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Brand new 2D shmup 'Dux' released ... for Dreamcast

by Griffin McElroy { Jun 29th 2009 at 10:00PM }

It's a sad fact that at the end of every console war, a remainder of die-hard zealots from each camp stay behind, waving high their console's battle standard while refusing to endorse any and all future pieces of hardware. Such a camp surely exists for the Sega Dreamcast, and while time may have forgotten these stubborn warriors, the kind folks at developer HUCAST have not -- they recently released a 2D horizontal shoot-em-up titled Dux exclusively on the extinct piece of Sega hardware.

Dux is currently selling for the bizarre price of $27.90. Fortunately, it won't be the last game to come out on the system -- HUCAST is nearing completion on another Dreamcast-exclusive shmup titled Last Hope: Pink Bullets, which was presumably co-developed by The Shins.

VC in Brief: Fantasy Zone II (Sega Master System)

by David Hinkle { Jun 29th 2009 at 3:25PM }

Fantasy Zone II: The Tears of Opa-Opa (Sega Master System, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)
We say: Shmup and Sega fanboys will gobble this up
This week, we've got classic shmup Fantasy Zone II on the Virtual Console. And, just like the first game, it's a whole bunch of colorful fun. Featuring infectious music, pleasant locales, and plenty of coins to collect, it's a solid choice for someone looking for a shmup that isn't Gradius.

Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer these videos as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks.

Metal Slug 7 ain't shooting up XBLA until 2010

by Majed Athab { Jun 19th 2009 at 1:30PM }

Metal Slug 7 on XBLA was originally slated as a 2009 title; however, the latest reports say it'll be pushed back to 2010. Speaking to Siliconera, Ignition Entertainment's acquisitions manager, Robert Macchiaverna, says the side-scrolling shmup won't make it out this year.

"It is still happening," said Macchiaverna. "But, I believe that's scheduled to be a 2010 title." Instead, Ignition will be working on The King of Fighters Ultimate Match '98. On the bright side, you can play Metal Slug 7 right now ... just, unfortunately, not on your 360.

Nintendo reveals Q1 2010 release for Sin & Punishment 2

by David Hinkle { Jun 2nd 2009 at 2:00PM }

Nintendo opened up its assets site at the conclusion of its E3 keynote, and while digging around for juicy bits of media to unload on you, dear reader, at rock-bottom prices, we found something interesting regarding Treasure's upcoming Wii title Sin & Punishment 2. The game is listed for a Q1 2010 release, according to Nintendo, which comes as a pleasant surprise to us. Sure, the game was always expected to arrive in 2009, but without hearing or seeing anything on it in around a year, we're comforted simply by the fact that Nintendo still knows it exists.

Raiden IV media blowout

by Majed Athab { May 28th 2009 at 10:30PM }

Click for high-res image

Fans of shmups will be happy to know Raiden IV will be hitting Xbox 360s very soon. It's coming in August, to be exact, and bringing with it some nice pseudo-3D visuals, online support and exclusive content not found in the arcade version.

To celebrate, we have the official box art, some screen shots and a plethora of artwork to check out below. Make sure you watch the debut trailer after the break, too!

Gallery: Raiden IV

Continued →

VC in Brief: Galaxy Force II (Sega Genesis)

by David Hinkle { May 11th 2009 at 5:00PM }

Galaxy Force II (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)
We say: Unique shmup that genre fans will enjoy
Yes, we know, it's tough to be excited about Virtual Console offerings when every other week's goodies are shmups. Galaxy Force II, however, is a pretty unique one and well worth your time (and, perhaps, your money). See what we're talking about in the video above, and be sure to catch up with past installments through our VC in Brief tag.

Gallery: Galaxy Force 2 (Sega Genesis)

SNK developing King of Fighters shmup for XBLA

by Griffin McElroy { Apr 21st 2009 at 4:01PM }

We've always enjoyed SNK Playmore's long-running fighting franchise (the aptly named King of Fighters series), though we often find ourselves stuck with an inexplicable desire to see the series' adroit brawlers fly effortlessly through the air while shooting bullets out of their hands.

... No, you know what? We're not going to lie to you. We've never thought that. Nobody has, ever. Until now, that is -- Famitsu recently outed SNK's latest, and arguably most bizarre project ever: An Xbox Live Arcade shoot 'em up based in the KoF universe, tentatively titled King of Fighters Sky Stage. Based on the early screenshots we've seen, we're still trying to decide whether the game is going to be awesome or too awesome. Maybe you haven't heard: People. Flying. Shooting. Bullets. Out. Of. Hands.

[Via Kotaku]

'Project V' is an old-school SHMUP

by Andrew Yoon { Apr 1st 2009 at 12:15PM }

Just Add Water has confirmed that its upcoming first-party project, currently called "Project V," will be an old school shooter. "It's first-party for Sony, so we can't talk about it too much, but it's a retro shooting game," Stewart Gilray told VG247. He also confirmed a simultaneous PSP and PS3 release.

This upcoming PlayStation Network game will be fully unveiled at E3 later this year. Although the game sounds simple conceptually, there must be something truly special about it for Sony to pick it up as a first-party title. "We showed it to Sony last year and they snapped it up straight away." If it can come close to the spirit of Everyday Shooter or Super Stardust, then we know we have a winner.

VC in Brief: Bomberman '94 (TG16) and Detana Twin Bee (TG16)

by David Hinkle { Mar 23rd 2009 at 5:45PM }

Well, this is a surprise: A week with two Virtual Console releases. And all from Hudson? We guess Nintendo liked that fruitcake from last year's Virtual Console participant party. As usual, feel free to watch this week's releases in motion above or, if you're more for images of the motionless variety, head past the break. Or ... do both.

Go ahead, go mad with power.

Continued →

Joystiq Review: Evasive Space (WiiWare)

by David Hinkle { Feb 18th 2009 at 5:15PM }

We've been telling everyone that Evasive Space is kind of like a shmup, without all of the sh-ing. Turns out, that's wrong. Evasive Space is like combining Operation and Asteroids.

If you've had enough of text today, then feel free to watch our video review. It's injected with 100% videological goodness, courtesy of Joystiq (patent pending).

Gallery: Evasive Space

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VC in Brief: Life Force (NES)

by David Hinkle { Feb 16th 2009 at 6:45PM }

Life Force (NES, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, 500 Wii Points
We say: download it!

This week, we've only one Virtual Console game again, and it's another shmup. Thankfully, it's also a Gradius (reminder: Gradius is awesome) clone, which makes it all okay.

Joyswag: Evasive Space (WiiWare) [update]

by David Hinkle { Feb 12th 2009 at 6:00PM }

Update: The contest is closed. Keep an eye on your email, winners!

Looking forward to next week's release of Evasive Space? So are we, which is why we've hooked up with Yuke's and High Voltage to gift four (4) lucky readers with their very own copy of the game. To get in on the action, simply follow the rules below:

Leave us a comment telling us what your favorite WiiWare game is
You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US
You may enter once per day
This entry period ends at 11:59AM ET on Monday, February 16. We'll randomly select 4 winners at that time to receive Evasive Space ($10). Please check your e-mail!
For a list of complete rules, click here

Best of luck to you all and thanks for reading!

Gallery: Evasive Space

Prepare to evade space on February 16

by David Hinkle { Jan 29th 2009 at 11:00AM }

Click image for more colorful screens

It didn't make it to us in January as hoped, but a press release just hit our inbox, asking us to pass along the information that Evasive Space, the game that Yuke's and High Voltage have been collaborating on, is going to be available to download on February 16 for 1,000 Wii Points. A bit pricey? Sure, but for such an interesting and unique game (it's a shmup without all of the, uh, shmupping), we're willing to shell out and give it a try. What say you all?

Gallery: Evasive Space

VC Monday Madness: MUSHA

by David Hinkle { Jan 19th 2009 at 6:15PM }

MUSHA (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)
Wii Fanboy says: download it!

MUSHA is a great shmup. It's fast, fun, and very challenging. There's plenty of crazy weapons and the difficulty level makes things engaging throughout. It's a very solid shmup and a great way to drop 800 Points.

Each week, we here at Wii Fanboy like to check out the latest Virtual Console releases in our VC Monday Madness feature, in the hopes that you can make the most sound decision possible regarding purchasing retro titles from the Wii Shop Channel.

Microsoft requested 'Radiant Silvergun' XBLA remake, Treasure considering

by Jason Dobson { Jan 5th 2009 at 1:13PM }

There may soon be a way of picking up and playing Radiant Silvergun that doesn't involve second mortgages or selling plasma. Talking with Gamasutra, Treasure CEO Masato Maegawa revealed that Microsoft has approached the developer about giving the cult classic arcade and Saturn shmup a makeover for Xbox Live Arcade.

While you reattach your jaw, it's worth noting that Treasure has yet to say yes to the remake, with Maegawa expressing concern that unlike Ikaruga, which blasted its way onto XBLA in April 2008, much more work would have to be done to Radiant Silvergun before it was given the green light. "If you play Radiant Silvergun nowadays," noted the exec, "it's certainly aged in assorted ways, and I'm not sure they're all good." Honestly Treasure, you can have our Microsoft Points, spit polish or not. Anything to keep our precious bodily fluids to ourselves.