Dodge, shoot, survive: games where you fight through waves of enemies and bullets, from classic space shooters to bullet hell.
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How to find games that really suit you:
Select up to 5 games you have played and enjoyed. Playalike compares 36 traits such as combat, story and atmosphere and suggests games that hit exactly the same spot, even across genres.
A tough, pun-filled bullet-hell roguelike where you dodge-roll and flip tables through procedural floors with hundreds of wildly creative guns. Every run plays differently, and mastering the dense projectile patterns is deeply rewarding.
A brutally tough boss-rush shooter animated like a 1930s cartoon, where precise dodging, parrying and shooting decide every fight. A swinging big-band jazz score and local co-op round it out.
A classic arcade shooter where you pilot a fighter along the bottom of the screen and blast waves of insect-like aliens. The tractor beam that captures your ship, which you can rescue for double firepower, gives it its hook.
A tough, pun-filled bullet-hell roguelike where you dodge-roll and flip tables through procedural floors with hundreds of wildly creative guns. Every run plays differently, and mastering the dense projectile patterns is deeply rewarding.
A tough, pun-filled bullet-hell roguelike where you dodge-roll and flip tables through procedural floors with hundreds of wildly creative guns. Every run plays differently, and mastering the dense projectile patterns is deeply rewarding.
A brutally tough boss-rush shooter animated like a 1930s cartoon, where precise dodging, parrying and shooting decide every fight. A swinging big-band jazz score and local co-op round it out.
A brutally tough boss-rush shooter animated like a 1930s cartoon, where precise dodging, parrying and shooting decide every fight. A swinging big-band jazz score and local co-op round it out.
A classic arcade shooter where you pilot a fighter along the bottom of the screen and blast waves of insect-like aliens. The tractor beam that captures your ship, which you can rescue for double firepower, gives it its hook.
A classic arcade shooter where you pilot a fighter along the bottom of the screen and blast waves of insect-like aliens. The tractor beam that captures your ship, which you can rescue for double firepower, gives it its hook.
Cygni is a twin-stick vertical shoot-em-up with a cinematic flair. You fight through a relentless flood of enemies while bold visuals and loud soundscapes keep the pressure high.
Cygni is a twin-stick vertical shoot-em-up with a cinematic flair. You fight through a relentless flood of enemies while bold visuals and loud soundscapes keep the pressure high.
An Xbox arcade space shooter where you fend off an Araxian invasion solo or with up to three friends. Insane mode offers bigger rewards but lives up to its punishing name.
An Xbox arcade space shooter where you fend off an Araxian invasion solo or with up to three friends. Insane mode offers bigger rewards but lives up to its punishing name.
A frantic top-down roguelike shooter where Isaac fires tears through randomly generated basements. Hundreds of items stack into wild combinations, making every run different and grotesquely strange.
A frantic top-down roguelike shooter where Isaac fires tears through randomly generated basements. Hundreds of items stack into wild combinations, making every run different and grotesquely strange.
Earthion is an upcoming shoot-'em-up built in the spirit of classic Mega Drive arcade shooters, with physical retro releases planned. You get old-school arcade action with retro charm and a 16:9 version for modern platforms.
2025PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified17.99 €95 % positive
Very positive, 485 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Distinctive, stylised art style
Action-packed real-time combat
Earthion is an upcoming shoot-'em-up built in the spirit of classic Mega Drive arcade shooters, with physical retro releases planned. You get old-school arcade action with retro charm and a 16:9 version for modern platforms.
You fly a plane through waves of enemies and bullets in an alternate postwar world full of mechs and rockets. It rewards quick reflexes, dodging and collecting power-ups.
1995PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck playable91 % positive
Very positive, 224 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
You fly a plane through waves of enemies and bullets in an alternate postwar world full of mechs and rockets. It rewards quick reflexes, dodging and collecting power-ups.
You pilot your fighter through relentless alien waves in a modernized take on the classic Galaga arcade shooter. Hitting enemy weak spots earns bonuses and fuels the chase for a huge score.
You pilot your fighter through relentless alien waves in a modernized take on the classic Galaga arcade shooter. Hitting enemy weak spots earns bonuses and fuels the chase for a huge score.
Habroxia is an arcade-style scrolling shooter where you fight through fifteen levels of alien incursions, boss battles and rescue missions. Customizing your ship and unlocking endless side modes gives the classic shoot-em-up loop some extra variety.
Habroxia is an arcade-style scrolling shooter where you fight through fifteen levels of alien incursions, boss battles and rescue missions. Customizing your ship and unlocking endless side modes gives the classic shoot-em-up loop some extra variety.
A frantic pixel-art space shmup blending roguelike elements: randomized stages, a large weapon arsenal and punishing boss fights make every run feel different.
2015PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck playable12.99 €87 % positive
Very positive, 619 reviews on Steam
Runs that play out differently every time
Sci-fi setting
Action-packed real-time combat
A frantic pixel-art space shmup blending roguelike elements: randomized stages, a large weapon arsenal and punishing boss fights make every run feel different.
A fast isometric arcade shooter where you blast through swarms of eldritch horrors with a hefty arsenal. Quick reflexes and constant movement are key, wrapped in a grim dark-fantasy look.
2024PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified14.79 €93 % positive
Very positive, 1,827 reviews on Steam
Dark, serious atmosphere
Action-packed real-time combat
Fantasy setting
A fast isometric arcade shooter where you blast through swarms of eldritch horrors with a hefty arsenal. Quick reflexes and constant movement are key, wrapped in a grim dark-fantasy look.
An arcade twin-stick shooter where your own music library drives the enemy waves and your ship's firepower. Every song creates a unique, chaotic and flashy experience.
2009PCXbox9.75 €95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 5,075 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Distinctive, stylised art style
An arcade twin-stick shooter where your own music library drives the enemy waves and your ship's firepower. Every song creates a unique, chaotic and flashy experience.
A 1982 arcade classic in which you pilot the Solvalou fighter through vertically scrolling waves of alien enemies, shooting air targets and bombing ground ones at once. It was a pioneering title for the shoot-'em-up genre.
A 1982 arcade classic in which you pilot the Solvalou fighter through vertically scrolling waves of alien enemies, shooting air targets and bombing ground ones at once. It was a pioneering title for the shoot-'em-up genre.
A frantic twin-stick arena shooter where you play police android Cactus, blasting hordes of malfunctioning robots and chaining combos. Features a bright, stylish look, a roster of androids with distinct weapons, and up to four-player co-op.
2015PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck verified16.79 €94 % positive
Very positive, 1,328 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Playing together in co-op
Distinctive, stylised art style
A frantic twin-stick arena shooter where you play police android Cactus, blasting hordes of malfunctioning robots and chaining combos. Features a bright, stylish look, a roster of androids with distinct weapons, and up to four-player co-op.
A humorous, extremely bloody run-and-gun platformer in which mobster Vinnie Cannoli blasts his way through World War 2 battlefields. Fast arcade action with over-the-top dark humor, playable in co-op.
2018PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified12.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 4,779 reviews on Steam
Lots of humour
Action-packed real-time combat
Distinctive, stylised art style
A humorous, extremely bloody run-and-gun platformer in which mobster Vinnie Cannoli blasts his way through World War 2 battlefields. Fast arcade action with over-the-top dark humor, playable in co-op.
A gorgeous side-scrolling shmup from Grasshopper and Digital Reality where time is your health and a tool you can slow down. It features huge bosses, a soundtrack by Akira Yamaoka, and a surprisingly dark, fragmented story about anthropomorphic animal pilots.
2012PCPlayStationXbox9.99 €83 % positive
Very positive, 519 reviews on Steam
Lavish presentation
Dark, serious atmosphere
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
A gorgeous side-scrolling shmup from Grasshopper and Digital Reality where time is your health and a tool you can slow down. It features huge bosses, a soundtrack by Akira Yamaoka, and a surprisingly dark, fragmented story about anthropomorphic animal pilots.
A frantic twin-stick arcade shooter where you pilot a geometric ship through a glowing neon grid, fending off swarms of enemies in pursuit of a high score. Simple controls, short rounds and demanding reflexes make it highly addictive.
2005PCXbox91 % positive
Very positive, 1,044 reviews on Steam
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Action-packed real-time combat
Distinctive, stylised art style
A frantic twin-stick arcade shooter where you pilot a geometric ship through a glowing neon grid, fending off swarms of enemies in pursuit of a high score. Simple controls, short rounds and demanding reflexes make it highly addictive.
A classic Konami arcade shooter where you rotate your ship around the edge of the screen, blasting waves of enemies that swoop in from the center. Known for its tube-shooter design and its memorable Bach-based soundtrack.
A classic Konami arcade shooter where you rotate your ship around the edge of the screen, blasting waves of enemies that swoop in from the center. Known for its tube-shooter design and its memorable Bach-based soundtrack.
A Space Invaders-style arcade shooter in which you play Earth's last tank commander, blasting waves of alien invaders as you fight across the Solar System to the Titans' homeworld. Upgrades and simple, addictive action drive the gameplay.
2012PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck playable−47 %9.75 € 5.16 € 7 days left92 % positive
Very positive, 656 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Action-packed real-time combat
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
A Space Invaders-style arcade shooter in which you play Earth's last tank commander, blasting waves of alien invaders as you fight across the Solar System to the Titans' homeworld. Upgrades and simple, addictive action drive the gameplay.
A twin-stick zombie shooter blended with tower defense: you set up barricades and turrets to hold off waves of zombies for as long as you can, solo or in co-op.
2010PCXboxfree86 % positive
Very positive, 12,399 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
A twin-stick zombie shooter blended with tower defense: you set up barricades and turrets to hold off waves of zombies for as long as you can, solo or in co-op.
A vertical arcade shoot 'em up with frantic bullet-dodging action, where you upgrade your plane between missions and replay stages to hit every objective and earn all the stars.
2016PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified9.75 €92 % positive
Very positive, 2,713 reviews on Steam
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Action-packed real-time combat
A vertical arcade shoot 'em up with frantic bullet-dodging action, where you upgrade your plane between missions and replay stages to hit every objective and earn all the stars.
A fast-paced 2D twin-stick shooter with platforming elements where you pilot a spider-tank through hordes of robots. Hacks let you alter enemy behavior, and a tongue-in-cheek tone keeps things light.
2016PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable10.75 €83 % positive
Very positive, 474 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Action-packed real-time combat
Challenging difficulty
A fast-paced 2D twin-stick shooter with platforming elements where you pilot a spider-tank through hordes of robots. Hacks let you alter enemy behavior, and a tongue-in-cheek tone keeps things light.
A fast 2D arcade shooter in the vein of Pang, where exterminator Harry blasts swarms of bugs falling from above in a research facility. Short, intense levels, power-ups and a tongue-in-cheek tone make for quick fun, including co-op.
2016PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable7.99 €87 % positive
Very positive, 663 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Action-packed real-time combat
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
A fast 2D arcade shooter in the vein of Pang, where exterminator Harry blasts swarms of bugs falling from above in a research facility. Short, intense levels, power-ups and a tongue-in-cheek tone make for quick fun, including co-op.
A modern arcade shooter that revamps the classic Space Invaders formula with bonus stages, combo chains and power-ups. Gameplay and music blend into a flashy, pulsing electronic presentation.
2008PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck verified−75 %19.50 € 4.87 € 4 days left86 % positive
Very positive, 257 reviews on Steam
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Distinctive, stylised art style
Sci-fi setting
A modern arcade shooter that revamps the classic Space Invaders formula with bonus stages, combo chains and power-ups. Gameplay and music blend into a flashy, pulsing electronic presentation.
A chaotic arcade shoot'em up where a muscle-bound fish with a terrible memory picks new upgrades every 10 seconds. The frantic randomized pace and goofy humor make every run different.
2014PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck playable3.99 €90 % positive
Very positive, 51 reviews on Steam
Runs that play out differently every time
Lots of humour
Action-packed real-time combat
A chaotic arcade shoot'em up where a muscle-bound fish with a terrible memory picks new upgrades every 10 seconds. The frantic randomized pace and goofy humor make every run different.
A Konami arcade classic where you fly freely in every direction across an endlessly scrolling sky, dogfighting through different eras, from biplanes to jets and futuristic craft.
A Konami arcade classic where you fly freely in every direction across an endlessly scrolling sky, dogfighting through different eras, from biplanes to jets and futuristic craft.
A bright, cartoonish vertical shoot 'em up from Konami where you shoot clouds to reveal bells that power up your ship, with two-player co-op. A charming arcade classic built around short, reflex-driven runs.
A bright, cartoonish vertical shoot 'em up from Konami where you shoot clouds to reveal bells that power up your ship, with two-player co-op. A charming arcade classic built around short, reflex-driven runs.
A 2D run-and-gun platformer in the vein of classic Mega Man: as the robot Beck you jump through twelve stages, blast enemies and absorb their powers with a dash attack. It is widely regarded as an uneven execution of its promising concept.
A 2D run-and-gun platformer in the vein of classic Mega Man: as the robot Beck you jump through twelve stages, blast enemies and absorb their powers with a dash attack. It is widely regarded as an uneven execution of its promising concept.
You weave your ship through dense bullet patterns where every millisecond counts. DoDonPachi Resurrection is an uncompromising CAVE shmup with a time-travel plot and a steep difficulty curve.
2008PCXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified−50 %28.99 € 14.49 € 4 days left95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 989 reviews on Steam
Challenging difficulty
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Sci-fi setting
You weave your ship through dense bullet patterns where every millisecond counts. DoDonPachi Resurrection is an uncompromising CAVE shmup with a time-travel plot and a steep difficulty curve.
2002PCPlayStationXbox−50 %4.99 € 2.49 € 2 days left91 % positive
A fast, frantic arcade shoot-'em-up with a tongue-in-cheek premise about an overcrowded city invading its neighbour. You pilot a ship through waves of enemies in classic score-chasing style.
2002PCPlayStationXbox−50 %4.99 € 2.49 € 2 days left91 % positive
Very positive, 552 reviews on Steam
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Distinctive, stylised art style
Action-packed real-time combat
A fast, frantic arcade shoot-'em-up with a tongue-in-cheek premise about an overcrowded city invading its neighbour. You pilot a ship through waves of enemies in classic score-chasing style.
BroodStar is an arcade shoot-em-up with roguelike twists, where you fight through swarms of alien creatures gathering upgrades along the way. Each run builds your ship up against towering bosses on the way to destroying the living planet at the heart of the story.
2020PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable8.99 €93 % positive
Very positive, 82 reviews on Steam
Runs that play out differently every time
Sci-fi setting
Challenging difficulty
BroodStar is an arcade shoot-em-up with roguelike twists, where you fight through swarms of alien creatures gathering upgrades along the way. Each run builds your ship up against towering bosses on the way to destroying the living planet at the heart of the story.
Deathsmiles is a relentless CAVE bullet-hell shooter where you play as one of five angels defending a magical kingdom from demonic invaders. Its appeal lies in weaving through dense walls of projectiles with razor-sharp dodging.
2007PCXboxSteam Deck verified−50 %19.50 € 9.75 € 4 days left95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 578 reviews on Steam
Fantasy setting
Challenging difficulty
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Deathsmiles is a relentless CAVE bullet-hell shooter where you play as one of five angels defending a magical kingdom from demonic invaders. Its appeal lies in weaving through dense walls of projectiles with razor-sharp dodging.
You pilot your starship through waves of enemies and projectiles, picking from a range of weapons in this modernized take on the classic side-scrolling shooter. Its 3D-rendered stages keep the demanding, pattern-reading gameplay of the original intact.
You pilot your starship through waves of enemies and projectiles, picking from a range of weapons in this modernized take on the classic side-scrolling shooter. Its 3D-rendered stages keep the demanding, pattern-reading gameplay of the original intact.
You pilot a fighter through waves of bullets and massive mech enemies in this vertically scrolling arcade shmup. It is a tight, demanding shoot 'em up that rewards repeated attempts with sharper reflexes.
1997PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck playable93 % positive
Very positive, 140 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Action-packed real-time combat
You pilot a fighter through waves of bullets and massive mech enemies in this vertically scrolling arcade shmup. It is a tight, demanding shoot 'em up that rewards repeated attempts with sharper reflexes.
You pilot planes and ships through waves of enemies in an alternate World War II timeline, in the spirit of Capcom's classic 194X vertical shooters. It pairs the familiar top-down shoot-'em-up action with a full 3D engine.
You pilot planes and ships through waves of enemies in an alternate World War II timeline, in the spirit of Capcom's classic 194X vertical shooters. It pairs the familiar top-down shoot-'em-up action with a full 3D engine.
You play a friendly but deadly mech searching for your missing pilot, tearing through hordes of hostile AI in fast roguelite runs. Between missions you upgrade weapons, plugins and skills, and even customize your look.
2023PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable−90 %9.99 € 0.99 € 10 days left68 % positive
Mixed, 215 reviews on Steam
Runs that play out differently every time
Strong character progression
Sci-fi setting
You play a friendly but deadly mech searching for your missing pilot, tearing through hordes of hostile AI in fast roguelite runs. Between missions you upgrade weapons, plugins and skills, and even customize your look.
You man a laser cannon at the bottom of the screen and blast incoming meteors, spinning bombs and other debris before they slip past. Meteors split into smaller fragments when hit, turning every wave into a fast, score-chasing scramble.
You man a laser cannon at the bottom of the screen and blast incoming meteors, spinning bombs and other debris before they slip past. Meteors split into smaller fragments when hit, turning every wave into a fast, score-chasing scramble.
A fast twin-stick shooter where you play as a brain piloting robot bodies, constantly scavenging weapons and parts from fallen enemies to craft new builds. Features permadeath and co-op for up to four players.
A fast twin-stick shooter where you play as a brain piloting robot bodies, constantly scavenging weapons and parts from fallen enemies to craft new builds. Features permadeath and co-op for up to four players.
You fight your way through hordes of grotesque flesh beasts in this bullet hell dungeon crawler, switching between a wide arsenal of guns, giant mechs and adorable kittens. Its charm lies in the clash between chaotic carnage and absurd cuteness.
2022PCPlayStationXboxNintendo Switch14.99 €65 % positive
Mixed, 82 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Action-packed real-time combat
Distinctive, stylised art style
You fight your way through hordes of grotesque flesh beasts in this bullet hell dungeon crawler, switching between a wide arsenal of guns, giant mechs and adorable kittens. Its charm lies in the clash between chaotic carnage and absurd cuteness.
A frantic pixel-art arcade shooter where you fend off wave after wave of alien creatures. Quick reflexes and smart positioning decide whether you survive.
2017PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck playable−80 %7.79 € 1.55 € 7 days left84 % positive
Very positive, 1,089 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Sci-fi setting
A frantic pixel-art arcade shooter where you fend off wave after wave of alien creatures. Quick reflexes and smart positioning decide whether you survive.
A survivor-like set in the Deep Rock universe where a lone dwarf auto-shoots through alien swarms while carving through destructible rock for minerals. Synergizing weapon upgrades and persistent unlocks deliver that one-more-run pull.
2025PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified12.99 €86 % positive
Very positive, 46,640 reviews on Steam
Runs that play out differently every time
Strong character progression
Sci-fi setting
A survivor-like set in the Deep Rock universe where a lone dwarf auto-shoots through alien swarms while carving through destructible rock for minerals. Synergizing weapon upgrades and persistent unlocks deliver that one-more-run pull.
A vertically scrolling shoot-'em-up where you swap between four fighters mid-battle, upgrade your squadron between missions and take down huge alien capital ships in hectic boss fights.
2016PCPlayStationXboxNintendo Switch9.75 €89 % positive
Very positive, 98 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Action-packed real-time combat
A vertically scrolling shoot-'em-up where you swap between four fighters mid-battle, upgrade your squadron between missions and take down huge alien capital ships in hectic boss fights.
A retro arcade shooter inspired by the 8-bit era, mixing classic blasting with modern upgrades and mechanics. Fast reflexes and pixel visuals take center stage.
2018PCPlayStationXboxNintendo Switch84 % positive
Very positive, 64 reviews on Steam
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Sci-fi setting
Action-packed real-time combat
A retro arcade shooter inspired by the 8-bit era, mixing classic blasting with modern upgrades and mechanics. Fast reflexes and pixel visuals take center stage.
A classic 1982 arcade shooter where you fly a jet up a river non-stop, blowing up bridges while managing fuel and dodging enemies. Simple premise with fast, reflex-driven play.
A classic 1982 arcade shooter where you fly a jet up a river non-stop, blowing up bridges while managing fuel and dodging enemies. Simple premise with fast, reflex-driven play.
A cute-yet-brutal top-down roguelike shooter where you play a gun-toting axolotl, blast through animal-themed levels, collect power-ups and raise a squad of baby axolotls.
A cute-yet-brutal top-down roguelike shooter where you play a gun-toting axolotl, blast through animal-themed levels, collect power-ups and raise a squad of baby axolotls.
A fast-paced run'n'gun platformer with roguelike elements, playable solo or with up to four players locally and online. Permanent perks make you stronger after each death, letting you push deeper with every run.
A fast-paced run'n'gun platformer with roguelike elements, playable solo or with up to four players locally and online. Permanent perks make you stronger after each death, letting you push deeper with every run.
You pick either the Grim Reaper or a girl and hunt escaped yokai from limbo to free the souls they have absorbed, then reseal them. It is an intense bullet-hell shooter steeped in Japanese myth and demanding reflexes.
2017PCPlayStationXboxNintendo Switch84 % positive
Very positive, 213 reviews on Steam
Fantasy setting
Challenging difficulty
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
You pick either the Grim Reaper or a girl and hunt escaped yokai from limbo to free the souls they have absorbed, then reseal them. It is an intense bullet-hell shooter steeped in Japanese myth and demanding reflexes.
An arcade shooter where you fight to survive as the Blue Rider in a valley flooded with bullets. It nods to classic console heroes and leans on fast reflexes.
2016PCPlayStationXboxNintendo Switch88 % positive
Very positive, 100 reviews on Steam
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Action-packed real-time combat
Challenging difficulty
An arcade shooter where you fight to survive as the Blue Rider in a valley flooded with bullets. It nods to classic console heroes and leans on fast reflexes.
A twin-stick shooter in the spirit of classic shoot-'em-ups, featuring many enemy types, weapons and power-ups. Fast arcade space action with a solid challenge.
A twin-stick shooter in the spirit of classic shoot-'em-ups, featuring many enemy types, weapons and power-ups. Fast arcade space action with a solid challenge.
A frantic arcade shooter roguelike where you run backwards through waves of enemies and bosses while blasting everything in sight. Destructible environments, wacky weapons and co-op with friends make for chaotic fun.
A frantic arcade shooter roguelike where you run backwards through waves of enemies and bosses while blasting everything in sight. Destructible environments, wacky weapons and co-op with friends make for chaotic fun.
You blast through a series of varied planets in this roguelike shooter, where bullet-hell chaos meets tower defense. You rescue teammates and gather traps to build your defenses.
2019PCXboxNintendo Switch12.49 €91 % positive
Very positive, 122 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Runs that play out differently every time
Action-packed real-time combat
You blast through a series of varied planets in this roguelike shooter, where bullet-hell chaos meets tower defense. You rescue teammates and gather traps to build your defenses.
A roguelite bullet-hell shooter where you fight through randomly generated labyrinths inside a star, weaving through waves of projectiles while collecting weapons and upgrades. Each run feels different thanks to varied item combinations.
2016PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable11.79 €89 % positive
Very positive, 286 reviews on Steam
Runs that play out differently every time
Sci-fi setting
Action-packed real-time combat
A roguelite bullet-hell shooter where you fight through randomly generated labyrinths inside a star, weaving through waves of projectiles while collecting weapons and upgrades. Each run feels different thanks to varied item combinations.
A heavy 2.5D side-scrolling shoot 'em up where you pilot the mecha Therion through grim, metal-soaked sci-fi worlds. Fast, demanding action meets dark aesthetics and a driving metal soundtrack.
2023PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified24.50 €94 % positive
Very positive, 308 reviews on Steam
Dark, serious atmosphere
Sci-fi setting
Action-packed real-time combat
A heavy 2.5D side-scrolling shoot 'em up where you pilot the mecha Therion through grim, metal-soaked sci-fi worlds. Fast, demanding action meets dark aesthetics and a driving metal soundtrack.
A fast-paced 2D side-scrolling shoot-'em-up set in the 1980s, where you play a super cop blasting through gangs and corruption. It's arcade-style, quick and delivered with a wink.
A fast-paced 2D side-scrolling shoot-'em-up set in the 1980s, where you play a super cop blasting through gangs and corruption. It's arcade-style, quick and delivered with a wink.
You fly with a squadron of Luftwaffe aces through a vertically scrolling air war full of bullet hails and boss fights. Grab massive power-ups, time your special abilities, and grow each pilot along their own skill tree.
You fly with a squadron of Luftwaffe aces through a vertically scrolling air war full of bullet hails and boss fights. Grab massive power-ups, time your special abilities, and grow each pilot along their own skill tree.
An early arcade side-scrolling shooter where you fly a jet over rough terrain, firing and dropping bombs while blowing up fuel tanks to keep flying. Its appeal is the constant fuel pressure and precise maneuvering around the landscape.
An early arcade side-scrolling shooter where you fly a jet over rough terrain, firing and dropping bombs while blowing up fuel tanks to keep flying. Its appeal is the constant fuel pressure and precise maneuvering around the landscape.
A fast-paced comic-book shooter platformer where you blast through ever-changing pages, chain combos and collect ink to permanently upgrade your hero. Roguelike and Metroidvania elements add variety and replay value.
2017PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified19.50 €86 % positive
Very positive, 2,024 reviews on Steam
Runs that play out differently every time
Strong character progression
Jumping and platforming
A fast-paced comic-book shooter platformer where you blast through ever-changing pages, chain combos and collect ink to permanently upgrade your hero. Roguelike and Metroidvania elements add variety and replay value.
A neon-soaked reimagining of the Atari classic that blends arcade shooting with bullet hell, demanding that you read boss patterns and audio-visual warnings. It is backed by a driving electronic soundtrack.
2022PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable8.99 €87 % positive
Very positive, 97 reviews on Steam
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Distinctive, stylised art style
Sci-fi setting
A neon-soaked reimagining of the Atari classic that blends arcade shooting with bullet hell, demanding that you read boss patterns and audio-visual warnings. It is backed by a driving electronic soundtrack.
An arcade-style space shooter with roguelike structure: you fly through a randomly generated galaxy, collecting perks and stacking them into outrageous builds to take down the galactic overlords.
An arcade-style space shooter with roguelike structure: you fly through a randomly generated galaxy, collecting perks and stacking them into outrageous builds to take down the galactic overlords.
Shoot 'em ups boil action down to movement, timing and pattern reading. You learn where the bullets will be, find the safe gaps and get a little better each run. On Xbox the list covers a wide range, from arcade classics to roguelike hybrids, so the first thing to decide is how much structure you want around the shooting.
If you like the pure arcade feel, Galaga and Xevious are the old-school picks, both tagged difficult and built around short, repeatable sessions. For a modern take with a stylish look and the classic shmup formula, Cygni: All Guns Blazing and Earthion are good starting points. Both are tagged difficult, so expect to learn through failure. If you prefer variety from run to run, Steredenn mixes shooting with roguelike elements and pixel art, while Enter the Gungeon adds roguelike runs, comedy and co-op.
Also think about who you play with. Aegis Wing is a Xbox-only shmup tagged for co-op and multiplayer, and Beat Hazard is another co-op option with a colorful look and a soundtrack focus. Cuphead is not a pure shmup, but its hand-drawn style and co-op support make it worth a look if you want boss fights with real challenge.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best shoot 'em up on Xbox for beginners?
There is no explicitly easy pick on this list, since most games are tagged difficult. Beat Hazard and Aegis Wing are not tagged that way, so they are reasonable places to start.
Which Xbox shoot 'em ups can I play with a friend?
Aegis Wing and Beat Hazard are both tagged co-op and multiplayer. Enter the Gungeon and Cuphead also support co-op.
Are there classic arcade shmups on Xbox?
Yes. Galaga from 1981 and Xevious from 1982 are both on the list and are tagged as difficult shooters.
Not quite your taste?
Tell us your favourite games and we'll find recommendations that fit you exactly.
