Games Like 99 Waves to Die

Waves is an Arcade Twin-Stick Shooter that's all about High Scores. Build your combo and drop bombs in pursuit of Leaderboard dominance over seven game-modes!

Why similar: Action 100%

Why You'll Like It: It shares the same core focus on high-score arcade survival and minimalist, neon-infused twin-stick combat.

Tachyon Project is a dual stick shooter heavily inspired by classic shoot'em ups. We’ve combined many unique enemy types, a large variety of weapons and power-ups with innovative gameplay to ensure a long lasting challenge and discovery at every new level.

Why similar: Action 55.8%, Indie 44.2%

Why You'll Like It: It combines twin-stick shooting with unique power-up mechanics and a vibrant, retro-futuristic aesthetic.

Waves 2: Notorious is an arcade twin-stick shooter set in Cyberspace. Build Combos, earn Adrenaline and unleash powerful Burst attacks as you Dive into the Net and do battle against an AI that adapts to your weaknesses!

Why similar: Action 100%

Why You'll Like It: The direct evolution of the original, providing more complex arena-shooter mechanics while maintaining the series' signature arcade feel.

Thousands of aliens, giant spiders, mutant lizards, and more are on the attack - can you survive the onslaught? Crimsonland is a top-down shooter with a touch of RPG. Unlock over 30 weapons and over 50 perks from quirky to brutal. Complete the quest and show your skills in five survival modes.

Why similar: Action 66.7%, Indie 33.3%

Why You'll Like It: This is a quintessential twin-stick survival shooter that excels at overwhelming the player with massive waves of enemies.

Assault Android Cactus is an intense arcade style twin stick shooter - pick from one of nine unique synthetic heroines and blast your way through overwhelming robots hordes to save the ship from its own workforce. Supports single player and local co-op game modes.

Why similar: Action 100%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a highly polished, fast-paced arcade experience with deep mechanics that mirror the intensity of 99 Waves to Die.

Nex Machina is an intense arcade style twin-stick shooter from Housemarque. Taking hints from both Robotron and Smash TV, Nex Machina focuses on pure action, voxel destruction and competition in the distant, cablepunk themed future.

Why similar: Action 64.7%, Indie 35.3%

Why You'll Like It: Developed by arcade veterans, this game sets the gold standard for modern twin-stick shooters with its frantic pace and retro-inspired design.

A modern take on the classic arcade arena shooter. Taking inspiration from an entire generation of action games, Iron Fisticle builds on classic titles like Gauntlet and Robotron while adding over 100 collectible items, an RPG style upgrade system and local multiplayer.

Why similar: Action 57.3%, Indie 42.7%

Why You'll Like It: It blends twin-stick shooting with light RPG elements and a distinct retro visual style that fans of 8-bit aesthetics will appreciate.

Galaxy Champions TV is a super intense top-down closed arena shooter game inspired by the classic arcade game Smash TV. Get powerful weapons and power-ups, kill huge amounts of enemies, level up, unlock upgrades and beat all the bosses to become the champion of the most violent TV show of all time!

Why similar: Action 57.9%, Indie 42.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game perfectly captures the 'game show' survival vibe with fast, satisfying combat that feels very similar to 99 Waves to Die.

Inspired by an arcade classic, Super Destronaut DX is retro space shooter that pits you against an enemy more dreaded than a UFO, a scoreboard.

Why similar: Action 60.7%, Indie 39.3%

Why You'll Like It: A retro-styled shooter that focuses on pure arcade action and high-score chasing, much like the seed game.

Jump back to the good old days of arcade machines with Void Invaders: a colourful, chaotic and explosive arcade shoot-em-up game inspired by classics such as Galaga and Space Invaders!

Why similar: Action 55.8%, Indie 44.2%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the spirit of classic arcade shooters with a modern twist and a great soundtrack to drive the action.

Nuclear Throne is a post-apocalyptic roguelike-like top-down shooter. Not 'the final hope of humanity' post-apocalyptic, but 'humanity is extinct and mutants and monsters now roam the world' post-apocalyptic. Can you reach the Nuclear Throne?

Why similar: Action 51.4%, Indie 48.6%

Why You'll Like It: A high-intensity twin-stick roguelite that rewards quick reflexes and aggressive playstyles in a post-apocalyptic setting.

Astro Tripper is a furious shoot-em-up experience inspired by the painful, knuckle busting video games of years gone by.

Why similar: Action 56.5%, Indie 43.5%

Why You'll Like It: This game delivers a frantic, side-scrolling arcade experience that mirrors the intensity of 8-bit era shoot-em-ups.

Color Chaos is a twin stick shooter that delivers fun and chaotic color swapping arcade action that will keep you coming back time and time again to beat the highscores on the leaderboards.

Why similar: Action 56.5%, Indie 43.5%

Why You'll Like It: It features twin-stick mechanics combined with color-matching gameplay, offering a fresh take on the arcade shooter genre.

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved is a old school style shooter, but remixed for the 21st century with next generation graphics and deep, modern gameplay. Playing is simple: you are a geometric "ship" trapped in a grid world, facing off against waves of deadly wanderers, snakes, and repulsars.

Why similar: Indie 54%, Action 46%

Why You'll Like It: The definitive arcade twin-stick shooter that defined the genre's modern era with its simple yet challenging wave-based gameplay.

Cyberhunt is a retro procedurally generated twin stick shooter, that takes you back to the sweet to the sweet arcade machines era!

Why similar: Action 55.9%, Indie 44.1%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced, retro-styled action game that emphasizes precision and quick reactions in a neon-drenched environment.

Endless arcade action with just ONE button - Switch directions whenever you shoot!

Why similar: Indie 52.6%, Action 47.4%

Why You'll Like It: A minimalist arcade shooter that forces players to master a single-button mechanic to survive increasingly difficult waves.

Bit Blaster XL is a fast-paced, retro arcade shoot 'em up (shmup) inspired by the classic quarter-munchers of the ‘80s. Easy to pick up, hard to put down, boost, dodge, shoot, and chase high scores in this addictive, old-school action game!

Why similar: Action 100%

Why You'll Like It: A retro-inspired arcade shooter that focuses on simple, addictive gameplay loops and high-score competition.

Xeno Crisis is an arena shooter in which up to two players take control of battle-hardened marines embarking on a deadly mission to confront an alien menace! Run and gun your way through thousands of adversaries, searching for survivors, and ultimately facing the origin of the outpost's demise.

Why similar: Action 62.6%, Indie 37.4%

Why You'll Like It: A modern twin-stick shooter built with a classic 16-bit aesthetic that emphasizes tight controls and challenging combat.

Crush the forces of hell and get a high score in this addictive, action-packed, arcade-inspired twin-stick shooter!

Why similar: Action 73.3%, Indie 26.7%

Why You'll Like It: A top-down twin-stick shooter that emphasizes difficult, wave-based survival in a dark, dungeon-like setting.

A masterful combination of top-down shooter and endless replayability with procedural levels. Blast your way through walls & enemies with guns and cybernetic abilities. Install perks from cyber chambers and upgrade your character stats after each death. Can you stop the Overseer?

Why similar: Action 58.2%, Indie 41.8%

Why You'll Like It: This title offers a fast-paced, top-down twin-stick experience with destructible environments and roguelite progression.

Tesla vs Lovecraft is an intense top-down twin stick arena shooter from the creators of Crimsonland and Neon Chrome. Play as the enigmatic inventor Nikola Tesla harnessing the static energy to power up Tesla-Mech and give the lovecraftian nightmares a lesson in horror!

Why similar: Action 57.8%, Indie 42.2%

Why You'll Like It: It provides chaotic, high-octane twin-stick action with a unique theme and satisfying weapon upgrades.

Run, gun, and survive! In this twin stick arcade shooter, you'll be fighting your way through countless waves of enemies to restore maximum peace to the galaxy!

Why similar: Action 69.6%, Indie 30.4%

Why You'll Like It: A straightforward, retro-inspired shooter that focuses on classic arcade mechanics and wave-based progression.

Frenetic arcade style twin-stick shooter. Fight your way through hordes of enemies alone or with a friend!

Why similar: Action 60.9%, Indie 39.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game offers a fast-paced, arcade-style experience with a distinct pixel-art aesthetic and challenging enemy patterns.

BloodDome99 is a game about nostalgia, capitalism, violence, and over-the-top absurdist fun. 80s arcade meets modern horde-survival roguelike. Create unique builds, master more than 40 weapons, and kill ever-growing hordes of contestants in the retro-futuristic gladiator gameshow BLOODDOME99

Why similar: Action 100%

Nowhere Patrol is a boss rush game with bullet hell and platforming elements. Inspired by classic action arcade games with it's steep difficulty curve and non-stop action.

Why similar: Action 57.2%, Indie 42.8%

Why You'll Like It: A difficult, 2D bullet-hell shooter that tests player endurance through relentless waves of enemies.

Z-Exemplar is a side-scrolling shooter in the tradition of R-Type, Gradius, Nemesis and other classic arcade games from the past. Borrowing its aesthetic from the computers of yesteryear (specifically the Sinclair ZX Spectrum) Z-Exemplar combines bright, bold, 8-bit pixel art with frantic action and an epic mission to conquer a galaxy of...

Why similar: Action 57.4%, Indie 42.6%

Why You'll Like It: A side-scrolling shooter that pays homage to the 8-bit era with its unique visual style and challenging gameplay.

GUNKID 99 is a fast and frantic 2D arena-shooter that will seriously challenge your skills and reflexes. Craft your own unique play-style and develop crazy combos​ with numerous weapons and abilities at your disposal! Lay waste to endless hordes of enemies and get that top score on the Global Leaderboards!

Why similar: Action 55.8%, Indie 44.2%

Why You'll Like It: It blends platforming and shooting in an arena-based format that rewards players for speed and efficiency.

Neon Hardcorps is a fast paced top down action shooter, inspired by games such as Contra, Metal Slug, Super Turrican, Cybernator, Realm and Doom Troopers.

Why similar: Indie 64%, Action 36%

Why You'll Like It: A top-down shooter that focuses on intense, difficult combat and retro-inspired pixel graphics.

A bite-sized, 8-bit style run-and-gun inspired by Saturday morning cartoons of the 80s!

Why similar: Action 63.9%, Indie 36.1%

Why You'll Like It: A retro-styled action game that captures the feel of classic run-and-gun arcade titles.

AngerForce: Reloaded is an action-packed vertically scrolling shoot'em up game that pays homage to the classics of 90’s arcades. This high octane experience is set against the backdrop of a 19th century human world that has seen the outbreak of a robot rebellion.

Why You'll Like It: A high-energy vertical shooter that features intense bullet-hell patterns and a polished arcade presentation.

A modern revisitation of the 80s arcades. Use your Razerwire to cut through waves of nanobugs with a rogue-like inspired progression.

Why similar: Action 100%

Why You'll Like It: An arena-based shooter that focuses on unique physics-based combat and challenging wave progression.

A twinstick shooter game where you fight against waves after waves of Zombie Cubes!

Why similar: Action 54.5%, Indie 45.5%

Shoot, blast and slash through hordes of enemies in Rocking Pilot - a twin-stick shooter extravaganza inspired by arcade classics.

Why similar: Action 54.5%, Indie 45.5%

Frantic Dimension is a retro twin-stick shooter inspired by the earliest twin-sticks, 'Space Dungeon' and 'Robotron 2084'. Never stop moving and shooting... or you'll die.

Why similar: Action 57.2%, Indie 42.8%

Windowkill is a twin-stick shooter, but the game window itself is constantly closing in on you. Shoot the window edges to push it around your screen as you fight and dodge enemies and bosses in their own windows.

Why similar: Action 56.4%, Indie 43.6%

1-Bit Roguelite Action Shooter.

Why similar: Action 100%

"99Vidas" is a "beat 'em up" set in a contemporary world that pays tribute to both the new and the classic in gaming industry. Brought to you in all pixelated, 16 bit-esque glory, chockfull of references to not only gaming, but all 80's and 90's pop culture.

Why similar: Action 58%, Indie 42%

Arcade shoot game inspired on 80’s classics with extra features as you progress.

Why similar: Action 57.2%, Indie 42.8%

Mambo Wave — a 2D Platform Shooter which takes place somewhere in Spain in the 90's. Your mission is simple: to advance behind enemy lines, destroying them all with the help of a cool and varied arsenal.

Why similar: Action 77.6%, Indie 22.4%

Caelus Trident is the debut game from Fractured Rogue Studios LLC. Paying homage to the classic arcade shooters, you take on the role of the last ship of your armada trying to survive wave after wave of addictive space combat action.

Why similar: Action 55.9%, Indie 44.1%

The feeling of 90's arcade shooter will come again !! Arcade-like side scroll shooter of 7 stages in all!

Why similar: Action 57.8%, Indie 42.2%

TeraBlaster is a top-down arcade shooter micro-game which draws heavy inspiration from Geometry Wars. Duke it out with hordes of enemies on randomly generated levels, trigger massive explosions, and die a truly glorious death.

Why similar: Action 54.2%, Indie 45.8%

Inspired by classic shooters like Gunstar Heroes, Metal Slug, and Contra, Greedy Guns brings the run-and-gun formula into the 21st Century! Help these greedy mercenaries survive their most epic contract yet. Explore, explode, survive!

Why similar: Action 56.5%, Indie 43.5%

Kickback is a top-down shooter with roguelike elements, where shooting is the only way to move. Repel waves of mutants, create combinations of weapons and upgrades to survive at all costs on your own or with a friend in a local co-op mode.

Why similar: Action 100%

Aliens have invaded Earth! Towns, cities, deserts, they're everywhere! Take on the role of Earth's last super soldier and confront the alien menace in this intense twin stick shooter!

Why similar: Action 70.6%, Indie 29.4%

A retro-inspired, action packed, twin-stick shooter full of bullets, blood and explosions. Collect and manage your guns to exterminate jungle zombies, swarming bugs, heavy robots, slimy monsters and even space ghosts.

Why similar: Action 100%

"Aeve:Zero Gravity" is an arcade space shooter about battles in open space. In a classic mode "Shoot'em'all"

Why similar: Action 56.5%, Indie 43.5%

Jet Gunner is a 2D platform action indie game that's full of Nestalgia. Full of action, gunfights, bosses and explosions so if you're into the whole 8-Bit vibe you should love this. From the sound, to the graphics to the flicker, this should pay tribute to those classic hard as nails, run 'n' gun games.

Why similar: Action 71.1%, Indie 28.9%

BitMaster is a dynamic and colorful twin-stick shooter which design was inspired by such games as Geometry Wars, Crimson Land and Satellite Reign. Game powered by Unreal Engine 4!

Why similar: Action 71.4%, Indie 28.6%

A self-inflicted bullet hell that combines retro sci-fi with the sounds and sights of the disco era

Why similar: Action 58.2%, Indie 41.8%

Shoot stuff in a perfect pixel world, combine items, build guns, die every time! Roguelite twin-stick shooter where magic and post-apocalyptic future technologies collide. Defeat evil lord Dracula and save everyone!

Why similar: Action 66.9%, Indie 33.1%

Incandescent is a fast paced action arcade game that scales the difficulty to your skill level. The goal is simple, pilot your ship and defend yourself against waves of unique enemies and bosses. Different powerups will drop to help you with upgrades to your weapons and health.

Why similar: Action 57.2%, Indie 42.8%

A fast twin-stick shooter where you compete for the top spot in the leaderboards.

Why similar: Action 88.8%, Indie 11.2%

Whackerball is a twin-stick shooter roguelite with Breakout inspired mechanics. Master the unique combat system as you venture through a multitude of diverse areas while collecting powerful and game changing upgrades.

Why similar: Action 100%

Death Ray Manta is an arcade game where you shoot lasers to kill bad guys, flash lights at yourself and move to the next screen to do it all over again. Sorry, no T-Rex.

Why similar: Action 56.5%, Indie 43.5%

1982 is a FREE retro inspired blasta-thon that will test your gaming skills to the max.

Why similar: Action 57.5%, Indie 42.5%

A retro-style, fast-paced, and addictive shoot 'em up. A throwback to the classic arcade games of the 80s. Great for playing while waiting in line for another game. 🎮 (shmup)

Why similar: Action 100%

Story of a Cube is an action packed shooter about a lone cube and his quest for revenge. Mixing elements of twin-stick shooters and bullet hell games, this is a hardcode arcade game with a crazy amount of explosions.

Why similar: Action 55.5%, Indie 44.5%

The Bullet Heaven arcade classic that started it all! Create unique builds, kill ever-growing hordes of contestants and beat your friends' high scores in the retro-futuristic gladiator arena BLOODDOME

Why similar: Action 100%