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MSX: The MSX is one of the best 8bit machines ever conceived. It was very popular in Japan and some other places, and it had a huge Konami support. You can find a lot of excellent games for this machine, I recommend you to try emulating it (or better, getting the real thing!)


GAME COMPANY INFORMATION
1942 Capcom Original arcade game by Capcom, conversion made by Zemina in 1987, there's a MSX-1 version, and an enhaced MSX-2 version
Adonis   Horizontal SHMUP, very fun to play, with bizarre bosses. A surprising game, if you consider that's is so simply programmed. Programed by Tetsuo Someya, for a coverdisk from MSX Magazine, in 1988 (Sorry, I don't know what edition.)
A.E. ? Very Simplistic space invaders clone
Afteroids Zigurat Clone of Asteroids, but the screen scrolls, the game have big levels, with some power-ups. Released by Zigurat. It's a ZX Spectrum conversion.
Aleste Compile The first of the best SHMUP series ever! (Shatterhand is a Compile maniac =] - Akira) Vertical SHMUP, Released by Compile in 1988 for MSX-2
Aleste 2 Compile The sequel to Aleste, simply the best SHMUP ever, it's that simple (hehe, he goes on -Akira). Release by Compile in 1989 for MSX-2
Aleste Gaiden Compile A different approach to the Aleste Series, now you control a running robot, a bit like Knightmare or Undeadline, released by Compile in 1989 (Also known as Aleste Bio-Gaiden, Aleste Out of Version or Aleste Special) for MSX-2
Alien Syndrome SEGA Arcade conversion from the Sega game. I don't know who made the conversion, because the game itself is a conversion of the ZX spectrum version
Alpha Blaster Aacksoft Space Invaders clone, with some twists. Released by Aacksoft in 1985
Alpharoid   Horizontal SHMUP, with a bit of Fighting too, Programed by Satoru Miki and Hiroyuki Fujiwara
Amaurote   Isometric SHMUP, control a robot, klling the monster from the cities. Conversion of a ZX Spectrum game
Androgynus   Weird SHMUP..control a robot while killing the enemies..but what's is strange, is that while the robot shoots in horizontal (left or right), the game have vertical scroll.Released in 1988. (MSX-2)
Barumba Namco Horizontal SHMUP, by Namco, conversion of the original arcade game, released in 1990, for MSX-2
Battle Chopper   Space Harrier clone, with a chopper, but without many enemies....
Battle Cross OEC Crap horizontal SHMUP, with no real scroll at all, and crap playability (the main ship can't move diagonally!!), released by OEC in 1984
Beam Rider Activision This is a different kind of SHMUP. The point of view is like from Juno First (A twisted view from above, like racing games (Top Gear, Lotus)). The main ship can only fly through 5 lines, and the enemies only attack you from those lines too...it's a very intense, hard, claustrophobic and FUN! Released in 1984 Activision
Blasteroids Atari Games Arcade conversion from the Atari/Tengen game. Programmed by Teque, and released by Imageworks (Mirrorsoft) in 1987. This is a ZX Spectrum conversion
Bosconian Namco Arcade Conversion of a the multi-directional SHMUP, made by the creators of the original, Namco, in 1985
Cannon Bullet ASCII Simply Stuff, that old thing about 2 tanks in a maze, trying to destroy each other, very slowly..released by ASCII in 1983
Cannon Fighter   Pretty Simplistic SHMUP, with a stationary screen. Move a Tank up and down, and destroy other tanks
Cetus   Fly your ship, fighting the enemies, with a point of view like Space Harrier
Choplifter Broderbund Classic chopper game, programmed Dan Gorlen(I guess), released by Broderbund in 1985
Chuuka Taisen Taito conversion of the Taito arcade game, programed by H-Bit, and released by Taito, in 1988, for MSX-2
Clapton 2 T&E Soft Vertical SHMUP from T&E Soft 1984
Craze   This game is more like a arcade adventura. Fly your ship through the city, look for the hostages, ask people something (sorry, it's in japanese), and kill all enemies. I know this description is confuse, but the game is in japanese, is hard to understand anything.
Danger X4 ASCII A bit like Defender, released by Ascii in 1984
Desolator   One of the best Defeneder clone ever released in any machine. Programmed by Colin Dooley
Desperado Topo Soft This games is nearly identical to Gunsmoke from arcades, but with crap graphics...(it's a ZX Spectrum conversion). Released by Topo Soft
Exa Innova   Vertical SHMUP released by Programmers-3
Exerion 2 Jaleco A sequel from the arcade game by Jaleco, released in 1984
Exoide Z Casio Vertical SHMUP, where you have to fight the bosses with your own fists...released by Casio in 1986
Famicle Parodic   I never saw or played this game, so I don't know much about it (Never found a woking version)...all I know is that is a parody from others Shmups....
Fantasy Zone SEGA The arcade game was made by Sega, the MSX conversion was made by Pony in 1986
Fantasy Zone 2 SEGA The sequel was again converted by Pony, in 1987 (MSX-2)
Field Master   2-Players game, each player control a tank, and you have to kill your opponent. The field is big, and the game uses split-screen
Final Justice Pony (Compile?) Vertical SHMUP, Released by Pony...and if my memory is working nice, it was programmed by Compile in 1984, although I am not sure
Final Zone   Chosee 3 from 5 soldier, pick a nice formation for them (you can change the formation any time), and invade the enemy base, in this commando alike game. This game probably have a nice story, but its all in japanese.
Firebird Konami Vertical shooter, it's like Knightmare, but is non-linear, and the levels are real mazes... released by Konami in 1987 (MSX-2)
Formation Z Jaleco Arcade conversion made by Jaleco in 1985
Galaga Namco Conversion of the arcade game from Namco, 1984
Galaxia KUMA Horizontal SHMUP, every level have a different enemy, but you face ONLY this enemy in the level..but lots of it..and after every 10 levels, you face a boss..from KUMA, 1985
Galaxian Namco Conversion of the arcade game from Namco, 1984
Gallforce Sony / HAL Laboratory Vertical SHMUP based in a japanese anime, from Sony / Hal Laboratory, 1986
Girly Block Compile? This game remembers me of Warroid, but the robots are a lot heavier, and there's lots of different robots and weapons. I only have a cracked version of this game, but the "extra-life" sound is the one always used by Compile..so, I guess this game is from Compile.
Guard Blaster Dis Pair Vertical SHMUP, programmed by Joe Kowalski, released by Dis Pair...strangely, the game have the same weapons as Hype, and have very similar enemies..
Guardic Compile This game is like Galaga, but with better graphics, and is non-linear, you can choose your path to avoid some levels...every level is different, with lots of different enemies that attacks you in different ways. This game have lots of power-ups and secrets, and 112 different levels!! Released in 1986 by Compile
Gyro Adventure Colpax Horizontal SHMUP, with a chopper. You can turn your back to shoot the enemies that come from behind. Released by Colpax 1984
Gemini Wing   I never played this game, but I guess it's a MSX version of the arcade game. I also guess its a conversion from the ZX Spectrum game. And I am sure, it's NOT a MSX-2 game.
Gulkave SEGA Underrated horizontal SHMUP, from Sega, 1986
Gunfright A.C.G. Isometric game, every level is divided in 2 stages, first you have to shoot money bags to earn some money, in a operation wolf kind of game...then it switches to the isometric view, you have to look for the badguys, and duel them. From A.C.G, converted from the ZX Spectrum original in 1985
Gyrodine Taito Conversion of the arcade game, from Taito, 1986
Helitank ASCII Control a tank, and destroy other tanks, very SLOW, from Ascii 1983
Herzog Tecnosoft A MSX Classic, you control a flying soldier that can go in any direction, to protect your base. There's some strategy too.. from Tecno Soft 1989 (MSX-2)..the sequel was released for Mega-Drive, called "Herzog Zwei"
Hype   Great vertical SHMUP, with 4 different weapons, lots of stages and very itensive gameplay. Programmed by Bytebusters in 1987.
Jagur Compile / Hudson Soft Imagine a mix of Commando and an RPG...it's more or less like Jagur. Programmed by Compile, released by Hudson Soft in 1987
Jet Bomber Aacksoft Great clone of Zaxxon, with great sound, and a fantastic music, taken from Star Wars. Released by Aacksoft
Juno First Konami This game was first released in arcades from Konami...anyway, it's a bit like galaga, but worse... it was programmed by Konami, and released by Sony in 1983
Kaleidoscope Special HAL LAboratory Underrated vertical SHMUP made by Hal Laboratroy, in 1987
King & Balloon Namco Arcade conversion by Namco, released in 1984
Knight Leon Casio Another game from Casio, trying to copy Konami...Casio is much better when they try to be original, instead oc copying Konami. It's a kind of clone of Knightmare, but worse...VERY worse...released in 1986
Knightmare Konami Probably THE MSX CLASSIC, usually when you talk about MSX, you talk about Knightmare. It's a vertical SHMUP, you control a medieval warrior, called Popolon (but the playability is like any normal space SHMUP), trying to save Aphrodite, it's a game with lots of secrets, enemies, bosses, power-ups.. released by Konami in 1987
LayDock T&Esoft Ok, the Laydock Series (All vertcial SMUPS from T&E SOFT) is made of four games..the first one is called just 'Laydock".. it's made for MSX-2, and I have to say is a bit crap...very repetitive, crap music, not much action at all....
Super LayDock T&E Soft ...then came Super Laydock, and strangely, they made it for MSX-1... I mean, it's like make a game for N64, and release the sequel for SNES..anyway, this one is really great, with cool music, lots of action..only the graphics aren't so hot as in the prequel, but is a much better game anyway...
LayDock 2 T&Esoft then it came Laydock 2 - For MSX 2..it's much better than the first laydock game, but still not as good as "Super"...
Super LayDock 2 T&E Soft ...then they released Super Laydock 2...I guess T&E Soft thinks that "Super" is really needed in the game title to make it good..."Super 2" it's T&E Soft's Finest hour, with horizontal and vertical levels, it's simple great!
Macross Bothtect I never watched the anime, but the game is a very crap horizontal SHMUP, from Bothtec
Martians   Very crap Space Invader clone.
Maxima   Space Invaders clone, with some twists. Released by Personal Software Services, in 1984
Mr. Ghost System Sacom Horizontal SHMUP, You are free to go wherever you want, it's not a linear game. From System Sacom, 1989 (MSX-2)
Nemesis Konami Released by Konami in 1986...I guess everyone know this one, huh?
Nemesis 2 Konami Released in 1987
Nemesis 3:Eve of Destruction Konami 1988
Parodius Konami The first of the series, released in 1988, by Konami
Phantis Dynamix Horizontal SHMUP released by Dynamix in 1989. It's a too short game, only 4 stages, I finished it in my second go.. converted from the original ZX Spectrum game.
Pippols   Guide the farmer facing ghosts, skulls, and all kind of enemies...released by Konami in 1985
Polar Star Micro Cabin This game uses a nice trick to make a 3D effect. Released by Micro Cabin in 1984
Quarth Konami Mix of puzzle and SHMUP...released by Konami in 1990
R-Type Irem Conversion from the arcade game.Released by Irem in 1988
Robot Wars Eaglesoft This game is exactly like Berzerk, but with speech. Released by Eaglesoft in 1984
Salamander Konami Arcade Conversion from Konami, 1987
Scarlet 7   Horizontal SHMUP, with very nice music.
Scion   Arcade conversion...But I don't know who made it...not even the original arcade game.
Scramble Formation   Arcade conversion made by Taito in 1987...The original game was bad enough, but this conveision must be a joke...it's too slow and jerky to be any playble... (MSX-2)
Scrambled Eggs   ARGH! This is a the WORST SHMUP I ever played...it's horizontal..I can't write much more about it, or I will get sick...(with that name.. =P -Akira)
SF Violence   This game is a bit like gauntlet, with a futuristic theme. But the game is crap. It's too damn fast when the screen is stopped, and too damn slow when the screen is scrolling. Bad programming, if you ask me. Released in 1989 for MSX-2 ( Don't remember who programmed it)
Ski Commander Casio Control a guy skiing down a hill, shooting all enemies in your sights, with a viewpoint of behind...released by Casio in 1984
Sky Jaguar Konami Simplistic Vertical SHMUP from Konami, made in 1984
Space Manbow Konami This horizontal SHMUP was made in 1989 by Konami, for MSX-2. It's considered by many people the best horziontal shooter for MSX. Many people would even say it's the best SHMUP for MSX... (I sure do like it a lot! - Akira)
Space Maze Attack HAL Laboratory Control your ship to reach the exit of the maze, avoiding the enemies and the walls...released by Hal Laboratory 1983
Space Trouble HAL Laboratory Simplistic vertical SHMUP released by Hal Laboratory in 1984
Star Blazer   Complete different tasks in different stages in this surprising simplistic horizontal SHMUP , programmed by T.Suzuki in 1982 (Yes, 82!!!). I would say it's a game way ahead of its time...
Star Force Hudson Vertical SHMUP released by Hudson Soft
Star Soldier Hudson The first of the series, was released by Hudson Soft in 1987...unfortunately, none of the sequels were released for MSX...they were all relesead for the PC-Engine...
Starship Simulator ASCII ?????? released by Ascii in 1984
Super Cobra Konami Arcade conversion made in 1983, by Konami
Super Cross Force Spectravideo In this game, you control 2 ships. One in above of the screen, other in the bottom of the screen, and you have to shoot all enemies...not very dissimilar to Galaga. Released by Spectravideo in 1983
Super Zellixer (Twinkle Stars)   Those games are EXACTLY the same, but Super Zellixer have a space theme, and Twinkle Star have a cute theme. The rest is exactly the same, same enemies, same weapons, same bosses, same level design. Only the graphics are different. Released in 1989 for a MSX MAGAZINE coverdisk (MSX-2)
Tank Batallion Namco Arcade conversion made in 1984, by Namco
Terrorpods   This game was released for Amiga by Psynogsis. Then Icon Design converted it to ZX Spectrum. And the ZX spectrum version was converted for the MSX in 1989.
Time Bandit   Journey through time in this Defender clone, released by Personal Software Services.
Time Pilot Konami Arcade Conversion from Konami, made in 1983
TNT Infogrames A Commando clone, with very good graphics..released by Infogrames, for MSX-2
Topple Zip   Cute vertical SHMUP. There's 2 versions, the MSX 1 version, and MSX 2 version, that is faster, smoother, more colorfull, with more enemies, more weapons, and much more action..but with the same levels (Some people call it Topple Zip 2...although it's not an oficial sequel
Turboat   Ride your boat and destroy every enemy from the river, in this SHMUP with overhead view.
Twinbee Konami arcade conversion made by Konami in 1986
Undeadline T&E Soft Vertical SHMUP, a bit like Knightmare, but you can choose from 3 different characters to play. Released by T&Esoft in 1989, for MSX-2 (There's also a Mega-Drive version, but the MSX version is MUCH, MUCH better)
Valkyr Gremlin Graphics This game was released by Gremlin Graphics. You have 99 seconds to shoot endless enemies. After killing this enemy, he drops a power stone If you don't have enough stones when the time is over, you cannot kill the boss, and die. After killing the boss, you have to land your ship, in a thrust-like sub-game...then it's back to the normal game, with a harder enemy.
Volguard DB-Soft Horizontal SHMUP from DB-Soft, released in 1985
Vortex Raider   Not happy in making a shooter so similar to Hype (Gutt Blaster), Joe Kowalski also made a game very similar to Warroid. The only big difference is that everything flies, from the main robots, to the power-ups.
Who Dares Wins 2   Nice Commando clone, programmed by Steve Evans, released by Alligata.
Wrangler   a 1-9 players SHMUP, based in Defender, with lots of inertia, and the ship is always in the middle of screen. Released by Indescomp.
Xenon   This game have NOTHING to do with the Bitmap Brothers classic (well, it's a vertical SHMUP too..but that's all) . You can change to a tank or a plane at any time. Although the graphics of this game are crap (it's a ZX spectrum conversion), it's a very intensive and nice game.)
Xevious Namco Arcade convesrion made by Namco. I would say its a pixel-perfect conversion, but actually it's even better than the arcade game. Released in 1988 for MSX-2
Xybots   Arcade conversion from the Atari game...I dunno who made the conversion, or when it was released. But it's converted from the ZX Specturm (Guess what...CRAP graphics)
Zanac Compile Great vertical SHMUP, with 8 different weapons, many stages, many enemies and lots of action. programmed by Compile, and released by Pony, in 1986
Zanac 2 Compile Sequel of the great SHMUP..actually, adds nearly nothing to the other game, the only big difference are the levels and the weapon system (You can choose any weapon at anytime). Programmed by Compile and released by Pony in 1986
Zanac 3 Compile Well, after the sucess of Zanac, Compile started to release its own games...but the Zanac name is copyrighted by Pony..so, Compile had to change the name (And I think you can guess what game is...Aleste.). Pony programed the third game from the Zanac series..and you can clearly see that's not a Compile game, because is crap. The levels are bad designed, as the new enemies, and the dificulty is too high for the average game player. A very hard to find game, it was released in 1988
Zanac EX Compile I guess this was what Compile wanted to be Zanac 2. But Pony wanted Zanac 2 to be released soon, so they couldn't work much in the sequel...but they worked hard in Zanac EX...great game,new bosses, more background graphics, new musics. Again released by Pony, in 1986. (MSX-2)
Zaxxon SEGA Arcade conversion made by Sega in 1985
Zexas Limited DB_Soft This game is a mix of Space Harrier and Galaga. Using your ship, you have to destroy all enemies. Released by DB-Soft in 1985
Zone Terra   I never played this game, because I don't have a Turbo-R, and I can't make it work in the emulators, but I know it's a vertical SHMUP...that's all...
Zoom 909 SEGA Arcade conversion from the great Sega game. Programmed by Sega itself, in 1985

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