I don't see how you can't like shoot-en-ups! The only problem with them is that they tend to be quite hardcore generally speaking when it comes to VC downloads. I usually play shoot em ups on my DS in the form of Big Bang Mini, Space Invaders Extreme 1 and 2, as well as Geometry Wars. Other than that I have R-Type TG-16 and Star Soldier R as downloads onto my wii

I must say however that I didn't like Bang-O-spirits, Nanostray 1 and XG Blast when I played them on other peoples' DS consoles. I also was crap at MUSHA and some of the Gradius games when I played them on other peoples' wiis/ps2s. I used to own Nanostray 2 but found that unpalatable too. ....so I've had my fair share of shoot-em ups which I DIDN'T like or sucked on (heehee).

Overall, I like em though!

Love em'!! I just wish they would make more new ones with far out graphics. After playing Star Soldier R I really want a new fully fleged Star Soldier game.COME ON HUDSON DAGNABBIT!!

I admit i rarely play them anymore do to the fact i prefer a RPG game with 40+ hour quest however there is a someone on youtube who loves this genre. Here's a example link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gpa9p5kDew

After leaving this thread I went to play a bit of Soldier Blade and what I realised is the reason I like this genre so much is the rush you get when you complete a difficult level.No other genre does that for me anymore, a pure adrenalin rush when your in the zone and when you finish the level your sometimes not even sure how you survived,but by God you did, great feeling.It's also the only genre in which I don't mind re-playing tough levels over and over again, it infuriates me in any other genre but with SHMUP's I'm like "COME ON ,LETS HAVE IT AGAIN,YEAH!!". So yeah I love these games!!. I'm surprised we haven't seen more new ones this generation what with the downloadable services ,these type of games seem tailor made for it.At least the VC has plenty of quality titles to be going on with

I'm boycotting the genre until Nintendo brings The Guardian Legend (NES) and Raiden (Arcade) to the VC.

In all seriousness, I find them to be pretty stressful, especially with the standard one hit = death formula.
It's still a good genre, they just aren't at all relaxing, which usually keeps me away from those games.

Raiden II on VCA would truly be awesome; especially as it's not yet working in MAME. The PSX Raiden CD was truly awesome.

One of the Raiden games (maybe it was II) is the only shmup that I've played in an arcade. That's why I have particularly fond memories of it .
Corbie mentioned a long time ago that he might get a Guardian Legend retro review up. I'm still waiting to read his review of that, because it's one of my favorite NES games. Actually just one of my favorite games.

I love shmups. Not for everyone as its a very classic genre that hasn't changed its basic feel in many years. With that said I'm getting a little bored of some of the bullet hell shmups as some of the creativity and general level design doesn't seem to be focused on as much. However, there is a lot of variety among shmups from insanely difficult bullet hell to more relaxing easier ones. Then there's rez which is kinda a shmup but not really. So I like shmups a lot but as I suck at them I'm not much of a purist and appreciate design and general fun over pure difficulty or scoring techniques.

some interesting and fun shmups:

night raid (ps1) - abstract-ish graphics, great music, and intense gameplay
mars matrix (arcade, dreamcast) - among my favorite bullet hell
gate of thunder (pc engine cd) - great level design
internal section (ps1)
otocky (famicom disk system)
einhander (ps1) - among best designed shmups ever
harmful park (ps1)
in the hunt (arcade, ps1) - well designed strategic shmup
Bouken Danshaku Don - The Lost Sunheart (pc engine) - I just like the insane look of it
G darius (ps1, arcade) - crazy design, stealing enemies, and more make this a winner

i have einhander

yes

I came into this thread not knowinf if shoot-em-ups were shmups, rail shooters or FPS. Unforcunately for my ability to comment further, it was the former.

I just picked up Raiden 3 for PS2 and its awesome, and Ikaruga GC, and Chaos Field GC are in the mail (can't wait),
but I would love for Deathsmiles and DoDonPachi to show up either on PSN or the wii. since i never got to play those before.

i will be picking Parodius Portable for the PSP when i 'll have nough money ^_

Corbie definately doesn't.
I do

What they said.

I like that the genre has evolved more slowly than other genres which try to constantly recreate themselves rather than improving what they've already got. Little things like the Ikaruga color system can hugely affect how you play without having to reinvent the wheel to get people's attention. The games tend to have great, colorful graphics, too, which makes something as simple as moving a ship left and right and pressing a button rapidly very enjoyable.

I particularly like co-op shooters, though my favorite is probably Warning Forever.

I like them (especially Bullet-Hell games), but I feel that the shmup genre was meant to die in a way. I mean, it's hard to make a game feel different when the cabinet right next to your game basically has the same game but with different enemy patterns.

Yeah, I felt they were run into the ground by the mid-90s when you just had standard power-ups, some futuristic ships and the same vertical scrolling playfield. I prefer the early 80s for gaming generally, though there are some later ones I do enjoy.