I always thought DDP and Progear were amazingly fun, but Espgaluda (specifically the simulation mode on ps2) was the first game that made me really think about playing for survival vs playing for score.
There was a summer where I could almost layout a top score on level 1. Thinking about scoring gimmicks really unlocks a different layer of depth in shmups once you get over the bullet hell.
Nice! I'm a HUGE DoDonPachi fan, Mushihimesama is also great fun as well. I have the Nintendo Switch port coupled with an 8BitDo arcade stick and have sunk tons of hours into it.
I think I have like 300 hours on the Steam port of Mushihimesama, such a great game. Love the aesthetics. How’s the Arcade stick? I’ve been tempted to get one since I love the regular 8bitdo controllers and would love one I could use with both my Switch and PC.
It's surprisingly decent for being kinda budget! I'm a big fan of 8bitDo because all their controllers are usu. easy to pair with all my stuff (Switch, PC, etc).
I’ve actually got my arcade stick temporarily modded with a Sanwa gate set to four-way, so it doesn’t register the diagonals like an eight-way stick. It works really well if you enjoy playing the TGM Tetris games.
I’ve been playing Tetris Effect on my PC with a keyboard (also the 8bit do mechanical keyboard, which I also love)lately and other than a 4 way gate stick I don’t think I could play any other way. Although I found the 4-button setup of the Nintendo joycon to work decently, they are so small and I have big hands so I get cramps quickly…
I have been debating between a (less expensive) 8bit do or the (nearly 3x price) Mayflash F700 but the mod ability of the 8bit do just might see me get both…both are moddable but I still want to keep one that is “pure” if you catch my drift. Seems I might be unknowingly but knowingly walking into a new weird niche hobby lol
DOJ is probably my favorite game of all time. It’s as close to perfection as any videogame has ever been for me.
Progear and Deathsmiles both my favorite horizontals from them. Deathsmiles probably edges it out just a bit.
As for Raiden I’m a huge fan of Raiden Fighters Jet also! Viper Phase 1 is also excellent.