So, just today I was watching a Darius Force (Super Nova) run on YouTube, and it dawned on my that neither of the SNES Darius games are really all that good compared to the PC Engine ports, and even Sagaia (Darius II) on Genesis. The PC Engine was really the platform for those earliest Darius titles. And while Darius did make it to 3D, it has followed the same slow pace for sequels that the other once-landmark shooter series have. Latest title in 2009, and before that, 2002 and 1997. R-Type and Gradius have had the same indignity. Makes me wonder if there's room in the modern pantheon for these classic, non-danmaku-style games. Heck, Gradius V moved somewhat close to danmaku territory.
Thoughts?