device that flies near your ship. And Wonder Land is an Alice in Wonderland-themed vertical shmup.

Being made specifically as super-cheap games, it's doubtful they'll be great. But they will be very cheap when they come out in Japan this Wednesday.

[Via Andriasang]

Soldner-X flies again on PSN

by JC Fletcher { Sep 14th 2009 at 10:08AM }

Eastasiasoft, the publishing branch of import retailer Play-Asia, released its first PC game in late 2007, a horizontal shooter called Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer. It came out on PSN a year later. The company has just announced its second game, this time exclusively for the PS3's PlayStation Network: Söldner-X 2: Final Prototype. Unfortunately, the lack of a PC version means no huge limited edition box!

The Sidequest Studios-developed shooter is expected out this winter, but then the PSN version of the first game missed its original release date by a year. If you're really in the mood to punish yourself with a shmup, may we suggest the downloadable PS1 classic R-Types in the meantime?

Gallery: Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype (PS3)

Famitsu reveals Darius Burst for PSP

by Xav de Matos { Aug 29th 2009 at 12:00PM }

According to the latest pages of Famitsu (Via Examiner), Taito will be bringing a new game in the Darius series to PSP. The latest in the classic 2D horizontal-shooter franchise is titled Darius Burst, and marks the first time the series has been tapped for a title since Darius R landed on GameBoy Advance systems in Japan nearly a decade ago.

Famitsu notes Darius Burst will feature 11 levels, with non-linear paths throughout the stages -- splitting each initial level into two paths for players to choose. If you love shmups like we love shmups then you should be giddy about Taito's decision and hopeful the title will see a North American release.

Japan's DSi Shop adds shmups, instrument tuning next month

by JC Fletcher { Aug 28th 2009 at 12:45PM }

Aa Mujou Setsuna is something DSiWare has yet to see: a vertical shooter! The downloadable shmup, releasing in Japan on September 2, is listed as a Nintendo/Arika collaboration. Arika is responsible for various home ports of Cave shooters, including the DS Ketsui Death Label. Aa Mujou Setsuna has two selectable ships, a chain-based scoring system and even online rankings, for just 500 DSi Points. Somehow we doubt this is the news Nintendo Power teased, but it certainly makes us happy. Check out some footage after the break.

Less hardcore, but still kind of cool, are the two 200-point apps also releasing on September 2. Nintendo DSi Metronome is, well, a metronome, that allows users to input their own beats and tempo to play along with, and even record their own drum sounds. It has multiple "skins" including a Game and Watch look, and Balloon Fight and Donkey Kong minigames; the latter of which involves clapping to make Mario jump over barrels. Hey, it's a Mario counterpart to Jungle Beat! Except really simplified.

Nintendo DSi Instrument Tuner also includes a Game and Watch skin. This useful program allows you to play an instrument into the DS mic and get information about its pitch.

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Rumor: Raystorm remake and Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure coming to XBLA

by Griffin McElroy { Aug 7th 2009 at 3:00PM }

Taito's had a glut of classic-title remakes hit current-gen consoles as of late -- and if a recent rumor proves to be true, its streak shows no signs of stopping. NeoGAF user Shard recently posted some supposedly leaked images from the developer's next project -- an Xbox Live Arcade version of PS1 top-down shoot-em-up Raystorm (aptly titled Raystorm HD).

Mr. Shard also supposedly dug up images of an XBLA version of Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure, a recent WiiWare release. That's great and all, but we're far more intrigued by the possibility of a renovated version of Taito's classic shooter, which features weaponized lightning. We've contacted Taito to see if they'll comment on the rumored screens. Stay tuned!

[Via GamerBytes]

iPhone It In: Space Invaders Infinity Gene

by JC Fletcher { Aug 4th 2009 at 8:30PM }

Space Invaders Infinity Gene sounds like a complete retread of Space Invaders Extreme: a new shooter made by mixing retro-style graphics with techno music and brightly-colored, swirling visuals.

But Infinity Gene, ported to iPhone from Japanese mobile platforms, is a very different game, with little relation to either Space Invaders Extreme or the original game outside of a few visual shoutouts. And as such, Extreme's brilliance doesn't make this new reimagining redundant.

Gallery: Space Invaders Infinity Gene (iPhone/iPod Touch)

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Retro/Grade reverses time and shmup expectations on PSN

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jul 20th 2009 at 6:15PM }

Retro/Grade, an Independent Games Festival nominee for best game design, is making its way off of PSN ... we mean, onto PSN. See, the thing that makes this shmup different is that all the action happens backwards -- like a classic space shooter meets Memento. Comparison can also be made between this game and WiiWare's Bit.Trip.

There's a long writeup of the game over at the PlayStation Blog. One of the cooler things implemented in the title is the use of a guitar controller to control the ship. The fret buttons will allow the player to move, while the strum bar is used as the "shoot" button. You can get an idea of what it'll look like in the video after the break.

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Cave sees success on Xbox 360, planning more shmups

by David Hinkle { Jul 14th 2009 at 3:15PM }

During a recent earnings report (via andriasang), Cave has shown that its foray into the Xbox 360 with its shmup series, Death Smiles, was not an ill-fated plan. Cave cites the Xbox 360 version as being the most successful, as it sold 30,000 units since its April release; a figure Cave says is three times higher than it expected.

Cave plans to follow this success with more shmups, with an emphasis on updating older hits such as Death Smiles II, Espagaluda II, and Mushihimesama Futari mentioned. Though no specific console plans were detailed, it would be hard for Cave to ignore the Xbox 360. Japanese gamers can likely expect more blistered thumbs and enemy waves soon.

Brand new 2D shmup 'Dux' released ... for Dreamcast

by Griffin McElroy { Jun 29th 2009 at 10:00PM }

It's a sad fact that at the end of every console war, a remainder of die-hard zealots from each camp stay behind, waving high their console's battle standard while refusing to endorse any and all future pieces of hardware. Such a camp surely exists for the Sega Dreamcast, and while time may have forgotten these stubborn warriors, the kind folks at developer HUCAST have not -- they recently released a 2D horizontal shoot-em-up titled Dux exclusively on the extinct piece of Sega hardware.

Dux is currently selling for the bizarre price of $27.90. Fortunately, it won't be the last game to come out on the system -- HUCAST is nearing completion on another Dreamcast-exclusive shmup titled Last Hope: Pink Bullets, which was presumably co-developed by The Shins.

VC in Brief: Fantasy Zone II (Sega Master System)

by David Hinkle { Jun 29th 2009 at 3:25PM }

Fantasy Zone II: The Tears of Opa-Opa (Sega Master System, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)
We say: Shmup and Sega fanboys will gobble this up
This week, we've got classic shmup Fantasy Zone II on the Virtual Console. And, just like the first game, it's a whole bunch of colorful fun. Featuring infectious music, pleasant locales, and plenty of coins to collect, it's a solid choice for someone looking for a shmup that isn't Gradius.

Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer these videos as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks.

Metal Slug 7 ain't shooting up XBLA until 2010

by Majed Athab { Jun 19th 2009 at 1:30PM }

Metal Slug 7 on XBLA was originally slated as a 2009 title; however, the latest reports say it'll be pushed back to 2010. Speaking to Siliconera, Ignition Entertainment's acquisitions manager, Robert Macchiaverna, says the side-scrolling shmup won't make it out this year.

"It is still happening," said Macchiaverna. "But, I believe that's scheduled to be a 2010 title." Instead, Ignition will be working on The King of Fighters Ultimate Match '98. On the bright side, you can play Metal Slug 7 right now ... just, unfortunately, not on your 360.