Games Like Deathsmiles

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: Bullet Hell 40.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 37.8%, Arcade 7.1%, Great Soundtrack 5.8%, Anime 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: Developed by CAVE, this is the gold standard for bullet-hell gameplay with stunning visuals and deep scoring systems.

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 40.1%, Bullet Hell 40.1%, Arcade 7%, Anime 4.8%, Great Soundtrack 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: Another masterpiece from CAVE that offers the same high-octane intensity and precision-based bullet dodging found in Deathsmiles.

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 45.9%, Bullet Hell 30.1%, Great Soundtrack 6.6%, Arcade 5.8%, Anime 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: A modern indie shooter that perfectly balances accessible mechanics with the complex bullet patterns that fans of the genre crave.

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 45.4%, Bullet Hell 39.7%, Arcade 7.7%, Great Soundtrack 4.2%, Action 1.6%

Why You'll Like It: A classic arcade shooter that introduces a unique polarity-switching mechanic, essential for any fan of challenging shmups.

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 37.3%, Bullet Hell 32.6%, Arcade 10.6%, Side Scroller 6%, Action 4.8%

Why You'll Like It: This CAVE classic features a unique transformation mechanic and a dark, atmospheric aesthetic that pairs perfectly with the Deathsmiles experience.

Sparks flare around the man all five sisters wish to claim. Introducing the new vertical scrolling shooter game!

Why similar: Bullet Hell 58.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 20.5%, Arcade 13.1%, Action 5.9%, Indie 1.8%

Why You'll Like It: This game shares the same gothic-anime aesthetic and character-focused gameplay loop as Deathsmiles.

RefRain - prism memories - is an empowering, cyberpunk, bullet-hell shoot-’em-up that focuses on fast-paced, offensive gameplay. “Dive” into a hazardous digital world, cycle through 3 different attack modes, and delete the opposition with superior firepower.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 42.3%, Bullet Hell 30.8%, Action 8.9%, Great Soundtrack 8.2%, Anime 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: A highly polished indie shooter that offers intense bullet-hell action and a deep, customizable weapon system.

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 34%, Bullet Hell 31.8%, Arcade 8.8%, Anime 8.7%, Female Protagonist 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: This title rewards players for flying dangerously close to bullets, creating a high-risk, high-reward gameplay loop similar to CAVE's scoring systems.

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 54.4%, Bullet Hell 18.8%, Arcade 9.6%, Great Soundtrack 8.6%, Side Scroller 4.4%

Why You'll Like It: A premier side-scrolling shooter that offers a massive amount of content and a distinct, memorable soundtrack.

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 40.3%, Bullet Hell 36.6%, Anime 5.3%, Action 4.7%, Arcade 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: Featuring a beautiful Asian-horror aesthetic, this bullet-hell shooter mirrors the dark, supernatural themes of Deathsmiles.

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 50.1%, Bullet Hell 24.9%, Great Soundtrack 11.8%, Action 7.2%, Arcade 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: A unique shooter that blends classic arcade sensibilities with modern bullet-hell mechanics and a fantastic, driving soundtrack.

Take to the skies once again as the last defender of humanity against overwhelming odds! Lovingly built to be enjoyed by newcomers and genre veterans alike, Danmaku Unlimited 3 is a perfect medley of the best aspects of classic bullet hell shooters wrapped up in a modern and approachable package.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 39.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 39.4%, Arcade 7.3%, Great Soundtrack 6.7%, Action 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: This title distills the bullet-hell experience into a sleek, modern package with a focus on high-speed action and accessibility.

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: Bullet Hell 44.3%, Shoot 'Em Up 37%, Great Soundtrack 8.4%, Action 4.3%, Anime 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: A fun and accessible take on the genre that features a great soundtrack and plenty of unlockable content.

March 18th, 2061 - "Operation Downfall" Commences With its reliance on BAC, humanity had forgotten how to operate even basic transportation, let alone weapons. After the attacks from BAC and the subsequent social chaos, the human population was reduced by half.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 70.4%, Bullet Hell 16%, Shooter 7.7%, Action 4%, Indie 1.9%

Why You'll Like It: A modern masterpiece of the genre that features incredible stage design and a satisfying, tactical approach to clearing the screen.

This is the story of a fighter who wanted to become...

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 43.5%, Bullet Hell 30.9%, Great Soundtrack 11.3%, Arcade 5.7%, Action 3.5%

Why You'll Like It: A brilliant modern shooter that subverts genre expectations while delivering a top-tier bullet-hell experience.

Rescue breakfast in this arcade-style bullet hell shoot 'em up!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 38.4%, Bullet Hell 33.9%, Arcade 10.1%, Female Protagonist 7.1%, Action 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: A vibrant and challenging indie shooter that captures the whimsical yet difficult nature of classic arcade games.

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 36.6%, Bullet Hell 34.9%, Anime 9.7%, Female Protagonist 6.5%, Action 4.4%

Why You'll Like It: A solid, anime-styled bullet-hell shooter that focuses on intense boss battles and precise movement.

Help Aru save Christmas in this humoristic, action-packed shooter set in the universe of QP Shooting - Dangerous!!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 32.3%, Bullet Hell 30.7%, Anime 8.8%, Arcade 6.7%, Great Soundtrack 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: A colorful and festive shooter that offers a surprisingly deep and challenging gameplay experience.

"Murasaki" is a puzzle explosion game. Use explosions to clear the screen of pesky obstacles filling it up. The only controls you need are the directional buttons and two other buttons (Z and X)!

Why similar: Bullet Hell 34.3%, Shoot 'Em Up 33.7%, Great Soundtrack 7.7%, Anime 7.2%, Action 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: A unique blend of puzzle and bullet-hell mechanics that offers a fresh perspective on the genre.

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 47.1%, Arcade 16.2%, Anime 11.5%, Side Scroller 9.1%, Action 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: A charming side-scrolling shooter that balances cute aesthetics with challenging, classic arcade gameplay.

Jigoku Kisetsukan is a bullet hell shootergame with anime-style drawings and chip music.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 51.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 26.2%, Anime 10.1%, Great Soundtrack 6.2%, Female Protagonist 2.4%

Why You'll Like It: A free-to-play bullet-hell title that captures the spirit of classic danmaku games with a distinct seasonal theme.

Angels swooping across a disastrous sky! The shoot 'em up of gothic horrors is back

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 29.8%, Bullet Hell 26.3%, Gothic 12.2% ★, Arcade 8.6%, Anime 6.4%

Armed to the teeth, players begin as Neptune in an unworldly 8-bit space dimension ravaged by creatures who burst endless waves of bullets. Shoot, dodge, and defeat the boss in six unique bullet-hell worlds.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 40.6%, Shoot 'Em Up 35%, Anime 8.9%, Action 4.2%, Female Protagonist 4%

Why You'll Like It: A lighthearted, anime-styled shooter that provides a fun, arcade-like experience with familiar characters.

For the very first time, highly acclaimed Japanese Arcade Shoot’em Ups - VASARA (2000) and VASARA 2 (2001) - are made available to the whole world via this package: VASARA COLLECTION!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 39.9%, Bullet Hell 34.7%, Anime 9.8%, Arcade 9%, Action 3.9%

Why You'll Like It: This collection brings classic historical-fantasy shooters to modern platforms with intense, screen-clearing action.

Fantastic Danmaku Festival is a Touhou Project fanfiction STG with colourful danmaku, beautiful remix music and original music. Besides the characters we know in Touhou Project, there is also a brand new original character named Nix in this game! With the Scarlet Devil mansion as their stage, the girls are soaring in the sky of Gensokyo!

Why similar: Bullet Hell 51%, Shoot 'Em Up 26.1%, Anime 5.4%, Great Soundtrack 5.2%, Action 5%

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: Bullet Hell 43.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 41.2%, Great Soundtrack 4.9%, Arcade 4.3%, Action 3%

【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 37.5%, Bullet Hell 32.7%, Anime 6.4%, Arcade 5.5%, Female Protagonist 4.9%

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 36.5%, Bullet Hell 31.4%, Anime 8.8%, Arcade 8.1%, Female Protagonist 6.2%

弾幕は 地獄であるほど 美しい 深ければ深いほど地底は地獄の姿を取り戻す ヘリッシュでラブリーな弾幕シューティング地獄

Why similar: Bullet Hell 36.6%, Shoot 'Em Up 31.4%, Great Soundtrack 12.2%, Action 6.5%, Female Protagonist 6.4%

Experience the rush of battle with the fan acclaimed Bullet-Hell shooter "SUGURI". You're equipped with an automatic lock-on targeting system and a unique arsenal of hyper weapons, power shields, and more. Sure, she may look cute, but when it's time to fight, it's all business.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 37.3%, Shoot 'Em Up 30.1%, Anime 12.9%, Female Protagonist 6.5%, Great Soundtrack 6%

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 59.2%, Bullet Hell 17.4%, Action 7.5%, Female Protagonist 6.2%, Shooter 4.7%

Touhou Makuka Sai ~ Fantastic Danmaku Festival part II is a danmaku shooting game, which is the second part of Touhou Makuka Sai. The repeat of incident is coming again. Can the girls going to the netherworld solve the mystery?

Why similar: Bullet Hell 49%, Shoot 'Em Up 31.6%, Great Soundtrack 8.7%, Anime 5%, Female Protagonist 3.7%

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 35.2%, Bullet Hell 29.8%, Anime 9.2%, Arcade 8.4%, Female Protagonist 6.1%

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: Shoot 'Em Up 37.2%, Bullet Hell 36.4%, Arcade 9.6%, Female Protagonist 7.5%, Shooter 3.8%

飛び出そう、いつも通りの弾幕へ それが結果として世界をひっくり返す事になるだろう プリティでデュアリスチックなシューティング幻想！

Why similar: Bullet Hell 40.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 32.1%, Great Soundtrack 11%, Action 5.2%, Female Protagonist 4.5%

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 36.3%, Bullet Hell 31.7%, Arcade 9.5%, Anime 8.4%, Female Protagonist 4.8%

我が国には八百万の神々がいる 弾幕は八百万発程度では終わらない ノスタルジックでネイティブな弾幕シューティング原風景

Why similar: Bullet Hell 37.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 33.1%, Great Soundtrack 11.1%, Female Protagonist 6%, Action 5%

ルール無用の弾幕地獄週間！ 華麗に、ずる賢く、卑怯な手でしのぎきれ！

Why similar: Bullet Hell 44.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 32%, Great Soundtrack 9.9%, Female Protagonist 5.9%, Action 4.9%

東方Project第19弾は、対戦型弾幕シューティング！ ダークで元気いっぱいで、ちょっぴり可愛い妖獣たちの狂宴をお楽しみに。

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 42.2%, Bullet Hell 31.2%, Female Protagonist 7%, Action 5.5%, Great Soundtrack 5.2%

A legendary SHMUP influential to the best makers in the genre, Hellsinker is now available on steam in its most advanced form! Gameplay, story, graphics, and even music all united into one cohesive and highly dimensional Shoot-em-up!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 38.3%, Bullet Hell 30.7%, Arcade 8.7%, Anime 7.8%, Female Protagonist 5.3%

誰が強いのか、誰が賢いのか、誰が正しいのか 畜生の理に則って、全て弾幕で決めよう！ ワイルドでビーストライクなシューティング幻想！

Why similar: Bullet Hell 39.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 30.2%, Great Soundtrack 13.5%, Female Protagonist 5.5%, Action 3.1%

Maiden & Spell is a magical girl battle game, set in a cutesy fantasy world. Select from one of eight young ladies to battle 1 on 1 with a friend, or fight your way through a series of bosses and learn the secrets of The Kingdom of Stars.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 36.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 28%, Action 11.5%, Anime 6.8%, Indie 5.7%

月の都から敵が攻めてきた！ その弾幕が過去最狂難易度を誇るのは当然だろう？ ピュアーでルナティックなシューティング幻想！

Why similar: Bullet Hell 45.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 23.6%, Great Soundtrack 13.4%, Female Protagonist 5.3%, Anime 3.7%

Dodge bullets to the rhythm and take down everything that moves! A rhythmical danmaku action game.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 70.7%, Action 13.3%, Female Protagonist 10.9%, Cute 5.1%

桜を見ながら西瓜を割り、紅葉を見ながら鍋をつつく こんな季節に誰がした！ イレギュラーでシーズナルなシューティング幻想！

Why similar: Bullet Hell 44%, Shoot 'Em Up 27.2%, Great Soundtrack 13.9%, Female Protagonist 5.7%, Arcade 3.9%

Team Shanghai Alice presents a bullet hell shooter! The 20th installment of the Touhou Project. Utilize the powers you've acquired to overcome new challenges!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 37.8%, Bullet Hell 36%, Arcade 7.7%, Female Protagonist 5.6%, Great Soundtrack 5.3%

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 43.8%, Bullet Hell 32.6%, Anime 8.6%, Great Soundtrack 8.2%, Action 5.9%

飛び出そう、いつも通りの弾幕へ それが結果として世界をひっくり返す事になるだろう プリティでデュアリスチックなシューティング幻想！

Why similar: Bullet Hell 43.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 31.5%, Great Soundtrack 10.8%, Female Protagonist 4.9%, Action 3.6%

Older Neptune and friends shoot and slash through enemies of Gamindustri in this rail shooter!

Why similar: Bullet Hell 35%, Shoot 'Em Up 33.1%, Arcade 11.3%, Anime 8.7%, Action 6.9%

東方Project第16.5弾！ 超能力女子高生「宇佐見菫子」に、突如襲いかかる幻想郷の住人達。その恐ろしくも美しい弾幕を、スマホに撮りまくり、SNS映えを狙おう！ サイキカルでSNS映え狙いのシューティング幻想！

Why similar: Bullet Hell 39.6%, Shoot 'Em Up 27%, Great Soundtrack 11.4%, Action 5.7%, Female Protagonist 5.2%

A bullet hell roguelike game. Players can utilize characters with different abilities, collect and assemble powerful items. Dance through an unending barrage of bullets to save both yourself and Touhou Gensokyo from the darkness that is engulfing everything.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 61.1%, Anime 18.1%, Female Protagonist 13.4%, Cute 3.9%, Indie 3.5%

Dodge bullets, missiles and lasers in battle as you wrap your head around that bunny girl costume! Combo away with your mighty Piko Hammer or spam various spells from afar with your fiery fairy friend. Explore and explode through Rabi-Rabi Island as you collect power-ups and uncover secrets...

Why similar: Bullet Hell 51.3%, Anime 15.8%, Female Protagonist 11.9%, Side Scroller 9.3%, Action 5.6%

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds! Enjoy fast and frantic arcade-style beat 'em up gameplay with cute characters. Beat up hordes of weird enemies with awesome special attacks. Local co-op and PVP supported for up to 4 players!

Why similar: Anime 38.5%, Female Protagonist 14.4%, Action 12.7%, Great Soundtrack 10.8%, Side Scroller 9.8%

Azure Reflections is an insane, side-scrolling bullet hell fangame based on one of the hottest shooting game series to come out of Japan, the Touhou Project! Enemies come at you from all directions with a relentless hail of bullets! Fight back with a well-timed Danmaku Rush to tear your way through bullets and enemies alike!

Why similar: Bullet Hell 39.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 29.9%, Anime 10.8%, Action 10.2%, Indie 5%