Genesis SHMUP 4 BEGINNERS

[Fuller1021]

I have recently obtained a Sega Genesis, a CRT and a MEGA Everdrive Pro. Growing up, the Genesis was my favorite/most played console but I was not into SHMUPS at all, as I found them just way too difficult. However, I have recently grown an affinity for the SHMUP genre but I'm just as terrible now at 40 years old as I was 30 years ago. Looking for "beginner" or "friendly" SHMUP recommendations on the Genesis or Sega CD that will help me learn basic SHMUP mechanics without torturing me lol. Thanks Everyone!

 

[Yousef]

Vast majority of shmups are built on the foundation that they’re hard and need to be learned and mastered. A “beginner friendly” shmup sounds like something you’d beat in one go and never play again feels counterintuitive given that these games are incredibly short and are meant as a pastime of sorts.

 

[monochromeorange]

you should definitely try thunderforce iv, it's not easy but it's not too hard either and compared to others i think it's more beginner friendly. and you should also try thunderforce v on ps1 if you can, these two are the best shmups you can play on a console

 

[brighter]

Xevious.
If you cannot find joy in Xevious (or Crimzon Clover) you will never find joy in any scrolling shooter.
don't think there's a megadrive port though of it though orz

 

[Glimbo]

Thunder Force III. You die in one hit but you continue where you were instead of a checkpoint. Your currently selected weapon gets downgraded by 1 level when you die but the rest remain as is. I believe it also has an easy mode to start with more lives.
Thunder Force IV is also a good choice but it's a bit harder than III.

 

[RageBurner]

My suggestion would be Darius 2. I'm terrible at shmups but this game is very forgiving, giving you shields and such.

 

[fake-kun]

As a beginner myself, I think the best you can do is find a shmup that catches your eye and git gud at it.

 

[Fuller1021]

Vast majority of shmups are built on the foundation that they’re hard and need to be learned and mastered. A “beginner friendly” shmup sounds like something you’d beat in one go and never play again feels counterintuitive given that these games are incredibly short and are meant as a pastime of sorts.

That's a great point I never thought of. Thank you for your insight

Post automatically merged: Dec 9, 2024

As a beginner myself, I think the best you can do is find a shmup that catches your eye and git gud at it.

That seems to be the most common thread I'm hearing. Like the SHMUP genre is inherently difficult so just pick one you enjoy and learn that one. Then move on and you'll find yourself getting better along the way. Thank you for the tips

Post automatically merged: Dec 9, 2024

Xevious.
If you cannot find joy in Xevious (or Crimzon Clover) you will never find joy in any scrolling shooter.
don't think there's a megadrive port though of it though orz

What makes you say that? Does Xevious have basic principles of what lies in the foundation of most shmups so Xevious is a good way to judge if I'll find joy, generally speaking, amongst most other games in the genre. Ive never played Xevious

Post automatically merged: Dec 9, 2024

Thunder Force III. You die in one hit but you continue where you were instead of a checkpoint. Your currently selected weapon gets downgraded by 1 level when you die but the rest remain as is. I believe it also has an easy mode to start with more lives.
Thunder Force IV is also a good choice but it's a bit harder than III.

I've wanted to get into the Thunderforce series for awhile. So you recommend I start with the 3rd game in the series? Were the first 2 games released on the Genesis/Megadrive do ya know?

 

[monochromeorange]

I've wanted to get into the Thunderforce series for awhile. So you recommend I start with the 3rd game in the series? Were the first 2 games released on the Genesis/Megadrive do ya know?

actually the first 2 games are top down shooters unlike the rest (tf2 also has horizontal shooter parts but you get the idea), it's your choice ofc but i recommend playing thunderforce iii and iv first + only tf2 released on genesis and as far as i know it's an obsolete port; visually and gameplay wise i think all of them are amazing but i like tf4 more and DAMN THOSE VISUALS AND THE ATMOSPHERE IT'S ABSOLUTELY STUNNING ENOUGH TO MAKE A GROWN MAN FALL INTO TEARS IT'S ART DEFINITELY A MASTERPIECE THAT EVERYONE SHOULD SEE ATLEAST ONCE IN THEIR LIFE yeah you get the idea

 

[ATenderLad]

Progear!

The sprite work is darling, it's not overly long, and it's pretty forgiving as shmup's go, one of the more accessible Cave games.

 

[Glimbo]

Adding a bit to what monochromeorange said, Thunder Force was released on the Sharp X1 with ports to other Japanese PCs and Thunder Force II was released on the Sharp X68000 with ports to other Japanese PCs and Genesis. I'd only recommend playing them to a hardcore Thunder Force fan that wants to see the game's origins.

As for which one to start with, I suggest III. Thunder Force IV has tall levels with vertical scrolling while you're also moving forward which can make it easier to get hit. You can see what I mean in the vid

 

[RageBurner]

When playing Thunderforce 4 I lose, but it's okay because I keep banging to that OST.

 

[bsudo]

It's not retro but Zero Ranger by system erasure is designed from the ground up to teach you the mentality behind playing shmups and it's not especially challenging either. Top 3 shmups for me. Retro wise I'd agree with Progear. One of my absolute fav's simply because its not too challenging.

 

[Lime]

Maybe they're not talked about as much, but I think there's definitely easy shmups out there. I've played a bit of the Aleste series by Compile and those games are pretty forgiving. It looks like there's an installment for the genesis called Musha Aleste and one for the sega CD called Robo Aleste but I haven't played those much.

 

[Note]

I'm also not great at shmups but do enjoy playing them. I think some that are on the easier side for the Genesis you can consider are: Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer, Steel Empire, and Bio-Hazard Battle.

 

[Ikagura]

It's not retro but Zero Ranger by system erasure is designed from the ground up to teach you the mentality behind playing shmups and it's not especially challenging either. Top 3 shmups for me. Retro wise I'd agree with Progear. One of my absolute fav's simply because its not too challenging.

I should try playing Zero Ranger again.

ProGear is a good Cave game, I like the Steampunk aspect and the gameplay style.

 

[RebelofDaNeonGod]

For beginners, I think the Gunbird series would be a good place to start. They're pretty simple and easy, I know it's not exactly what you're asking, but I would go for those two

 

[Sayo]

For beginners, I think the Gunbird series would be a good place to start. They're pretty simple and easy, I know it's not exactly what you're asking, but I would go for those two

Gunbird has fantastic art direction too.

 

[Jade_Tyrant]

I have recently obtained a Sega Genesis, a CRT and a MEGA Everdrive Pro. Growing up, the Genesis was my favorite/most played console but I was not into SHMUPS at all, as I found them just way too difficult. However, I have recently grown an affinity for the SHMUP genre but I'm just as terrible now at 40 years old as I was 30 years ago. Looking for "beginner" or "friendly" SHMUP recommendations on the Genesis or Sega CD that will help me learn basic SHMUP mechanics without torturing me lol. Thanks Everyone!

You should try out maybe Contra or Metal Slug, but the idea of bullet hells are that theyre hard and meant to be mastered, like FromSoftware games or arcade titles.

 

[Momo Momomo]

Surprised no ones mentioned Tyrian 2000, if you're new to shmups and want something thats both forgiving enough for beginners and has the creature comforts of other genres (a fun story, light rpg mechanics) then you'll love it.

 

[Moreno909]

Progear!

View attachment 3492

The sprite work is darling, it's not overly long, and it's pretty forgiving as shmup's go, one of the more accessible Cave games.

Love this game

Post automatically merged: Dec 19, 2024

For beginners, I think the Gunbird series would be a good place to start. They're pretty simple and easy, I know it's not exactly what you're asking, but I would go for those two

I like Gunbird but in my opnion they're way too hard for a beginner, specially the second game. Also, there's a cool manga created off Gunbird that is pure fun. For beginners, I would recomend Gun-Nac on the NES or Axelay on the SuperNES. Aleste series is fun of cool games too.

 

[ATenderLad]

It might be fair to say the genres pretty sink or swim, the early classics were all arcade games with a direct incentive to take your quarters. You just have to dive in and keep at it.

 

[Yoru Momo]

I don't think there are any easy shmups.
The only way to beat those games is by playing until you memorize each stage with your muscle memory.

According to JP wiki the easiest shmups for Genesis are Slap Fight MD, Insector X and Super Fantasy Zone.

 

[Bonkers225]

Forgotten Worlds
Granada
Storm Lord

 

[Waffles]

I'm super late to the party, but... Sol-Feace.