Note: I tried posting images, but the site doesn't like me. #5) Chaos Field, for Game Cube/Wii: Im not the biggest fan of Bullet Hell Shmups mostly because most Bullet Hell Shmups are really long, rarely take place in space and they usually have forgettable soundtracks (except Dangun Feveron). Thats why I love Chaos Field: its fast paced, its short, its got a groovy soundtrack, sensibly designed space fighters and it has space levels! What I love the most about Chaos Field over the few other Bullet Hell Shmups in space (like Mars Matrix or Dangun Feveron) is the sense of weapon and game play variety immediately at your disposal. Not only can your ships take more than one hit and absorb bullets, but they can also power-up using warp-drive technology that ramps up the difficulty as it does your firepower. The story leaves much to be desired especially considering how it goes into Alternate Dimension territory, but so do a lot of good Shmups. Besides, I know Chaos Field loves me back because it gives me a strong ship with homing lasers, a light saber and a hot girl pilot in a mini-skirt! Wait, didnt Steam Hearts have the same thing plus sex?? :P #4) Darius Burst, for the PSP: This was a genuinely tough spot to fill because I am a Darius fan; even after Thunder Force and Raiden, the Darius series has earned my love and appreciation over the years. I love the history of the series, the surprising SNES sequels it got (the sequels that even its creators seem not to acknowledge) and Darius II still wins my heart when I hear that catchy and goofy but all at once touching soundtrack. It came down to Darius II or Darius Gaiden which is by far and wide one of the best Shooters ever made for its beauty and action. But then a mediator came along, a game in the Darius series that is as beautiful and challenging as Darius Gaiden, yet is as fun and adventurous as Darius II. With an honestly beautiful and epic soundtrack, some of the best graphics Ive seen on the PSP and a unique use of the Beam Duel combat first introduced to the series in G-Darius, Darius Burst is a fun and memorable addition to the series that's earned my love. #3) Acrobat Mission, Arcade/SFC: Now heres a game where no matter what version of it I play, Im always in for a treat. Whether it be a badly emulated version of the Arcade original on MAME or the flawed but playable SNES version, Acrobat Mission always serves as my personal pick-me up game. No matter what mood Im in, no matter what games I intend to play on the SNES, theres only one Shmup on it I always turn to. When I crave fast-paced Shooting action and a groovy soundtrack, I turn to a game made by UPL, the guys who brought us Steel Fortress Strahl AND Bio-Ship Paladin! These guys knew how to make a Shmup entertaining and original no matter how generic the plot and that shows in Acrobat Mission: the Icarus star fighter is one of the coolest rides Ive controlled in a Shmup with its ability to sturdily bump into oncoming enemies and objects, damage them with its jet exhaust, Kamikaze into them once shot and its nice use of bomb-shields. Now if UPL would release the arcade original of this and Omega Fighter on Xbox Live Arcade, then Id be in Vert Shmup Heaven!