4. thunderforce v (psx) - One of the few 10/10 perfect games, I think. Yeah, I personally like the next 3 games on my list a bit more, but this game is, like, the smoothest, most consistent, most
game game, if that makes sense. In other words, it's so pure, it's like a shooting archetype, the measuring stick or whatever. It's that feeling I get when listening to an Aphex Twin album -- it's what most other musicians are measured by. Still, too much perfection is a mistake, and while I think this technically might be, all around, the best shooter ever, it isn't personally my favorite when compared to the next 3. But if you just want your mind blown apart, by all means check it out!
3. gradius v (ps2) - I would probably marry this game if I could. Developed by Treasure, published by Konami, and featuring music by the Final Fantasy Tactics and Odin Sphere guy (so, in other words, FUCKING EPIC STUFF HERE PEOPLE!), this is fucking unbeatable stuff. While all previous Gradius games were great little titles, this one takes every single thing that worked and distills it into a beautiful little pot. Just amazing.
2. r-type delta (psx) - R-Type is my favorite shooter series, period -- it's always been the strangest and had some of the craziest bosses (like, y'know,
a whole level as a boss; that sorta fun, crazy shit!). Some will choose the epic "R-Type Final", but that game was just way too easy; despite the glossiness, I beat it in a few days, no problem -- one of the easiest shootemups I've ever played, and it had that lame "ship battle" 2player mode (?!). This game, again, does everything R-Type has done well, and did it better. And, it was ignored to no end. I think this game sold, like, 5 copies or something. Seriously. Good job, America!
Before I get to # 1, I'd like to have an HONOURABLE MENTION: ...
batsugun (saturn) - Unfortunately, this is one of the few Saturn-exclusive shoot em ups I've been able to play (which is why Radiant Silvergun isn't on the list, despite me wanting to have played it for at least 10 years now!). I simply don't own a Saturn, but my friend Ryan who used to live with me, did, and he got it (a Japanese Saturn) from a pawn shop along with a bunch of Japanese SNES, PSX, and Saturn games. And, well, if this game is any indication of how good shooters are on the Saturn.. FUCK! Ryan moved out 4 years ago but I played this game nearly every day for probably 3 months -- I loved this thing, and I always tried to get him to sell me his J-Saturn and this game ,but he is so committed to owning "every gaming system ever" that... yeah.. I'm fucked. ANYWAY... this is simply the hardest shooter I've played, but it has fucking awesome huge weapons. Just intense, frustrating at times, but rewarding as hell. Another overlooked masterpiece that probably 50 people have played!