What is a schmup?

[airpirate545]

I've been hearing this word often ever since I joined the community. At first it sounded bad but some "schmups" received praise and such, leaving me udderly confused. So can anyone help me understand what a schmup is?

 

[Urza]

Shoot'em'up.

 

[fischju]

Shoot'em up.

Gradius, Raiden, and R-Type are shmups

 

[GrayFox Cap]

It's a "Shoot Em Up"

Normally a top view of a shooting game where you are a fighter plane/space ship/anime character on a broom shoot vertically. Also can be done horizontally.

Examples: Raiden, R-Type, Giga Wing, Ikaruga, NanoStray, etc

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoot_'em_up

 

[Orc]

SHMUP. SEIHOU!