Not quite DR but bizzarely smhup youtuber electric underground skip all the dialogue in Undertale on his first playthrough just to get to the gameplay. And still praised the story solely based on "vibes".
July 3, 2026 at 5:52 AM
Not quite DR but bizzarely smhup youtuber electric underground skip all the dialogue in Undertale on his first playthrough just to get to the gameplay. And still praised the story solely based on "vibes".
End of Starchild is the best Doom-blooded project I've played in a while. Among other things, it really leans into the feeling of Doom being a first-person smhup. You'll need to be comfortable with boomer shooters to get the most out of it, otherwise it's a full recommend.
msx.horse/eos/
msx.horse/eos/
June 15, 2026 at 3:14 AM
End of Starchild is the best Doom-blooded project I've played in a while. Among other things, it really leans into the feeling of Doom being a first-person smhup. You'll need to be comfortable with boomer shooters to get the most out of it, otherwise it's a full recommend.
msx.horse/eos/
msx.horse/eos/
Finally, here's my review of Psyvariar 3, for The Wand Report.
I've adored the Psyvariar series since 2003. I'd have been happy with it's return being decent. Thanks to @bananabytes.bsky.social clear love for the game, we get much more than 'decent'!
report.wand.com/reviews/psyv...
#shmups #smhup
I've adored the Psyvariar series since 2003. I'd have been happy with it's return being decent. Thanks to @bananabytes.bsky.social clear love for the game, we get much more than 'decent'!
report.wand.com/reviews/psyv...
#shmups #smhup
Psyvariar 3 Review: A brush with brilliance - The Wand Report
Charge bullets, avoid shooting, and chain invincibility? An arcade great that does things differently is back.
report.wand.com
June 9, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Finally, here's my review of Psyvariar 3, for The Wand Report.
I've adored the Psyvariar series since 2003. I'd have been happy with it's return being decent. Thanks to @bananabytes.bsky.social clear love for the game, we get much more than 'decent'!
report.wand.com/reviews/psyv...
#shmups #smhup
I've adored the Psyvariar series since 2003. I'd have been happy with it's return being decent. Thanks to @bananabytes.bsky.social clear love for the game, we get much more than 'decent'!
report.wand.com/reviews/psyv...
#shmups #smhup
I dont hate that guy, but im kinda miffed how his some of his videos and general attitudes towards about game design has made alot niche game genres, like smhup and action games, online discussion more toxic, and very "debate me". It gets so tiring.
May 16, 2026 at 8:18 PM
I dont hate that guy, but im kinda miffed how his some of his videos and general attitudes towards about game design has made alot niche game genres, like smhup and action games, online discussion more toxic, and very "debate me". It gets so tiring.
Like a certain smhup/action guy went on a weird tangent when reviewing Touhou Fantastic Danmaku Festival 3, lamenting the update that added modifiers sliders. Going "See! Doom the Dark Ages sliders are spreading across games, we should be worried!".
Genuinely bizzare mentality.
Genuinely bizzare mentality.
May 16, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Like a certain smhup/action guy went on a weird tangent when reviewing Touhou Fantastic Danmaku Festival 3, lamenting the update that added modifiers sliders. Going "See! Doom the Dark Ages sliders are spreading across games, we should be worried!".
Genuinely bizzare mentality.
Genuinely bizzare mentality.
From what I heard the touhou mobile game has been doing alright in China and Japan. Even doing some self crossover with their Deathsmiles smhup mobile game recently.
April 13, 2026 at 5:09 AM
From what I heard the touhou mobile game has been doing alright in China and Japan. Even doing some self crossover with their Deathsmiles smhup mobile game recently.
I love seeing smhup screens because why the fuck is there some hype ass battle going on in the middle but just a random girl with a hair tie in her mouth on the left side
yeaaaah boooooy first 1-ALL clear on DFK 1.5 Novice. Managed to get to stage 4 on the second loop on the same credit but ended up taking 4 credits overall to clear it cause stage 5 and Golden Disaster kicked my ass lol
April 12, 2026 at 2:45 PM
I love seeing smhup screens because why the fuck is there some hype ass battle going on in the middle but just a random girl with a hair tie in her mouth on the left side
*sad Hell March noises :(*
*but happy SMHUP noises :D*
*but happy SMHUP noises :D*
March 28, 2026 at 6:09 PM
*sad Hell March noises :(*
*but happy SMHUP noises :D*
*but happy SMHUP noises :D*
STEAM HOW IS A PUZZLE GAME ROGUELITE A BULLET HELL SMHUP I AM GOING TO SCREAM
February 23, 2026 at 10:23 PM
STEAM HOW IS A PUZZLE GAME ROGUELITE A BULLET HELL SMHUP I AM GOING TO SCREAM
Folks, I'm telling you Space Shooters & Brutal Death Metal pair together like beer & cheese. #MetalSky #DeathMetal #SMHUP #Crypticus #ThunderforceIII
February 20, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Folks, I'm telling you Space Shooters & Brutal Death Metal pair together like beer & cheese. #MetalSky #DeathMetal #SMHUP #Crypticus #ThunderforceIII
Okay basically he's arguing enemy and stage design should be closer to cave games, which is considered by smhup heads, the premier bullet shmup games. But doesnt take in account why zun would design his games like that. Or even read his interviews or research really.
February 17, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Okay basically he's arguing enemy and stage design should be closer to cave games, which is considered by smhup heads, the premier bullet shmup games. But doesnt take in account why zun would design his games like that. Or even read his interviews or research really.
There's a certain smhup youtuber tends to complain alot about the touhou zun games for for odd reasons. Notably saying 6 stage structure is bad for pacing, and doest follow the holy CAVE 5 stage structure.
He says that its inherently flawed structure but never delves into why really.
He says that its inherently flawed structure but never delves into why really.
February 17, 2026 at 11:24 PM
There's a certain smhup youtuber tends to complain alot about the touhou zun games for for odd reasons. Notably saying 6 stage structure is bad for pacing, and doest follow the holy CAVE 5 stage structure.
He says that its inherently flawed structure but never delves into why really.
He says that its inherently flawed structure but never delves into why really.
Creating a UI (on paper and in Photoshop) for a Univeristy Team Module where we are making a single screen 2D SMHUP. #LSBUGames
February 9, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Creating a UI (on paper and in Photoshop) for a Univeristy Team Module where we are making a single screen 2D SMHUP. #LSBUGames
I HIGHLY recommend checking the latest demo. My cool friends worked INCREDIBLY hard on polishing this up.
I know this may look like a goofy farce to some. But beneath the silly/freaky exterior is a rock solid #arcade #SMHUP gameplay loop - fit for the casual and core audiences. #IndieGame #Gaming
I know this may look like a goofy farce to some. But beneath the silly/freaky exterior is a rock solid #arcade #SMHUP gameplay loop - fit for the casual and core audiences. #IndieGame #Gaming
STEAM: store.steampowered.com/app/3957840/...
ITCH: mr-freaks.itch.io/strato-freak...
Live from the USC, it’s Strato Freaks DX: A Normal Demo. You and three friends can clash underwater, soar over lemonade, rescue rainbow monkeys, and chase crazy combos! Now available on Steam and Itch!
ITCH: mr-freaks.itch.io/strato-freak...
Live from the USC, it’s Strato Freaks DX: A Normal Demo. You and three friends can clash underwater, soar over lemonade, rescue rainbow monkeys, and chase crazy combos! Now available on Steam and Itch!
February 1, 2026 at 3:59 AM
I HIGHLY recommend checking the latest demo. My cool friends worked INCREDIBLY hard on polishing this up.
I know this may look like a goofy farce to some. But beneath the silly/freaky exterior is a rock solid #arcade #SMHUP gameplay loop - fit for the casual and core audiences. #IndieGame #Gaming
I know this may look like a goofy farce to some. But beneath the silly/freaky exterior is a rock solid #arcade #SMHUP gameplay loop - fit for the casual and core audiences. #IndieGame #Gaming
Same I've never heard this game(s) before. Not on any smhup lists or youtube channels.
January 22, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Same I've never heard this game(s) before. Not on any smhup lists or youtube channels.
Touhou stages tend to be less detailed and more abstract.
In terms of pacing, you generally a touhou boss fight is longer than say a normal stage CAVE boss fight. This is a common critique of the TH games from smhup heads bc they believe the spellcard presentation slows the game too much.
In terms of pacing, you generally a touhou boss fight is longer than say a normal stage CAVE boss fight. This is a common critique of the TH games from smhup heads bc they believe the spellcard presentation slows the game too much.
January 19, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Touhou stages tend to be less detailed and more abstract.
In terms of pacing, you generally a touhou boss fight is longer than say a normal stage CAVE boss fight. This is a common critique of the TH games from smhup heads bc they believe the spellcard presentation slows the game too much.
In terms of pacing, you generally a touhou boss fight is longer than say a normal stage CAVE boss fight. This is a common critique of the TH games from smhup heads bc they believe the spellcard presentation slows the game too much.
Okay gameplay wise, several things. One of the bigger ones is pacing and stage design.
Touhou's stages tend to have far less physical hazards or big enemies. While big faries exist. More traditional smhup have bulky tanks or stationary enemies tied the background.
Touhou's stages tend to have far less physical hazards or big enemies. While big faries exist. More traditional smhup have bulky tanks or stationary enemies tied the background.
January 19, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Okay gameplay wise, several things. One of the bigger ones is pacing and stage design.
Touhou's stages tend to have far less physical hazards or big enemies. While big faries exist. More traditional smhup have bulky tanks or stationary enemies tied the background.
Touhou's stages tend to have far less physical hazards or big enemies. While big faries exist. More traditional smhup have bulky tanks or stationary enemies tied the background.
Honestly I sorta annoyed when a modern smhup has lacking practice modes. Like why isn't there a more convenient way to practice bosses in zero ranger. How does zun have a better practice mode from 2004?
January 10, 2026 at 6:58 AM
Honestly I sorta annoyed when a modern smhup has lacking practice modes. Like why isn't there a more convenient way to practice bosses in zero ranger. How does zun have a better practice mode from 2004?
You bringing up FDF2 having really bad visibility is funny bc I rember Mark from the Electric Underground making a 20 minute video praising the visuals and going on and on why cant zun's game visual match FDF2. Talking about how visuals are the only way to attract new people to the smhup genre.
December 20, 2025 at 2:41 AM
You bringing up FDF2 having really bad visibility is funny bc I rember Mark from the Electric Underground making a 20 minute video praising the visuals and going on and on why cant zun's game visual match FDF2. Talking about how visuals are the only way to attract new people to the smhup genre.
Actrually I think the first time I saw the telegraph lasers used in a smhup context was in of all things: Undertale.
December 20, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Actrually I think the first time I saw the telegraph lasers used in a smhup context was in of all things: Undertale.
Look for all it's quirks that movie ended being foundational for inspiring hundreds of smhup games to have "enter into the space station/ship in tight corridors and shoot the core " level.
December 15, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Look for all it's quirks that movie ended being foundational for inspiring hundreds of smhup games to have "enter into the space station/ship in tight corridors and shoot the core " level.
Credits in smhup/arcade games are an interesting topic, bc credit feeding is a byproduct of arcade game design allowing the player to keep "feeding quarters/credits".
Some games in that genres have limited credits.
Some games in that genres have limited credits.
December 10, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Credits in smhup/arcade games are an interesting topic, bc credit feeding is a byproduct of arcade game design allowing the player to keep "feeding quarters/credits".
Some games in that genres have limited credits.
Some games in that genres have limited credits.
What's funny about the "five more stages" comment is that it was so common it led to the development of Gradius V making the game fairly long for a smhup. A full run is about 1 hour + long.
Which is probaly the most lingering negative aspect of Gradius V tbh.
Which is probaly the most lingering negative aspect of Gradius V tbh.
November 26, 2025 at 2:37 AM
What's funny about the "five more stages" comment is that it was so common it led to the development of Gradius V making the game fairly long for a smhup. A full run is about 1 hour + long.
Which is probaly the most lingering negative aspect of Gradius V tbh.
Which is probaly the most lingering negative aspect of Gradius V tbh.
So a fighting game controller, a smhup controller and the everything controller?
November 21, 2025 at 9:48 PM
So a fighting game controller, a smhup controller and the everything controller?
Also R Type 3 final looks really weird bc it's an arcade smhup made in Unreal engine 5. That feels wrong.
youtu.be/zlRoqZwGbzo?...
youtu.be/zlRoqZwGbzo?...
R-Type Final 3 Evolved Longplay (Playstation 5)
YouTube video by Longplay Studio 313
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Also R Type 3 final looks really weird bc it's an arcade smhup made in Unreal engine 5. That feels wrong.
youtu.be/zlRoqZwGbzo?...
youtu.be/zlRoqZwGbzo?...