Game Sack

[sheath]

That ASCII control pad saved my monstrous hands from cramps and thumb blisters during SFII marathons. Phalanx might have the most parallax I have ever seen in a SNES game, did that first level have seven layers?

I loved the dissection of Space Megaforce. I can't stand Gradius 4 or Super R-Type, the slowdown in these games really disappointed me over SNES shooters. U.N. Squadron at least doesn't have much slowdown. Overall I consider the SNES library as much a wash for Shooters as I do for Beat-em Ups.

[Thunderblaze16]

Phalanx is a great game, so I'll be ignoring your opinion about it.

[Joe Redifer]

Please explain what makes Phalanx even worth pressing start at the title screen. The parallax in the first level is pretty good, but it uses only two actual layers. It's nothing that Arrow Flash didn't already do (maybe even better, if I recall). Level two with the water tube is just stupid.

Coop, I did not have the manual with Firepower 2000 so I did not know that. I never have reason to press the SELECT button as it is the most useless button on any controller that features it. I did read somewhere that the helicopter doesn't control as well, though. Also, we already talked about Super EDF and Raiden. Unlike Axelay, they're not worth mentioning again.

[Kollision]

Firepower 2000 is far easier with the helicopter than with the tank. But I find the game boring anyway.
and +1 on the coolness of Phalanx.

[GohanX]

I'm glad to see Super R-Type get some love. It has its issues, but I still love playing it. It was probably my first shooter.

[Joe Redifer]

A lot of people on Youtube are asking how we could have possibly missed Axelay. I find that very amusing, personally. Sorry we missed Axelay, I guess.

[Kollision]

HOW COME YOU MISSED AXELAY?????????????????

I haven't watched the video yet (can't do it till I get home) but I'm already disappointed in you, Joe.

[The Coop]

Coop, I did not have the manual with Firepower 2000 so I did not know that. I never have reason to press the SELECT button as it is the most useless button on any controller that features it. I did read somewhere that the helicopter doesn't control as well, though.

The helicopter controls fine. Frankly, it's easier to use than the jeep. And I don't have a manual either. I just learned it because I usually check out the options menu when I get a game to see what I can tinker with settings-wise.

[M4R14NO94]

I'm afraid you're quite mistaken, Joe. All you have to do is hit select at the title screen, and push up or down to choose the helicopter or the jeep to play as in single player mode.

You can also just wait for the options screen to pop up during attract mode (and it says PRESS SELECT FOR BUTTON CONFIGURATIONS)

It's also like that for Mega SWIV, only that at least on that one they had the courtesy to tell you which button sent you to the options menu on the title screen.

Joe: Here's the explanation behind the name (taken from MobyGames)

After converting Silkworm to many home computers, Random Access created their own (unofficial) take on the game. This "sequel" is called S.W.I.V., and extended the game and its features. The title officially stood for "Special Weapons Interdiction Vehicle", but the developers later revealed/joked that it meant "IV (4) times better than SilkWorm"

[zetastrike]

Good episode. Gradius III is my favorite SNES shooter. I grew up with the game, so the slowdown doesn't bother me. The music is the best part, though. It has to be the best soundtrack to come out of the crap SNES soundchip. All the other shooters I've played for SNES left me underwhelmed. I would like to get the Macross game someday.

[Joe Redifer]

HOW COME YOU MISSED AXELAY?????????????????

Guess it just didn't deserve to be in the video.

[j_factor]

I like Axelay, Space Megaforce, and UN Squadron. That's about it for SNES shooters. Too many of them play at the speed of Myst. Although, I would like to try Pop'n Twinbee. It's SNES exclusive so it's probably not all jiggered up, and I like the other Twinbee games.

[Curryman123]

Should have mentioned Flying Hero. Superb Japanese exclusive vertical shooter featuring a strange looking character.

[JDB]

Joe, the transitions (and the sound effects) are fantastic, they really set Game Sack apart from the rest. They're also really funny.

KEEP IT UP!

[JFLY]

I would like to get the Macross game someday.

And you should. It's a great shooter on the Super Famicom. My 3rd favorite shooter on the system after Gradius III and Parodius Da.