by nesmaster14
(nesartifacts.blogspot.com)
12/12/2014
The object of this article is to provide a thorough guide to SHMUPs across the NES, Famicom, and Famicom Disk System, all in one place. The "SHMUP" genre entails many subgenres, hopefully this list will help to key-in what you're looking for.
Without further ado, let's soar into the wonderful world of SHMUPS.
1) Vertical Scrolling -
 |
(Licensed NES)
1942
1943
Adventures of Dino Riki
Alpha Mission*
Captain Skyhawk (Isometric)
Dragon Spirit
Gun Nac*
Gunsmoke
Image Fight*
Isolated Warrior (Isometric)
King's Knight
Sky Shark
Super Spy Hunter
Star Force
Star Soldier
Terra Cresta
Thunderbirds
Thundercade
Tiger Heli
Twin Cobra
Twin Eagle
Xevious
Zanac
(Unlicensed)
Destroyer (Also known as El Destructor)
F16 Renegade (Quattro Arcade)
Galactic Crusader
Mission Cobra
(Homebrew)
Blade Buster
Galaxxon: The Third War
Meteor Guard
T*Gun
Wraith
(UNRELEASED)
Titan Warriors (Developed by Capcom)
Xerxes (from Arcadia IV)
Super Gun (Caltron 9-in-1)
 |
(Famicom exclusives)
(Licensed)
Argus (with landing element)
B-Wings
Captain Ed
Crisis Force
Dezaemon (make-your-own-shmup kit)
Exed Exes
Gyrodine
Quarth (with puzzle element)
Recca
Super Star Force (with adventure elements)
Super Xevious
Taiyou No Yuusha Fighbird
TwinBee
TwinBee 3: Poko Poko Daimaō
Zunou Senkan Galg
Uchuu Keibitai SDF
☆ Prize ☆
Star Soldier Special Soft Time Trial (prize item from TDK National Famicom Caravan '86)
(Unlicensed)
Block Force
Space Shuttle Exploration
Thunderbolt 2
Tasac
 |
(Famicom Disk System exclusives)
(Licensed)
Akuu Senki Raijin
Big Challenge - Dogfight Spirit
Gall Force
Ginga Denshou - Galaxy Odyssey (with adventure elements)
Halley Wars
Reflect World (with RPG elements)
Topple Zip
Wakusei Aton Gaiden
(Unlicensed)
Bishojo Control (adult)
2) Horizontal Scrolling -
(Licensed NES)
Breakthru
Burai Fighter
Gradius*
Magmax (Isometric)
S.C.A.T
Section Z
Silkworm
Sky Kid
Sqoon
Talespin
Zombie Nation*
(Unlicensed)
(Unlicensed)
Double Strike
Fantasy Zone
Magic Carpet 1001
Magic Carpet 1001
Metal Fighter
Go! Benny!
Go! Benny!
Sea of Dreamland
War in the Gulf
(Famicom exclusives)
(Licensed)
Airwolf*(Licensed)
Baltron
Chuka Taisen
Fantasy Zone II
Formation Z
Fuzzical Fighter (with RPG elements)
Gradius Arukimendesu Hen
Gradius II
Insector X
Kaisen Game Sansuu 5 & 6
Macross
Over Horizon* (Famicom and PAL region only)
Parodius Da* (Famicom and PAL region only)
Volgaurd II
(Unlicensed)
Magic Dragon
(Famicom Disk System exclusives)
(Licensed)
Otocky (with music theme)
(Unlicensed)
Comic Sakka Series Touma Senki #1 - Mashoujo Gakuen Evil (adult)
Comic Sakka Series Touma Senki #2 - Mermaid no Gyakushuu (adult)
Comic Sakka Series Touma Senki #3 - Ryuujin Sensei Kikiippatsu ( adult)
Chuka Taisen
Fantasy Zone II
Formation Z
Fuzzical Fighter (with RPG elements)
Gradius Arukimendesu Hen
Gradius II
Insector X
Kaisen Game Sansuu 5 & 6
Macross
Over Horizon* (Famicom and PAL region only)
Parodius Da* (Famicom and PAL region only)
Volgaurd II
(Unlicensed)
Magic Dragon
(Famicom Disk System exclusives)
(Licensed)
Otocky (with music theme)
(Unlicensed)
Comic Sakka Series Touma Senki #1 - Mashoujo Gakuen Evil (adult)
Comic Sakka Series Touma Senki #2 - Mermaid no Gyakushuu (adult)
Comic Sakka Series Touma Senki #3 - Ryuujin Sensei Kikiippatsu ( adult)
3) Hybrid Scrolling -
(Vertical + Horizontal scrolling stages)
Legendary Wings
Life Force*
Silver Surfer
Starship Hector
Stinger*
4) SHMUP Elements -
Air Fortress
(Shmup isn't the main genre, but plays an integral part in the game.)
(Licensed NES)
Captain Planet
The Guardian Legend
Wurm: Journey to the Center of the Earth
Xexyz*
(Unlicensed)
Castle of Deceit
Moon Ranger
Robodemons
(Famicom exclusives)
Robocco Wars
Takahashi Meijin no Bug-tte Honey (Arkanoid-style + collect 'em up shooter stages)
Wai Wai World
Wai Wai World 2
Yume Penguin Monogatari
(Famicom Disk System exclusives)
Dirty Pair: Project Eden
Transformers: The Headmasters
5) Free Roam/Collect 'em Up -
Cobra Command
(Shmups with heavy emphasis on mission-based collecting.)
(Licensed NES)
Cobra Triangle
Cybernoid
Dragon Strike
Jackal
The Last Starfighter
Raid on Bungeling Bay
Solar Jetman
(Unlicensed)
Bee 52
Firehawk
P'radikus Conflict
(Homebrew)
Star Keeper
Assimilate
Munchie Attack
(Famicom exclusives)
Choplifter
6) Fixed-Screen/Arcade -
Defender II
(Licensed NES)
Drop Zone (PAL only)
Donkey Kong 3
Galaga
Gyruss
Millipede
Mutant Virus
Smash TV
Spy Hunter
(Unlicensed)
Huge Insect
(Homebrew)
Commie Killer
Solaris (RetroUSB AVS Launch Series)
Star Versus
(Famicom exclusives)
(Licensed)
Astro Robo Sasa
Galaxian
Pooyan
Space Invaders
7) 3D Shoot 'Em Up -
(Famicom exclusives)
(Licensed)
(Licensed)
Attack Animal Gakuen
Cosmic Epsilon
Exerion
Falsion
Geimos
Space Harrier
Sky Destroyer
Sky Destroyer
Tetrastar - The Fighter
(Unlicensed)
Cosmos Cop
Homebrew -
Assimilate - by Nessylum Games (2012)
Blade Buster - by High Level Challenge! (2011)
Commie Killer - by FG Software/Vectrex2809 (2015)
Fighter F8000 - by Kalle Suikola (2008)
Galaxxon: The Third War - by Psych Software (2004)
Invaders Must Die! - by Sebastian Mihai (2012)
Meteor Guard - by Sly Dog Studios
Munchie Attack - by Strangulation Games (2003)
Solaris - by RetroUSB (2016) [originally on 8-bit X-mas '13]
Star Keeper - by 87Arts (2014)
T*Gun - by TooManyGames (2014)
Wraith - by Tom Livak (2005)
*links provided only for ROMs available freely from developers.
Abadox [NA/EU/JP] - Rescue scene was censored on NA/EU versions.
(Unlicensed)
Cosmos Cop
Extra: Hacks -
- Noteworthy modern hacks worth checking out -
R-Type EX+ (Magic Dragon hack) by Makimura Manufacturing
Gradius AC (Arcade conversion hack of Gradius) by Hiroki5656
Gradius AC (Arcade conversion hack of Gradius) by Hiroki5656
Salamander AC Delta (Arcade conversion hack of Salamander/Life Force) by Messatu めっさつ
- bonus - Solaria (Fairly thorough hack which uses the Recca engine, no ROM available currently, found on a few Plug and Play devices)
Star Soldier Special Version (hack which implements Caravan mode) by 氏五郎
Xevious Alternate (Arcade conversion hack of Xevious featuring the Nazca Lines) by Makimura Manufacturing
- bonus - Solaria (Fairly thorough hack which uses the Recca engine, no ROM available currently, found on a few Plug and Play devices)
Star Soldier Special Version (hack which implements Caravan mode) by 氏五郎
Xevious Alternate (Arcade conversion hack of Xevious featuring the Nazca Lines) by Makimura Manufacturing
Homebrew -
Blade Buster - by High Level Challenge! (2011)
Commie Killer - by FG Software/Vectrex2809 (2015)
Fighter F8000 - by Kalle Suikola (2008)
Galaxxon: The Third War - by Psych Software (2004)
Invaders Must Die! - by Sebastian Mihai (2012)
Meteor Guard - by Sly Dog Studios
Munchie Attack - by Strangulation Games (2003)
Solaris - by RetroUSB (2016) [originally on 8-bit X-mas '13]
Star Keeper - by 87Arts (2014)
T*Gun - by TooManyGames (2014)
Wraith - by Tom Livak (2005)
*links provided only for ROMs available freely from developers.
*Regional Differences* -
- Noteworthy differences across regions in gameplay, audio, and graphics -
Abadox [NA/EU/JP] - Rescue scene was censored on NA/EU versions.
Airwolf [NA] / Airwolf [JP] - Completely different games. NA got a cock-pit view shooter, JP got a horizontal shooter.
Alpha Mission [NA] / ASO: Armored Scrum Object [JP] - High score displayed on title screen in JP version.
Gradius [NA/EU/JP] - High score displayed on title screen in JP version.
Gun Nac [NA/JP] - Stage 2 censored/graphics change on NA version.
Image Fight [NA/JP] - Rapid-fire not available on JP version, JP version has an additional intro scene / different ship color / JP version has black backgrounds as opposed to the blue NA received.
Life Force [NA] / Life Force Salamander [EU] / Salamander [JP] - JP version has 3 options instead of 2 on NA/EU versions, JP version has Gradius-style HUD / 3 different endings.
Over Horizon [EU/JP] - JP version as an exclusive extra graphics swap mode.
Parodius [EU] Parodius Da! [JP] - JP version has Karaoke displayed during credits (author's note: someone should translate this!). This part was removed on EU release.
S.C.A.T [NA] / Action In New York [EU] / Final Mission [JP] - JP version has a shorter life bar / equipped weapon lost when hit / auxiliary pods function differently.
Star Force [NA/EU/JP] - JP version has slightly different music/instrumentation.
Stinger [NA] / Moero Twinbee [JP] - JP version has 3-player mode.
Xexyz [NA] / Kame no Ongaeshi Urashima Densetsu [JP] - JP version has 3 different endings, Princess' dance cutscenes, different title screen music.
Xexyz [NA] / Kame no Ongaeshi Urashima Densetsu [JP] - JP version has 3 different endings, Princess' dance cutscenes, different title screen music.
Zombie Nation [NA] / Abarenbou Tengu [JP] - Rapid-fire not available on JP version. A few graphics changes.
Console Originals -
(Shoot 'em ups created originally [not a port] for the NES/FC/FDS)
Abadox [NA/EU/JP]
Adventures of Dino Riki [NA] / Shin Jinrui: The New Type [JP]
Air Fortress
Akuu Senki Raijin
Attack Animal Gakuen
Baltron
Bee 52
Big Challenge - Dogfight Spirit
Bishojo Control (adult)
Adventures of Dino Riki [NA] / Shin Jinrui: The New Type [JP]
Air Fortress
Akuu Senki Raijin
Attack Animal Gakuen
Baltron
Bee 52
Big Challenge - Dogfight Spirit
Bishojo Control (adult)
Blade Buster (homebrew)
Block Force
Burai Fighter
Captain Ed
Captain Skyhawk
Comic Sakka Series Touma Senki #1 - Mashoujo Gakuen Evil
Comic Sakka Series Touma Senki #2 - Mermaid no Gyakushuu
Comic Sakka Series Touma Senki #3 - Ryuujin Sensei Kikiippatsu
Cosmic Epsilon
Crisis Force
Dezaemon
Dirty Pair: Project Eden
Double Strike
El Destructor / Destroyer
Block Force
Burai Fighter
Captain Ed
Captain Skyhawk
Comic Sakka Series Touma Senki #1 - Mashoujo Gakuen Evil
Comic Sakka Series Touma Senki #2 - Mermaid no Gyakushuu
Comic Sakka Series Touma Senki #3 - Ryuujin Sensei Kikiippatsu
Cosmic Epsilon
Crisis Force
Dezaemon
Dirty Pair: Project Eden
Double Strike
El Destructor / Destroyer
F16 Renegade (Quattro Arcade)
Falsion
Firehawk
Fuzzical Fighter
Galactic Crusader
Galaxxon: The Third War (homebrew)
Gall Force
Ginga Denshou - Galaxy Odyssey
Go! Benny!
Gun Nac [NA/JP]
Halley Wars
Huge Insect
Isolated Warrior
Keisan Game Sansuu 5 & 6
King's Knight
Magic Carpet 1001
Metal Fighter
Meteor Guard (homebrew)
Mission Cobra
Moero TwinBee
Moon Ranger
Mutant Virus
Otocky
Over Horizon [EU/JP]
P'radikus Conflict
Recca
Reflect World
Robocco Wars
Falsion
Firehawk
Fuzzical Fighter
Galactic Crusader
Galaxxon: The Third War (homebrew)
Gall Force
Ginga Denshou - Galaxy Odyssey
Go! Benny!
Gun Nac [NA/JP]
Halley Wars
Huge Insect
Isolated Warrior
Keisan Game Sansuu 5 & 6
King's Knight
Magic Carpet 1001
Metal Fighter
Meteor Guard (homebrew)
Mission Cobra
Moero TwinBee
Moon Ranger
Mutant Virus
Otocky
Over Horizon [EU/JP]
P'radikus Conflict
Recca
Reflect World
Robocco Wars
S.C.A.T [NA] / Action In New York [EU] / Final Mission [JP]
Sea of Dreamland
Sea of Dreamland
Silver Surfer
Solar Jetman
Space Shuttle Exploration
Sqoon
Solar Jetman
Space Shuttle Exploration
Sqoon
Starship Hector
Star Keeper (homebrew)
Star Soldier Special Soft Time Trial (prize item)
Star Versus (homebrew)
Super Spy Hunter
Star Keeper (homebrew)
Star Soldier Special Soft Time Trial (prize item)
Star Versus (homebrew)
Super Spy Hunter
Super Star Force
T*Gun (homebrew)
Taiyou No Yuusha Fighbird
Tasac
Tetrastar - The Fighter
The Guardian Legend
Thunderbolt 2
Titan Warriors
T*Gun (homebrew)
Taiyou No Yuusha Fighbird
Tasac
Tetrastar - The Fighter
The Guardian Legend
Thunderbolt 2
Titan Warriors
Transformers: The Headmasters
TwinBee 3: Poko Poko Daimao
Uchuu Keibitai SDF
TwinBee 3: Poko Poko Daimao
Uchuu Keibitai SDF
Volguard II
Wakusei Aton Gaiden
War in the Gulf
Wraith (homebrew)
Wurm: Journey to the Center of the Earth
Xerxes (Arcadia IV)
War in the Gulf
Wraith (homebrew)
Wurm: Journey to the Center of the Earth
Xerxes (Arcadia IV)
Xexyz [NA] / Kame no Ongaeshi Urashima Densetsu [JP]
Yume Penguin Monogatari
Zombie Nation [NA] / Abarenbou Tengu [JP]
Zombie Nation [NA] / Abarenbou Tengu [JP]
Zunou Senkan Galg
The NES/Famicom/FDS SHMUP Library (A-Z)
- 1942
- 1943
- Abadox [NA/EU/JP] - Rescue scene was censored on NA/EU versions.
- Adventures of Dino Riki [NA] / Shin Jinrui: The New Type [JP]
- Air Fortress
- Airwolf [NA] / Airwolf [JP] - Completely different games. NA got a cock-pit view shooter, JP got a horizontal shooter.
- Akuu Senki Raijin
- Alpha Mission [NA] / ASO: Armored Scrum Object [JP] - High score displayed on title screen in JP version.
- Argus (with landing element)
- Assimilate (homebrew)
- Astro Robo Sasa
- Attack Animal Gakuen
- B-Wings
- Baltron
- Bee 52
- Big Challenge - Dogfight Spirit
- Bishojo Control (unlicensed, adult)
- Blade Buster (homebrew)
- Block Force (unlicensed)
- Breakthru
- Burai Fighter
- Captain Ed
- Captain Planet
- Captain Skyhawk
- Castle of Deceit (unlicensed)
- Choplifter
- Chuka Taisen
- Cobra Command
- Cobra Triangle
- Comic Sakka Series Touma Senki #1 - Mashoujo Gakuen Evil (unlicensed, adult)
- Comic Sakka Series Touma Senki #2 - Mermaid no Gyakushuu (unlicensed, adult)
- Comic Sakka Series Touma Senki #3 - Ryuujin Sensei Kikiippatsu (unlicensed, adult)
- Commie Killer (homebrew)
- Cosmic Epsilon
- Cosmos Cop (unlicensed)
- Crisis Force
- Cybernoid
- Defender II
- Destroyer (unlicensed)
- Dezaemon
- Dirty Pair: Project Eden
- Donkey Kong 3
- Double Strike
- Dragon Spirit
- Dragon Strike
- Drop Zone (PAL only)
- Exed Exes
- Exerion
- F16 Renegade (unlicensed / Quattro Arcade)
- Falsion
- Fantasy Zone
- Fantasy Zone II
- Firehawk
- Formation Z
- Fuzzical Fighter
- Galactic Crusader (unlicensed)
- Galaga
- Galaxian
- Galaxxon: The Third War (homebrew)
- Gall Force
- Geimos
- Ginga Denshou - Galaxy Odyssey
- Go! Benny! (unlicensed)
- Gradius [NA/EU/JP] - High score displayed on title screen in JP version.
- Gradius Arukimendesu Hen
- Gradius II
- Gun Nac [NA/JP] - Stage 2 censored/graphics change on NA version.
- Gunsmoke
- Gyrodine
- Gyruss
- Halley Wars
- Huge Insect (unlicensed)
- Image Fight [NA/JP] - Rapid-fire not available on JP version, JP version has an additional intro scene / different ship color / JP version has black backgrounds as opposed to the blue NA received.
- Insector X
- Isolated Warrior
- Jackal
- Keisen Game Sansuu 5 & 6
- King's Knight
- Legendary Wings
- Life Force [NA] / Life Force Salamander [EU] / Salamander [JP] - JP version has 3 options instead of 2 on NA/EU versions, JP version has Gradius-style HUD / 3 different endings.
- Macross
- Magic Carpet 1001 (unlicensed)
- Magic Dragon (unlicensed)
- Magmax
- Metal Fighter (unlicensed)
- Meteor Guard (homebrew)
- Millipede
- Mission Cobra (unlicensed)
- Moon Ranger (unlicensed)
- Munchie Attack (homebrew)
- Mutant Virus
- Otocky
- Over Horizon [EU/JP] - JP version as an exclusive extra graphics swap mode.
- P'radikus Conflict (Unlicensed)
- Parodius [EU] Parodius Da! [JP] - JP version has Karaoke displayed during credits (author's note: someone should translate this!). This part was removed on EU release.
- Pooyan
- Quarth
- Raid on Bungeling Bay
- Recca
- Reflect World
- Robocco Wars
- Robodemons
- S.C.A.T [NA] / Action In New York [EU] / Final Mission [JP] - JP version has a shorter life bar / equipped weapon lost when hit / auxiliary pods function differently.
- Sea of Dreamland (unlicensed)
- Section Z
- Silkworm
- Silver Surfer
- Sky Destroyer
- Sky Kid
- Sky Shark
- Smash TV
- Solaris (RetroUSB AVS Launch Series)
- Solar Jetman
- Space Harrier
- Space Invaders
- Space Shuttle Exploration (unlicensed)
- Spy Hunter
- Sqoon
- Star Force [NA/EU/JP] - JP version has slightly different music/instrumentation.
- Star Keeper (homebrew)
- Star Soldier
- Star Soldier Special Soft Time Trial
- Star Versus (homebrew)
- Starship Hector
- Stinger [NA] / Moero Twinbee [JP] - JP version has 3-player mode.
- Super Gun (unreleased / unlicensed / Caltron 9-in-1)
- Super Spy Hunter
- Super Star Force
- Super Xevious
- T*Gun (homebrew)
- Taiyou No Yuusha Fighbird
- Talespin
- Takahashi Meijin no Bug-tte Honey (Arkanoid-style + collect 'em up shooter stages).
- Tasac (unlicensed)
- Terra Cresta
- Tetrastar - The Fighter
- The Guardian Legend
- The Last Starfighter
- Thunderbirds
- Thunderbolt 2 (unlicensed)
- Thundercade
- Tiger Heli
- Titan Warriors (unreleased)
- Transformers: The Headmasters
- Topple Zip
- Twin Cobra
- Twin Eagle
- TwinBee
- TwinBee 3: Poko Poko Daimao
- Uchuu Keibitai SDF
- Volgaurd II
- Wai Wai World
- Wai Wai World 2
- Wakusei Aton Gaiden
- War in the Gulf
- Wraith (homebrew)
- Wurm: Journey to the Center of the Earth
- Xerxes (unreleased)
- Xevious
- Xexyz [NA] / Kame no Ongaeshi Urashima Densetsu [JP]
- Yume Penguin Monogatari
- Zanac
- Zombie Nation [NA] / Abarenbou Tengu [JP] - Rapid-fire not available on JP version. A few graphics changes.
- Zunou Senkan Galg
Thanks for looking, I hope this list helps you in finding your NES SHMUP needs.
Game on!
© NES Artifacts 2014
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