Bullet Hell games

[Steppin Razor]

While looking through my collection of games the other day and reminiscing over the fun many of them have given me over the years, it occurred to me that I have never really played a bullet hell type of game in my entire life. Sure, I've played various shoot 'em ups, but that was a long time ago at an old mates place where we played for a few minutes or so before going back to whatever game we were into at the time.

Fast forward 10 years and after seeing references to Touhou and watching a gameplay video or two, I've found myself wanting to give these sort of games a shot. The only problem is that I know relatively next to nothing nothing about the genre, so I have no idea what is good and what is shit. So, fans of the games with a ridiculous number of bullets flying around the screen, what games are worth getting?

 

[dududf]

Space Phallus​

In all seriousness, the only good Bullet hell games I know is touhou and damaku.

Sorry.

 

[8-Bit Grin]

I might be wrong, but is Ikaruga a bullet hell game?
Because I enjoyed that...

 

[PsychoJosh]

Ikaruga's not even close to bullet hell.

This is bullet hell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70iFdnI-xfA&feature=related

 

[Mesca]

Ikaruga's not even close to bullet hell.

This is bullet hell.

Yes it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWxIKj4syQs

Warning Forever gets like this the longer it goes, as does Fraxxy.
Deathsmiles is one of the few on the 360.
Bangai-O Spirits for the DS, it doesn't play quite the same, but the bullet hell part is straight up. I think I managed to fire 600 bullets at once, in the final fight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sja2kdbUTZc

There's Castle Shikigami 1 and 2 for the ps2. #3 is on the wii.

You mentioned touhou. Not only are there a large amount of them, but each has different gameplay. Shoot the bullet is my favorite.

In a non shoot 'em up sense, Sisprin Gauntlet dances on your tears. You get ONE life. Prepare to die.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EksH6ZX0bs

 

[Steppin Razor]

-snip-

So:

-Ikaruga
-Warning Forever
-Fraxxy
-Deathsmiles
-Bangai-O Spirits
-Castle Shikigami 1-3
-Touhou series
-Sisprin Gauntlet

Alright, thanks for the list. I'm assuming something like Amazon or eBay will be required to get most of these?

 

[Hiphophippo]

There's some game on PSN called Gundamonium too. For all I know it's part of one of the series mentioned here though. It's a cool genre, but it's painfully clear that it's not for me.

 

[Mesca]

-snip-

So:

-Ikaruga Ebay
-Warning Forever http://www18.big.or.jp/~hikoza/Prod/index_e.html
-Fraxy http://www.greatgamesexperiment.com/game/fraxy
-Deathsmiles Ebay
-Bangai-O Spirits Ebay
-Castle Shikigami 1-3 Ebay
-Touhou series http://touhou.wikia.com/wiki/Touhou_Wiki
-Sispri Gauntlet http://d5-dot.net/sg/index.html
-Edens Aegis http://www.vector.co.jp/soft/winnt/game/se442605.html?ds
-Raiden Ebay

Alright, thanks for the list. I'm assuming something like Amazon or eBay will be required to get most of these?

I actually typoed Fraxy and Sispri. On the other hand, Sisprin Gauntlet made my post appear first on google.

Also, http://indygamer.blogspot.com/2005/09/sispri-gauntlet.html
This guy has Shmups out the ass.
http://www.giantbomb.com/bullet-hell/92-321/
I just googled bullet hell for this one. I'd actually been there before, they have a nice list of danmaku games.

Browsing through ebay just now, I'd recommend downloading first. The prices on these games are absolutely insane.

Edit: Look for roms if you're into that sort of thing. I just found Ikaruga and Donpachi.

 

[gamer_parent]

Here are some flash ones that are not bad for a starter

skyfyre [http://www.funny-games.biz/skyfyre.html]
Starts kinda slow, but picks up at later levels

Frantic 2 [http://www.funny-games.biz/frantic-2.html]

 

[Au Naturel.]

... AHHA HA HA--haha... ha.. um..
Well. I think you Should definitely try DeathSmiles, Mushihimesama Futari, and of course the Touhou games. I have not played the DoDonPachi series or the Espgaluda series (I want to, I just don't have the money). Deathsmiles is a wonderful gothic shooter that is probably a good game to start with. It is of course, a maniac shooter, so it will be challenging, but in contrast to the others I have mentioned, it should be a good place to start. Mushihimesama Futari is a vibrant, colorful game that is faster paced (in my opinion) then Deathsmiles, and it can be played on all Xbox 360s as it has no region lock. You will have to import it, though. And of course, everyone knows the Touhou games.

Since you are just starting, I'll tell you something that will make maniac shooters alot easier ; don't look at the bullets (as pretty as they are) just look at the space between them. This will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed and makes it easier to navigate. Also, nudging a direction in order to move very slowly will also make the games easier. I know for a fact that some of the most intimidating patterns in Mushihimesama Futari can be eluded by tapping the control stick slowly in order to stay out of harms way as the bullets gracefully flow by you. It's a wonderful sight.

And a warning, my friend. Enjoying these games can lead to a SHMUP black hole, perhaps making you purchase an import 360 in order to play the latest SHMUPs, which can be quite expensive. But don't worry about that for now, and enjoy playing one of the most exciting and fun genres of video games out there (and their awesome soundtracks)!!

 

[SantoUno]

What the hell is a Bullet Hell game?

 

[Flying-Emu]

Don't do it, man.

Once you start, you can't stop.

What the hell is a Bullet Hell game?

 

[XSA37]

Don't do it, man.

Once you start, you can't stop.

What the hell is a Bullet Hell game?

That looks insane... my mind has officially melted from Japanese speed killing....

 

[tsb247]

Does Warning Forever count?

 

[Flying-Emu]

That looks insane... my mind has officially melted from Japanese speed killing....

That's why I advise that nobody play them. They are addicting, horrific things.