- #1 Game Tengoku CruisinMix Special
97% matchMostly Positive78% of 102 reviews2017
Dev: CITY CONNECTIONPub: KOMODO
Windows
Median: 3.0 hrsMean: 3.8 hrs≥1hr: 82%
Game Tengoku CrusinMix is a vertically scrolling shooting game mixing cute characters, a game world parodying a wide range of gaming tropes and history, tight controls, refined mechanics and eggplants?!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 23.1%, Bullet Hell 18.9%, Shooter 11.8%, 1990's 10.9%, Anime 9.2%
- #2 Graze Counter GM
96% matchVery Positive97% of 206 reviews2023
Dev: Bikkuri SoftwarePub: Henteko Doujin
Windows
A refreshing and highly re-playable bullet hell style shooter that WANTS you to play dangerously! Ride the razor's edge of life and death in this high-risk high-reward danger oriented arcade style shooting game.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 21.7%, Bullet Hell 19.1%, 1990's 9.7%, Anime 9.6%, Shooter 8.9%
- #3 DEVIL BLADE REBOOT
96% matchOverwhelmingly Positive99% of 847 reviews2024
Dev: SHIGATAKE GAMES
Windows
Median: 1.4 hrsMean: 3.8 hrs≥1hr: 63%
An immersive pseudo-3D shoot 'em up experience that pushes the limits of pixel art. Push your score higher with the innovative Berserk System: the closer they are, the more points you get!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 25.6%, Bullet Hell 16.7%, Shooter 13.4%, 1980s 13.1%, 1990's 10.7%
- #4 WITCH-BOT MEGLILO
95% matchVery Positive93% of 123 reviews2016
Dev: ASTRO PORTPub: Henteko Doujin
Windows
Median: 3.4 hrsMean: 4.1 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Stop time and project yourself through space with “Time-stop warp” magic, pass through physical obstacles, dodge incoming bullets and shoot down your enemies! A satisfying shooter, filled with dark humor!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 23.2%, Bullet Hell 18.3%, Anime 10.4%, Shooter 10%, Cartoon 8.1%
- #5 DRAINUS
94% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 1,170 reviews2022
Dev: Team LadybugPub: WSS playground
Windows
Median: 2.6 hrsMean: 2.9 hrs≥1hr: 67%
This is a side-scrolling shooting game in which you take control of the "Drainus", the Kharlal Empire's most cutting-edge fighter with the ability to absorb energy bullets, and take down the enemy ships zipping through space.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 45%, Shooter 17.7%, Bullet Hell 12%, Action 10.2%, Side Scroller 7%
- #6 COTTON REBOOT!
94% matchMostly Positive78% of 82 reviews2021
Dev: Rocket-Engine Co.,Ltd.Pub: BEEP
Windows
Cotton Reboot! is a completely remastered version of Cotton.Fantastic Night Dreams, the originator of the witchy shooting game released 30 years ago, with new features and the latest visual design.
Why similar: Bullet Hell 21.1%, Side Scroller 18.9%, Shooter 15.1%, 1990's 10.1%, Anime 9.5%
- #7 R-Type Final 2
93% matchMostly Positive75% of 826 reviews2021
Dev: Granzella Inc.Pub: NIS America, Inc.
Windows
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 13.0 hrs≥1hr: 71%
R-Type has returned! The legendary side-scroller is back and better than ever with beautifully rendered 3D graphics, exhilarating shoot-'em-up gameplay, and a multitude of stages, ships, and weapons that will allow you to conduct a symphony of destruction upon your foes.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 37.1%, Side Scroller 25.6%, Shooter 16.9%, Action 7.5%, Bullet Hell 7.4%
- #8 Yuri Sword Saga
91% matchVery Positive98% of 228 reviews2024
Dev: Pico Games
Windows
This is a side-scrolling shoot 'em up game set in a beautifully drawn Japanese world where you can slay enemies and bullets with simple controls. Parry enemy attacks and use a variety of special moves to defeat powerful demons and evil monsters.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 24.8%, Side Scroller 19%, Bullet Hell 18.9%, Shooter 11.3%, Anime 8.5%
- #9 BULLET SOUL
92% matchVery Positive83% of 76 reviews2017
Dev: MAGES. Inc.
Windows
Median: 3.4 hrsMean: 5.8 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Blending classic shooting game design with a substantial dose of modern day bullet hell and flashy pyrotechnics, Bullet Soul has it all! Play through multiple modes, all designed to welcome newcomers to the genre, but also challenge experts aiming for ever higher scores.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 37.8%, Bullet Hell 26.4%, Anime 12.9%, Action 9.3%, Sci-fi 6%
- #10 Deathsmiles
91% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 629 reviews2016
Dev: CAVE Interactive CO.,LTD.Pub: KOMODO
Windows
Median: 2.9 hrsMean: 6.8 hrs≥1hr: 77%
Deathsmiles is CAVE's bullet-hell shoot-'em-up where you take the role of one of five Angels to defend the magical land of Gilverado from an invasion by Hell itself! Eradicate this devilish assault!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 37.9%, Bullet Hell 32.9%, Anime 8.8%, Side Scroller 7.1%, Action 4.9%
- #11 GRADIUS ORIGINS
89% matchVery Positive93% of 297 reviews2025
Dev: KONAMI
Windows
Median: 1.5 hrsMean: 6.3 hrs≥1hr: 62%
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: Shoot 'Em Up 26.4%, Shooter 20%, 1980s 18.7%, 1990's 12.9%, Action 8.9%
- #12 Deathsmiles I・II
89% matchVery Positive95% of 126 reviews2022
Dev: CITY CONNECTION
Windows
Angels swooping across a disastrous sky! The shoot 'em up of gothic horrors is back
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 22.8%, Bullet Hell 18.9%, Side Scroller 16.5%, Shooter 12.8%, Anime 8.4%
- #13 Earthion
88% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 503 reviews2025
Dev: Ancient CorporationPub: Limited Run Games, Inc.
Windows
Median: 54 minMean: 3.4 hrs≥1hr: 45%
Earthion is a side-scrolling space shooter developed natively for 16-bit systems. Guide space fighter pilot Azusa Takanashi in her fight to repel the alien invaders and save planet Earth.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 22.3%, Bullet Hell 13.4%, 1990's 13.3%, Side Scroller 12%, Shooter 10.8%
- #14 BULLET SOUL INFINITE BURST
90% matchMostly Positive75% of 96 reviews2017
Dev: MAGES. Inc.
Windows
Median: 3.9 hrsMean: 6.1 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Bullet Soul Infinite Burst is a vertically scrolling shooting game crossing old-school gameplay with a bullet hell twist. It adds numerous gameplay enhancements over its predecessor, Bullet Soul, not least of which is Burst Mode. The same aggressive, bullet-cancelling gameplay, now with more destruction, more coins and more tunes.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 36.5%, Bullet Hell 24.8%, Anime 12.9%, Action 10.4%, Sci-fi 6.8%
- #15 Revolgear Zero
87% matchVery Positive99% of 136 reviews2026
Dev: Bikkuri SoftwarePub: Henteko Doujin
Windows
Shizuku and Akane...two pilots bound by rivalry and friendship battle to save their world from malevolent cosmic forces! A classic arcade style shmup with deeply satisfying fast paced combat, wide variety of load-out combos, and even local co-op!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 31.4%, Side Scroller 16.5%, Anime 11.7%, Sci-fi 9%, Pixel Graphics 8.1%
- #16 Shikhondo: Blue Pieta
85% matchVery Positive95% of 65 reviews2026
Dev: DeerFarmPub: CFK Co., Ltd.
Windows
Once more, the hunt for Youkai begins! Across the ocean in a city far, far away, the side-scrolling shoot 'em up action of our two protagonists unfolds! Complete the Pietà of struggle that burns blue with its raging barrage!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 20%, Bullet Hell 19.5%, Side Scroller 17.3%, Shooter 10.6%, Action 7.9%
- #17 Andro Dunos II
86% matchVery Positive92% of 235 reviews2022
Dev: Picorinne SoftPub: Maximum Entertainment
Windows
Median: 30 minMean: 2.4 hrs≥1hr: 32%
The sequel of the famous Shoot'em up from the Visco studio is back, 30 years after the first opus, released exclusively on Neo-Geo MVS and Neo-Geo AES in 1992 . It's time to bring out your good old battle ship in ANDRO DUNOS 2!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 41.7%, Bullet Hell 24.7%, Shooter 14.2%, Action 5.9%, Pixel Graphics 5.2%
- #18 Steel Vampire
86% matchVery Positive90% of 99 reviews2018
Dev: AkiragoyaPub: Henteko Doujin
Windows
Median: 36 minMean: 3.1 hrs≥1hr: 41%
Hear the shrieks of colliding metal! Behold the true form of steel! An explosive onslaught of shooting action!!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 37%, Bullet Hell 28.1%, Action 10%, Casual 8.1%, Anime 7.4%
- #19 G WARRIOR
84% matchVery Positive92% of 128 reviews2024
Dev: Liao Kai
Windows
G WARRIOR is a retro hardcore action shooting game. Pick up the gun and destroy all robots and aliens. Fight in colorful scenes such as snowy mountains, caves, seas of fire, alien lairs, etc.! !
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 18.5%, Bullet Hell 16.3%, 1980s 13.6%, Shooter 11.7%, 1990's 9.7%
- #20 Shikhondo(食魂徒) - Soul Eater
84% matchVery Positive84% of 219 reviews2017
Dev: DeerFarm
Windows
Select one of the Grim Reaper or girl. Find escaped yokai from limbo, extricate soul that they absorbed. You must reseal them after
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 36.2%, Bullet Hell 30.8%, Shooter 10.5%, Anime 8.1%, Action 7.9%
- #21 COTTOn Boomerang - Saturn Tribute
82% matchMixed67% of 21 reviews2022
Dev: CITY CONNECTION
Windows
COTTOn Boomerang, the explosive and timeless witch girl shooting game, is finally back! There are team battles this time! Take full advantage of all the amplified action and push forward!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 25.3%, Side Scroller 19.4%, Shooter 14.4%, 1990's 12.6%, Comedy 7.9%
- #22 The Hurricane of the Varstray -Collateral hazard-
83% matchMostly Positive75% of 216 reviews2015
Dev: Studio SiestAPub: Rocket-Engine Co.,Ltd.
Windows
Median: 4.3 hrsMean: 7.3 hrs≥1hr: 92%
【About "The Hurricane of the Varstray"】"The Hurricane of the Varstray" is a vertically scrolling shoot'em up with a SF story: in the distant future, to defend the Earth against the invasion of mystery mechanical structures, 4 girls head to "the Varstray sector," far away from the Earth and considered as the v
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 34.4%, Bullet Hell 28%, Anime 10.1%, Shooter 8.3%, Action 7.4%
- #23 SATAZIUS
81% matchVery Positive84% of 326 reviews2011
Dev: ASTRO PORTPub: Henteko Doujin
Windows · Linux
Median: 2.0 hrsMean: 4.0 hrs≥1hr: 91%
The year is 2051. Location: SATAZIUS, a long-abandoned planet. The cruiser Agano was on patrol when it was attacked and stricken by a confederacy of space pirates that had established a base on SATAZIUS. The pirates attacked the Agano intending to steal the assault ship ‘Trafalgar’ that was stowed aboard the Agano, but the Trafalgar made...
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 19.5%, Bullet Hell 15.4%, Side Scroller 14.3%, Robots 8.9%, Shooter 8.1%
- #24 ESCHATOS
80% matchVery Positive96% of 316 reviews2015
Dev: QutePub: KOMODO
Windows
Median: 3.0 hrsMean: 4.1 hrs≥1hr: 70%
An alien menace has descended on Earth! Defend the world from UFO invasion in this superb arcade shooter from Qute. Use your weapons effectively, deflect enemy bullets with your shield, and recapture the Moon from alien infestation!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 24.8%, Bullet Hell 21.9%, Shooter 13.3%, 1990's 10.1%, Anime 9.5%
- #25 GRAND CROSS: ReNOVATION
79% matchVery Positive91% of 149 reviews2022
Dev: ES4 / Eternal Sphere 4Pub: Henteko Doujin
Windows
Slash through enemies with the Sun Blade, the most powerful weapon in Shmup's history! Overwhelm hordes of enemies with flashy on-screen effects in this super-aggressive vertical scrolling shump!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 27%, Bullet Hell 19.5%, Shooter 11.8%, Robots 10.4%, 1990's 9.5%
- #26 ARMED SEVEN
81% matchVery Positive91% of 82 reviews2015
Dev: ASTRO PORTPub: Henteko Doujin
Windows · Linux
Median: 3.3 hrsMean: 4.0 hrs≥1hr: 91%
The year is 1989. 12 years have passed since the Gogoh Army’s invasion of Earth. Exposure to alien technology during the war enabled Earth’s own technologies to take massive leaps forward. International conflict that was previously rife in the history of mankind fell to an all-time low, and the Earth Federation was established as a...
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 20.3%, Bullet Hell 17.7%, Side Scroller 15.8%, Robots 10.5%, 1980s 9.7%
- #27 BATSUGUN Saturn Tribute Boosted
78% matchPositive94% of 49 reviews2023
Dev: CITY CONNECTION
Windows
A PIONEER OF THE BULLET HELL GENRE BY TOAPLAN IS BACK!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 25%, Bullet Hell 20.3%, Shooter 14.6%, 1990's 11.6%, Pixel Graphics 6.3%
- #28 BLUE REVOLVER
78% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 916 reviews2016
Dev: danboPub: Stellar Circle
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.9 hrsMean: 8.2 hrs≥1hr: 74%
Fight, fly, flourish! BLUE REVOLVER is a manic arcade-style shoot-em-up built for newcomers and psychos alike. Powerful special weapons cut through tough areas, while an adaptive difficulty system tailors the game to your skill level as you evade and counter a maniac environmental force!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 46.4%, Bullet Hell 29.8%, Anime 8.2%, Pixel Graphics 5.2%, Action 4.8%
- #29 WOLFLAME
79% matchVery Positive86% of 123 reviews2016
Dev: ASTRO PORTPub: Henteko Doujin
Windows · Linux
Median: 3.1 hrsMean: 3.7 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Brought to you by the makers of GIGANTIC ARMY, Supercharged Robot VULKAISER, and SATAZIUS, WOLFLAME is a return to the form of glorious 2D vertical vertical shooters like Raiden, Raptor, and Twin Cobra.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 36.7%, Bullet Hell 20.8%, Shooter 15.6%, Action 6.8%, Pixel Graphics 6.5%
- #30 RagingBlasters
77% matchVery Positive99% of 126 reviews2021
Dev: TERARIN GAMES
Windows
Raging Blasters is a vertical scroll shmup featuring high speed scrolling and the exhilaration of destruction.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 33%, Shooter 16.7%, 1980s 10.3%, Bullet Hell 8.3%, Pixel Graphics 7.9%
- #31 Mamorukun ReCurse!
75% matchVery Positive95% of 63 reviews2025
Dev: CITY CONNECTION
Windows
Everyone, gather at the YO-KAI Disco! The cursed shooting party begins! All past game modes, additional characters, and BGM are included at once!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 29%, Bullet Hell 20.8%, Shooter 17%, Action 10.2%, Anime 9.6%
- #32 Habroxia 2
77% matchVery Positive92% of 63 reviews2021
Dev: Lillymo Games
Windows
Blast off for a sequel that pushes every facet of 2D shoot'em ups to escape velocity!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 30.1%, Side Scroller 20.6%, Shooter 16.9%, Action 11.1%, 1990's 10.6%
- #33 DANMAKAI: Red Forbidden Fruit
76% matchVery Positive92% of 112 reviews2020
Dev: 森の中の猫の小屋
Windows
PowerUp and BusterAttack! Despite the beauty of the Danmaku aggressive playing leads to victory in this Makaism Danmaku shooter. The Danmaku Garden awaits you. There's even a cat!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 26.1%, Bullet Hell 21.3%, Shooter 13.6%, 1990's 8.9%, Anime 8.4%
- #34 Rendering Ranger™: R² [Rewind]
74% matchPositive84% of 32 reviews2025
Dev: Limited Run GamesPub: Ziggurat
Windows
You are the Rendering Ranger, a special forces soldier defending Earth from a devastating alien invasion through nine levels of action platforming as well as blisteringly fast horizontal shooter stages. Originally developed for Super Famicom by Manfred Trenz, creator of the Turrican series.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 30.9%, Side Scroller 22.2%, Shooter 14.2%, 1990's 11.3%, Pixel Graphics 7.4%
- #35 Kamikaze Empire
73% matchPositive100% of 23 reviews2026
Dev: Kamikaze KoboPub: Henteko Doujin
Windows
Carve the path to victory with kamikaze attacks! Blow away enemies with outlandish weapons, then become your own projectile and take the rest out in a blaze of explosive glory! A self destructive shmup where you devastate everything in your wake. "Squadron, charge~!"
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 20.6%, Side Scroller 16.3%, Bullet Hell 13.8%, Anime 9.1%, Shooter 8.7%
- #36 STURMWIND EX
76% matchPositive81% of 42 reviews2019
Dev: b-alive
Windows
STURMWIND EX is a shoot-em up in the tradition of old arcade games. If it moves - shoot it!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 26.7%, Bullet Hell 20.1%, Side Scroller 18.4%, Shooter 11.6%, Action 7.9%
- #37 Akai Katana Shin
74% matchVery Positive96% of 110 reviews2022
Dev: CITY CONNECTION
Windows
Be guided anew into an epic tale set in the Taisho era with three titles from Cave's Akai Katana series that has captured the hearts of passionate shoot 'em up fans. New features include an online leaderboard and new musical arrangements.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 29%, Bullet Hell 23.6%, Side Scroller 19.9%, Shooter 16%, Action 6.9%
- #38 Gunvein
73% matchVery Positive97% of 227 reviews2022
Dev: NGDEV
Windows
Gunvein is a dynamic, aggression-based bullet hell shoot em up where you use lock on lasers, charged weapons, bombs & hypers to overwhelm the enemies before they overwhelm you.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 41.4%, Bullet Hell 28.1%, Shooter 10.7%, Action 8.3%, Sci-fi 6.2%
- #39 東方资志疏 ~ Immortal Immanuel. (东方资志疏)
71% matchVery Positive95% of 112 reviews2025
Dev: 雾雨威Channel
Windows
中国风东方Project二次同人STG游戏,剧情承接虹龙洞之后,古代帝王穿越到幻想乡发动异变!开始紧张刺激的弹幕游戏吧!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 30.8%, Bullet Hell 27.2%, Shooter 15.5%, Anime 11.7%, Action 9.1%
- #40 Flying Red Barrel - The Diary of a Little Aviator
73% matchVery Positive97% of 115 reviews2020
Dev: Orange_JuicePub: Fruitbat Factory
Windows
Median: 2.5 hrsMean: 4.3 hrs≥1hr: 71%
Flying Red Barrel ~The Diary of a Little Aviator~ is an old-school bullet hell/STG game with multiple endings based on actions you take.
Why similar: Bullet Hell 24.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 21.9%, Action 17.4%, Shooter 15.7%, Anime 13.4%
- #41 Hazelnut Hex
70% matchVery Positive98% of 133 reviews2023
Dev: Chunderfins
Windows
Rescue breakfast in this arcade-style bullet hell shoot 'em up!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 28.6%, Bullet Hell 23.6%, Cartoon 14.5%, Shooter 13.3%, Cute 9%
- #42 Castle of Shikigami
75% matchMixed60% of 123 reviews2017
Dev: Cosmo MachiaPub: Cosmo Machia inc.
Windows
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 6.9 hrs≥1hr: 79%
Castle of Shikigami is a dark, supernatural vertically-scrolling shoot-’em-up classic. Summer, 2005: Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Force is investigating an occult serial killer. Specialists have been called in to investigate. The case is called “The Castle of Shikigami Incident”.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 42.2%, Bullet Hell 27.7%, Action 19.4%, Anime 10.7%
- #43 Rangok Skies
72% matchMostly Positive73% of 41 reviews2021
Dev: Samurai Games
Windows · Mac
War has started! Rangok Skies is a vertically scrolling arcade shooter inspired by the genre classics. Highly replayable with 4 different characters, each with their own unique ship, weapons, and bombs. Includes 2-player local co-op.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 27.8%, Bullet Hell 25.2%, Shooter 17.4%, Action 10.1%, Anime 9.4%
- #44 VERZEUS
71% match9 user reviews89% of 9 reviews2024
Dev: RETSUZANPub: Henteko Doujin
Windows
Blast and weave your way through enemy fire while managing a wide variety of ship power-ups in this retro style horizontal shoot-'em-up!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 22.8%, Side Scroller 18.9%, Bullet Hell 14.7%, 1980s 11.3%, Shooter 10.3%
- #45 Zero Wing
70% matchVery Positive88% of 86 reviews2023
Dev: Bitwave GamesPub: Clear River Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
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 27.8%, Side Scroller 22.5%, 1980s 14.8%, 1990's 9.9%, Sci-fi 7.8%
- #46 ZANGEKI WARP
72% matchMostly Positive80% of 49 reviews2017
Dev: ASTRO PORTPub: Henteko Doujin
Windows · Linux
Median: 3.7 hrsMean: 4.5 hrs≥1hr: 91%
Take control of the hyperdimensional fighter craft ‘ZanFighter’ and use its advanced warp functions to defeat an army of space beasts controlled by an evil scientist!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 30.4%, Bullet Hell 21.7%, Shooter 11.9%, Robots 8.5%, Action 6.9%
- #47 COTTOn RockWithYou -ORIENTAL NIGHT DREAMS-
67% matchPositive96% of 27 reviews2026
Dev: Studio SaizensenPub: SUCCESS Corp.
Windows
Cotton, the magical girl shoot-'em-up heroine, is back once again! This time, the adventure leaves the Magical Kingdom behind and heads to Japan!? The original cute-girl side-scrolling shooter is back, bigger and better than ever!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 23.8%, Bullet Hell 17.8%, Side Scroller 14.2%, Shooter 14%, Action 8.6%
- #48 The Rush
68% matchPositive91% of 33 reviews2024
Dev: Hornbuckle WhoPub: Team Hornbuckle
Windows
The Rush is a horizontally scrolling shoot 'em up with graphics inspired by classic space shooters of the MSX. Buckle up and see if you have what it takes to master the highly adaptive Chameleon Quartz space fighter and single-handedly obliterate the alien invaders!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 22.1%, Bullet Hell 19%, Side Scroller 18.9%, Shooter 12%, 1980s 7.9%
- #49 Gun Wings
69% matchVery Positive88% of 419 reviews2015
Dev: Mercury StonePub: DigitalEZ
Windows
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 5.0 hrs≥1hr: 91%
A mysterious meteorite from deep space was detected approaching the Solar System, before the meteorite is due to hit the Earth, three of the girls who had their bodies modified as weapons are sent, along with all the hopes of humanity, to destroy the meteorite and save mankind...
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 34.3%, Bullet Hell 30.6%, Anime 15.6%, Action 7.5%, Shooter 5.6%
- #50 Graze Counter
68% matchVery Positive95% of 318 reviews2017
Dev: Bikkuri SoftwarePub: Henteko Doujin
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 4.2 hrs≥1hr: 90%
Graze the enemy’s bullets, Charge them head-on, and Wreak Havoc!!An exhilarating and dangerous shoot-em-up! This is a game for those with courage and survival instinct!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 24.6%, Bullet Hell 19.7%, Anime 10.2%, 1990's 8.7%, Shooter 6.6%
- #51 Super Arcade Boy in Defender of Planet Earth
69% match3 user reviews100% of 3 reviews2017
Dev: LoadUpGames.com
Windows · Mac · Linux
A retro-style classic side-scrolling shoot ’em up. Fly Super Arcade Boy through 8 levels, blast enemy waves, grab power-ups, and take down bosses.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 21.5%, Side Scroller 14.5%, Bullet Hell 14.4%, 1980s 11.8%, Shooter 11.1%
- #52 COTTOn 2 - Saturn Tribute
67% matchMixed69% of 35 reviews2022
Dev: CITY CONNECTION
Windows
Set in the Pumpkin Kingdom which has lost its national treasure—the "Bluewater Willow," this brain-stimulating action-shooter follows Cotton, a witch with the biggest appetite in the universe, and Appli, the most tomboyish girl in the royal family.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 25.3%, Side Scroller 19.4%, Shooter 14.4%, 1990's 12.6%, Cute 7.8%
- #53 Art Strikers
69% matchNo user reviews
Dev: Friendly Fire Software
Windows
Draw your path to victory in Art Strikers! A unique art themed bullet hell shoot-em-up that looks and plays like a beautiful work of art.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 22%, Bullet Hell 18.2%, Side Scroller 16.9%, Cartoon 12.7%, Shooter 11.5%
- #54 Chromacell
65% matchPositive100% of 11 reviews2024
Dev: 171Dev
Windows
In this sideways scrolling shmup, take control of your spaceship and navigate through vibrant pixelated environments filled with hordes of enemy spacecraft. Upgrade your ship and weapons, dodge enemy fire while blasting through each stage. Emerge victorious as the ultimate space pilot!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 22.9%, Bullet Hell 19.5%, Side Scroller 19.4%, Shooter 12.3%, 1980s 8.1%
- #55 REVOLVER360 RE:ACTOR
67% matchVery Positive91% of 405 reviews2014
Dev: Cross EagletPub: PLAYISM
Windows
Median: 2.8 hrsMean: 4.8 hrs≥1hr: 88%
The world really does revolve around you in this mind-bending shooter where changing your perspective could save your life.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 31.6%, Bullet Hell 21.6%, Side Scroller 13.4%, Shooter 10.3%, Robots 6.4%
- #56 Project X: Light Years
63% matchVery Positive95% of 179 reviews2025
Dev: MK_Games
Windows · Linux
The official Project X sequel ✨ Back after 30 years!🎮 A demanding, skill-based experience that rewards patience and mastery. Not every game is for everyone — this one is for players who love a real, fair challenge. Try the demo and see if you’re up for it. Failure teaches. Mastery rewards.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 22.2%, Bullet Hell 19.1%, Side Scroller 18.6%, Shooter 12.1%, 1990's 7.2%