208 games

The best shoot ’em ups

Dodge, shoot, survive: games where you fight through waves of enemies and bullets, from classic space shooters to bullet hell.

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.

  1. 1 Enter the Gungeon

    2016 PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified 14.79 € 95 % positive

    • Action-packed real-time combat
    • Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
    • Runs that play out differently every time

    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.

  2. 2 Cuphead

    2017 PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified 19.99 € 96 % positive

    • Action-packed real-time combat
    • Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
    • Distinctive, stylised art style

    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.

  3. 3 Galaga

    1981 PCXbox

    • Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
    • Action-packed real-time combat
    • Sci-fi setting

    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.

1 Enter the Gungeon

Action-packed real-time combat

2016 PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified 14.79 € 95 % positive

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.

2 Cuphead

Action-packed real-time combat

2017 PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified 19.99 € 96 % positive

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.

3 Galaga

Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)

1981 PCXbox

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.

4 Resogun

Action-packed real-time combat

2013 PlayStation

A frantic arcade shoot 'em up set in destructible voxel worlds, where you rescue survivors and keep your multiplier alive. Great for score chasers, solo or in online co-op.

5 Alien Shooter

Action-packed real-time combat

2003 PCPlayStation 5.19 € 95 % positive

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.

6 Nex Machina

Action-packed real-time combat

2017 PCPlayStation 87 % positive

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.

7 Aero Fighters

Action-packed real-time combat

1992 PlayStation

A classic vertically scrolling arcade shooter with a roster of quirky pilots from different nations whose home countries serve as stages. Fast action, bullet dodging and two-player fun are the focus.

8 Synthetik: Legion Rising

Action-packed real-time combat

2018 PCSteam Deck playable −75 % 19.99 € 4.99 € 8 days left 94 % positive

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.

9 Gradius Origins

Action-packed real-time combat

2025 PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified 39.99 €

A collection of all seven arcade Gradius games in 18 versions, including the Gradius III AM Show Version making its home console debut. Classic side-scrolling shoot-'em-ups with the power-up bar, precise dodging and steep difficulty.

10 Raiden

Action-packed real-time combat

1990 PlayStation

A classic vertical arcade shooter where you dodge enemy fire across eight missions, blast targets and collect power-ups. Built around score chasing and replays, with a steep challenge.

11 Einhänder

Action-packed real-time combat

1997 PlayStation

A classic Square side-scrolling shooter where you pilot a nimble fighter and steal weapons from enemies to use as your own. Driving techno music, imposing bosses and demanding precision make it a PlayStation cult favourite.

12 Raptor: Call of the Shadows

Action-packed real-time combat

1994 PC 3.15 € 89 % positive

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.

13 Cygni: All Guns Blazing

Action-packed real-time combat

2024 PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck playable 29.99 € 60 % positive

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.

14 Aegis Wing

Action-packed real-time combat

2007 Xbox

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.

15 DoDonPachi

Action-packed real-time combat

1997 PlayStation

A landmark Cave arcade bullet-hell shooter where you thread through dense bullet patterns, build huge scores with a chain system, and unlock a hidden, tougher true ending through masterful play.

16 Tyrian

Action-packed real-time combat

1995 PC

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.

17 1942

Action-packed real-time combat

1984 PlayStation

A classic vertically scrolling Capcom arcade shooter where you fly a World War II fighter, blast waves of enemy planes, dodge bullets with loop-the-loops and grab power-ups. Short, reflex-driven, score-chasing runs with steep difficulty.

18 Darius Gaiden

Action-packed real-time combat

1994 PCPlayStation

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.

19 Zanac

Action-packed real-time combat

1986 PC

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.

20 Alien Shooter 2 Conscription

Action-packed real-time combat

2012 PC 10.25 € 81 % positive

An isometric action shooter with RPG elements where you play a regular soldier mowing down hordes of aliens with upgradable weapons and skills.

21 Gradius V

Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)

2004 PlayStation

An uncompromising side-scrolling shooter in which you weave through hazards and bullet fire while aiming your Options with the analog stick. Memorizing stages and precise positioning are the heart of the challenge.

22 Touhou Chireiden: Subterranean Animism

Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)

2008 PCSteam Deck playable 12.49 € 97 % positive

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.

23 Mushihimesama

Action-packed real-time combat

2004 PlayStationSteam Deck playable −50 % 19.50 € 9.75 € 6 days left 97 % positive

A frantic Cave arcade bullet-hell shooter where you fly through insect-filled forests, weaving through dense bullet patterns. Precise dodging and quick reflexes are the core of the experience.

24 Crimzon Clover: World Ignition

Action-packed real-time combat

2014 PCSteam Deck playable free 93 % positive

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.

25 The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

Runs that play out differently every time

2014 PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck verified 14.99 € 97 % positive

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.

26 Earthion

Sci-fi setting

2025 PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified 17.99 € 95 % positive

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.

27 Alien Swarm

Sci-fi setting

2010 PCSteam Deck playable free 95 % positive

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.

28 The Binding of Isaac

Runs that play out differently every time

2011 PCSteam Deck playable 4.99 € 95 % positive

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.

29 Luftrausers

Action-packed real-time combat

2014 PCPlayStationSteam Deck playable 9.75 € 91 % positive

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.

30 Habroxia

Sci-fi setting

2019 PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified 7.79 €

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.

31 Steredenn

Action-packed real-time combat

2015 PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck playable 12.99 € 87 % positive

A frantic pixel-art space shmup blending roguelike elements: randomized stages, a large weapon arsenal and punishing boss fights make every run feel different.

32 Rolling Gunner

Action-packed real-time combat

2018 PCNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable 16.79 € 90 % positive

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.

33 Touhou Koumakyou: The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil

Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)

2002 PCSteam Deck playable 18.25 €

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.

34 Kill Knight

Action-packed real-time combat

2024 PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified 14.79 € 94 % positive

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.

35 Dead Nation

Action-packed real-time combat

2010 PlayStation

A top-down zombie shooter from Housemarque where you fight through hordes using guns, traps and exploding cars. Score multipliers and weapon upgrades drive the arcade-style chase for high scores, including in co-op.

36 Beat Hazard

Action-packed real-time combat

2009 PCXbox 9.75 € 95 % positive

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.

37 12 is Better than 6

Action-packed real-time combat

2015 PCNintendo Switch 83 % positive

A frantic top-down Wild West shooter where every hit is lethal. Short, punishing missions reward quick reflexes, careful positioning and plenty of retries.

38 Satazius

Action-packed real-time combat

2011 PCSteam Deck playable 5.89 € 85 % positive

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.

39 Xevious

Action-packed real-time combat

1982 Xbox

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.

40 Assault Android Cactus

Action-packed real-time combat

2015 PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck verified 16.79 € 94 % positive

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.

41 Really Big Sky

Action-packed real-time combat

2012 PC 4.59 € 73 % positive

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.

42 Danmaku Unlimited 2

Action-packed real-time combat

2013 PCSteam Deck playable 4.99 € 92 % positive

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.

43 Touhou Eiyashou: Imperishable Night

Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)

2004 PC

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.

44 Guns, Gore and Cannoli 2

Action-packed real-time combat

2018 PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified 12.99 € 94 % positive

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.

45 Millipede

Action-packed real-time combat

1982 PC

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.

46 Touhou Youyoumu: Perfect Cherry Blossom

Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)

2003 PC

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.

47 Tormentor X Punisher

Action-packed real-time combat

2017 PCSteam Deck playable 7.99 € 92 % positive

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.

48 Sine Mora

Action-packed real-time combat

2012 PCPlayStationXbox 9.99 € 82 % positive

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.

49 Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved

Action-packed real-time combat

2005 PCXbox 91 % positive

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.

50 Gyruss

Action-packed real-time combat

1983 Xbox

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.

51 Galak-Z: The Dimensional

Sci-fi setting

2015 PCPlayStationSteam Deck playable 19.99 € 73 % positive

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.

52 Zero Wing

Action-packed real-time combat

1989 PCSteam Deck verified 7.79 € 87 % positive

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.

53 Loaded

Action-packed real-time combat

1995 PlayStation

A brutal top-down shooter for the PlayStation featuring six deformed, bizarre characters such as a psychotic clown and a giant baby. You blast through hordes of enemies in grim prison-style missions, solo or with a second player.

54 In the Hunt

Action-packed real-time combat

1993 PCPlayStation

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.

55 Titan Attacks!

Action-packed real-time combat

2012 PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck playable 9.75 € 91 % positive

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.

56 Yet Another Zombie Defense

Action-packed real-time combat

2010 PCXbox free 87 % positive

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.

57 Downwell

Action-packed real-time combat

2015 PCPlayStationNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified 2.99 € 97 % positive

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.

58 Jamestown: Legend of the Lost Colony

Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)

2011 PC 94 % positive

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.

59 Wolflame

Action-packed real-time combat

2016 PCNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable 5.89 € 87 % positive

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.

60 Sky Force Reloaded

Action-packed real-time combat

2016 PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified 9.75 € 93 % positive

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.

Not quite your taste?

Tell us your favourite games and we'll find recommendations that fit you exactly.

Personal recommendations

Feedback