Coolest Background Graphics?

[Gis]

Robotron 2084

 

[Black Matrix]

Some of the backgrounds on Castlevania were sweet:

While I am a huge Castlevania fan, I would argue that its arcade incarnation trumps the NES copy.

I give you Haunted Castle aka Akumajo Dracula in Japan (just like Castlevania is known as Akumajo Dracula in Japan.

Also I would say that Batsugan looks pretty cool.

As well as Xexex

And Varth: Operation Thunderstorm

 

[jscott]

Pleiades. Way ahead of Galaga for background.

 

[Hoopstar]

there is only one..

 

[Phetishboy]

Section Z has got some pretty sweet ones:

 

[JamBurglar]

Too many to list... but some kickass backgrounds include:

Strikers 1945 series:

Strikers 1945

Strikers 1945 II

Strikers 1945 III

Guwange:

19XX; The War Against Destiny

What can I say...I've been on a shumup kick lately...

Aren't those from the 90s?

 

[IG-88]

Rastan is cool too:

Great choice! My 6 yr old and I both love this game! Ever notice those guys in the background look like the "Argonath" off of Lord of Rings??

 

[FrizzleFried]

Yeah, I suppose I should pay more attention to the details... those shoomups are all from the 90's...

 

[gutsman004]

Don't have time to post pics since I'm about to leave for work,but I'll throw Contra,Shinobi,Double Dragon,Rolling Thunder,and TMNT into the mix.

 

[CanesFan]

Turbo
Xevious

 

[Tighe]

That looks awesome. I've never played that game, but see them for sale all the time. It actually looks like Rygar in a higher resolution:

Phet, Rastan is so much better than Rygar! It is one of those games that if you are good enough you can play through on on quarter, but you can also die in seconds if you suck. It really is a must own game, I remember how hard the first boss was, let alone just getting to him. Now I can get to him without dying at all. It is all about remembering when the enemies attack, the weak points, that if you are jumping your sword slash does 2 X damage. All that kind of stuff.

Black Tiger is another game like this, although it can get frustrating because once you die you lose some of your power ups. You don't power up your character in Rastan, you just learn where to pick up the temporary weapon upgrades with out getting killed in the process.

There is something about Rastan that reminds me of Contra, because once you master a level it is very rewarding.

 

[Tighe]

While I am a huge Castlevania fan, I would argue that its arcade incarnation trumps the NES copy.

I give you Haunted Castle aka Akumajo Dracula in Japan (just like Castlevania is known as Akumajo Dracula in Japan.

WOW! How did I miss that there was an arcade version of Castlevania! I thought there was just Vs Castlevania! Rut row! Feeling a urge to buy coming on!

http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8089

Added to my VAPS!

This guy seems to hate it:

 

[machfelon]

Shadow of the Beast (Psygnosis 1989) Amiga

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHU2guYH7Og&feature=related

 

[Tighe]

Strider

Strider is over the top, my favorite part is running down the the snowy mountain in the seconds stage:

Skip to 5:09

 

[Muerto]

Shadow of the Beast (Psygnosis 1989) Amiga

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHU2guYH7Og&feature=related

And excellent music by David Whittaker!!!

 

[Tighe]

Taito's Insector X

Great game, although I like like Sage's Creation's port to the Genesis better it is more serious and less cartoony. The original version is more like Parodius is to Gradius.

Arcade:

Genesis:

Also Gradius and Parodius:

 

[ModCity]

I always though the background to City Connection was pretty neat.

 

[CrazyKongFan]

Black Tiger is another game like this, although it can get frustrating because once you die you lose some of your power ups. You don't power up your character in Rastan, you just learn where to pick up the temporary weapon upgrades with out getting killed in the process.

There aren't really any power ups in Black Tiger. There's only armor and your weapon, and you don't lose your weapon when you die. (and you start with 2 armor on the next life)

 

[Tighe]

There aren't really any power ups in Black Tiger. There's only armor and your weapon, and you don't lose your weapon when you die. (and you start with 2 armor on the next life)

Yes that is what I am talking about! You don't want to die cause you loose your life, which you can spend big bucks to buy! It is just that Black Tiger gets so hard at the end. And yes there are power ups -- the hidden symbols power up your character. They don't go away though.

I usually just get all the symbols and focus on the weapon upgrade. The health upgrades are too expensive! I can't decide weather to buy each weapon upgrade in order or skip. The thing is that after you upgrade the enemies drop more zenny when they die. I usually skip over the first upgrade.