Learn How To Make Your Own Shmup!

Kongregate, the online community/portal dedicated to playing and developing games, is furthering the "democratization" of game development with Kongregate Labs. Using the simple-as-its-name-implies side-scrolling shmup Shoot! as a foundation, Labs features an ongoing series of tutorials (or *groan* "shootorials") that help you, the little person, learn how to make your own shooter. You'll get a primer on designing controls, scrolling backdrops, collision detection and so much more. More »

Deathsmiles Going HD For Xbox 360

Cave's side-scrolling loligoth shooter Deathsmiles — which I lovingly credit-fed at a Shibuya arcade last week — is coming to the Xbox 360 this Spring, at least in Japan. That's obviously great news to anyone needing a fix of girls shooting things in 2D, but Cave is doing the release one better with a sexy, high-def upgrade on the visuals. More »

More Famous Shmups Get Capsule Toy Treatment

For those who either missed out on the first line of Shooting Game Historica gashapon or feel the burning in their collector loins to complete the line, please note that National Console Support has commenced with pre-orders for the second batch. Joining the line this go 'round are the R90 Ragnarok from R-Type III, R-Gray1 from Raystorm, Gaia from Star Luster, Geo Sword from Star Blade and.... Opa-Opa from Fantasy Zone! Opa-Opa looks to come with little feet and a teeny 16-ton weight. Precious! I don't think I've wanted a tiny plastic recreation of a video game thing that's normally much bigger since I laid eyes on that Nei from Phantasy Star II figure. More »