Ashamed to Say that I Don't Really Care for Most SHMUPs...

[shawnji]

I love the PC Engine, but I mainly love it for the RPGs and Platformers.  I was hoping I could get some good recommendations for some titles I may have missed.  Thus far I've played:

Ys I-IV
Tengai Makyou I+II
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
The Dynastic Hero
Exile I+II
Popful Mail
Cosmic Fantasy I-III
Emerald Dragon
Blood Gear
Bonk I-III
Legendary Axe I+II
Bomberman / 93 / 94
Shubibinman I-III
Legend of Heroes: Dragon Slayer I+II
Xanadu I+II
Gulliver Boy
Cadash
Valis I-IV
Ghouls 'n Ghosts
Langrisser
Fausette Amour
Dead of the Brain I+II
3x3 Eyes
Advanced Variable Geo
Asuka 120% Burning Fight
Batman

I'm starting to worry that I've exhausted all the best games...  Japanese is not an obstacle, so please feel free to throw out anything you think I'd appreciate.

[VenomMacbeth]

Mizubaku Daibouken Liquid Kids is a fun non-shmup arcade
platformer.

Gekibo (Gekisha Boy) isn't anything close to a shmup, and it's pretty interesting.  You take pictures of crazy shit when it happens.

NINJA SPIRIT.  How do you not already own this?  Sidescrolling Ninja action.  You may also like Kaze Kiri, but it's not even as good & is a gajillion times as expensive.

Splatterhouse may be basic as far as beat-em-ups go, but at least it's got more going for it than Vigilante, like the incredible atmosphere.

I think everyone should give Samurai Ghost/Genpei Toumaden Kannoni a shot, but it's not for everyone. 

If you like driving, there's always Outrun, Chase HQ...I can't comment on Power Drift so I'm not sure it's actually a good game, but it looks interesting.

The last game I'll mention in depth is a shmup of sorts, but you need it anyway: Space Harrier.  The turbo/PCE versions are both pretty affordable & it's one of the best console ports.  I can actually get farther in it than the 32x version.  Anyway, it may be shooty, but there's something about the very basic nature of the gameplay & the whacky enemies you come across that makes me go "just one more play..."

Other games I'd play given the ones you've got already:
Genji Tsuushin Agedama
Son Son 2
Kaizo Chojin Shubibinman 2

[NecroPhile]

I'm starting to worry that I've exhausted all the best games...

You have.  There's only about ten good games for the PCE. 

[esteban]

I applaud your quest to find all the great non-shootemup stuff.

If you are willing to explore other genres, you'll find many treasures.

GOMOLA SPEED is for when you need a break from the RPG's and platformers.

When you need a bit of love.

[VenomMacbeth]

GOMOLA SPEED is for when you need a break from the RPG's and platformers.

When you need a bit of love.

Este, are you serious about this?  I looked up gameplay videos & it looks at least to have an interesting concept.  And it's super affordable.

[_Paul]

It's a travesty that nobody gives the following game much love:

MOMOTARO KATSUGEKI

One of the best platformers on the system.

[SignOfZeta]

Totally. Also, Ninja Spirit. If you haven't played that game you haven't played PC Engine.

I also don't see Kaze Kiri mentioned here.

[eldritch]

There's AIII,a sort of SIM City for trains. Very complicated.


Not seen mention of Alshark either, very good Rpg


Another one called Babel, a bit shallow.

Try Brandish, too. A mix of rpg and lots of other things
A dungeon rpg could be the best description


To finish Megami Tengoku, clearly aimed at otakus who like seeing girls change their clothes (do they like anything else, really ?) But it's well-made and the story is okay

[elmer]

GOMOLA SPEED is for when you need a break from the RPG's and platformers.

When you need a bit of love.

Gotta agree ... one of the most under-rated games on the PCE, IMHO.

Bit of a thumb-killer, though ... cries out for a real joystick.

[esteban]

GOMOLA SPEED is for when you need a break from the RPG's and platformers.

When you need a bit of love.

Este, are you serious about this?  I looked up gameplay videos & it looks at least to have an interesting concept.  And it's super affordable.

I love this game, for real. It takes a simple concept and adds a few things as you progress through the the game. Your thumb might get a blister if you are like me and never play "tenderly". Ha!

Circling, circling circling!

Don't think this is "Snake"...it is much more.

[VenomMacbeth]

It looks like it's got some Gauntlet elements in there, and the music is pretty catchy.  I might have to give this one a go.

[esteban]

It looks like it's got some Gauntlet elements in there, and the music is pretty catchy.  I might have to give this one a go.

It's all about circling your enemies, getting some progressive powerups, listening to some nice tunes (it is a shame there aren't MORE SONGS)...

Action. Action. Action.

[shawnji]

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions. I unfortunately neglected to mention that I have actually beaten Ninja Spirit.  The Game Center CX episode on it made it a must-play for me.  It is a lot of fun.  I've heard of Kaze Kiri, but haven't had a chance to play it.  Most of the others I haven't played or heard much about before so I'll definitely look into 'em.

[rcantor77]

Whaattt....? No Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu on the list...

[PukeSter]

Legend of hero Tonma is one of my favorites.
New adventure island is an incredible platformer.

Dungeon explorer is very good. Soundtrack is the best part.

I haven't played the neutopia games but those are solid apparently.

Super dodgeball is a non-boring sports game.

[PukeSter]

Also SonSon II. It's by Capcom and a good wonder boy type game. Spiritual sequel to black tiger.
 It's in japanese but there is a website that can help you out.

Vigilante is fun. Takes 1" minutes to beat.

Mr heli is not a typical shooter. You may be surprised at how good it is.

[cjameslv]

I will not even bother reading the posts i am here cause of the title...You sir are a bad bad person. May god have mercy on your soul.

[SignOfZeta]

I know. Anyone who uses the term "SHMUP" deserves a week of diarrhea, per instance.

[VenomMacbeth]

Well I have diarrhea pretty regularly so that might explain a few things.

[VenomMacbeth]

Also, shmups.

[poponon]

Here's my non-stg picks for hucard:

Legend of Hero Tonma
New Adventure Island
Doko Doko Don (Co-op bubble bobble clone)
downtown nekketsu or however its spelled (co-op beatemup)
fighting run (racing/fighting game)
hani on the road
dungeon explorer 1+2
shinobi
splatterhouse 1+2
valkyrie no densetsu
sonson2
ninja gaiden
Obocchama Kun
tiger road
Kiki Kaikai
Genji Tsuushin Agedama
Genpei Toumaden
Jigoku Meguri
Dragon Egg
blue blink
new zealand story
bloody wolf
Fushigi no Yume no Alice
mizubaku
Gekisha boy
World court tennis (Cool tennis rpg)
military madness
crater maze
jj+jeff
Makai Hakkenden Shada
Momotaru Katsugeki
Maniac Pro Wrestingly (cool wrestling rpg)
blood gear

[NecroPhile]

splatterhouse 1 +2

Fixed.  There's just the one.

[poponon]

splatterhouse 1 +2

Fixed.  There's just the one.

woops, thanks for pointing that out

[Gentlegamer]

RPGs are definitely a no-go for me unless there is a translation available, I have to be able to read the game while playing, using a walkthrough won't work.

But I definitely need to learn more about PCE platformers and games of other genres, especially those with Japanese titles that are meaningless to me.

[NecroPhile]

You should try Legend of Xanadu, gentlegamer.  There's a debug menu that lets you play just the side scrolling bits, making it essentially a platformer, albeit a rather short one.