Ten of the best freeware remakes from last year which involves firing shots at foreign objects.
[Top 50 shmups page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4, the entire list]

1. The Pyramid
2. Counterclockwise
3. G-Force
4. Typhoon 2001
5. Gravitron
6. Thrust Xtreme
7. Nemesis
8. Archaist
9. Saucelifter
10. Alien Abduction

1. The Pyramid

In The Pyramid, your objective is to guide a protective capsule through the corridors of a pyramid while shooting at any object with the intent to harm. Sacrifice your enemies to the level guardian to open a new passage in each room.

A pretty good remake by Chris Roper, with nothing less than four control options made available to the player. Plenty of additional accessibility functions have been included, such as a difficulty setting, an autofire toggle, display modes, everything but the kitchen sink apparently. Having a monster book to record your previous encounters with the denizens of the sacred tomb is a very nice touch as well.

Name: The Pyramid
Developer: Chris Roper
Size: 3.82 MB
Direct download link: Click here
Other shooters by Chris: Super Blazing Vortex, Ambush in Sector 9, Project Microlife, Revenge of the Robot Cat from Mars

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2. Counterclockwise

Counterclockwise is a perfect demonstration of the quality of entries submitted to the Retro Remakes competition this year. Essentially Tron in 3D, this remake puts you in a ship that leaves a trail during flight. Your basic objective is to destroy enemy chasers, either by shooting at them or using the EMPs supplied.

Ammunition is limited, but it's possible to replenish them by collecting power-ups or executing tricks. These special moves can be practiced in a special trick trainer section. A multi-player is currently being developed, although the online high score table has already been implemented in the current version.

Name: Counterclockwise
Developer: Nenad
Size: 7.07 MB
Direct download link: Click here

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3. G-Force

G-Force is a brilliant remake that plays very much like a flat 2D Tempest, in which enemies rain down from the top of the screen in an attempt to crash into your ship. Press the Z or Y key to shoot, and tap the X key to activate the special weapon. Only two directional arrow keys are ever needed, and use of the superzapper is only allowed once in each level.

Name: G-Force
Developer: Oddbob
Size: 11.1 MB
Direct download link: Click here
Other shooters by Oddbob: Beast Invaders 2

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4. Typhoon 2001

Anyone familiar with Tempest would definitely be interested in Typhoon 2001. Use the left and right arrow keys to move the ship around the stage, and hold the space key to shoot. A superzapper can be used by pressing the enter key. Avoid spikes when warping to the next level.

Not a standard vertical or horizontal shooter but quite simply one of the best freeware Tempest remake yet. Ace, indeed.

Name: Typhoon 2001
Developer: Thorsten Kuphaldt
Size: 3.09 MB
Download page: http://typhoon.kuto.de/download.html

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5. Gravitron

The creator of Prototype and Xain'D Sleena returns with a brand new shooter entitled Gravitron, though this one requires a little more tact as it is actually based on Thrust. Instead of transporting pods into the skies you now have to destroy reactors while saving any spacemen wandering on the surface of the planet.

Switch to mouse controls by pressing the tab key when the main menu is shown. Activate the shields next to a fuel pod to fill up your tank. Progress is saved using a pass phrase, plus the nifty level editor facilitate user creations quite well. Expect more content to be posted in the near future.

Name: Gravitron
Developer: X-Out
Size: 5.70 MB
Direct download link: Click here

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6. Thrust Xtreme

From the creator of Grid Assault comes Thrust Xtreme, a remake featuring updated graphics but with Wiebo's distinct style from his earlier effort intact. The menu and sprite designs are instantly recognizable, though gameplay is slightly sedated with precise key presses a vital ingredient for success.

Your ship has limited fuel which can be replenished by activating your tractor beam near any of the fuel tanks. Balance is required to hover in one spot while staying close to ground objects.

The objective of the game is to attach a rope to the round object found in each level, then carry them out safely into space in order to progress. Some players might be discouraged by the difficulty or awkward controls, though fans of the original will definitely be delighted with this production.

Name: Thrust Xtreme
Developer: Wiebo de Wit
Size: 3.02 MB
Direct download link: Click here

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7. Nemesis

The Nemesis remake from Ovine by Design is a shooter that looks great and plays just like the original.

One of the very few Retro Remakes 2006 Competition entries that is actually better than it's predecessor, which is quite an achievement considering that Konami's classic is a tough act to follow.

Name: Nemesis
Developer: Ovine by Design
Size: 7.51 MB
Download page: Click here

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8. Archaist

Archaist could not be any more different than it's predecessor, yet manages to retain every defining element of the original. Your mission is basically to search each area of the map for artifacts in the shape of floppy disks and time capsules. These objects should then be deposited at a base or station in order to earn an advancement in your designated rank.

It takes a bit of effort to learn the controls, fortunately the difficulty level can be adjusted to your liking. Rather frustrating at times as well, due to the fact that the number of artifacts collected are halved if you lose a ship. There's no save game function though all these are just minor nitpicks.

A remake that even the original author would approve of. Includes a Pastfinder theme which can be selected from the main menu.

Name: Archaist
Developer: Michi
Size: 9.03 MB
Platforms: PC, Mac
Direct download link: Click here

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9. Saucelifter

Saucelifter is a brilliant Choplifter remake featuring vector graphics for enemy vehicles, turrets and buildings. Press the Z or C key to shoot in either direction, or hold the X key to aim downwards. The landing gears will appear automatically when your ship approaches the ground.

The aim of the game is basically to grab up to eight hostages at any one time and transport them to the teleporter on the right. Land right next to it and they will exit the ship and walk onto the platform automatically.

Name: Saucelifter
Developer: Paul Pridham
Size: 2.17 MB
Direct download link: Click here

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10. Alien Abduction

Alien Abduction is a decent Defender clone by Pumpkin Games, featuring 3D graphics but retaining 2D gameplay from the classic. Your objective in each level is to destroy all alien ships while protecting as many energy crystals as you possibly can.

The radar will be helpful to keep track of all the action, while power-ups appear rather frequently and can be collected for a temporary firepower upgrade. Fuel has to be replenished from time to time by hovering your craft over a fuel depot usually identifiable by it's red or pink glow.

Name: Alien Abduction
Developer: Pumpkin Games
Size: 3.57 MB
Platforms: PC, Mac
Direct download link: Click here

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Notable mentions: Gridfire, Solar Striker Remake, Demon Attack, Star Wars, Chronos - A Tapestry in Time

Labels: shmup2006