Twin Cobra

Toaplans Twin Cobra(which I believe was the sequel to Tiger Heli), is probably the best chopper based game I've ever played. In contast to many other shmups of that era, this game was a lot more focussed on ad lib bullet dodging, as opposed to the memorization intensive gameplay of other shooters. Hell, it rewards reflex based bullet weaving even more than most contemporary shooting games.
http://www.genesisproject.co.uk/Genesis/T/TwinCobra.gif

Also, I think that it was one of the most influential games in the genre, as it *cough* inspired Seibu to make their Raiden series.

The best version of this game is included in TOAPLAN SHOOTING BATTLE VOL 1 for the PS1. I've had it for a while, but I've sold it off a while ago. I'll probably stick to the Genesis or X MAME version for now.;)

There was an incredibly dissapointing sequel(Kyuukyokyo Tiger 2)released for the Taito F3 and Saturn, done by the team to who went on to make Mars Matrix. It's probably the most shoddy and uninspired piece of software I've ever seen, maybe even worse than that Matrix game.
http://roms.mame.dk/png/ktiger2.png
And fans of this game in here?

Oh hell yes. Twin Cobra is one of my favorites...it's one of those rare older shoot-em-ups that remains just as playable as many modern ones. I bought Kyukyoku Tiger for the PC Engine first, but I had to get TSBV1 for the Tate mode.

I can't wait to play Fire Shark...it seems to be the spiritual successor to Twin Cobra.

Don't forget to visit the high score thread.

I'm a big fan of the game. I spent many hours and quarters on it in my local arcade way back when. It was the first overhead shooter I was able to play through all the levels without losing a ship/chopper. Awesome game.

I'm a fan of Tiger Heli and Twin Cobra. I have the MD version of Kyuukyoku although I think the PCE version is slightly superior.

A similar series worth checking out is Seta's Twin Eagle. The first game was okay but from what I remember Twin Eagle 2 was awesome.

Cigs: I've played Fire Shark for the Genesis, and it's a pretty bland game. Flying Shark, however, is really awesome.;)

Fire Shark on Genesis owns Twin Cobra in every way. I was so disappointed when I played the Genny rev of TC. The graphics are very bland, no parallax, and uninspired gameplay. Fire Shark was much better.

Yes, Toplan made some great games. Check out their arcade game Snow Bros. and tell 'em Zerodash sent 'ya!

Kyuukyoku Tiger 2 is decent, but in some ways it does pale against Twin Cobra and the Raidens.

TC reminded me of Flying Shark at first glance, but I found it to be a far better game with the weapon select system.

Fire Shark is a decent game on the Genesis. MAME does the arcade one but unfortunately without sound. Fire Shark looks like it's based more off Truxton than the original Flying Shark. When you get the red fire weapon powered up, you'll be kicking ass.

I've got Twin Eagle 2- this one has some elements of the first but is a bit like Xevious in that you now drop bombs on ground targets. During boss battles, the computer will automatically pivot your helicopter to keep your guns aimed at the boss. Bomb one building and others nearby it may topple.

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Originally Posted by Melf

Fire Shark on Genesis owns Twin Cobra in every way. I was so disappointed when I played the Genny rev of TC. The graphics are very bland, no parallax, and uninspired gameplay. Fire Shark was much better.

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I wouldn't judge Twin Cobra by the Genesis rev. No parallax and "bland" graphics perhaps, but the gameplay is far from uninspired. It really is an amazing game once you get into it.

As for Fire Shark, I briefly looked at it in mame, but it was really choppy on my PC so I can't judge it yet. Looked good though, and I'm going to save it for when I can get the PCB.

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Cigs: I've played Fire Shark for the Genesis, and it's a pretty bland game. Flying Shark, however, is really awesome.

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I've only played Flying (Sky) Shark via the NES port, so I'm in no position to accurately judge this one either. It does seem to owe more to Tiger Heli than Cobra however. I much prefer the TC/FS style.

I'm not judging the arcade by any means. The arcade rev was pretty cool from what I remember. It's just that the Genesis port wasn't too good.