Games Like ARCADE GAME SERIES: GALAGA

The critically acclaimed update to the Space Invaders franchise has arrived to invade Steam with greatly improved graphics and audio! Packed with pulsing, vibrant visuals enhanced further by interactive sound. The invaders have evolved, the question is: can you keep up?

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 39.4%, Arcade 20.2%, Retro 12.4%, Action 7.1%, Space 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: A high-energy, modernized take on the genre that shares the same fixed-screen, wave-based DNA as Galaga.

R-Type and R-Type II, the legendary coin-op space shooters, are now together on Steam!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 39.2%, Classic 28% ★, Arcade 14.5%, Action 7.7%, Retro 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: This collection brings the legendary side-scrolling shooter to life with updated graphics while maintaining the original arcade difficulty.

Shoot! Dodge! and... Get Hit!? "Ikaruga" is a vertical shoot 'em up that features an unique polarity-switching gameplay. Switch the ship's polarity and "get hit and absorb" enemy bullets! Achieve High Score with the chain bonus!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 48.6%, Classic 28.9% ★, Arcade 16%, Action 2.8%, Retro 1.4%

Why You'll Like It: Widely considered the gold standard of the genre, it offers a challenging, tactical approach to the classic arcade shooter experience.

Legendary shoot-'em-up makes its way on the PCs! Abundant explosions, truly epic boss fights and beautifully crafted 3D environments are here to keep you entertained. Sky Force Anniversary offers single player experience and local cooperative mode for 2 players.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 45.8%, Classic 20% ★, Arcade 14.6%, Retro 11.2%, Action 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: A modernized arcade shooter that keeps the core 'dodge and shoot' mechanics accessible while providing a satisfying progression system.

Buckle up and blast off with Raiden IV x MIKADO remix! This classic arcade shoot ‘em up comes fully equipped with new music, battle modes, vertical screen play, and more!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 45.1%, Arcade 27.8%, Action 10.9%, Pixel Graphics 6.6%, Shooter 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: A premier arcade shooter that captures the intense, bullet-dodging satisfaction found in classic 80s and 90s cabinets.

The legendary bullet-hell shoot-’em-up series has come to Steam! DoDonPachi is ressurected after a Blissful Death with enough modes to satisfy the beginner and the expert player alike. Tonight we dine in bullet hell!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 59.1%, Arcade 19.8%, Classic 11.9% ★, Action 5.9%, Shooter 1.7%

Why You'll Like It: This title offers the quintessential arcade shooter experience with high-speed action and massive screen-clearing explosions.

Battle huge "Koju" bugs in CAVE's beautiful fantasy shooter, Mushihimesama. Experience the thrill of bullet hell from the masters of the genre as you evade visually stunning shot patterns with thousands of bullets.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 57.4%, Arcade 20.8%, Classic 12.8% ★, Action 5.7%, 2D 2.1%

Why You'll Like It: A masterpiece of the bullet-hell subgenre that rewards precision and pattern memorization just like the classics.

Jamestown: Legend Of The Lost Colony is a neo-classical top-down shooter for up to 4 players, set on 17th-century British Colonial Mars. It features all the intensity, depth, and lovingly handcrafted pixels of a classic arcade shooter, with a modern twist: deeply-integrated cooperative gameplay.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 64.8%, Arcade 14.5%, Retro 8.5%, Action 4.8%, 2D 3.1%

Why You'll Like It: A top-down shooter that blends classic arcade sensibilities with modern cooperative play and beautiful pixel art.

Defend the galaxy from vicious space pirates! Seize your foes and fire them back at their allies for devastating destruction in Toaplan's legendary horizontal arcade shooter, now on PC with all-new features and quality-of-life bonuses!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 41.3%, Arcade 21.6%, Retro 11.6%, Action 7.4%, Pixel Graphics 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: A classic side-scrolling shooter that is as famous for its challenging gameplay as it is for its historical impact on gaming culture.

Originally created by Seibu Kaihatsu, Raiden series comes back with a four-title compilation of these classic scrolling arcade shooter games we enjoyed being challenged with back in the days.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 45.4%, Arcade 23.8%, Retro 17.9%, Action 9.4%, Shooter 3.5%

Why You'll Like It: A collection of classic arcade shooters that provides an authentic look at the evolution of the genre.

It's time to gear up!Get ready for more ghost chain gobbling and frantic action in PAC-MAN® CE-DX+! The award-winning chomping game makes a shattering debut on Steam with even more content and a refined user-interface to compare high scores with your friends!

Why similar: Classic 48.1% ★, Arcade 26.2%, Retro 19.1%, Action 3.6%, 2D 2.3%

Why You'll Like It: While a different genre, it captures the same 'perfect arcade loop' and score-chasing intensity found in Namco's other classics.

Tempest 4000™ is a visually stunning, action-packed tube shooter based on the classic hit arcade game, Tempest™.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 46.3%, Arcade 30.9%, Retro 22.8%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced, psychedelic arcade shooter that focuses on pure reflex and high-score chasing in a unique geometric space.

Akka Arrh is a modern take on a scrapped project from the 1980s, providing players with a fast-paced, addictive, arcade shooter experience and psychedelic visuals. Protect your life rings as you chain together combos and go for a high score!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 50.2%, Arcade 25.4%, Action 8.3%, Retro 5.5%, Space 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: A reimagining of a rare arcade classic that emphasizes rhythm and screen-clearing combos in a vibrant, retro-modern style.

The ruthless Gidans invite you to an explosive space scramble! Head into the mighty Super Fighter and disintegrate your foes in all directions with various upgradeable weapons. Toaplan's no-frills vertical shooter Truxton speeds onto PC with new features and quality-of-life updates!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 41.2%, Arcade 23%, Retro 18.1%, Action 8.4%, Pixel Graphics 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: A brutal and fast-paced arcade shooter that tests your reflexes with relentless enemy waves.

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

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 60.6%, Action 15%, Arcade 10.8%, Pixel Graphics 8.1%, 2D 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: A modern indie title that strictly adheres to the design philosophy and aesthetic of classic 80s arcade shooters.

8 KONAMI arcade classics of the 80s, from Nemesis to TwinBee. Including bonus eBook packed with new information never before revealed to the public.

Why similar: Classic 32.9% ★, Shoot 'Em Up 24.9%, Arcade 15.5%, Action 15.2%, Retro 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: A essential collection for any fan of the era, featuring several foundational arcade titles that defined the shooter genre.

Take a trip down memory lane and relive the magical times of the Nintendo Entertainment System with a collection of Namco’s hits and long-lost treasures in Namco Museum Archives Volume 1.

Why similar: Arcade 29.5%, Retro 26.5%, Classic 18.3% ★, Action 15.3%, Pixel Graphics 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: This collection includes several classic arcade titles that share the same design DNA and historical importance as Galaga.

Super Hydorah is a nonlinear horizontal shoot’ em up designed to offer a challenging experience, sublimating the richness of traditional shmup classics. Face the menace of the Meroptians aboard the Delta Lance, alone or with your friends in this game with direct action and nostalgic art.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 45.8%, Arcade 19.6%, Retro 18.1%, Action 8.7%, 2D 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: A love letter to classic shmups that captures the difficulty and charm of 80s arcade shooters perfectly.

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: Shoot 'Em Up 46.3%, Retro 22.5%, Action 18.4%, Pixel Graphics 7.5%, 2D 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: A retro-styled shooter that captures the look and feel of 8-bit arcade classics with modern quality-of-life improvements.

Pewt 'em Up! is a retro inspired arcade space shoot 'em up with lots of upgrades, achievements, extras and more.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 37.2%, Arcade 21.1%, Retro 13.2%, Action 8.8%, Pixel Graphics 6%

Why You'll Like It: A straightforward, arcade-focused shooter that strips away complexity to focus on pure, classic gameplay.

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: Shoot 'Em Up 46%, Arcade 22.9%, Retro 20.7%, Action 10.4%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced, arcade-style shooter that focuses on chaotic action and high-score competition.

Sine Mora EX is a side-scrolling shoot'em up that provides a unique challenge, where time is the ultimate factor. Mixing classic shooter sensibilities with contemporary presentation, Sine Mora EX is a gorgeous shoot'em up offering both a Story Mode that weaves an excessive tale and an Arcade Mode.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 57.7%, Arcade 24.9%, Action 6.4%, 2D 5.7%, Shooter 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: A side-scrolling shooter that offers a unique time-based mechanic while retaining the classic arcade feel.

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

Why similar: Retro 29.7%, Arcade 26.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.1%, Pixel Graphics 9.7%, Action 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: A free-to-play tribute to the early 80s arcade era that captures the simple, addictive nature of early shooters.

DARIUSBURST Chronicle Saviours is the latest installment in Taito's DARIUS series of arcade-style shooting games. Blast hordes of alien sea-monsters, and blaze your own trail through branching environments.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 65.9%, Arcade 22.5%, Action 6.3%, Space 2.4%, 2D 1.3%

Why You'll Like It: A massive, feature-rich arcade shooter that offers a deep and rewarding experience for fans of the genre.

First released in arcades in 1980, the masterpiece PAC-MAN comes to Steam! Move PAC-MAN up, down, left, and right to avoid the ghosts and gobble up all the Pac-Dots!

Why similar: Classic 55.5% ★, Arcade 19.4%, Retro 14.2%, Action 8.5%, 2D 2.3%

First appearing in arcades in 1982, Dig Dug finally comes to Steam! Control Dig Dug to make underground tunnels and inflate or crush the enemies!

Why similar: Classic 55.2% ★, Arcade 19.3%, Retro 11.6%, Action 7.6%, 2D 2.8%

Salamander III is the newest addition to the Gradius series, a legendary pioneer in the side-scrolling shooter genre, and comes with the original arcade versions of the previous games.

Why similar: Arcade 29.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 28.5%, Retro 12%, Action 9.8%, Pixel Graphics 5.9%

“METAL SLUG ”, the very first title in SNK’s legendary 2D run & gun action shooting game series where all began, returns to the missions on the Steam gaming platform!

Why similar: Classic 30.7% ★, Shoot 'Em Up 22.4%, Arcade 19%, Retro 11.6%, Action 7%

Developed in America and first released in 1981, Ms. PAC-MAN finally comes to Steam! Move Ms. PAC-MAN up, down, left, and right to avoid the ghosts and gobble up all the Pac-Dots!

Why similar: Classic 42.5% ★, Arcade 25.3%, Retro 20.5%, Action 11.7%

SNK 40th Anniversary Collection is the ultimate collection of classic arcade games from SNK's golden age with 24 different nostalgic titles back from the 1980s, and many bells and whistles for the best game experience on Steam!!

Why similar: Classic 40.3% ★, Shoot 'Em Up 18.8%, Arcade 14.1%, Retro 11.9%, Action 8.4%

“METAL SLUG 2”, the 2nd entry in SNK’s emblematic 2D run & gun action shooting game returns to the battlefield on the Steam gaming platform!

Why similar: Classic 27.9% ★, Arcade 22.3%, Shoot 'Em Up 20%, Action 12.3%, Retro 10.5%

“METAL SLUG 3”, the masterpiece in SNK’s emblematic 2D run & gun action shooting game series, still continues to fascinate millions of fans worldwide to this day for its intricate dot-pixel graphics, and simple and intuitive game controls, heads out to the Steam gaming platform!

Why similar: Classic 49.5% ★, Arcade 23.2%, Retro 9.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 7.3%, Action 6%

“METAL SLUG X”, one of the most highly praised titles in the series among Metal Slug fans for its refined balance and game volume, heads out to the Steam gaming platform!

Why similar: Classic 34.9% ★, Shoot 'Em Up 22.3%, Arcade 17.4%, Retro 10.9%, Action 7%

The Contra Anniversary Collection brings this classic Run and Gun franchise back to modern platforms and a new generation of gamers.

Why similar: Classic 43.6% ★, Retro 16.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 11.2%, Action 10.3%, Arcade 9.6%

Distant Space are present the arcade game of cosmic fights in arcade style of the 80's, this is a game where you can control the spaceship and forced to destroy extraterrestrials, which are moving in the certain order.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 43.8%, Arcade 20.2%, Retro 11.2%, Space 6.6%, Pixel Graphics 6.6%

Save Earth from an invasion of intergalactic chickens! Finger-blistering arcade shooting action for one or two players.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 39.2%, Arcade 24.1%, Action 13.9%, Retro 9.8%, Shooter 4.6%

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: Shoot 'Em Up 38.2%, Arcade 19.5%, Retro 14.1%, Action 6.6%, Pixel Graphics 6.5%

“SHOCK TROOPERS ”, the fan favorite 2D top-down view action shooting game released exclusively on NEOGEO MVS in 1997, returns to the battlefield on Steam!Progress through the battlefield, choosing the best routes and strategy!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 30.6%, Arcade 26.9%, Retro 20.7%, Action 15.5%, 2D 6.3%

METAL SLUG XX, the most recent installment in the famous run-and-gun action shooting series, returns to the battlefield on Steam with a plethora of brand new features!

Why similar: Classic 42.9% ★, Retro 19.9%, Arcade 17.6%, Action 9.1%, 2D 5.9%

Galacticon is a video game with the look and feel of arcade cabinet games from the early 80's in the style of Williams classics: "Defender" or "Joust", with the gameplay of legendary "Jetpac", and with touches of "puzzle".

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 46%, Arcade 22.2%, Action 7.6%, Pixel Graphics 6.7%, 2D 6%

A SUPER throwback to the classic quarter eating arcade games of the 80's. Super Bit Blaster XL is an (even more) enhanced version of the retro styled, addictive, and fast paced arcade shoot 'em up!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 40.9%, Arcade 21.1%, Retro 13.8%, Action 6.8%, Pixel Graphics 6.3%

Take a trip down memory lane and relive the magical times of the 8-Bit era with a collection of Namco’s hits and long-lost treasures in Namco Museum Archives Volume 2.

Why similar: Arcade 36.8%, Retro 31.3%, Action 19.2%, Pixel Graphics 10.5%, Singleplayer 2.2%

Arcade hit Raiden first left its mark on the shooting genre 25 years ago. The easy to learn, hard to master series comes to the PC in its most modern and advanced form yet! Join the war for Earth's future-where the tide of battle holds constant surprises.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 59.5%, Arcade 24.5%, Action 11.4%, Shooter 4.6%

Blast off for a sequel that pushes every facet of 2D shoot'em ups to escape velocity!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 41.7%, Arcade 24%, Action 13.9%, Pixel Graphics 5.8%, 2D 4.7%

The legendary Contra series returns! This reimagining of the classic run-'n'-gun action game from the ‘80s features new stages, new enemies, new play mechanics, and co-op combat for up to 4 players!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 40.4%, Arcade 23.5%, Retro 16.7%, Action 9%, 2D 5.7%

“TWINKLE STAR SPRITES ”, a competitive 2D top-down view scrolling shooter released on NEOGEO MVS in 1996, departs for new adventures on the Steam gaming platform!Master your shots, and aim for the magical Twinkle Star”!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 64.4%, Arcade 23.9%, Action 11.6%

Blast through alien hordes as the finest cyborg mercenary in existence! To emerge victorious, you'll need to manage time and resources skillfully. Toaplan's run-and-gun smash-hit finally arrives on PC, reloaded with new features and quality-of-life extras!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 39%, Arcade 21.9%, Retro 18.9%, Action 7.1%, Pixel Graphics 5.9%

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: Shoot 'Em Up 42.1%, Retro 22.2%, Arcade 18%, Action 17.7%

If you love retro games, this is for you! Get ready for some intense retro space shooting!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 36.2%, Arcade 18.9%, Retro 16.4%, Action 7.3%, Space 6.4%

Classic shoot’em up action in modern 3D! Blast off to take down hordes of infected aliens and dreadful machines programmed on waging an intergalactic war against mankind!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 42.4%, Arcade 20.8%, Retro 19.8%, Action 7%, Space 5.5%

The Pang series is a beloved collection of arcade video games from the early 90s. Guide two brothers on a quest around the world to save humankind from a massive alien invasion!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 25.8%, Classic 24.5% ★, Arcade 20.9%, Retro 15.4%, Action 8.7%

Darius is one of the pioneers of the side-scrolling shoot 'em genre, and the Steam version replicates the multi-screen arcade experience with 4 different titles and 7 versions filled with aquatic-lifeform-themed bosses and epic, Zuntata-composed soundscapes!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 50%, Arcade 23.7%, Pixel Graphics 8.6%, Action 7.5%, 2D 5.8%

Bladestar is a sci-fi cinematic action shooter featuring visually rich worlds with potentially endless enemies on each level. Defend the galaxy flying a Manta Starfighter through asteroid, mine, and debris fields while battling pirates, rebels, and aliens.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 35.6%, Classic 21.4% ★, Arcade 17.7%, Action 10.9%, Space 5.9%