You're nuts. SSS is really playable and gets hectic especially in the later stages (stage 6, of course) where there's shit flying around everywhere and I find myself hooting and hollering as I avoid projectiles.
Dragon Spirit never was much fun, with an oversized and underpowered main "ship" making the game frustrating to play. The only version of DS that I actually enjoyed (and finished!) was the NES version.
You're both nuts!
SSS is fun (for the reasons Mr. Covell already stated) -- if generic. Yeah, SSS is generic. But it is a competently executed game (mechanics, control, etc.) that really outshines a lot of the standard shooters you'll find on other systems. This is not a testament to SSS's greatness, perhaps, but to the sad lot of generic shooters out there that didn't have the basics nailed down, let alone some polish.
Now, I bought SSS when it first came out and I have to admit that it was a letdown from Blazing Lazers. You see, as far as I was concerned, SSS should have been better than Blazing Lazers since it was the spiritual sequel to it in North America (I think I speak for all Turbo fans of the era when I say that we hoped SSS was going to be "Blazing Lazers II").
Now, Dragon Spirit is a great game as well, despite you naysayers. Yes, if you compared Dragon Spirit to SSS, you'll notice that our dragon friend moves at a slower, more deliberate pace. But once you accept this fact, you're in for a treat. I've already defended the virtues of DS on these boards, so I'll just point out that the Xevious formula that Dragon Spirit heralds from (shooting aerial enemies and bombing terrestrial targets) really adds to the strategy and enjoyment of Dragon Spirit. As far as pure game mechanics are concerned, DS is superior to SSS simply because DS offers more depth, IMO, and not as mindless.
Don't get me wrong, I love mindless shooters. Critics of the genre tease us because they feel that shooters, in general, are vapid. I disagree with this sentiment, but even I appreciate it when a game offers a bit more strategy to stimulate the old gray cells.
At the end of the day, Dragon Spirit, despite the plodding worm, provides a more fulfilling experience than the swifter, "pick-up-and-play", yet more mindless SSS.
Or maybe not.
Runin does a great job choosing games for these match-ups, as far as I am concerned. The list of pros & cons for each title really make it difficult for me to choose a clear victor. I'll have to play them side by side before I cast my vote.
The worm has turned...
