Thanks and goodbye

It's been four years since I started this news outlet. It's been a lot of fun and I've gotten to know a lot of nice and friendly people.

The state of the shmup/STG world is strong. Certainly stronger than those four years ago. We are seeing a revival of the genre, particularly on the Nintendo Switch but PlayStation 4 is also a strong contender. Xbox One tries I guess and if the full heritage of the Xbox 360 at some point becomes playable on an Xbox again that will be an absolute treasure trove of shooters becoming available.

Anyway. I don't have the time/energy to keep up with all the news anymore, try as I might. I suggest you follow @shmups on twitter to get your updates on the genre.

I will  try to keep the Nintendo Switch Shmups/STG wiki up to date - but would of course welcome contributors - after all, it's what wikis are about.

Thanks to everyone who came here for news on the genre.

I will keep tabs on my twitter profile @STGPilot and you can always reach me at dlundh[at]gmail.com should you so desire.

Stay healthy, practice social distancing. wash your hands often and wear a mask in public to protect the elderly and vulnerable if you can. It seems COVID-19 is here for the long haul.

Thank you,
Daniel

Task Force Kampas is coming to consoles: trailer

Task Force Kampas launched early last year on Windows.

Oshyaberi! Horijo! Gekihori - The Bullet Heaven review

There's also a review from Shmups on Switch from September last year.

Cyber Seraph has been graced with a trailer

Cyber Seraph, a new shmup in development coming to Steam and itch.io, that I wrote about a couple of days ago has a trailer out:
There's a demo available.

Shmups on Switch asks nicely for more shmups to come to Switch

We are closing in on May 3rd and I guess now is as good a time as any; I will be turning off the lights here by then. I've had a 4 year run and have had close to 50.000 visitors (there's still time to reach that magic number but I'm not holding my breath) and, thanks to Twitter, have made the acquintance of a lot of very nice people.

The twitter account will remain active and I will continue to add to the Nintendo Switch shmups/stg wiki to try to keep it up to date (and everyone is very welcome to join that effort).

Bullet Heaven reviews Gigantic Army (Switch)

Mars: Chaos Menace Trailer (PS4/Switch)

Chaos and destruction are threatening the planet…

Mars: Chaos Menace is a frenetic bullet hell shoot'em up. Discover unique environments and defeat deadly opponents that will make you suffer and surpass yourself. Face devastating boss battles and aim for the high score!

Story: We are in the Terraforming age after saving our homeworld, Earth, which was collapsed by radioactive contamination and the depletion of resources. Now, humans are successfully colonizing nearby planets, using technology to adapt these inhospitable and hostile places. For the first time in our existence we feel in harmony with everything. But our activity and progress has attracted huge and warp monsters that only wish to devastate and sterilize planets by destroying the whole way of life.

We had forgotten, chaos is the natural state of the universe...

Features:
• Frenetic "Bullet Hell" action
• A careful aesthetics and design that will make you fall in love.
• Great variety of unique environments that you will discover in your missions.
• Spectacular opponents that will make you suffer and surpass yourself.
• Crowd of different enemies with exclusive behavior.
• Action and challenge assured for lovers of the genre.

Cyber Seraph, shmup in development, demo available

Cyber Seraph is an indie colorful retro shmup where you're pitted against vicious agents of ruin who have devastated your home world. Unlock upgrades and customize your ship, seek out  your foes and exact righteous vengeance! You're your people's last hope.

Release date: sometime in 2020. 

Keys for demo: WASD to move, O to fire, E to restart, Q for window mode. Has controller support, fire with A button (if using Xbox controller). 

Shmups on Switch dishes the pain to Galaxy Warfighter

Battle of the ports: DoDonPachi

Syder Reloaded - The Bullet Heaven review

Why should Shmups on Switch have all the fun?

Battle of the Ports: Donpachi

Sakura Stars, new shmup coming to Steam on May 21st

The pitch: When hordes of Youkai threaten the world, the Tanukis send a messenger to choose human girls to receive magical powers to defend humanity. They are known as SAKURA STARS.
Take on hordes of youkai in this 8bit horizontal shmup and defend humanity from supernatural beings.
Sakura Stars is a game made on Pico-8, a retro fantasy console with purposeful limitations to simulate an 8-bit era console.

Launches May 21st, on Steam.

Black Bird goes physical

Limited Run Games opens pre-orders for the physical edition of Black Bird (for Nintendo Switch) on April 10th, a regular and a Collector's Edition will be available.

The wiki entry has been updated.

Jet Lancer Trailer

Coming to PC and Nintendo Switch on May 12, 2020 Jet Lancer is a high-velocity aerial combat shooter.

Null Drifter Trailer

Can this retrogfx trend die soon? Now we're back to ZX80 level graphics.

Shmups on Switch reviews ESP Ra.De.

Panzer Dragoon Remake Review

The Bullet Heaven review of Project Starship

Galaxy Warfighter coming to Nintendo Switch, Steam

Coming to the eShop and Steam on April 16th is Galaxy Warfighter.

The pitch:

Prove that you are the best pilot in the galaxy!

Taking its roots from the classic games in the shoot'em up genre, «Galaxy Warfighter» conveys the old ideas in a new way. Piloting your fighter ship, you have to fight hordes of enemies with unpredictable strategies and attack schemes.

Well, and if you think that the usual enemies are too easy, «Galaxy Warfighter» will put you face to face with the ruthless bosses. You should not underestimate them. The game will continue to increase in difficulty.

- Well thought-out attack schemes of the enemy;
- Unique bosses;
- System of the ship upgrades;
- Incredible backgrounds;
- HD Graphics in a retro style!

Panzer Dragoon, Rolling Gunner physical available for pre-order

It turns out Panzer Dragoon: Remake that launched the other day on the Switch eShop is available as a physical release on pre-order right now from Limited Run Games, pre-orders are open until April 24th and the game is available in a regular edition and a "Classic Edition" kitted with a US Sega Saturn cover. There's no real "lmit" here except the pre-order cut-off date.

 

Meanwhile, the physical edition of Rolling Gunner for Switch (a PC version is also available) is also available for pre-order from Physicality Games and pretty much not a limited item per se, it just needs to hit a certain amount of pre-orders to get made at all. There's a vanilla version and a deluxe edition to choose from. The deluxe version pictured below comes with the games awesome soundtrack.

Panzer Dragoon: Remake launched today on Switch

B.ARK Bio-Interstellar Ark Switch announcement trailer

A cute'em'up arriving late 2020.

CAVE: Dodonpachi Saidaioujou EXA Label is coming

In a surprise announcement EXA, makers of new arcade hardware, announced that they are working with CAVE to release Dodonpachi Saidaioujou EXA Label, a new entry in the Dodonpachi series after an 8 year hiatus.

A summer 2020 release is targeted and I'm just hoping HEY STHLM will get a cabinet (and that an eventual port will reach a modern console).

Trailer for Astroforce, new free shmup for Android

Shmups on Switch reviews Rainbows, Toilets and Unicorns

I guess coming up with names for games these days IS getting harder.

PSA: Stay Healthy

I usually refrain from posting anything but stg/shmup news, but who are we kidding, the current situation calls for this.

I live in Sweden but the message is the same to everyone, globally: Ideally, we would be able to stop the virus from spreading entirely. We can’t do that right now. What we can do is slow it down, so that the severe cases get spread out over a longer period of time, and hospitals are less likely to be overwhelmed on any given day. And that’s where each one of us comes in. The best way to slow down the spread is for everyone — healthy, sick, young, old — to limit social contact as much as possible, immediately. This is called social distancing, and it only works if enough of us do it. But if we do, it could mean the difference between the life and death of someone you know.

Stay safe and thanks for doing your part.

Red Death Trailer

Dodge and destroy! Blast through waves of arcane enemies and take down monstrous bosses as you defend the earth against an unknown calamity. As a prologue to Project Starship, vertical bullet hell shoot’em up Red Death sets a collision course against a full-scale invasion bent on eradicating humanity, presented in nostalgic 4-tone style! Features: • Survive waves of intense bullet hell action! • Enjoy an intriguing Story Mode across a number of scripted levels. • Test your limits with endless randomized challenges in Arcade Mode. • Compete for the highest score in old-school arcade style. • Upgrade weapons with numerous power pickups. • Charge and unleash vicious Overload attacks to turn the tide of battle!

Bullet Heaven reviews Rolling Gunner Overpower

This DLC is available for Windows now but should show up for Switch at a later date - but not in time for the physical release.

Dezatopia review from Shmups on Switch

Here's the Dezatopia review from Shmups on Switch.

Panzer Dragoon to go VR

Gematsu reports that Panzer Dragoon is set to go VR (though no specific VR platform has yet been pinpointed) as Panzer Dragoon: Voyage Record and turned into a first person shooter (sadly).
Still, if you're a fan i'm sure you don't want to miss out.

A look at the physical version of FullBlast for PS4

Don't forget that there is a sequel in development.

If you don't crave a physical release it's also available for Xbox One, Switch and on PS Vita.

Shmups on Switch reviews Syder reloaded

I have yet to play this but from the sounds of it, the soundtrack may be the best thing about it?

CAVE has opened an online store for apparel'n'stuff

CAVE has opened up an online store at BOOTH. You can use a service like this to have items shipped overseas.

Wii U still lives...and gets a SHMUP Collection?!

Yes, that shmup collection we've all been waiting for to arrive on the Nintendo Switch is also coming to the Wii U in what must be among the very last titles to be released for this underrated system.

Coming soon from Pixelheart, only 3000 available although in this case I think it will be plenty.

Darius Cozmic Collection 2 is coming

Winter 2020 will see the release of Collection number 2, I can't make out any titles announced for it but since the first one is awesome I'm sure Taito wont let me down. I'm just going to assume this will come to Switch and PlayStation 4 just like its predecessor.

Rolling Gunner physical release for Switch seems plausible

It will be the first release of Yet Another Limited Release Game Company called Physicality Games. Pre-orders open some time this month. Stay tuned.

Ginga Force and Natsuki Chronicles coming to PS4 and Steam in 2020

Rising Star Games has announced that Ginga Force (available for Xbox 360 in 2013) and its sequel Natsuki Chronicles (first available on Xbox One in 2019) are coming to both Steam and PlayStation 4.

Sisters Royale review from Bullet Heaven

Sisters Royale has been available for some time for both Nintendo's shmup-machine and Sony's good old PlayStation 4 and a new review is always fun.

Bullet Heaven reviews Hardcore Mecha

Extragalactica Infinite available on Steam

Extragalactica Infinite is a new shmup available right now on Steam. Both Windows and macOS versions are available and it's coming to iOS and Android too.

The Strictly Limited Sisters Royale up for pre-order on sunday

As SLG themselves put it:

As announced earlier this month, we are excited to once again bring you a new Shoot 'em Up for your gaming system! Sisters Royale has recieved a warm welcome, especially from the dedicated shmup scene, and it's an absolute honor to immortalize this modern AlfaSystem classic on a physical game disc/cart!    
 

With its recognizable Tension Bonus System gameplay, heralding the legendary Shikigami series in more than one way, Sisters Royale features the thrill of hunting for the perfect highscore run! For the shmup master in training, the easy mode will be a perfect stepping stone to reach higher Shoot 'em Up grounds.

The use of character specific Bombs and Power Shots will make you seek out new strategies for a frantic round. This makes Sisters Royale a perfect game to pick up for short bursts of play, as well as longer sessions in the dedicated TATE mode. (TATE being available both clockwise and counterclockwise!)

Sisters Royale: Five Sisters Under Fire Edition
 

Our Strictly Limited edition will feature a stunning cover artwork and individual numbering! The Five Sisters Under Fire Edition is limited to 2500 Nintendo Switch copies and 1500 PS4 copies worldwide and both versions will be available for the price of 29.99€.

Sisters Royale: I'm being Harassed by Five Sisters and it Sucks Collector's Edition

As you might already know by now, we we've gone to great lengths to ensure that the Collector's Edition box is of the highest quality in the lim.print game market. All assets included have been passionately localized from Japanese to English and are now presented to you in the Strictly Limited Sisters Royale - I'm being Harassed by Five Sisters and it Sucks Collector's Edition, which includes the following...
 

• Hardcover CE Box /w Magnetic Latch
• Individually Numbered Game 
• Hardcover Artbook /w Lovely Culture
• Official CD Soundtrack 
•  6 Character Cards Royale
• A Fierce and Cutesy Poster
• Two Stickersheets /w Lots of Line Stamps
   

The Collector's Edition is limited to only 1500 copies (Switch) and 999 copies (PS4) worldwide and will be available for the very affordable price of 49,99€ (Switch/PS4) .
 

---

SISTERS ROYALE will be available in two batches:
Round 1: Sunday, 23. February 2020 at 12 AM CEST.
Round 2: Sunday, 23. February 2020 at 6 PM CEST.

Click on the link above to check your local time. Please keep in mind that Sunday 12 AM CEST could mean Saturday in your time zone (for example EDT).

Sorcer Striker / Mahou Daisakusen review

Here's Electric Undeground with a review of Mahou Daisakusen (Sorcer Striker), available on PSN Japan.

Vortex Attack EX Trailer

Available for Switch and Steam.

Electric Underground announces Shmup Slam II, Feb. 29th.

Electric Underground announces Shmup Slam II. Looks like a lot of fun!
12 hours of shmups on February 29th it is then!

Nintendo Switch Online gets Pop'n Twinbee

If you want to play Pop'n Twinbee but no longer have a SNES, Nintendo just added another way to do just that when their Nintendo Switch Online adds the title to its service on February 19th.

Project Starship gets a trailer

Syder Reloaded announcement trailer (March 13th/Switch)

I updated the Syder Reloaded entry on the Nintendo Switch Shmups/STG wiki to match.

Edit: The soundtrack is available on Spotify.

Rival Megagun physical release up for pre-order on Feb. 7th

First Press Games has listed Rival Megagun for both PlayStation 4 and Switch in regular and Collector's Editions as well as a separate soundtrack CD release.

For once the Collector's Edition looks like it lives up to its name. Absolutely packed:
Features:

• premium box with item tray
• gold-colored coin (numbered)

Base Game:

• cover sheet with interior art
• game on Blu-ray
  
• 64 page English manual

Artbook:

• DIN C4 sized
• high-quality hardback cover
• 72+ content-rich color pages

Tournament Boardgame:

• boardgame box
• replicas of the 40 in-game trading cards, with playable effects
• tournament grid board
• character meeples
• instruction sheet

CD Soundtrack:

• Original & Mega sound version on CD
• premium jewel case
• 12 page booklet
• reversible inlay & spine card (OBI)

2 clear files with print extras:

• DIN A2 double sided poster
• 2 A4 magazine page prints
• alternate cover sheet and manual for swap-out

The Switch Collector's Edition will be available in 1500 copies and the regular edition 3000 copies.
The same number for the PlayStation 4 is an even scarcer 500 copies and 2000 copies respectively.
The soundtrack CD is 350 copies (not counting the ones included in the Collectors Editions).

Bullet Heavens review of Metal Slug 3 for PS4

Such an iconic series! Don't forget about Bitmap Books book on the subject, out now.

Sisters Royale goes physical, pre-order Feb. 23rd

Strictly Limited Games just announced that they will release physical editions of Sisters Royal(e) for both PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch and that pre-orders will begin February 23rd.

Or as they put it:
Released for the Japanese market back in 2018, the story driven Sisters Royal has since been localized for an English language western release and will be available through the eShop and PSN starting today!

As a spiritual successor to the legendary Castle of Shikigami series, Sisters Royal features everything you'd come to expect from a game by stellar japanese dev AlfaSystem. It's vertical side-scrolling gameplay features the following...  

• Tension Bonus System
• Super Secret Fairies
• Several Lovely Characters
• Bombs and Power Shots

The contents of the Collector's Edition will be announced at a later date, closer to when the pre-order goes live, but please expect the same high quality SLG Collector's Editions as you've grown accustomed to. :) 

The History of Zaxxon

It's actually kind of fun to finally post something about Zaxxon.

Cutesy bullethell shmup The Tawashi launched yesterday on Steam

The Tawashi is a new cutesy bullethell shmup that launched yesterday on Steam.

Here's a game play video:

January 26th is when Xeno Crisis goes physical on Switch and PS4

Strictly Limited Games just announced that January 26th is the date pre-orders for Xeno Crisis for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 opens up.

A port of the successfully crowdfunded Sega Mega Drive / Genesis title!

Xeno Crisis is an arena shooter that can be played solo or in local co-op mode. Take control of battle-hardened marines embarking on a deadly mission to confront an alien menace and get home alive! Run and gun your way through thousands of adversaries as you explore the devastated research outpost, searching for surviv
ors, and ultimately facing the origin of the outpost’s demise.

Outpost 88 is divided into seven distinct areas, each being randomly generated with each play, meaning that your strategy must evolve on the fly if you’re to succeed in your mission. Collect dog-tags from vanquished enemies to upgrade your equipment between areas and look out for special weapons which will give you a momentary advantage.

Features:
    A faithful port of the hit 16 bit game with added extras
    Incredible pixel art from the legendary pixel artist, Henk Nieborg
    Intense FM chiptune soundtrack by Savaged Regime, originally created for the YM2612!
    Two difficulty levels and three modes of play
    Seven varied areas to traverse
    Many different enemies to tackle
    An arsenal of 10 weapons to master
    Upgrade system allows you to change your tactics each playthrough
    Play solo or couch co-op with a friend!

There are regular and Collector's Editions as per usual.

The Collector's Edition contains:
    Xeno Crisis Game
    Hardcover CE Box with magnetic lock
    Original Soundtrack CD
    Hardcover Artbook
    Stickersheet
    1x Double-sided A2 Poster
    Military Patch


By the numbers, the PlayStation 4 Collectors Edition will be available in 700 copies, the regular in 1300 copies while Switch Collector's will be available in 1500 copies and the regular in 2500 copies.

Since this is a real gem of a game I fully expect these to go fast no matter what platform you aim for.

The Electric Underground lists the 25 greatest shmups of the 2010s

New Twin-Stick shooter Shwip in early-access on Steam

Shwip is a new twin-stick shooter that has a look similar to Geometry Wars.

The pitch: Dominate global leaderboards as you face off against an onslaught of geometric foes. Shwip combines straight up twin-stick arcade action with tight controls, insane pixel destruction and devastating weapons and abilities. Evade, outlast and play with style in four game modes over single and local multiplayer.

Looks like fun:

Other tidbits: M2 makes a PSA, Sisters Royale goes west etc.

M2 wish to make it clear that their new release of CAVEs ESP.Ra.De should have the moniker "Psy" as opposed to "Psi".

Sisters Royale, the Shikigami-esque game available for both Switch and PS4 in Japan is heading west on both platforms as Sisters Royale: Five Sisters Under Fire! with a January 30th release date.

Retro Cores Battle of the Ports tackles 1942:


Run'n'Gun Valfaris is getting its Japanese debut on both PlayStation 4 and Switch on January 23rd.


Bare Knuckle Development details where the inspiration for their awkwardly-named new shmup Super Mega Space Blaster Special Turbo came from.

Dezatopia has a Steam release date: January 24th

I reported on this one being on its way to Steam and Switch back in october of last year.

The developer just announced on Twitter that it has been submitted to Nintendo for approval on Switch but has a firm release date on Steam: January 24th.

Bells and Whistles have arrived

Hamsters Arcade Archives has a new title up its sleeve on both the PSN Store and on the Nintendo eShop; Bells and Whistles, aka Detana!! Twinbee from former giants Konami. If you like your shmups old-school and cute this will be a title very much up your alley.

Battle of the ports: Galaga ´88

So that clears that up. Including the name of the game. To be honest I have never heard anyone call Galaga "Galaaga" so I guess i'm blessed that way. 👍

Space Invaders Invincible Collection new trailer gives away all included games

Looking good! Not sure i'm willing to plunk down 150€+tax+customs+freight but even the regular edition looks nice!

Physical release of MSX shmup Uchusen Gamma available for pre-order

 

A new shmup for MSX? On cart? Sure! If you don't feel the need for a physical release you can download the ROM free of charge right now.

Shmups on Switch reviews Jets'n'Guns...

...and is not amused.
I think the best thing about the game is its soundtrack which doesn't even get a mention!
Of course I may be biased since Machinae Supremacy, the group behind it, is from my native Sweden. Judge for yourself:

Neon Aileron, new shmup launched yesterday on Steam

Neon Aileron is a retro-style shooter where enemies spawn to the beat of the music. Neon Aileron was created to evoke memories of playing older shooters that pre-date the bullet-hell genre. We call this bullet-lite, because the focus is on shooting enemies instead of dodging complex bullet patterns. Neon Aileron is great for players who are new to the shoot 'em up genre or those who haven't played a horizontal shooter in a while. The forgiving damage system and multiple difficulty levels allow the game to scale to the player's skill level. Switch to the Hard difficulty when you are ready for more of a challenge.

Local 2 player co-op and an included soundtrack when you buy the game sounds nice too.

Deathsmiles II-X review from Bullet Heaven

Technically posted on new years eve in the US, we had already passed that in my time zone so instead of ending the year with this review i'm starting up 2020 with it. I'm hung-over but otherwise ready for a new year of news!