Shmup Junkie

Yesterday, I completed editing for the Toaplan Documentary! And while there is still more to be done, we're nearing the finish line. It's been a massive undertaking and one of the reasons I had to halt creating other content until it was complete. Those of you waiting for this awesome project... look forward to finally enjoying it this year! What does that mean for the channel? It means once my work is complete I'll have the time to create my own content again.

If you've already been here with me for a while, you know I'm always looking to try new ideas and change things up. Creating the same type of content endlessly isn't very exciting or challenging. So over the years, you've seen this channel go through many video types... history, humor, reviews, compilations, instructional, nostalgia... whatever I was in the mood for. If an idea grew stale and interest dropped I'd go back to the drawing board with something new and fun. I always enjoyed our interactions afterward and occasional premieres. Most of all, I enjoyed the positive impact some of my work had on everyone and how it helped boost the community. I wanted that to continue by offering others the opportunity to showcase their content on the channel, but unfortunately it was an idea that still drained too much of my resources away from finishing the documentary. So I couldn't keep up with it.

I'm now evaluating if, when and how to get back into creating again once my work on the documentary is complete. What I do know is it won't be exactly the same as before. Oh, there'll still be shmups of course. How could there not be shmups! And humor and hype and production value. But now there's an opportunity to shake things up. If it's going to happen, everything is on the table. Going back to business as usual is so 2024 haha. So please keep an eye on the community here, Twitter, IG, Discord, or wherever else we hang out. I'll be posting more often with updates on the documentary and this channel. Don't call it a comeback... yet.

2 days ago | [YT] | 582

Shmup Junkie

Which is the Best Version of Dariusburst? Not an easy question to answer! One of the most confusing sequels with dozens of releases across generations, multiple versions across consoles, update after update. This video explains every version, every release, why it's so confusing, and which is the BEST version to buy for YOU. Tomorrow - Sunday 9AM PST

GOJIGUY, our resident expert on all things Darius put together a fantastic breakdown that really impressed me. Not only briefly covering the history of Darius and his love for the series, but an actual buying guide for Dariusburst comparing all versions and releases. So if you still don't own this game and are curious... or maybe you want to see how the version you own stacks up in features, this is the video for you.

6 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 197

Shmup Junkie

Shmup Junkie! Where did you go?!! It's been ages with no new video! Have you abandoned us all and the genre? Your Final Video? Say it ain't so!

It's true, Sunday May 19th could POSSIBLY be the final video I make as Shmup Junkie. It's time for this channel to evolve into something bigger for the entire community. Not that I plan to stop making videos I'm passionate about.

But posting a really good, fun video only once every 2-3 months isn't the vision I have for this channel or what we've been building. So it's time to take things in an exciting new direction that will hopefully allow A LOT more content posted on a regular basis and involve our entire community.

I'm now going to take what we've built here over the last few years and turn it all over.... TO YOU! Shmup Junkie will now become Shmup Junkies! Or Shmup Junkie n' Friends if you want to call it that haha.

So NO, I'm not going anywhere. I'm still responsible to Google for what's posted on my channel, so I will be the curator, judge, jury and executioner. And I plan to leverage our awesome 1000+ member discord community to help curate, create, and assist with content. My audience is now your audience. In fact, we already have a number of great creators, indie developers, and talented members on board and excited to start contributing. Looking for more regular content... like a monthly Shmup Drop or New Games update? It's in the works!

Are you already creating fantastic content but just can't get enough traction or views? Are you a developer who wants to put together authentic, deep dives on your game and mechanics, but don't have a way of showing it to the world? Now, you have a channel with over 40K subscribers. And the community will not only help decide on the best content and ideas to hit the channel, but also hopefully contribute in it's creation.

Don't miss the video Sunday the 19th with all the details. And please don't take this as the end... as despite all the showmanship and hyperbole, I enjoy making videos and have plenty I still look forward to. Like say... Every Saturn Shooter Reviewed (hint hint). But I do want this channel to be more than just me posting several videos a year. There's so much excellent content out there that I really enjoy and deserves a lot more exposure. So I'm excited to see where this will go and I hope that you'll support all the genuine shmuppers, gamers, and developers out there looking to share their content with everyone. This channel is about to get busy. 😉

8 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 391

Shmup Junkie

TOMORROW! Gaming in the 80s and 90s is finally out. Over 30 years in the making and a nostalgia trip through the games, movies, music, culture and more you'll want to re-watch the moment it ends. So have your snacks handy and get ready for a Sunday that brings back the feels. Very proud of this one and I hope everyone enjoys it. And yes, as you've noticed thumbnail B won the vote... by a landslide actually.

Look forward to seeing everyone in the comments tomorrow and catching up. It's been a long time so I hope the wait was worth it.

1 year ago | [YT] | 655

Shmup Junkie

I NEED YOUR HELP! New Video "GAMING in the 80s and 90s" is coming Sunday, January 7th. Which thumbnail do you like best? A or B? Please let me know in the comments. Don't think about it logically. Both are gaming related and from that era. Pretend it was a random thumbnail that shows up in your Browse/Home Page or Suggestions and not knowing it is from me. Which would get your click? Would either even interest you at all? I have a week to come up with something worthy of how well the video came out and all the time I put into it, so I'm open to all suggestions. Bonus points for anyone to guess which gaming ad the girl from thumbnail B is from. ;O

And don't worry, as always... the shooters/shmups of that time period are "heavily" represented in accordance with their popularity. ; ) But the overall video is all encompassing even beyond gaming and focused more on the culture, our friendships, the movies/comics/cartoons and what it was like growing up during that time.

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 203

Shmup Junkie

CHECK OUT the intro trailer now for the upcoming video here: https://youtu.be/Q6SqCcEetlk



What made Gaming in the 80s and 90s so magical? Why can't we stop playing the classics and get so nostalgic over old game cartridges, print magazines, and old school arcades? More than just a gaming video. It's about growing up during that era and all of the popular culture and connections we created that made it so memorable.


I know it's been a long wait, but please be patient. I've been working on the Toaplan documentary and this video simultaneously so it's slow going. But this will be one for the ages and worth the wait.

1 year ago | [YT] | 80

Shmup Junkie

BULLET HEAVEN is BACK! They say you don't know what you've got til' it's gone, and that's certainly true of ‪@StudioMudprints‬ and his work. For over a decade, long before channels like this and Electric Underground existed, Studio Mudprints was serving the shmup community with detailed reviews, now a library in the hundreds of videos. And for a time, all of those videos were completely gone, now restored. Please support Bullet Heaven and the shmup community by subscribing there, enjoying his content, and letting him know how valuable his contribution to the community has been. His first new look, revamped video reviewing the excellent Astro Ninja Man DX is up! And you can check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXutz...

1 year ago | [YT] | 465

Shmup Junkie

SECOND AND LAST CHANCE! Did you find out about the TOAPLAN Documentary too late? And miss your chance to back the Kickstarter? The "Backer Exclusive" Interview with CAVE co-founder IKEDA TSUNEKI is Officially Released and it's fantastic! Only available to original backers.

Due to numerous requests, Director Joseph Pierce is allowing a limited amount of late backers to get a chance to contribute to our "ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO TOAPLAN" Documentary and will close on September 30th. These extra funds would go toward a fantastic idea that Joseph would love to end the documentary with, but couldn't pull it off without the additional resources. If you're kicking yourself for missing out on the initial Kickstarter and have been wanting to get in, contact Joseph directly by email at josefumpierce1990@gmail.com. Below are the available options. Please only email him if you are interested in one of the below backer packages offered which include this special interview- 7500 yen ($51 USD) for the "standard Bluray set" tier or 18,500 yen ($125.80) for the "limited/signed Bluray/Zine and name in the credits" tier. Provide the country you live in to calculate shipping. He will be taking payments via Paypal.

If you're completely unaware about this documentary, you can check out the original Kickstarter page here: tinyurl.com/5n8n3z2r

And if you're already part of the campaign and haven't watched this awesome interview, do it now! It's awesome and getting rave reviews by all who have watched it so far.

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 223

Shmup Junkie

2 Days Until Shmup Slam 6 and I'm helping to spread the word!! Hosted by Mark_MSX from ‪@TheElectricUnderground‬ Here is the Stream Link: youtube.com/live/cnvx3Q5wj2E
Mark puts in such a massive amount of time and effort into coordinating and hosting this event for the shmup community. Always a great event that goes all weekend long. I'll be watching many of my friends in the community playing and I hope you get a chance to tune in too for your favorite games.
Here is the Saturday schedule: horaro.org/slam6/satsched
Here is the Sunday schedule: horaro.org/slam6/sunsched

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 177

Shmup Junkie

Highly Requested! Amiga, Sharp x68000, FM Towns and more! Incredible and Rare Computer Games You Never Played. Rusty is the clickbait but you can rest assured I've got nearly a dozen rare, kick ass shmups to show off in this one. Five to Six Action/Platformers and 10+ Shmups!
In fact they get their own dedicated segment! The video is already nearing completion so with some luck, please look forward to a great new discovery video out next Sunday. You may recognize the games in this teaser, but I can guarantee you'll be surprised with some new discoveries in the full video. Over 15 games featured including a lot of obscure Sharp x68K doujin shooters.

A huge thanks to the great artist Danmakuman for letting me use his awesome original Rusty artwork for my thumbnail. You can find the full image prints along with other works of his here: www.inprnt.com/gallery/danmakuman/rusty/

1 year ago | [YT] | 361