I just want to pat myself on the back a little.

I managed to get a 1CC!

Now, I don't really "play to win." I play because I like the games. I haven't even credit fed my way through some of my favourite games. If the game looks and sounds good, if I can get into because of some mechanic or quirk, I'll play it. No matter how horrible I am at it!

Outside of shmups, I generally want to beat the games. But with shmups, I'm more of an "if it happens" sort of player.

That's what happened this weekend.

Super players might scoff a little, but my clear of Crimzon Clover World EXplosion (Type Z, Novice Original, Switch) is only my second or third clear and it makes me very happy.

A rather postive review for this Euroshmup

The NO-MISS Podcast just dropped a new episide.

Watch them all back-to-back, the playlist is just over 11 hours long now.

Released in arcades in 1997, Geki-Oh ShienRyu came to home consoles in 1999.

Castle of Shikigami Trilogy includes 3 incredibly enjoyable shoot 'em ups that are bursting with superb unique-playing characters and epic boss fights. The fact that the physical box set is as high quality as it is only adds value to an otherwise can't-miss collection.

Hello shmup fans and friends.

It's Sunday and maybe you're bored. If you have a few minutes, share your favourite shmups using this grid. Or have a laugh and fill it up with nonsense. Like I said, it's Sunday. Have a little fun and don't overthink it (I certainly didn't)!

LINK TO GRID

As noted, FZ: Formation Z has released.

Video Chums gave a positive review: 8.1/10

Pricey, but looks nice.

Bandcamp Friday returns this Friday, May 1.

For 24 hours, every purchase you make on Bandcamp sends even more money directly to the artists and labels you support.

The last Bandcamp Friday was in March:

• see here: https://jlai.lu/post/34116679

Here are a few more shmup (and shmup-adjacent) soundtracks to wishlist or buy to support those artists:

• Apidya Soundtrack by Chris Huelsbeck
• BALL x PIT (Original Soundtrack) by Amos Roddy
• BIRDCAGE Original Soundtrack by Barry "Epoch" Topping
• Blaze of Storm Original Sound Track by HIROKKEY
• Blue Revolver Double Action Original Soundtrack
• CRYSTAL BREAKER Original Sound Track by HIROKKEY
• Danmaku Unlimited 2 / Storm Strikers Original Soundtrack by BLANKFIELD
• Danmaku Unlimited 3 Original Soundtrack by BLANKFIELD
• Earthion Original Soundtrack by Yuzo Koshiro
• FUR Squadron Phoenix by Pablo Villalba
• Jamestown Soundtrack by Francisco Cerda
• Sektori (Official Soundtrack) by Tommy Baynen
• ZPF Soundtrack by Jamie Vance

Over on the shmups forum (I don't have an account there anymore) they run an annual vote to rank shmups.

Here are the results (I truncated the voting details to just the rankings):

1. Battle Garegga (ARC/SAT/PS4/XB1)
2. Mushihimesama (ARC/PS2/360/PC/SWI)
3. DoDonPachi (ARC/SAT/PSX)
4. Ketsui Kizuna Jigoku Tachi (ARC/360/PS3/PS4)
5. Mushihimesama Futari / 1.5 / Black Label (ARC/360)
6. DoDonPachi Dai-Ou-Jou/Black Label/etc. (ARC/etc.)
7. Armed Police Batrider (ARC)
8. Batsugun / Batsugun Special (ARC/SAT/PC/etc.)
9. Darius Gaiden (ARC/SAT/PSX/PS2/etc.)
10. RayForce / Layer Section / etc. (ARC/PS2/SAT/etc.)
11. Crimzon Clover / World Ignition / etc. (PC/etc.)
12. R-Type (ARC/PCE/PSX/etc.)
13. ESP Ra.De. / Psi (ARC/PS4/SWI)
14. DoDonPachi Daifukkatsu/1.5/Resurrection (ARC/etc.)
15. Progear no Arashi (ARC/SWI/PC/PS4/XB1)
16. Ikaruga (ARC/DC/GC/360/PC/SWI/PS4)
17. Radiant Silvergun (ARC/SAT/360/SWI/PC)
18. Flying Shark / Hishouzame / Sky Shark (ARC/etc.)
19. G-Darius (ARC/PS2/PSX/etc.)
20. Gunbird 2 (ARC/DC/SWI/PC/etc.)
21. Dangun Feveron / Fever SOS (ARC/PS4/XB1)
22. Thunder Dragon 2 (ARC/PS4/SWI)
23. Mahou Daisakusen / Sorcer Striker
24. Gradius Gaiden (PSX/PSP)
25. Cho Ren Sha 68K (PC/X68)

I haven't even played half of these, but the ones that I have are excellent games.

Arcade Archives is having one of their sales. 30% off 10 TAITO titles including two shmups!

• Metal Black (1991)
• Gun Frontier (1990)

I haven't played either, but Metal Black has been on my wishlist for a bit.

(Honourable mention to Liquid Kids which is a cute platformer that is pretty damn tough)

Today is Bandcamp Friday

There are loads of shmup soundtracks on Bandcamp. Buying any of these albums or tracks today supports the artist. Here are just a handful that I've wishlisted, if you can find anymore on Bandcamp post them here.

(image in post from SHOOT 'EM UP by RUMBLEFRENZ)

• Exo-Calibre Soundtrack by Franx
• Andro Dunos II by Allister Brimble
• Rogue Flight by Fatbard (not really a shmup, but still...)
• Steredenn: Binary Stars (Original Game Soundtrack) by Zander Noriega (also not a shmup...)
• Super XYX by Carina
• GUNVEIN (OST) by Exemia
• DEVIL BLADE REBOOT by hasu
• ORANGE SOUNDS -ZeroRanger Original Soundtrack- by eebrozgi
• ZeroRanger Arranged Album -GREEN ARRANGE- by Resonant Union

Things are moving!

I wasn't a backer, but I'm glad to see it wasn't just another Kickstarter scam.

The documentary was submitted for final approval on 02/05 [That's 5 February 2026] Since then we have been made to change a plethora of minor things. For instance, today I spent the last couple hours deleting the 。at the end of the sentence from all the Japanese subs. I am hoping this is the last round of things we need to correct.

Joseph Pierce via Kickstarter

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