5 great shoot em ups to get to grips with

Gunsmoke
This 1985 vertically scrolling shooter is centred around Billy Bob, a sheriff after a series of bandits. You have to keep your wits about you at all times as the screen automatically scrolls upward. This game has many original features including the ability to shoot in 3 directions and take out those pesky varmints.

(Available on Hanaho Arcade Classics)

Darius Gaiden
Take control of the Silver Hawk’s controls and launch through the underwater themed stages. The Darius series has always been a staple in providing a good side-scrolling experience and Darius Gaiden is no exception, so why not take a ride on this 2 dimensional shooter and have some fun.

(Available on Taito Legends 2)

1942
This hallmark game from the stables of Capcom has a devout following. Set during World War II, the aim is to cross the Pacific Ocean and reach Tokyo and destroy the Japanese fleet. A fiendishly tricky game with a hugely memorable soundtrack. Definitely work spending a few minutes playing. You can also have a punt at 1942: Joint Strike on the Xbox 360 but nothing beats the original.

(Available on Hanaho Arcade Classics)

Galaxian
Building on the Success of Taito’s Space Invaders, Galaxian pushes the technological boundaries with its RGB graphics ad colourful explosions. With the plot consisting of “WE ARE THE GALAXIANS / MISSION: DESTROY ALIENS”, it’s pretty straightforward what the player has to do- destroy swarm after swarm of aliens. This game set new standards and is great fun to experience once more.

(Available on Namco Arcade Classics)

Rayforce
Lets advance a decade and take a gander at Rayforce. Arcades machines have now truly embraced storylines and Rayforce tells a n extremely complicated one. To cut a long story short, humanity created a supercomputer. Obviously it turns against it’s creators and creates an artificial world (its own body) where Earth dwellers unwittingly lives… It then seeks out other colonies to extinguish. Which is where you come in to do the usual chores and save humanity. To add further confusion- the Game is also known as Layer Section in Japan, Galactic Attack in Europe and North America and Gunlock in Europe…

This game is a great example of the shoot-em-up’s progress through the decades and is an enjoyable game to play, great graphics, design and fast frenetic action which the Rayforce series has now been recognised for.

(Available on Taito Legends 2)