... holy shit.

I picked up Castle Shikigami 2 for PS2 off of eBay on a whim last week, and I spent two hours tonight playing (and some time last night, too). I just started getting the hang of the whole 8x and using the Shiki to get extra points and coins and... just, wow. I've never really played a bullet hell game before, and I'm sure there's much worse out there in terms of ridiculousness, but this is intense and awesome. I've played the same three levels over and over again (still haven't beaten 3-2 yet, but I've been playing for score more than anything now that I have a grasp of the system), but I'm having a ball.

So, yeah. Shikigami 2. Awesome.

Welcome to these type of games.  Isn't the dialogue absolutely fantastic? heh

If you're looking for similar bullet hells, try Gradius V on the PS2 (done by Treasure).  Also the poorly titled "Mobile Life Force 2" is actually Shikigami no Shiro I, but without the cutscenes.

The Gamecube is getting Radio Allergy soon as well.  And there is also Ikaruga for the Gamecube.  Not too many shooters were put on modern consoles unfortunately.

Well in the US at least.  When one is ready to graduate to some serious shooting action, it's time to get a JP PS2.  Dodonpachi Dai-ou-jou and Dragon Blaze are good choices.  Of course, when one ready is ready for some Charles Bronson-type action, it's time to graduate to PCBs.

yeah, I own LE of Shikigami 2 for Dreamcast(the one with soundtrack), I enjoy music very much, its very well suited(memories for instance).
I played first Shikigami couple of years ago and liked it too, but this one is definetely superior.

I'm going to get Radio Allergy when it comes out, and probably Ikaruga, too. I don't like side-scrolling shooters much. I played Gradius V for a while, but it didn't keep my attention. I'm seriously considering importing a Japanese PS2 and a few games. What do you guys recommend for Japanese shooters? I'm only aware of Mushihimesama, Ibara, ESPGaluda... and that's because of their OSTs.

Yes, you MUST play Mushihimesama or ESPGaluda, I've played both for PS2 and they're loads of ...loaded fun!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manic_shooter

P.S. Grad 5 is certainly NOT a Bullet-Hell game.  Cave and Touhou games are the definition and epitome of this sub-genre.

(and if anyone is planning a trip to CAVE's company HQ, read here for some hilarious laughter)
http://www.geekonstun.com/mt/archives/s … 81005.html

I.

Love.

Her.

DDP: Dai-ou-jou is essential and ESPgaluda is excellent, Mushihimesama and Ibara are only okay because their ports are subpar.  I also recommend Psikyo Collection 3 (Dragon Blaze), Raiden III (for something a bit more old-school), Homura, and Twinkle Star Sprites: La Petite Princesse (2-player puzzle/shooter).

I don't like new Twinkle Star Sprites that much, I find the original Neo Geo( I have it on Neo Geo CD and Dreamcast) game to be much more appealing and fun to play.
presentation is weak, 3d graphics just doesn't fit there.

Gradius V may not be original designed as a "bullet hell" game, but it does have this aspect at higher difficulties.  Have you seen the crazed video of a loop 30+ Gradius V game.  There are a lot of bullets there.  This is Treasure we're talking about here.