Shoot enemies and avoid being shot this general premis is the basis for a large
percentage of video games. In some form or other shoot-em-ups involve shooting
things with 'em' being short for 'them' as there is usually more than one enemy
to be killed. Its a trend which started early on with Space Invaders and doesnt
look like stopping, I guess we just like shooting stuff. Here we look at some of
the best from the last 25 years with some important developments in video game history.
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Space Invaders
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Platform: Arcade
Developer: Taito
Released: 1978
Number of Players: 1
One of the first and most popular arcade games of all time. It had
the first animated sprites and the first game to keep a high score.
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Galaxians
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Platform: Arcade
Developer: Namco Ltd
Released: 1979
Number of Players: 1
Unlike Space Invaders, the enemies in this game leave their positions
in line and attack in groups of 3 swooping down towards you. This
is a basic feature of most shoot-em-up games from then on. Enemies
basically get more and more advanced in the way they try and avoid
/ shoot you.
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Defender
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Platform: Arcade
Developer: Williams Entertainment
Released: 1980
Number of Players: 1
Defender was an important milestone in that it was the first side
scrolling game. It also happened to be fiendishly difficult to play
compared to earlier games such as space invaders due to having not
1 but 5 buttons and a joystick. Not only did you have to move left
right and fire, now you had to contend with buttons for reverse, hyperspace,
smart bomb, thrust and fire. So good it is found on just about every
computer or console ever made
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Battlezone
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Platform: Arcade
Developer: Atari
Released: 1980
Number of Players: 1
The first 1st person shooting game. Used wire models on a vector
display for a tank battle with opposing tanks, missiles and the
occasional saucer. Paved they way for the classic Star Wars Arcade.
Supposedly used by the US military in early experiments with training
simulations.
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Gorf
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Platform: Arcade
Developer: Midway
Released: 1981
Number of Players: 1
1st game to have multiple levels.five separate missions. The first
mission is like Space Invaders. The second mission pits the player
against two squads of diving ships, each squad has a special ship
that fires long laser beams. The third mission is like Galaxian.
The fourth mission has the player fight a number of enemies that
spiral toward the player shooting fireballs. The fifth mission has
the player fight the Gorfian Flagship. The Flagship's shields must
first be battered down, then the player must hit the Flagship in
a tiny exhaust port in order to destroy it.
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Zaxxon
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Platform: Arcade
Developer: Sega
Released: 1982
Number of Players: 1
Zaxxon, took scramble and added another dimension (left or right),
it was very similar in concept but with great graphics and a playable
game sega were onto another winner. This was the first isometric
3D game.
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R-Type
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Platform: Arcade
Developer: IREM Corp
Released: 1987
Number of Players: 1-2
A true arcade classic that has been converted onto just about every
platfor ever including the spectrum. There are 3 main arcade versions
1, 2 and Leo. Nothing revolutionary about the r-tpe series but they
are all very polished games with some great end of level bosses.
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Raiden DX
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Platform: Arcade
Developer: Seibu Kaihatsu
Released: 1990
Number of Players: 2
At first glance Raiden may not seem that special but it is a superb
example of a vertical scrolling shooter. Graphics are simple yet superbly
detailed. Some classic end of level bosses such as the giant walking
tanks on stage one of the DX version. There are a total of 6 games
with the last being Raiden Fighters Jet.
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Space Probotector
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Platform: SNES
Developer: Konami
Released: 1992
Number of Players: 2
Konami produced some of the best games on the SNES and Super Probotector
is probably the best of the lot. Up to two players blast through 6
amazingly varied levels of side-on or top down action. Good music
really pushes the game along. There are loads of bosses from start
to finish making great use of the SNES mode 7. An essential part of
anyones SNES collection, still plays well today.
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Sin and Punishment
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Platform: N64
Developer: Treasure
Released: 2000
Number of Players: 1
One of the finest games on the N64 never to make it to the UK other
than via import. Its an on-rails shooter much in the vein of starfox.
Very cool Manga style graphics and story line. A classic game from
treasure the dev house which brough us Gunstar Heros and Raidient
Silver gun.
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REZ
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Platform: DC / PS2
Developer: Sega UGA
Released: 2001
Number of Players: 1
Inventive gameplay, Incredible music, Wonderful visuals, Lots of replayability
despite most extra levels to be found being variations on a theme.
Shots can be timed with the music.
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