Enemy waves, tight patterns and score chasing: the shoot'em up (shmup) is the school of precision and cool nerves. RomWize re-ranks the best games in the genre by its re-evaluated scores, each with its current score, its versions, their rarity and their collector value.
"Treasure's most mythical vertical shooter, with a brilliant polarity mechanic. Patterns become puzzles, scoring soars to peaks and the aesthetics stay sublime. An absolute masterpiece."
"The absolute peak of the Gradius franchise developed by Treasure. Precision bullet patterns, level variety and the depth of the Options system make this shoot'em up an unchallenged benchmark. A genre masterpiece, graphically impressive and technically perfect on PS2."
"A vertical shooter with brutal scoring and gorgeous moody visuals. Mastering the controls takes work but every death teaches something. A gem for fans of old school challenge."
"Treasure's absolute masterpiece, considered by many as the greatest shmup ever made. Seven combinable weapon types, incredibly deep scoring system, epic bosses. Saturn exclusive of extraordinary richness. A work to own at any cost."
"A peak of vertical shooting by Compile, with exceptional smoothness and design. MUSHA remains one of the prettiest and most playable shmups on the console."
"One of the most iconic shooters in the Master System catalogue. Difficult, precise and ingeniously designed. The Force device and fantastic level design have lost none of their appeal across the decades."
"The absolute peak Technosoft Thunder Force IV, a legendary horizontal shooter. Gorgeous, demanding, cult soundtrack, one of the greatest shmups ever."
"Raizing vertical shmup with characters on flying vehicles in a colorful fantasy universe. Complex and satisfying scoring system, inventive bosses. More accessible than Battle Garegga but still demanding. An overlooked Saturn-era classic."
"Sequel to Sin and Punishment on Nintendo 64, Wii-exclusive intense rail shooter by Treasure. Isa and Kachi traverse ten futuristic stages with Wiimote aim and stick dodge, nonstop action, gigantic bosses. Deep scoring for speedrunners, multiplier modes, punchy soundtracks. Tough progressive difficulty, signature demanding but exhilarating Treasure gameplay. Genre peak, Wii gem to know."
"A brilliant return for Darius via Burst, a curving laser of rare visual beauty. Twenty-four zones and the giant aquatic Taito bosses make Dariusburst a horizontal shooter cut for connoisseurs."
"Salamander/Life Force compilation with both games well emulated. Konami horizontal shmups remain fast-paced and fun. Important historical value for franchise fans. Polished interface, appreciated extra content."
"Lords of Thunder is an extraordinary horizontal shoot'em up on MegaCD. Legendary heavy metal CD music, intense gameplay with elemental armours. One of the best shmups on Japanese console. Cult."
"Ketsui Kizuna Jigoku-tachi Extra is a Cave bullet hell on PS3 with an additional arrange mode. Intense danmaku with dense bullet patterns, ultra-hardcore difficulty. The genre reference for shmup purists."
"Technosoft masterpiece, peak of the Thunder Force series. Breathtaking hybrid 3D/2D graphics for Saturn, legendary metal soundtrack, exemplary fluid gameplay. One of the best horizontal shmups across all consoles."
"The G.I. Joe franchise game on NES: solid action-platformer with multiple characters of distinct abilities. Hasbro and Taxan deliver a licensed game well above average."
"Colony Wars Vengeance is the direct sequel with a new protagonist and a passionate revenge story. Space combat gameplay is refined and mission freedom increased. Probably the finest entry in the trilogy, technically impressive on PS1."
