I was lucky enough to fall into a code for Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2 (thanks Drew!), a game, I’ll admit, I wasn’t to interested in when it was released. After obsessing over it over the last two days and finally getting the wax on wax off achievement, I pondered: Is this the best twin stick shooter ever made? Can that be said so early in the life of a new gaming genre?
Granted, the “genre” of twin stick shooters is a relatively new one. With the release of Geometry Wars on XBLA a new genre of pick up and play, casual arcade shooters emerged and have taken over the offerings on both XBLA and PSN. There’s literally dozens of them on XBLA and PSN combined. Not all are good.
Here’s my top five twin stick shooters for both PSN and XBLA that I recommend you buy, if you haven’t already.
Before we get into the page view goodness that is my “top five” list, let’s first define what will be offered. Any game that uses the left stick to move and the right stick to shoot. Fair enough? Alrighty then, moving on.
In the order of each respective game’s awesomeness…
#5 Alien Hominid HD (Xbox Live Arcade)
This game is an expanded version of a popular flash, GameCube and PS2 game, Alien Hominid. You’re basically an alien that lands on earth, and you shoot everything. The HD version on XBLA is gorgeous. Hand drawn cell shaded graphics pop with clever animation and hilarious death throes of your dispatched foes. It had offline multiplayer, weapon power ups, fucking hard bosses and was a old and new school arcade game player’s delight.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
“Labeled as a Geometry Wars clone” That’s ironic considering Super Stardust was released on Amiga in 1995.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Stardust
I think it is, but i am in love with the look, so that could just be me.
This is a pretty sweet game, but I’ve actually enjoyed Braid more. I’ve been racking my brain trying to solve some of those d@mn puzzles.
Keith K – you’re right. But the perception existed nonetheless because it came out on the consoles after Geo Wars.
@Lono – Not criticizing ya. You’re right on the money on that one. It is definitely labelled as a Geo Wars clone, just unduly.
In any case, I’m too burnt out on the dual-analog shooters to even give GW2 a try (Sorry Bizarre Creations). So for me, the list remains true up to SSHD which remains the best I’ve played.
Geo Wars 2 is better than Super Stardust HD. IMO…
By the way, ‘pew pew pew’.. great stuff
SSHD is the best dual stick shooter I’ve played. I didn’t “get” Everyday Shooter like everyone else… I got rather bored with it quickly… ok, almost instantly.
IMO, Alien Hominid isn’t only out of place on this list, but it was a piece of garbage game. I never understood the hype it got. I could never decide whether it should be on the higher end of the free crap web games (yes, I’m aware of its roots) or if it would’ve made a decent no-name title 12 years ago. In today’s age (okay, last year’s age) the game seems out of place, ugly, and unfun. Well… I pretty much crapped on Alien Hominid there. It wasn’t really my intent, it just sorta happened.
I’m not entirely sure I think Geometry Wars 2 is better then the original. Sure it has more modes, which is an obvious plus, but judging simply on the basis of gameplay I think I prefer the original.
Everyday Shooter is a great game spoilt by a ridiculously clunky control system. If it controlled better then it would be a rival for best of the genre, unfortunately though, I saw an interview with the guy who made it who seemed to imply that the controls were exactly what he had intended.
Of all the twin stick shooters I’d happily say Super Stardust HD is the best by far. Fun gameplay, more strategy then most other games in the genre and a lot of cool enemies. The testament to the quality of SSHD is the fact that, in reviewing Geometry Wars 2, the Editor-In-Chief of the IGN Xbox team admitted that the Geometry Wars series is inferior.
I think SSHD is better than GW, but not GW2.
GeoWars 2, best game ever!
Not sure if this counts Lono but umm isn’t Too Human a twin stick shooter kind of because if yu hold L and R you use the right analog stick to aim? Didn’t you love Too Human and it didn’t even make your list?
I hope you’re not serious ProudlyAnAddict…
First, I’ve only played the demo for Too Human, so the jury is still out on that game, but I do love the demo, for the record.
Second, I was going for XBLA or PSN twin stick shooters.
Third, Too Human is an RPG and not a shooter.
Hope that clears things up.
@KiltMan67:
Ummm, you said:
“The testament to the quality of SSHD is the fact that, in reviewing Geometry Wars 2, the Editor-In-Chief of the IGN Xbox team admitted that the Geometry Wars series is inferior.”
How is that a testament to EITHER series because a reviewer said so. I’m a reviewer. I am not, however, god.
A testament would be if Bizarre Creations came out and said that SSHD was the superior game
“Is this the best twin stick shooter ever made? Can that be said so early in the life of a new gaming genre?”
So you missed 1982 then?