Games Like Ballpoint Universe - Infinite

Fly into a charming handcrafted world and go on an adventure that mixes up open exploration with crispy twin-stick shooter action. Fight your way from the shiny overworld to the deepest caves, improve your ship and overcome the dungeons' bosses to rescue your friends!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 67.8%, Shooter 17.7%, Action 14.5%

Why You'll Like It: Combines exploration-focused gameplay with twin-stick shooter mechanics in a way that perfectly mirrors the adventurous spirit of the seed game.

Jets'n'Guns 2 is a side-scrolling space shooter with insane levels of action and destruction. Travel the galaxies and unleash an arsenal of the deadliest weapons and devices to save the universe from its inevitable doom.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 64.2%, Action 13.6%, Side Scroller 11.3%, Indie 10.9%

Why You'll Like It: Provides an incredibly deep ship customization system alongside chaotic, high-energy side-scrolling action.

Super Fancy Pants Adventure is a wild free-running adventure with buttery smooth platforming and a slick fountain pen!

Why similar: Platformer 33.1%, Action 18.5%, Hand-drawn 16.8%, Indie 16.1%, Side Scroller 12.6%

Why You'll Like It: Features a unique hand-drawn art style and fluid movement that emphasizes the platforming side of the experience.

Earth Atlantis is a side-scrolling shooter with an original "Monster-Hunting" gameplay. Search and hunt down dreadful sea monsters and explore the post-apocalyptic underwater world.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 50.1%, Side Scroller 18.9%, Indie 11.4%, Action 11%, Shooter 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: Features a distinct hand-drawn aesthetic and an open-world approach to side-scrolling shoot-em-up gameplay.

"This is some of the most fun I've had with a game so far this year, and it will go down as one of the best side-scrolling shooters of all time." - 9/10, Destructoid

Why similar: Platformer 27.1%, Action 19.4%, Indie 16%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.8%, Side Scroller 11.6%

Why You'll Like It: A physics-based action platformer that delivers intense, fast-paced combat similar to the platforming segments of the seed game.

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

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 48.7%, Side Scroller 18.3%, Action 16.4%, Shooter 10.5%, Indie 4.8%

Why You'll Like It: A polished side-scrolling shoot-em-up that focuses on classic arcade progression and ship upgrades.

Cuphead is a classic run and gun action game heavily focused on boss battles. Inspired by cartoons of the 1930s, the visuals and audio are painstakingly created with the same techniques of the era, i.e. traditional hand drawn cel animation, watercolor backgrounds, and original jazz recordings.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 28.4%, Hand-drawn 24.1%, Platformer 20.7%, Side Scroller 11.4%, Indie 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: The definitive hand-drawn boss-rush shooter that captures the same artistic dedication found in the seed game.

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 57.1%, Side Scroller 26.5%, Shooter 10%, Action 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: Offers a stunning, stylized visual presentation paired with deep, narrative-driven side-scrolling shooter mechanics.

Reign of Bullets is a shoot ‘em up with epic loot and lots of guns. Upgrade your ship and customize your weapons to build the ultimate fighter plane.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 57%, Side Scroller 17.5%, Action 13.4%, Indie 12.1%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses heavily on weapon customization and side-scrolling shooter gameplay within a stylized 2D world.

ADHD core loop weapon system will keep you on your toes in this thrilling sci-fi fantasy shmup / shoot'em up with epic boss battles and a vast arsenal of futuristic weapons! Battle legions of demonic entities, restore the cosmic balance, and save the universe! Experience FLOW STATE gaming!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 43.7%, Side Scroller 19.8%, Hand-drawn 18.5%, Action 8.8%, Shooter 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: A 2D side-scrolling shooter that focuses on action-packed combat and retro-inspired design.

Draw a ship, Fly it. Get creative.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 44.6%, Side Scroller 21.2%, Hand-drawn 13.7%, Shooter 9.2%, Action 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: Shares the doodle-like aesthetic and side-scrolling shooter gameplay that defines the seed game.

Sweezy Gunner is an eye melting, brain bending, mouse squeezing 2D Shoot em up. destroy everything in your path, Upgrade the Sweezy Gunner ship. A Large open World! Travel through the lush green fields, frozen tundra and arid desert. Explore the depths of the many dungeons, caves and temples and collect that tasty loot!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 41.3%, Action 26%, Indie 23%, Shooter 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: An action-packed shooter with a focus on bullet-hell mechanics and arcade-style intensity.

A super fast, twin analogue shooter for the modern age!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 49.2%, Indie 21%, Action 12.9%, Side Scroller 9.7%, Shooter 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced side-scrolling shooter that offers varied gameplay and a distinct visual style.

Sundered is a chaotic hand­-drawn metroidvania where you resist or embrace ancient eldritch powers, a challenging and unique take on a classic genre from the creators of Jotun, now with local co-op!

Why similar: Hand-drawn 32.3%, Platformer 26.3%, Side Scroller 17.8%, Indie 11.8%, Action 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: Utilizes a beautiful, hand-drawn art style to deliver intense action-platformer gameplay with exploration elements.

Fight your way across the celestial world of Avalice where cats are green, motorcycles drive up walls and monster girls do most of the buttkicking! Freedom Planet is a cartoony, combat-based platform adventure that pits a spunky dragonoid and her friends against an alien attack force.

Why similar: Platformer 51.5%, Action 18.5%, Indie 15.3%, Side Scroller 12.1%, Singleplayer 2.5%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced, hand-drawn platformer that features high-octane action and exploration-heavy levels.

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 60.2%, Side Scroller 14%, Action 8.9%, Indie 7.9%, Shooter 7.5%

Why You'll Like It: Features innovative shooter mechanics with a stylized 2D look that rewards strategic movement.

Immerse yourself in a gorgeous hand-painted world on a search for your true identity. As the mysterious warrior, Dust, your action-packed journey will take you from peaceful glades to snowy mountaintops and beyond.

Why similar: Platformer 44%, Action 22.6%, Indie 17%, Side Scroller 12.1%, Singleplayer 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: Pairs beautiful hand-drawn art with fluid action-platforming and character progression.

A deliciously addictive core of finger-blistering shooting action, surrounded by delectable morsels of galactic exploration, spacecraft customization, and community competitions.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 71.4%, Shooter 15.6%, Action 13%

Why You'll Like It: An accessible shooter that incorporates exploration and ship customization elements.

The fan-favorite 2D brawler is back as ex-mob hit man Shank returns to action in Shank 2. With those closest to him under attack, Shank is once again forced on the offensive. Now he must put his trusty arsenal of handguns, shotguns, automatic weapons, chainsaws, machetes, grenades, plus all-new weaponry and moves to use in order to...

Why similar: Action 28.8%, Side Scroller 27.3%, Platformer 22%, Indie 15.2%, Shooter 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: Features stylized, hand-drawn art with intense side-scrolling combat that feels punchy and responsive.

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 75.8%, Action 11%, Indie 7.4%, Shooter 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: A highly polished shooter that emphasizes ship customization and visual progression.

Warp into action with Solar Shifter EX. Man your ship and dive into fierce combat situations in space and over beautiful and distant planet surfaces. Solar Shifter EX is a sci-fi shoot 'em up with the unique ability to 'shift'.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 67%, Action 17.8%, Indie 15.2%

Why You'll Like It: A side-scrolling shooter that features a unique shifting mechanic to add depth to the combat.

Classic Japanese style vertical manic shooting action! Shoot, dodge and explode your way through the second entry in the critically acclaimed Danmaku Unlimited series. Battle through nail-biting bullet patterns and compete for dominance on the global leaderboard!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 77.1%, Action 9.4%, Indie 8.7%, Shooter 4.8%

Why You'll Like It: A high-intensity bullet-hell shooter with a polished, modern aesthetic.

Contract Rush DX is a hand-animated 2D Shoot 'Em Up, with multiple playable characters. Explore the world, collect powerful upgrades throughout levels, and unleash them to defeat difficult boss battles!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 48.5%, Hand-drawn 22.2%, Platformer 14.3%, Action 7.8%, Shooter 6.5%

Shoot rubber ducky arrows, pound enemies with a rhino hammer, and help Beethoven get his groove back in the last totally normal high school themed RPGvania you’ll ever want.

Why similar: Hand-drawn 34.2%, Side Scroller 26.1%, Action 19.3%, Indie 17.1%, Singleplayer 3.2%

Why You'll Like It: Features a unique hand-drawn art style combined with side-scrolling action-RPG mechanics.

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 56.3%, Side Scroller 21.8%, Action 10.8%, Shooter 9.9%, Singleplayer 1.2%

Why You'll Like It: Provides deep ship customization and classic side-scrolling shooter gameplay for those who enjoy the technical side of the genre.

Jump, Swing and Zip your way through colourful worlds and exciting challenges in this unique 2D action-platformer! Master the power of the Grapple on your adventure to save the world!

Why similar: Platformer 47.3%, Action 23.1%, Side Scroller 13.9%, Indie 12.9%, Singleplayer 2.8%

Why You'll Like It: A vibrant, hand-drawn platformer that introduces unique movement mechanics to keep the gameplay fresh.

Michel Ancel, the celebrated creator of Rayman®, Beyond Good & Evil®, and the Raving Rabbids®, returns to unleash his innovative creativity on this new entry into the Rayman® franchise.When Rayman, Globox, and the Teensies discover a mysterious tent filled with captivating paintings, they are suddenly transported to a series of...

Why similar: Platformer 64.9%, Side Scroller 16.9%, Action 16.1%, Singleplayer 2.1%

Why You'll Like It: Offers exquisite hand-drawn animation and precise platforming that captures the visual charm of the seed game.

A frenetic hand-drawn bullet hell shooter, blending run-and-gun mechanics with classic shmup action in looping arenas. Inspired by drawn-on-film animation of the 1930's - shoot, dash and pound your way through the Animator's creations.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 50%, Hand-drawn 17.6%, Side Scroller 16%, Action 8.1%, Shooter 6.9%

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

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 73.3%, Shooter 12.4%, Indie 6.5%, Action 5.1%, Singleplayer 2.7%

Why You'll Like It: A minimalist but highly addictive side-scrolling shooter that focuses on precision and timing.

Scoregasm is an incredible, variety rich shooter with a non-linear, branching paths style galaxy to explore. It's pretty, accessible, fun and really rather good! Blast your way through the galaxy's many varied levels and use your skills to change your route, find new levels, new enemies, unlock bonus challenge stages and fight the bosses...

Why similar: Action 53%, Indie 47%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced shooter that emphasizes arcade-style progression and high-score chasing.

Jets'n'Guns is a heavy piece of ground shaking rock blasting action with graphics and special effects that will blow you eyes out! Enjoy yourself in almost-insane action adventure of saving the universe from the deadly threat of more than 270 unique monsters in the campaign of 43 levels.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 66%, Side Scroller 17.3%, Action 7.2%, Indie 6%, Shooter 3.1%

A bullet heaven roguelite set in a procedurally generated universe. Land on planets to harvest resources, craft hundreds of game-breaking builds, and unleash them on relentless waves of aliens. Every run unveils a new universe: endless challenges, endless discoveries.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 86.8%, Action 10.5%, Singleplayer 2.7%

A huge hand-crafted world packed with 13 unique bosses, a gripping story, and tons of enemies, Spaceport Hope is the ultimate test of gaming prowess.

Why similar: Platformer 28.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 28.6%, Indie 22.9%, Action 14.4%, Shooter 5.2%

Duke of Alpha Centuri is a space shooter with amazing graphics. The main goal of our game is to have a lot of fun while blowing up hordes of different types of enemies. Engage in boss fights, upgrade your ship and ship systems until you are able to show off in an endless mode.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 45.5%, Action 30.6%, Indie 23.9%

Q-YO Blaster is a shooting game, with peculiar characters, strange enemies, weapons and many explosions. Enter the miniature world and stop the threat

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 66.6%, Action 18.1%, Indie 15.3%

Roche Fusion is a retro, over the top space shooter. An all you can shoot buffet; fast paced and procedurally generated; with crazy waves of enemies, awesome upgrades and wicked boss-fights! Also: Explosions. Lots of explosions.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 61.2%, Action 20.6%, Indie 18.2%

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 77.9%, Action 22.1%

Subdivision Infinity is an immersive and pulse pounding sci-fi space shooter featuring stunning graphics and tight spaceship game play. Hunt down and destroy enemy spacecraft, crush capital ships, mine asteroids for rare minerals, and find blueprints to craft amazing new vessels!

Why similar: Action 43.4%, Indie 34.3%, Shooter 19.1%, Singleplayer 3.3%

Bullet Heaven 2 is a bullet-hell shoot-em-up inspired by games like Touhou and Jamestown. It's all about shooting every cute thing that moves, while dodging hundreds of shiny bullets per second!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 70.8%, Action 13.9%, Indie 11.8%, Shooter 3.5%

a chaotic, infinite twin stick shooty✨

Why similar: Action 46.2%, Shooter 27.9%, Indie 20.5%, Singleplayer 5.4%

Explore, collect, and fight in Basketboy's Adventure! Uncover stories and hidden secrets across the vibrant, hand-drawn semi-open world of Gugu City. Master dozens of skills and talents, bond with powerful pets, and gear up for an epic battle!

Why similar: Hand-drawn 69.6%, Indie 23.5%, Singleplayer 6.9%

Zenodyne R is a new 90s-style shoot-'em-up game filled with YM2612 music and real Blast Processing action, where your reflexes and patience will be tested in their entirety! Packed with 6 crazy stages filled wtih bosses, 5 unique ships, unlockables, branching paths and more!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 57.9%, Action 23.2%, Indie 18.9%

Echoes+ is an intense retro action space shooter that will test your reaction and concentration levels to the max!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 60.4%, Action 21.6%, Indie 16.3%, Singleplayer 1.7%

Become the all-powerful Gunboat God in this fluid shoot 'em up. Carve the waves as you stylishly fight hordes of monsters in hundreds of quick-fire missions. Transform your Gunboat and upgrade your weapons, skills and abilities to take on giant, challenging, multi-stage bosses!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 44.7%, Side Scroller 15.8%, Platformer 13.4%, Shooter 8.9%, Action 7.7%

Arcade Mayhem Juanito is a retro experience about arcade-hopping. Teleport into different video games, play with unique mechanics inspired by well-known arcade games, face stunningly animated bosses and join the fight against the clonocell invasion.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 43.5%, Action 18.9%, Hand-drawn 18.8%, Indie 16.4%, Singleplayer 2.3%

Inferno 2 is an intense, atmospheric twin-stick adventure-shooter. Blast through 80+ levels full of enemies and secrets while upgrading your ship the way you want.

Why similar: Action 53%, Indie 47%

Welcome to the world of Draw, a 2D sidescroller and visual novel! Armed with nothing but a pencil, play as “Stickman” as you explore a brand-new world. Solve puzzles by drawing into the game, meet new friends while dodging scribble monsters, and make memories that’ll never be erased!

Why similar: Hand-drawn 33.8%, Platformer 33.4%, Side Scroller 32.9%

A fast-paced retro shoot-'em-up featuring evolving weapons, intense arcade combat and massive bosses — from one-man studio Psychotic Psoftware.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 50.9%, Side Scroller 18.2%, Indie 10.9%, Action 10.9%, Shooter 7.5%

Vertical semi-procedural shmup with upgrades, real-time enemy waves, and infinite replayability. Level up your ship, unlock 20+ weapons, defeat 5 bosses, and survive endless bullet-hell combat.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 75.7%, Action 12.8%, Shooter 8.4%, Singleplayer 3.1%

Jett Rider is an arcade shooter packed with action, exploration, RPG elements, tons of humor and awesome bosses. Explore, fight, gain experience, purchase weapons in this exciting adventure.

Why similar: Platformer 31.6%, Side Scroller 29.4%, Shooter 14.8%, Action 11.7%, Indie 7.7%

Get injected into the microscopic world of BioGun. Face viral threats and winding corridors on your mission to save man’s best friend from the inside. Will you save dog-kind from extinction?

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 42.9%, Hand-drawn 22.4%, Platformer 16.2%, Shooter 8.9%, Action 7%

This 360-degree shooter/platformer hybrid lets you choreograph a ‘dance of destruction’ in insanely spectacular battles and set-pieces. RIVE feels like the explosive games of yore, pumping megapixels in true 21st century style.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 44.7%, Side Scroller 19.2%, Platformer 15.6%, Shooter 8.6%, Action 6.7%

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 81.5%, Action 18.5%

Addictive fast-paced shoot-em-up with beautiful 3D graphics and an amazing soundtrack. 5 ships to choose from and 5 action-packed Stages.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 70.2%, Action 16.7%, Indie 13.1%

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 57.5%, Action 22.9%, Indie 19.6%

This is an arcade horizontal shoot'em up, that combines solid arcade controls with modern elements like bullet hell phases, tiny hitboxes, different types of gameplay and scoring, collectibles, trophies and many other features, which makes Wings Of Bluestar a fun shmup for both casuals and regulars.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 47.1%, Hand-drawn 26.4%, Shooter 9.6%, Action 8.9%, Indie 8%

Particle wars is a super cool and colorful survival shooter with crazy particle effects, tons of weapons and power-ups! Beat the levels with different approaches and get some great highscores at the infinite mode!

Why similar: Action 53%, Indie 47%

Explore a vast, colorful world in this 2D hand-drawn Metroidvania set during the Age of Discoveries. Grab your halberd and become a hero amid the storm!

Why similar: Side Scroller 31.2%, Hand-drawn 31.1%, Platformer 26.1%, Action 11.6%

Woodpunk is an exhilarating roguelike bullet hell retro pixel art shooter in a medieval Woodpunk universe, where the primary energy resource is WOOD.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 46.9%, Action 23.3%, Indie 19.6%, Shooter 10.1%