60+ similar titles based on shared tags and player behavior. Themes include Arcade, Action, Shoot 'Em Up, 2D.
In this sidescrolling shoot ‘em up, you are the top pilot of the Exile Squadron, who has to stop the invading colonial forces. Unlock and upgrade an array of tactically diverse weapons, complete bonus objectives and compete with other players on the online leaderboards.
Switch 'N' Shoot
Endless arcade action with just ONE button - Switch directions whenever you shoot!
Astral Bounty
Astral Bounty is a brutally hard 2D arcade sidescroll shooter straight out of the 90s. Shoot your way through hand-built formations, earn credits as you go, and spend them on upgrades, checkpoints, and revives. One difficulty setting, four ships, no mercy.
Endless arcade action with just ONE button - Switch directions whenever you shoot!
Why similar: Perma Death 17.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 17.3%, Difficult 11.2%, Score Attack 11%, Arcade 7.2%
Astral Bounty is a brutally hard 2D arcade sidescroll shooter straight out of the 90s. Shoot your way through hand-built formations, earn credits as you go, and spend them on upgrades, checkpoints, and revives. One difficulty setting, four ships, no mercy.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 17.5%, Side Scroller 14.9%, Difficult 11%, Score Attack 9.2%, Old School 7.8%
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 21.2%, Side Scroller 19.1%, Space 9.8%, Score Attack 9.7%, Arcade 9.2%
Dodge, dash, and blast through five handcrafted worlds in a fast pixel-art arcade shooter built for score chasing, boss fights, and perfect runs. Free demo available.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 23.8%, Side Scroller 15.5%, Score Attack 13.5%, Arcade 9.7%, Pixel Graphics 7.3%
Pilot a powerful starfighter through an endless alien invasion. Rescue the Cubes, survive relentless alien waves, and chase the ultimate high score in this fast-paced arcade space shooter.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 25.2%, Side Scroller 21.1%, Arcade 12.8%, Space 10.4%, Sci-fi 8.8%
Oddinary Highway is a retrofuturistic shoot’em up with roguelite elements and ever-changing game mechanics. Set out on a dangerous journey through the hyperspace known as the “Oddinary Highway” to face Boss and his robo-mafia.
Why similar: Perma Death 20.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 18.3%, Side Scroller 17.7%, Score Attack 8.5%, Arcade 7.4%
Syder Reloaded revives the Syder series in this love-letter to 90s Amiga shmups with upgraded graphics and refined gameplay. Challenging levels, a fleet of ships and a motherload of alien invaders. Get back to your roots and curse at your monitor in this skills-first shooter.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 21.2%, Side Scroller 15.1%, Difficult 11.8%, Space 11.1%, Arcade 9%
Offendron Warrior is a retro arcade that combines shooting and defense. Your objective is saving Offendron civilians in the planets from the group of enemies, who are trying to spread a virus that turns Offendrons into mindless killing machines and eventually destroy the whole planet.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 19.6%, Side Scroller 18.4%, Difficult 14.5%, Space 9.8%, Old School 7.9%
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: Shoot 'Em Up 24%, Side Scroller 22.5%, Arcade 8.9%, Retro 8.3%, Space 8.1%
Outnumbered and outgunned in deep space? No problem! Turn your enemies' attacks into pure bullet heaven with your shield tech and absorb projectiles to power up your ship and score big! But when your shield expires and it's danger time, you better switch up your strategy fast...
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 23.8%, Side Scroller 19.4%, Space 9.4%, Arcade 8%, Score Attack 7.6%
A shmup without shooting. Reflect the bullets with one of your two shields. Bite-sized arcade action. Cover humankind's retreat and make it count.
Why similar: Side Scroller 17.5%, Score Attack 10.8%, Space 10.6%, Shoot 'Em Up 9.6%, Arcade 9.4%
Dangerous Galaxy is a rogue-lite adventure focused on the freedom to create your ultimate spaceship while exploring procedurally generated star systems, and fighting various enemies and bosses to save the galaxy from evil.
Why similar: Perma Death 19.9%, Side Scroller 18.1%, Space 12.4%, Difficult 10.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 10.5%
Tri-Star is an endless horizontal-scrolling space shooter featuring Roguelike and Roguelite elements. Blast through waves of enemies and battle against arduous bosses. Form a squadron of three unique ships from an expanding roster and equip them with upgrades as you engage in a battle for survival.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 21.4%, Side Scroller 17.2%, Difficult 11.9%, Perma Death 11.6%, Space 10.8%
A shoot'em up inspired by the 16-bit classics of the genre.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 21.7%, Side Scroller 18.9%, Old School 10.4%, Arcade 10.3%, Space 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 27.5%, Side Scroller 22%, Arcade 8.9%, Space 8.2%, Score Attack 7.6%
A fast-paced Breakout-style arcade with a bold black-and-white aesthetic. Engage in space battles against stunning yet deadly alien foes who are determined to destroy you. Intense visuals, thrilling gameplay, and a challenge that will test your reflexes.
Why similar: Perma Death 24.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 21.4%, Side Scroller 19.9%, Arcade 9%, Minimalist 7.7%
A single-stick arcade shoot 'em up inspired by the golden years of retro gaming. Blast to the synthwave beat to combine powerups and destroy waves of invaders. Complete missions, compete on leaderboards, discover secrets, and unlock over 80 unique ships from every era of gaming.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 28%, Side Scroller 19.9%, Score Attack 16.4%, Arcade 9%, Space 8%
Betrayed by her cut-throat crew, Luna Starr - former Space Pirate Captain turned bounty hunter - has a score to settle. As Luna, travel to 5 exotic planets to track down your mutinous mates, and face them in Bullet Hell dogfights to the death!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 29.1%, Side Scroller 13.8%, Score Attack 10.5%, Sci-fi 8.5%, Arcade 7.8%
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: Shoot 'Em Up 24.4%, Side Scroller 22.7%, Score Attack 10.7%, Arcade 10.6%, Sci-fi 7.5%
A side-scrolling action shooter where you push through enemy lines, switching between handgun, machine gun, shotgun, and sniper rifle. Weapon choice and reload timing can mean the difference between life and death. No extra lives. No continues. One life to conquer the battlefield.
Why similar: Perma Death 20.2%, Side Scroller 19.8%, Difficult 14.6%, Score Attack 10.1%, Arcade 5.9%
Rick Henderson is an endless horizontal-scrolling shoot 'em up with infinite replayability, a true homage to 16-bit shooters wrapped in graphics we all loved. Twitch your fingers through five enemy factions and their bosses, upgrade your ship and try to survive through unpredictable space events.
Why similar: Perma Death 21.6%, Shoot 'Em Up 19.9%, Side Scroller 18.4%, Space 9.7%, Arcade 8%
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 26.8%, Side Scroller 20.3%, Arcade 10.7%, Space 9%, Old School 6.9%
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 20.3%, Difficult 14.1%, Space 9.7%, Score Attack 9.6%, Arcade 8.7%
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 19%, Difficult 14.5%, Score Attack 10%, Minimalist 9.9%, Space 9.6%
classical horizontal scroll 2D Shmup
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 22.6%, Side Scroller 18.8%, Space 12.8%, Score Attack 10.9%, Old School 6.6%
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 27.9%, Side Scroller 20.1%, Arcade 10.8%, Retro 7.7%, Action 6.8%
You thought geometry was difficult? Now it's got a gun! Face the fury of the Seven Deadly Shapes and blast your way through a barrage of bullets and lasers in this highly accessible bullet hell.
Why similar: Perma Death 21.3%, Shoot 'Em Up 19.7%, Difficult 13.5%, Score Attack 12.5%, Minimalist 7.6%
Defend humanity's first Mars colony in this fast-paced modern arcade space shooter. Battle asteroid storms, hostile UFOs, complete challenging missions, and master skill-based gameplay inspired by the golden age of arcade classics.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 25.2%, Space 13.6%, Difficult 12.8%, Arcade 12.1%, Pixel Graphics 7.6%
A stylish sci-fi arcade shooter about cleansing the galaxy of pesky demons! Cosmic Cleaner is a fast-paced, high score chasing action game that progressively gets more challenging. Designed for quick and easy fun.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 24.6%, Score Attack 15.1%, Arcade 12.7%, Space 12%, Retro 7.8%
A BAFTA Cymru-nominated arcade space shooter about momentum. There is no brake. You learn to fly with what you've got, die, and get a little better each time. No random builds, no unfair deaths. Every run you lose, you lost. Just one more cycle.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 20.7%, Score Attack 14%, Difficult 13.8%, Space 12.4%, Arcade 9.8%
The giant hornets have destroyed your hive and taken the pollen. Fight the swarms alone or with a friend and destroy the dangerous hornet queen! The insect world is very dangerous but... what are you waiting for to get your revenge?
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 21.1%, Side Scroller 19.6%, Difficult 15.6%, Score Attack 8.8%, Space 8.6%
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 16.9%, Space 14.6%, Side Scroller 14.3%, Minimalist 11.7%, Arcade 8.5%
Classic 2D shoot em up with updated graphics. Dodge a storm of bullets as you blast through space shooting hordes of enemies. Collect powerups to survive against fearsome bosses. Pilot a suicide runner as you fight to unravel the mystery of what is destroying the universe.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 28%, Side Scroller 15%, Arcade 11.7%, Score Attack 7.9%, Sci-fi 7.7%
A demanding, run‑based precision brick‑breaker with permadeath, resource management, and 330+ handcrafted levels. Harvest Alchemite and trade strategically between levels. No saves, no retries - just pure skull. Play solo or up to 3‑player local co‑op.
Why similar: Perma Death 21%, Shoot 'Em Up 18.3%, Difficult 13.5%, Space 8.9%, Arcade 7.5%
A retro shooter with a new power: the power to become any ship.Lost in the depths of space, you are a being of pure psychic energy with the uncanny power to take over and control anything you see in order to survive.Built for PC, Enemy Mind lets you battle your way through 70+ waves of challenging enemies.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 25%, Side Scroller 17.3%, Space 14.2%, Arcade 8.9%, Pixel Graphics 7.1%
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 31.1%, Space 16%, Arcade 11.8%, Difficult 11.7%, Pixel Graphics 8%
First instalment in the series of 2D action side-scrollers, taking place in very distant galaxy and not so distant future. Gameplay main hallmarks are fast-paced laser guns shootouts, punch 'n' kick combats, managing obby-like obstacles, using wits in overcoming deadly traps and witty dialogues.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 26.3%, Side Scroller 19.3%, Arcade 13.3%, Action 7.8%, Sci-fi 7.6%
Introducing the Grapple Beam! Chain ghosts together then pop them all at once for points in an endless 'bullet hell' arcade apocalypse.
Why similar: Perma Death 22.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 18.3%, Score Attack 14.3%, Difficult 13.3%, Arcade 10%
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 31.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 30.2%, Arcade 12.6%, Space 10%, Retro 7.3%
Space shooters never die. 1993 is a testament to that. 1993 is a classic shoot em up celebrating games like Gradius, R-Type and Life Force.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 17.5%, Side Scroller 15.1%, Difficult 10.7%, Score Attack 10%, Space 8.4%
Take on a howling challenge in Full Moon Rush! This classic shoot 'em up is a bullet hell masterpiece with a boss rush twist. With 15 epic battles and old-school graphics, you'll need expert shooting skills to survive. Customizable health and Assist Mode make it accessible to all.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 23.5%, Side Scroller 22.2%, Difficult 17.2%, Arcade 8.2%, Pixel Graphics 7.5%
Punch, whip, and zipline your way through a post-apocalyptic America in this 16-bit retro-style action platformer! Play as Taro Takahashi, a resistance soldier on a revenge mission against the dictator who lords over the ashes.
Why similar: Perma Death 17.8%, Side Scroller 16.9%, Difficult 12.4%, Arcade 8.7%, Fast-Paced 8.2%
Pilot a lone ship through a collapsing orbital station in a modern 2.5D shoot ’em up. Block bullets with a 360° directional shield, destroy grotesque wreck-born enemies, defeat colossal bosses, and build new upgrade paths with every run — a love letter to classic shoot ’em ups.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 20.3%, Side Scroller 17.7%, Difficult 12.3%, Score Attack 10.7%, Space 10.6%
A Brutal, Roguelite Arcade Blaster. Similar in style and gameplay to arcade classics like Asteroids and Defender.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 23.5%, Arcade 13.1%, Minimalist 11.5%, Space 9.9%, Old School 8.8%
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 25.4%, Side Scroller 24%, Arcade 10.5%, Space 9.6%, Score Attack 8.8%
You are valiant space hero who is not as fortunate as those in the golden age of scrolling shooters who had infinite ammo. Instead you must absorb your enemies' weapons and retaliate!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 30.9%, Side Scroller 16%, Space 15.2%, Arcade 11.3%, Score Attack 8%
Dodge, defend, and destroy! Engage in a frenetic shoot 'em up, facing relentless bullet streams that test your reflexes. Experience dynamic shifts between vertical and horizontal views as you fend off endless enemy waves. Use polarity shields for defense and strike back fiercely. Conquer the chaos!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 23.8%, Difficult 17.3%, Space 14.7%, Perma Death 13.2%, Arcade 9.3%
Space Mages: D33 is a Space Shooter/Bullet Hell about shoot in aliens with magics and combine elements to make powerfull new elemental magics
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 19%, Perma Death 18.6%, Side Scroller 14.8%, Difficult 13.9%, Space 11.6%
Killing zombies never gets old, but sometimes you just need a break. Get back to some serious old-school gaming with Syder Arcade! Syder Arcade is a love letter to Amiga games of the ‘90s, no coins, no upgrade grinding, just your tenacity and a motherload of alien invaders.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 39.7%, Side Scroller 12%, Arcade 11.1%, Space 9.6%, Sci-fi 6.9%
Take off on a classic arcade journey with Tiger-Heli, Toaplan's pioneering vertical shooter that set the stage for an entire genre. Now available on PC with a host of modern upgrades!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 37%, Arcade 15.8%, Score Attack 12%, Old School 8.9%, Pixel Graphics 6.5%
Dual elevation horizontal 2D arcade shoot 'em up co-op helicopter action!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 22.9%, Side Scroller 17.3%, Difficult 15.6%, Score Attack 9.7%, Arcade 8.3%
Embark on a thrilling journey as a space mercenary! Customize your ships with powerful weapons and modules, choose contracts and destinations, and battle enemy fleets and epic bosses. Your decisions shape the universe around you, so forge your path in this action-packed space shooter!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 23.9%, Side Scroller 20.1%, Arcade 11.7%, Space 11%, Pixel Graphics 6.1%
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 30.2%, Side Scroller 22%, Space 11.3%, Arcade 6.8%, Retro 6.8%
Blast off for a retro shoot’em up experience filled with clever twists and secrets!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 30.3%, Side Scroller 30.2%, Arcade 11.5%, Old School 7.2%, Pixel Graphics 6.9%
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 28.6%, Side Scroller 16.8%, Space 10.8%, Sci-fi 9.2%, Pixel Graphics 8%
Nova Swarm is a fast vertical shoot 'em up. Start with one ship, unlock the rest one by one, defeat bosses, and choose run-long upgrades that shape a different build each time. Chase ranked scores across a 30-ship roster.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 31.1%, Score Attack 17.2%, Space 13.7%, Arcade 11.1%, Sci-fi 9.1%
This arcade shoot 'em up has no shooting and you can only turn right. Avoid waves of enemies and get points as they crash into each other. Pick up power-ups, such as a large laser or a force field to destroy the enemies. Die, get a score and repeat to get a higher score the next run.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 18.4%, Score Attack 13.6%, Perma Death 13.4%, Difficult 13.1%, Space 8.3%
Starxia is an old-fashioned side-scrolling space shooter. Step into the role of a Pilot and use your ship to eliminate hordes of fierce enemies. A compelling story and many interesting characters await you in this adventure. Take over the controls and fly into the vacuum of space. Let the hunt begin
Why similar: Side Scroller 29%, Shoot 'Em Up 28.5%, Arcade 11.9%, Space 8%, Sci-fi 6.2%
Fast & fluid arcade-style shooter with roguelike elements! Take flight on a lethal rocket-powered jetboard, blasting alien invaders with an explosive arsenal of ridiculous weaponry. Face off against massive, multi-stage bosses. Jetboard Joust resurrects the spirit of the arcade for the 21st century!
Why similar: Perma Death 21.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 19.5%, Side Scroller 17.8%, Difficult 11%, Arcade 5.9%
Speyarranoth is a classic sci-fi space asteroid shooter in 3D. You control the game using WASD and shoot with the space key. It's wonderful to just blast full speed through the asteroid fields lasers ablaze and enjoy the explosive light show.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 32.3%, Side Scroller 25%, Space 14%, Arcade 11.6%, Sci-fi 9.7%
