Yeah, I have those same mods on the stick, main thing was the octagonal base (vs square) and second is a piece which makes it trigger from less movement (so you don't have to move the stick much before it registers). Those IMO definitely made it more fun, enjoyable to use (I kinda like it also better in fighting games now too). I actually also changed the buttons to Seimitsu one's for couple of reasons, a) I like each one to have different colour instead of them all being black b) I wanted to try how different they feel (which they do, but I don't think there is any relevant difference in performance)
I have read that actual arcade machines running shmups are most using Seimitsu parts, especially in Japan. At least the seimitsu buttons feel like I remember them from my childhood (Hayabusa buttons didn't feel the same). I have also read that Seimitsu joysticks in general would be preferable in shmups because they have less "throw" than let say Sanwa sticks which are the common choice in fighting games. Unfortunately you cannot switch the Hayabusa stick with Seimitsu one as easily, it will require cutting wires, soldering etc. which is a bit too much for me at this point, especially now when I'm quite happy with the current one now that it has those minor, easy modes (which can be reverted easily).
I would definitely like to try/get arcade stick with only Seimitsu parts for shmups some day if it wouldn't require much tinkering effort from me.
I do like playing these games most with arcade stick, but I really do not think it would give some clear advantage to normal controller as it really depends on which you are used to in a long run, it's more of a feel thing. There is some inherited disadvantage using analog stick though in classic shumps as it's more challenging to do "tap/macro dodging" with it, which is often important avoiding shots (dpad is probably better choice for this).The most ideal controller for shmups from performance point of view would probably be a keyboard as it gives you accuracy and instant triggering without any "throw" in the way.
I enjoyed Sine Mora EX, Vostok Inc., and Dustoff Heli Rescue II on the Switch, and I'm up for more shmup action.
Are Steredenn and Ikaruga available in Europe physical? Those two are next on my shooter list.
Are there any other good shmups available, preferably physical?
@SKTTR Steredenn and Ikaruga will both apparently get physicals, but I don't think there's a confirmed date for either yet. As for others:
Shikhondo is available for pre-order physical and looks great. Psyvariar Delta should be shipping soon too - although you can already get the Jp one - and it's an absolute classic. There's also a physical collection of 4 Psikyo games just out with a second volume already confirmed. RXN Raijin has a nice limited edition physical shipping soon (although the game itself is only good rather than great). Ghost Blade HD is coming physical in 2019 as well as a rather expensive collection of Darius games.
The only other one I know of is Dimension Drive, but, personal opinion, it's utter ñhjkvcgfxdxgkjl.
My strongest non-physical recommendedation would be Danmaku Unlimited 3. Stellar game and I believe the guys here did a contest on it a few months back.
I'm having a difficult time with this game. If I'm doing ok I'll get greedy and go for the blinking coins and die. A 300k score should be possible though. And I started to use the close range attack some more, and that has helped me out a lot. You can also block incoming fire with that move.
-Leaderboard-
Gunbird 2 - 3 Lives (default), 0 continues, difficulty level 5 - September 22nd until October 8th 23:00 GMT
Any improvements in the final hours? I'm desperately clinging on to that third place. Can't beat that score - even getting 300 again seems beyond me.
Great challenge, though. I really played the hell out that game these two weeks. Got to say, this thread is great for getting your money's worth out these releases!
Unfortunately I couldn't improve at all, even even though I got to play a couple of days on my home TV with my new Pro Controller without any kind of lag (so I suppose it was only a JoyCon to Switch issue).
Had great fun competing, even if I couldn't scratch @GFoyle 's record! What should we play now?
The original fire has died and gone, but the riot inside moves on.
The challenge ends tonight 23:00 GMT, so still a couple of hours to improve current scores. I'm going to do a couple of runs later on, hoping to get at least a 300k score.
Some superb scores there. I haven't been able to beat my score of 260k which is frustrating me as I know I've got a lot more on me. I haven't played it the last few days though, started Stardew Valley and I've become hooked on that.
This is probably my final score, I tried few runs today, one was going good but then got stupid in fourth stage and ruined changes to improve. I knew I shouldn't focus on coins (and especially coin heads) much at all before I'm skilled enough for that (which means A LOT better than now). I'm definitely going to continue playing this after the challenge but with more focus on survival.
If I win, the choice of the next game goes to second (or Corneel)
The challenge has ended. Congratulations to @GFoyle with an impressive score! @riccyjay and @RetroGamerAndrew also very impressive with a score in the 300k range. @RetroGamerAndrew the choice if the next game is up to you!
@RetroGamerAndrew Nice! That's probably the Psikyo game I've got least into on Switch (of the ones I have) so great opportunity to correct that.
Unfortunate that the reason I haven't played much is because I'm rubbish at it. Good chance to try and improve!
Edit: And congratulations on that score, by the way. I know full well how big a jump an extra couple of ten thousand points represents. Congratulations to GFoyle too. Very, very impressive!
Lol, could have very well been my choice as well. Let's see about this one goes, I haven't really played either Strikers that much yet (mainly just for the graphical reasons, I like the color palette of Gunbird's and Dragon Blaze more than WW2 look of Strikers) . Deciding on which plane to use already will be difficult for me.
@riccyjay thanks mate, we were so close!
It'll take time, skill and a bit of luck to take down fellow @GFoyle but we have to try...
...that Tengai loss 890,502 vs 886,702 still haunts me in my dreams!!! ;-p
The original fire has died and gone, but the riot inside moves on.
Oh yeah, it was that close in Tengai! I played probably something like 15-20 hours of Tengai during that one week of the challenge. It was also the first time ever I tried to play these games more seriously and for score. Even though I have liked shmups since -87, it was like 30 years of really not playing any (for some reason I didn't run into any those during my active gaming years). Tengai is probably one of the best, if not the best Psikyo shooters to start with as it's not as difficult as most of the others (but still not easy!).
If the participation starts to pick up the pace for these challenges, I suggest we do round 2 for some of the best ones we have had challenges already this far at some point in future (and for some of those games, it could be different rules than first time, for example high score mode instead of caravan in Pulsar, Blazing Star, 1cc instead of 3 in Tengai, Strikers 1 etc.).
@GFoyle you can count me in, we could even restrict the competition to a single plane/character for example... lot of ways to give those sweet oldies a much deserved second playthrough!
The original fire has died and gone, but the riot inside moves on.
261,300 after first session of Strikers II. A lot of room for improvement though and I think we'll probably get scores higher on this than Gunbird 2. Hoping for over 350 this time - maybe even 4 since I'm already getting well over 100k per level without any real knowledge at all.
I find it far more difficult here to remember the levels since, while the enemy attacks and patterns are very varied, my brain just remembers: plane, plane, plane, plane.
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Topic: Arcade SHMUP High Score Thread
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