Topic: Shoot 'em up recommendations

I've recently gained interest in shoot 'em up games. It's a genre that's always intimated me, I've always sucked at them (still do), but since I bought Ikaruga for the Gamecube recently I've started wanting to play more of the genre. So I'd like to ask you guys for recommendations. Which games do you think would be good for a newcomer? I'm open to Wii retail games, VC, Wiiware, Gamecube, DS or GBA games. It can also be similar run and gun games like Contra, not necessarily only space shooters; both genres give me the same vibe and I'm a newcomer at both.

This is what I have so far:

Ikaruga
Axelay
Star Fox 64
Sin & Punishment
Gunstar Heroes
Contra 3
Contra 4
Contra Rebirth

I like all of them a lot, even though I'm bad at them.
I intend to get the first Contra and Super C in the future. Any others?

Also, I've never played a Gradius game. What's the best entry point to the series on the platforms that I mentioned above? Would Gradius Rebirth leave a good first impression on me of the series?

And would it be a good idea to track down that Wii game Castle of Shikigami III? Or even Geometry Wars: Galaxies?

Contra 4 and Metal Slug 7 on the DS are both pretty good fun.

In fact, as far as I'm considered, anything Metal Slug is real good fun!

Oh yeah, I forgot to say that I have the Metal Slug Anthology for the Wii. Great games, I love them!

Can't go wrong with any of the R-Type or Gradius games

@castro - are the controls really that dodgy on the anthology or are they fine to play with?

Well, the only actually playable control scheme to me is the sideways wiimote. The only problem with that is that you have to shake the wiimote to throw grenades. It's not that bad though, you get used to it. I think the controls are fine overall. It'd be nice if it had classic controller suport though.

Zanac. Enough said.

Gate of Thunder and Air 'Zonk'. Both favorites.

Soldier Blade, Star Parodier and Gate of thunder are three of the best shooters on VC. You really can't go wrong with any one of those.

The Guardian Legend - Oh wait, that's not on VC
Raiden - Dang, that's not on VC either

If you want to go Gradius, I would say Gradius III is your best bet. Life Force (NES) is also a good choice.
But TurboGrafx-16 is pretty much the shmup console.
Gate of Thunder, Lords of Thunder, Star Parodier, and Soldier Blade are all excellent shmups from what I've heard. But I've never tried them since I'm not a huge fan of the genre, barring a few titles. They just put me on edge.

First, you can also make recommendations or request recommendations in mickeymac's page.
Now, STAR PARODIER is the best choice you've got, and if that doesn't work, go for Gate of Thunder!

Life Force, Star Parodier, Air Zonk, Gradius anything, Blazing Lazers, and MUSHA. Those are my recommendations.

Now, Geometry Wars: Galaxies is an intense game, but I only pay attention to the retro evolved mode. A classic controller is recommended to play it, but playing with a wiimote and nunchuck is possible.