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.
A classic top-down arcade shooter where you blast alone through swarms of aliens in an infested research base. Light RPG elements like weapon purchases and stat upgrades add some long-term motivation.
2003PCPlayStation5.19 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 3,961 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Action-packed real-time combat
A classic top-down arcade shooter where you blast alone through swarms of aliens in an infested research base. Light RPG elements like weapon purchases and stat upgrades add some long-term motivation.
A frantic twin-stick arcade shooter from Housemarque and Eugene Jarvis built around high scores, precise dodging and short, intense runs. Voxel explosions and tight controls make every run a spectacle.
2017PCPlayStation87 % positive
Very positive, 2,123 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Lavish presentation
Runs that play out differently every time
A frantic twin-stick arcade shooter from Housemarque and Eugene Jarvis built around high scores, precise dodging and short, intense runs. Voxel explosions and tight controls make every run a spectacle.
A punishing top-down roguelike shooter where you fight through hordes of robots with detailed, hands-on gun handling such as manual reloads, jams and recoil. Each run brings new weapons and upgrades, and it can be played in co-op.
2018PCSteam Deck playable−75 %19.99 € 4.99 € 7 days left94 % positive
Very positive, 10,146 reviews on Steam
Runs that play out differently every time
Sci-fi setting
Action-packed real-time combat
A punishing top-down roguelike shooter where you fight through hordes of robots with detailed, hands-on gun handling such as manual reloads, jams and recoil. Each run brings new weapons and upgrades, and it can be played in co-op.
A classic 1994 vertical scrolling arcade shooter where you fly the Raptor as a mercenary, earning cash to buy and upgrade weapons between missions. Fast action, swarms of enemies and a driving soundtrack define the experience.
1994PC3.15 €89 % positive
Very positive, 215 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
Sci-fi setting
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
A classic 1994 vertical scrolling arcade shooter where you fly the Raptor as a mercenary, earning cash to buy and upgrade weapons between missions. Fast action, swarms of enemies and a driving soundtrack define the experience.
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 classic 90s vertical space shooter where you customize your ship between levels with a wide range of weapons and upgrades. It offers fast action, a tongue-in-cheek tone and a memorable soundtrack.
A classic 90s vertical space shooter where you customize your ship between levels with a wide range of weapons and upgrades. It offers fast action, a tongue-in-cheek tone and a memorable soundtrack.
A classic side-scrolling shoot'em up where you pilot the Silver Hawk against giant mechanical fish bosses, with branching stage routes. Upgradable weapons and the new black hole bomb drive intense arcade action.
A classic side-scrolling shoot'em up where you pilot the Silver Hawk against giant mechanical fish bosses, with branching stage routes. Upgradable weapons and the new black hole bomb drive intense arcade action.
A classic 1986 vertical space shooter in which you pilot a fighter against a hostile artificial intelligence. Eight special weapons and fast arcade action define the experience.
A classic 1986 vertical space shooter in which you pilot a fighter against a hostile artificial intelligence. Eight special weapons and fast arcade action define the experience.
A classic bullet-hell shooter from the Touhou series where you pilot one of two heroines, each with three weapon types, through dense bullet patterns. It is known for its tight handling, spellcard boss fights and memorable music.
A classic bullet-hell shooter from the Touhou series where you pilot one of two heroines, each with three weapon types, through dense bullet patterns. It is known for its tight handling, spellcard boss fights and memorable music.
Tyrian 2000 is a fast-paced shoot 'em up where you pilot a starship through waves of enemies and upgrade it with front, rear and side weapons. Earn credits between levels to buy new guns and then blast even more foes.
Tyrian 2000 is a fast-paced shoot 'em up where you pilot a starship through waves of enemies and upgrade it with front, rear and side weapons. Earn credits between levels to buy new guns and then blast even more foes.
Truxton is a classic vertical shoot 'em up from the arcade era, where you pilot a small spaceship through five large levels packed with enemy waves. With just a shot and a bomb button, you fight through bosses that loop endlessly at higher difficulties.
1988PC7.79 €94 % positive
Very positive, 105 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Challenging difficulty
Action-packed real-time combat
Truxton is a classic vertical shoot 'em up from the arcade era, where you pilot a small spaceship through five large levels packed with enemy waves. With just a shot and a bomb button, you fight through bosses that loop endlessly at higher difficulties.
A fast arcade bullet-hell shooter with three ships and multiple modes ranging from beginner-friendly to brutal. The Break Meter for bombs and power-ups rewards aggressive, risky play.
2014PCSteam Deck playable93 % positive
Very positive, 1,478 reviews on Steam
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Action-packed real-time combat
Challenging difficulty
A fast arcade bullet-hell shooter with three ships and multiple modes ranging from beginner-friendly to brutal. The Break Meter for bombs and power-ups rewards aggressive, risky play.
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 defend Earth in a chaotic third-person shooter against giant bugs and alien machines, ideally with up to four players in co-op. Its campy B-movie charm and sheer scale of destruction make the series stand out.
2022PCPlayStationNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable−56 %59.99 € 26.39 € until tomorrow69 % positive
Mixed, 6,281 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Playing together in co-op
Action-packed real-time combat
You defend Earth in a chaotic third-person shooter against giant bugs and alien machines, ideally with up to four players in co-op. Its campy B-movie charm and sheer scale of destruction make the series stand out.
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.
A classic vertical shmup where you dodge waves of enemy planes and bullets while blasting tanks with bombs and cannons. Perfect if you want punchy arcade action and chasing high scores.
A classic vertical shmup where you dodge waves of enemy planes and bullets while blasting tanks with bombs and cannons. Perfect if you want punchy arcade action and chasing high scores.
A free top-down co-op shooter from Valve where a squad of four marines with distinct classes fights through hordes of aliens. Teamwork, loadouts and unlockable weapons drive frantic, tactical firefights.
2010PCSteam Deck playablefree94 % positive
Very positive, 21,663 reviews on Steam
Co-op or multiplayer
Playing together in co-op
Sci-fi setting
A free top-down co-op shooter from Valve where a squad of four marines with distinct classes fights through hordes of aliens. Teamwork, loadouts and unlockable weapons drive frantic, tactical firefights.
A grotesque twin-stick roguelike set in randomly generated basements, where countless bizarre items transform Isaac in wildly different ways each run. Dark, religiously tinged humor meets huge replayability and a wealth of secrets to unlock.
2011PCSteam Deck playable4.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 49,357 reviews on Steam
Runs that play out differently every time
Dark, serious atmosphere
Lots to discover
A grotesque twin-stick roguelike set in randomly generated basements, where countless bizarre items transform Isaac in wildly different ways each run. Dark, religiously tinged humor meets huge replayability and a wealth of secrets to unlock.
A frantic arcade plane shooter from Vlambeer where you mix and match weapons, bodies and engines to take down aircraft and ships. Punchy feel, a stylish sepia look and relentless high-score chasing keep you coming back.
2014PCPlayStationSteam Deck playable9.75 €91 % positive
Very positive, 3,410 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
Distinctive, stylised art style
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
A frantic arcade plane shooter from Vlambeer where you mix and match weapons, bodies and engines to take down aircraft and ships. Punchy feel, a stylish sepia look and relentless high-score chasing keep you coming back.
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.
You pilot one of three STORK ships through six stages drowned in bullets and screen-filling bosses. The Rolling Gun and replay and training modes make this bullet hell shooter a demanding, precisely tunable challenge.
2018PCNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable16.79 €90 % positive
Very positive, 73 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Challenging difficulty
You pilot one of three STORK ships through six stages drowned in bullets and screen-filling bosses. The Rolling Gun and replay and training modes make this bullet hell shooter a demanding, precisely tunable challenge.
A classic bullet-hell shooter where you play Reimu or Marisa, weaving through dense bullet patterns and countering with spell-card bombs. Famed for its memorable music and as the entry that made the Touhou series' Gensokyo setting popular.
A classic bullet-hell shooter where you play Reimu or Marisa, weaving through dense bullet patterns and countering with spell-card bombs. Famed for its memorable music and as the entry that made the Touhou series' Gensokyo setting popular.
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 €94 % positive
Very positive, 1,576 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 frantic top-down Wild West shooter where every hit is lethal. Short, punishing missions reward quick reflexes, careful positioning and plenty of retries.
2015PCNintendo Switch83 % positive
Very positive, 7,369 reviews on Steam
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Distinctive, stylised art style
Challenging difficulty
A frantic top-down Wild West shooter where every hit is lethal. Short, punishing missions reward quick reflexes, careful positioning and plenty of retries.
A classic side-scrolling arcade shooter with 13 upgradeable weapons, selectable side weapons and a charge attack. Demanding boss fights and dense enemy waves are aimed at arcade veterans.
2011PCSteam Deck playable5.89 €85 % positive
Very positive, 183 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Action-packed real-time combat
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
A classic side-scrolling arcade shooter with 13 upgradeable weapons, selectable side weapons and a charge attack. Demanding boss fights and dense enemy waves are aimed at arcade veterans.
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.
An arcade-style space shooter where you fend off waves of aliens, bosses and cosmic hazards like black holes and giant lasers. Twelve game modes keep the action varied.
2012PC4.59 €73 % positive
Mostly positive, 220 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Action-packed real-time combat
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
An arcade-style space shooter where you fend off waves of aliens, bosses and cosmic hazards like black holes and giant lasers. Twelve game modes keep the action varied.
A classic vertical bullet-hell shooter in the spirit of Japanese doujin games, with dense bullet patterns, punishing boss fights and a driving soundtrack. Pure arcade play built on reflexes and pattern recognition.
2013PCSteam Deck playable4.99 €92 % positive
Very positive, 365 reviews on Steam
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Challenging difficulty
Action-packed real-time combat
A classic vertical bullet-hell shooter in the spirit of Japanese doujin games, with dense bullet patterns, punishing boss fights and a driving soundtrack. Pure arcade play built on reflexes and pattern recognition.
A classic bullet-hell shooter where you play as a pair of characters weaving through dense bullet patterns. Distinct shot types when focused versus unfocused and the unique Last Spell attacks add variety and a steep challenge.
A classic bullet-hell shooter where you play as a pair of characters weaving through dense bullet patterns. Distinct shot types when focused versus unfocused and the unique Last Spell attacks add variety and a steep challenge.
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, 4,952 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 1982 arcade classic and the sequel to Centipede: using a trackball and a fire button, you blast a descending millipede and other bugs. It is all about high scores, reflexes and frantic, fast rounds.
A 1982 arcade classic and the sequel to Centipede: using a trackball and a fire button, you blast a descending millipede and other bugs. It is all about high scores, reflexes and frantic, fast rounds.
A classic bullet-hell shooter from the Touhou series where you pick a character with distinct shot types and weave through dense, elaborate bullet patterns. The Cherry Point scoring system rewards risky play, backed by a famously beloved soundtrack.
A classic bullet-hell shooter from the Touhou series where you pick a character with distinct shot types and weave through dense, elaborate bullet patterns. The Cherry Point scoring system rewards risky play, backed by a famously beloved soundtrack.
A frantic arcade shooter where everything, including you, dies in one hit. You reload one gun by firing the other while facing adaptive demons and bosses in trap-filled arenas.
2017PCSteam Deck playable7.99 €92 % positive
Very positive, 306 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Challenging difficulty
A frantic arcade shooter where everything, including you, dies in one hit. You reload one gun by firing the other while facing adaptive demons and bosses in trap-filled arenas.
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 €82 % positive
Very positive, 941 reviews on Steam
Dark, serious atmosphere
Lavish presentation
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 punchy 2D space shooter with physics-driven flight, roguelike structure and a look inspired by 80s mecha anime. Intense dogfights demand quick reflexes and smart resource management.
A punchy 2D space shooter with physics-driven flight, roguelike structure and a look inspired by 80s mecha anime. Intense dogfights demand quick reflexes and smart resource management.
A classic side-scrolling shoot 'em up that became a cult name thanks to the infamous Mega Drive translation and the "All your base are belong to us" meme. Its signature twist is grabbing enemies with a tractor beam and using them as shields.
1989PCSteam Deck verified7.79 €87 % positive
Very positive, 53 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Action-packed real-time combat
A classic side-scrolling shoot 'em up that became a cult name thanks to the infamous Mega Drive translation and the "All your base are belong to us" meme. Its signature twist is grabbing enemies with a tractor beam and using them as shields.
A classic Irem side-scrolling arcade shooter where you pilot a submarine through hostile waters. Detailed pixel art, explosive action and punishing difficulty define the experience.
A classic Irem side-scrolling arcade shooter where you pilot a submarine through hostile waters. Detailed pixel art, explosive action and punishing difficulty define the experience.
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 playable9.75 €91 % positive
Very positive, 968 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.
2010PCXboxfree87 % positive
Very positive, 12,053 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.
You plummet down a well with gun boots, blasting enemies while collecting gems. This minimalist roguelike thrives on fast reflexes, precise air control, and a striking limited-palette look.
You plummet down a well with gun boots, blasting enemies while collecting gems. This minimalist roguelike thrives on fast reflexes, precise air control, and a striking limited-palette look.
An arcade-style bullet-hell shooter set on a 17th-century colonial Mars, blending British colonial history with science fiction. It stands out for its lovingly crafted pixel art and co-op play for up to four players.
2011PC94 % positive
Very positive, 2,341 reviews on Steam
Co-op or multiplayer
Playing together in co-op
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
An arcade-style bullet-hell shooter set on a 17th-century colonial Mars, blending British colonial history with science fiction. It stands out for its lovingly crafted pixel art and co-op play for up to four players.
A classic vertical 2D shooter in the vein of Raiden and Twin Cobra, built around arcade action, reflexes and dodging bullets. A no-frills retro throwback from the makers of Gigantic Army and Satazius.
2016PCNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable5.89 €87 % positive
Very positive, 108 reviews on Steam
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Sci-fi setting
Action-packed real-time combat
A classic vertical 2D shooter in the vein of Raiden and Twin Cobra, built around arcade action, reflexes and dodging bullets. A no-frills retro throwback from the makers of Gigantic Army and Satazius.
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 €84 % positive
Very positive, 999 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Action-packed real-time combat
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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 €90 % positive
Very positive, 1,194 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 € 5 days left91 % positive
Very positive, 236 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 classic Touhou bullet-hell shooter where you weave through dense danmaku patterns as a shrine maiden. The Faith-meter scoring system and memorable soundtrack make it a fan favorite.
A classic Touhou bullet-hell shooter where you weave through dense danmaku patterns as a shrine maiden. The Faith-meter scoring system and memorable soundtrack make it a fan favorite.
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 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.
Shoot 'em ups boil action down to moving, shooting and reading patterns. Most are built around short, repeatable runs, so you get better by learning where enemies appear and where the gaps in the bullets are. The list covers a wide range, from 1980s and 1990s arcade-style games to modern takes that mix in roguelike or platforming ideas.
Start by deciding how you want to play. If you like the classic arcade feel, Galaga and Raiden are simple, old-school examples of the genre. If you want something more atmospheric on PlayStation, Einhänder is tagged for its soundtrack and stylish look. For modern, colorful arcade action with co-op, Resogun is a good pick, and Nex Machina is tagged as stylish with a great soundtrack.
Also consider how much you want the genre to change shape. Enter the Gungeon combines shooting with roguelike runs, a comedic tone and co-op, so each attempt plays differently. Cuphead mixes shooting with platforming and parrying in a hand-drawn style, and it also offers co-op. Nearly every game here is tagged Difficult, so expect to lose often and treat each failure as practice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best shoot 'em up for beginners?
Galaga is a good starting point because it is a simple, classic shooter from 1981. Enter the Gungeon is another option if you prefer a roguelike structure with co-op, though it is tagged as difficult.
Which shoot 'em ups can you play in co-op?
Resogun, Aero Fighters, Enter the Gungeon, Cuphead and Synthetik: Legion Rising are all tagged with co-op. Resogun is also tagged as multiplayer.
Which shoot 'em ups have the best soundtracks?
Nex Machina, Einhänder and Raptor: Call of the Shadows are all tagged with a great soundtrack. Nex Machina is the most modern of the three, while the other two are 1990s games.
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