
Battle for Asciion is a classic horizontal shoot ’em up built entirely from real text characters. No sprites. No pixels. No images. Just pure ASCII action, massive bosses, weapon upgrades and retro arcade challenge.
60+ similar titles based on shared tags and player behavior. Themes include Shoot 'Em Up, Shooter, Action, Arcade.

Battle for Asciion is a classic horizontal shoot ’em up built entirely from real text characters. No sprites. No pixels. No images. Just pure ASCII action, massive bosses, weapon upgrades and retro arcade challenge.

Thunder Tiger
Thunder Tiger is a fast-paced side-scrolling shoot ’em up, blending 1980s arcade style with futuristic flair. Blast enemies, grab power-ups, and chase high scores in intense 2D stages. Classic retro vibe meets modern gameplay!

DRUNKEN BARON
DRUNKEN BARON is a fast-paced 2D arcade shooter inspired by classic flappy-style games. Keep your plane in the air by tapping the button, fly through chaotic corridors, shoot invading aliens, drop bombs, and survive as long as you can!
Thunder Tiger is a fast-paced side-scrolling shoot ’em up, blending 1980s arcade style with futuristic flair. Blast enemies, grab power-ups, and chase high scores in intense 2D stages. Classic retro vibe meets modern gameplay!
Why similar: Side Scroller 19.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 17.5%, Arcade 11.7%, 1980s 9.2%, Shooter 9.1%
DRUNKEN BARON is a fast-paced 2D arcade shooter inspired by classic flappy-style games. Keep your plane in the air by tapping the button, fly through chaotic corridors, shoot invading aliens, drop bombs, and survive as long as you can!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 17%, Side Scroller 15%, Arcade 13.6%, Action 13.6%, Shooter 13.4%
Throst is a 2D-retro-arcade-action adventure about precision flying under constant gravity. Dive through tight tunnels, outmaneuver and destroy defenses. Grab the enemy’s energy orbs, and blast your way back to orbit before you’re crushed or shot down.
Why similar: Boomer Shooter 23.1% ★, Side Scroller 15.6%, Shoot 'Em Up 12.9%, Arcade 10.8%, Shooter 7.9%
A free-to-play 90s-style bullet-hell shooter with high-res graphics, unlocked 60+ FPS, single-player campaign, and online co-op multiplayer!
Why similar: Side Scroller 18.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 16%, Shooter 11.2%, Arcade 10.1%, 1980s 8.9%
Galactic Vanguard is a fast-paced, retro-style action shooter. Grab your weapons and eliminate relentless enemy forces and powerful alien creatures. Engage in intense battles across space bases, desert wastelands, lava valleys, and abandoned alien ruins!
Why similar: Boomer Shooter 32.6% ★, 1990's 12.1%, Arcade 11.1%, Side Scroller 10.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 8.9%
Blast off for a retro shoot’em up experience filled with clever twists and secrets!
Why similar: Side Scroller 24.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 20.6%, Shooter 13.4%, Arcade 12%, Action 8.5%
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 20.9%, Side Scroller 19.7%, Shooter 12.5%, Arcade 10.4%, 1990's 8.5%
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 17.3%, Side Scroller 15.4%, Shooter 11.6%, 1980s 10.4%, Arcade 10.3%
In this classic side-scrolling shoot-em-up, originally published in 1989 for the Atari Lynx handheld console, take on the role of a starship pilot trapped in a web of 51 interconnected hostile universes by the evil spider Zendocon.
Why similar: Side Scroller 20.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 18.9%, Shooter 12.3%, Arcade 10.8%, Action 8.1%
Blast off for a sequel that pushes every facet of 2D shoot'em ups to escape velocity!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 20.5%, Side Scroller 18.4%, Arcade 15.1%, Shooter 14.9%, Action 14.5%
Super simple 2D shooter game! Use the two types of shots to push forward.Kick out the swarming zakos and take on the powerful bosses.7 crazy worlds are waiting for your cat!?
Why similar: Side Scroller 19.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 19.7%, Shooter 14.8%, Arcade 14.4%, Action 9%
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: Side Scroller 18.3%, Shoot 'Em Up 16.8%, Arcade 10.2%, Shooter 9.8%, 1980s 9%
Spacejack a UFO and turn alien tech against its owners across 49 action-packed stages. Use black holes, nukes, slow-mo, and more to survive escalating waves and save the planet.
Why similar: Mars 16.6% ★, Shoot 'Em Up 15.2%, Shooter 11.5%, Arcade 11.1%, Aliens 9.5%
Icarus, a classic side-scrolling space shoot-em-up tribute! - Thumping soundtrack, Bosses, Multiples, Power-ups, Secrets, BIG levels... ...Give the (free) work in progress / teaser demo a try!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 22.4%, Side Scroller 21.4%, 1980s 9.3%, Action 8.9%, Aliens 8.8%
Frenetic action and LCD aesthetic! In this 2D Shoot 'Em Up, switch between a robot hero and his benign tumor to stop a bizarre cult. You have 8 hours to save humanity's memory: defeat grotesque bosses, ride the skies on your Future Board, and master the chaos in a retro-futuristic Tokyo.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 18.6%, Boomer Shooter 15.4% ★, Arcade 14.2%, Side Scroller 13.6%, Action 12.7%
A classic style SHMUP in the tradition of 80's and 90's vertical scrolling shooters. Maximize your run and get to the top of the High-score Leaderboard. Can you achieve the rank of Fleet Admiral? It's a challenge. Visit our website for a free playable browser demo of the game.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 17.8%, Shooter 14.8%, Arcade 13%, Action 12.5%, 1980s 10.6%
Clear targets in your office call center and race to the exit in this ridiculous, stapler-centric target shooter.
Why similar: Boomer Shooter 42.7% ★, Shooter 12.5%, 1990's 10.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 9.3%, Action 8.4%
In this fun and frenetic shooter, you'll play as Bombardiro Crocodilo, who's trying to save Ballerina Capuchina from Tralalero Tralala's shoed fins. Embark on an action-packed journey with tons of shooting, different weapons, and skins from the Brainrot universe!
Why similar: Boomer Shooter 28.6% ★, Side Scroller 15.3%, Shoot 'Em Up 12.8%, Shooter 11.1%, Arcade 10.7%
SPACEMAN is a short, nostalgic, retro Shoot-Em-Up
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 21.4%, Side Scroller 13.2%, Action 9.5%, 1990's 9%, 1980s 9%
A sci-fi retro side-scrolling shoot-em-up / rescue game.
Why similar: Side Scroller 16.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.5%, Shooter 11.8%, Arcade 11.4%, 1980s 10.2%
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: Side Scroller 15.3%, Shoot 'Em Up 15%, 1980s 11.9%, Shooter 11.6%, Arcade 11.2%
Shoot, dodge, and survive your way through unique bosses and swarms of enemies in this Galaga inspired arcade shooter where the fate of a galaxy rests in your hands.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 19.4%, Action 15.9%, Arcade 15.7%, Shooter 15.4%, 1980s 11.1%
『StanÇact』is a cute and sexy girl-on-girl SHOOT'EM UP. Mai, a military officer, is on her way to quell a riot, but the rioters and the military have teamed up and are on the rampage and the head of the military was the ringleader.Witness one woman's struggle to complete her mission amidst the chaos!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 18.5%, Side Scroller 17.7%, Shooter 10.8%, 1980s 10.2%, Arcade 9.2%
A spectacular, satisfying, and super-watchable defense battle! The ultimate 8-bit shoot 'em ups born in the 21st century, ""Changeable Guardian ESTIQUE"", is now on Steam!
Why similar: Side Scroller 23.2%, Shooter 17.1%, Action 14.9%, Aliens 10.6%, Arcade 7.7%
WE HAVE ALIENS, YOU DON'T—Blast Martian invaders and flying saucers across 30 stages with robotic voice effects. Use your destructible shield, rescue army men for bonus points, and chase the high score.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 15.8%, Mars 15.5% ★, Shooter 11.8%, 1980s 11.8%, Arcade 11.4%
You are the Squad Killer! Blast through this retro arcade experience guns blazing! Hope you brought your reflexes because this pixel art massacre offers some good old hard core button mashing fun!
Why similar: Action 14.8%, Arcade 14.7%, Side Scroller 14.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 14.2%, Shooter 13.5%
A vertical-scrolling space shooter, and a love letter to classic arcade space shooters, Tryü Sora blends retro charm with modern gameplay. Master a handcrafted campaign, explore secrets, and dominate fast-paced modes in this addictive space adventure!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 15.6%, Mars 13.9% ★, Shooter 11.7%, 1980s 11.6%, Arcade 11.3%
Gray goo is a short retro arcade shooter with lots of upgrades. This game is about destroying goo in space and saving the universe.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 12.9%, Side Scroller 12.9%, Shooter 10%, Arcade 10%, 1980s 9.4%
Old school side scrolling shoot'em up. Blast through exciting different locations. Defeating waves of defenders until the final boss battle. Attack of the Mechadonk is a indie game developed for fun and learning for the creator.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 19.5%, Side Scroller 17.8%, Shooter 15.4%, Action 15.3%, Arcade 15.2%
Shoot lasers in space because a fish told you to. Ernesto's Asteroid Arcade is a twin-stick side-scrolling space shoot-em-up which tells the story of a man side-scrolling in space and shooting-em-up with twin-sticks. This game has at least 2 characters in it.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 19.3%, Side Scroller 16.9%, Action 15.9%, Arcade 15.6%, Shooter 15.3%
"Galactic Outlaws" is a side-scrolling space shooter where you lead an elite squad on high-risk missions. Customize and upgrade unique ships, master devastating weapons, and battle waves of enemies in a galaxy plunged into chaos. Victory depends on your strategy and skill!
Why similar: Boomer Shooter 25.8% ★, Side Scroller 13.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 12%, Arcade 10.2%, Shooter 10.1%
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 20.5%, Shooter 16.6%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.6%, 1980s 13.4%, Action 11.4%
A fast-paced retro arcade shooter inspired by classic 1980s side-scrolling space combat. Weave through organic obstacles, survive relentless enemy waves, and defeat powerful end-level bosses in a pure, skill-driven singleplayer experience.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 21.1%, Side Scroller 18.9%, Arcade 13%, Shooter 9.3%, 1980s 7.4%
In the year 2,000,000,009, a team of bounty hunters infiltrates a massive facility swarming with hostile AI. Can they find Zurd?
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 22.2%, Side Scroller 18.9%, Action 14.1%, Arcade 13.2%, 1980s 9%
Blast your way through a myriad of extra-terrestrial incursions in this arcade-style scrolling shooter! Pilot the ship Habroxia through 15 levels featuring intense boss fights, rescue missions, shifting perspectives, and untold surprises.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 19.7%, Side Scroller 18.4%, Shooter 15%, Arcade 14.8%, Action 13.5%
Fight your way to dominion over the universe in this Shoot Em Up game based on the book! On the planet Vale, known for its extreme cold and endless snowfields, the story follows young Talen Esko and his sister Salla, whose family, the Esko clan, is transferred to govern this icy world.
Why similar: Boomer Shooter 23.4% ★, Side Scroller 12.6%, Shoot 'Em Up 12.4%, Arcade 9.8%, Shooter 9.6%
Invaders from the Lost Sectors is classic arcade action. Aliens descend with increasing speed towards your base. Shoot them all before they land. Player controlled settings like guided missiles, rate of fire, enemy speed and more help you customize exactly the game experience that you want.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 22.8%, Shooter 16%, Arcade 14.7%, 1980s 8.8%, Action 8.6%
Survive endless waves and let yourself be swept away by the chaos. Impact Trial: Hyperchaos is a fast-paced arcade bullet hell game with adaptive difficulty, where every second counts and only your reflexes decide how long you last. The longer you hold out, the harder it gets.
Why similar: Boomer Shooter 31.8% ★, Arcade 12.2%, Shooter 12.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 11%, 1980s 8.8%
Stellar Raid is a side-scrolling run and gun game inspired by the greatest classic games of the genre! With a variety of weapon upgrades at your disposal (including a support drone) you’ll charge through hordes of enemy mercenaries to take down one of the Universe’s most notorious space terrorists!
Why similar: Side Scroller 28.6%, Shoot 'Em Up 23.3%, Arcade 14.9%, Shooter 8.1%, 1990's 6.5%
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: Side Scroller 20.6%, Shoot 'Em Up 19.3%, Arcade 13%, 1980s 11.3%, 1990's 7.7%
ZPF is a retro-inspired horizontal shooter for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. Blast your way through a cosmic gauntlet of epic boss battles, addictive scoring, and hidden secrets in a thrilling arcade-style adventure through fantasy, sci-fi, and alien-themed worlds.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 17.7%, Side Scroller 17.6%, Shooter 13.4%, 1990's 9.8%, Aliens 9.7%
Pig Ship and the Giant Wolf is a classic Shoot'em Up with a 8btis monochrome aesthetic. Cross the 6 worlds full of enemies and defeat the Giant Wolf to save your brothers.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 16.1%, Side Scroller 15.7%, 1980s 11.5%, Arcade 11.2%, Shooter 11.2%
Retro arcade shooter inspired by classic 80's games Fast-paced side-scrolling shoot ’em up with looping battlefields, relentless enemy waves, tactical shields, power-ups and hyperspace jumps
Why similar: Side Scroller 21.8%, 1980s 16%, Arcade 15%, Action 12.9%, Shooter 10.1%
Planet DOS is under attack by Space Aliens, DOSMan needs to fend them off and defend his home planet!
Why similar: Boomer Shooter 33.2% ★, Shoot 'Em Up 15.1%, Shooter 11.9%, 1980s 9.9%, Action 7.3%
I.F.O is an old school LCD-style shoot'em up game. You have to shoot UFOs using a classic aircraft and save the animals which kidnapped by the aliens. Let's save the Earth from the aliens! You are the last hero of the world.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 22.4%, Shooter 15.4%, 1980s 14.8%, Action 12%, Aliens 9.1%
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: Side Scroller 22.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 19.7%, Shooter 13.9%, Arcade 12.6%, 1980s 7.7%
Space-themed action and skill game.
Why similar: Boomer Shooter 27.9% ★, Side Scroller 15.1%, Shooter 11.4%, Arcade 11.3%, Mars 10.7% ★
Facing annihilation, a plucky crew of space salvagers fight dirty using the best tool in their belt - the salvage claw. Grab and toss enemies, deflect attacks, and reshape the battlefield with explosive chain reactions.
Why similar: Side Scroller 23.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 19.6%, Shooter 13.2%, Arcade 11.5%, 1980s 6.7%
In this unique shooter from 1984. take on the role of a pilot of an out-dated Cosmic Cruiser, fighting to rescue the crew of a distant space station that had been captured by a raiding party from the sinister Rallom Empire.
Why similar: Shooter 19.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.6%, Arcade 13.9%, Action 10%, 1980s 9.4%
The Queen of the Cosmic Wartoads has been abducted by the Rigellian Slime Beasts, their deadliest foe, and turned into the most hideous thing imaginable: a human being! Traverse the Rygellian Time-Void, reach the Slime King's lair and dismantle their deathly machine with your Cosmic Tool Kit.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 25.6%, Shooter 15.3%, Arcade 13.3%, 1980s 10.4%, Action 10.2%
KILLER BEE is an fast-paced Run & Gun action-strategy game where you take on high-stakes freelance contracts to escort valuable cargo across dangerous, monster-filled territories. Choose your risky routes wisely, and prove that you can deliver when every mile counts.
Why similar: Boomer Shooter 38.3% ★, Action 15%, Arcade 14.9%, Shooter 14.7%, Casual 9.1%
Master a modular arsenal and survive a biomechanical nightmare in this intense cinematic shmup. Face grotesque aberrations, unlock achievements, and conquer the hardcore mode. The first level of an expanding saga!
Why similar: Side Scroller 21.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 18.2%, Shooter 12.1%, Arcade 10.2%, Action 7.6%
Gravitaws is a retro-style stage shooter inspired by Jaws (NES). Explore a dynamic overworld map. Collect research materials and upgrades, while evading an Alien invader. The story is delivered in classic style cutscenes. Fight bosses, survive, collect, fish, and bomb your way to victory.
Why similar: Side Scroller 15.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 15%, Shooter 11.6%, 1980s 11%, 1990's 8.3%
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 27.3%, Side Scroller 25.3%, Shooter 16.2%, Arcade 15.4%, Action 11.2%
This book contains several of tamazusa's small-scale STG works, mainly game jam works.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 21.7%, Arcade 17.4%, Shooter 16.7%, Action 16.6%, Side Scroller 16.6%
A shoot'em up inspired by the 16-bit classics of the genre.
Why similar: Side Scroller 19.3%, Shoot 'Em Up 18.8%, Arcade 13.7%, Shooter 10.2%, 1990's 6.5%
¡Welcome to One More Day! Embark on an exciting and challenging experience where fashion and survival intertwine in this pixel art 2D game. Confront the dark threat of endless hordes of zombies as you embody a brave hero, equipped only with trusty underwear! Survive One More Day.
Why similar: Boomer Shooter 29.7% ★, Side Scroller 14.7%, Arcade 12.9%, Shooter 11.5%, 1990's 11.3%
Star Tank is a shmup with eighties aesthetics, a mixture of styles (Galaga-Operation Wolf). A difficult game that requires great control skills. 20 stages. 5 bosses. Various enemies. Become an expert pilot of a StarTank!!!!
Why similar: Side Scroller 18.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 17.1%, Shooter 13.7%, Arcade 13.5%, Action 9.5%
Planetstar Warrior is a horizontal scroll-space shooter with numerous powerups and a gradually increasing level of difficulty. Defeat all enemies on each level to progress.
Why similar: Side Scroller 24.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 20.5%, Shooter 14%, Arcade 11.4%, Action 8.5%
Is there a gamepad lying around somewhere?!! Ready to play some real shooter games again? Grab the controller and become an APANO SYN PILOT to face the alien invasion. Connect up to four controllers and shoot until you drop. 100% survival chance on "Easy", low on "Impossible".
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 22.2%, Shooter 15.7%, Arcade 14.4%, 1980s 12%, 1990's 9.1%