Shooters (side-scrolling & top-down)

This one started it all for me.
Known as the Salamander series in Japan. You can get a PSP import of all the games int he series.

Includes the first 4 Gradius games and Gradius Gaiden.

All 3 classic Raiden games. Raiden reminds me of Ikari Warriors with planes.

Best GCN shooter. Enemies shoot either black or white bullets. You can switch your ship between black or white absorption at will. Adds a nice change to typical shooters.

Very nice update of the classic game. Enemies appear on the top and bottom screens, and they drop power ups which change your weapon type.