Games Like Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved

Experience the full evolution of the award-winning Geometry Wars franchise and battle through waves of enemies on 3D grids in this frenetic arcade shooter!

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 47.8%, Arcade 16.5%, Bullet Hell 13.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 11.4%, Great Soundtrack 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: The direct evolution of the seed game, featuring 3D grid mechanics and expanded game modes that maintain the core arcade feel.

Nex Machina is an intense arcade style twin-stick shooter from Housemarque. Taking hints from both Robotron and Smash TV, Nex Machina focuses on pure action, voxel destruction and competition in the distant, cablepunk themed future.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 47.6%, Bullet Hell 17.6%, Arcade 13.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 8.4%, Great Soundtrack 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: Developed by arcade legends, this game offers the most refined and intense twin-stick action available on modern hardware.

Waves is an Arcade Twin-Stick Shooter that's all about High Scores. Build your combo and drop bombs in pursuit of Leaderboard dominance over seven game-modes!

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 32%, Bullet Hell 15.2%, Arcade 11.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 10.8%, Retro 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: A pure, minimalist arena shooter that captures the exact frantic energy and score-chasing focus of the original Geometry Wars.

Experience the addictive gameplay of old-school arcade favourites, updated and improved for the 21st century! Unique retro-futuristic sound and graphics, player responsive difficulty, and a subtle system of tactics combined with classic gameplay make Ultratron a fun and hypnotic arcade blast.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 43.4%, Arcade 18%, Retro 13.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 9.6%, Bullet Hell 4.4%

Why You'll Like It: A polished, retro-styled arena shooter that feels like a spiritual successor to classic 80s arcade games with modern progression.

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: Bullet Hell 33.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 26.3%, Arcade 17.9%, Classic 12.1% ★, Great Soundtrack 4%

Why You'll Like It: A legendary shoot-em-up that introduces a unique polarity mechanic, requiring the same intense focus and rhythmic movement as the seed game.

Experience your music collection like never before with this intense music driven arcade shooter. Each of your songs will have its own unique ebb and flow based on the music.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 47.2%, Bullet Hell 20.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.7%, Arcade 6.6%, Shooter 3%

Why You'll Like It: This game turns your own music library into a twin-stick shooter, syncing the intensity of the action to the beat of your favorite tracks.

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: Twin Stick Shooter 43.2%, Bullet Hell 20%, Arcade 14.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 14.1%, Shooter 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced, high-energy twin-stick shooter that emphasizes constant movement and managing massive waves of enemies.

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 39.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 25.6%, Arcade 19.2%, Great Soundtrack 6.4%, Classic 4.4% ★

Why You'll Like It: A masterpiece of the bullet-hell genre that demands the same level of precision and pattern recognition as high-level arena shooters.

The skies are aflame and the seas will overflow with wreckage in Vlambeer’s stylish arcade shooter LUFTRAUSERS! Take to the skies in customized fighter planes to battle battleships, submarines, and rival aces for glory, honor, and high scores.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 27%, Arcade 22.3%, Shoot 'Em Up 16.6%, Great Soundtrack 8.7%, Retro 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: A stylish, arcade-focused flight shooter that rewards aggressive play and high-score chasing in a minimalist, high-contrast world.

The legendary action-shooter finally comes to PC, and in style! Blast your way through mind-melting visuals and amazing beats, all in your quest through cyberspace to save a world on the verge of collapse. Playable on your desktop or in fully immersive VR.

Why similar: Arcade 43.5%, Psychedelic 24%, Shooter 21%, Singleplayer 6.5%, Action 5%

Why You'll Like It: A synesthetic on-rails shooter that combines beautiful, abstract visuals with a rhythmic gameplay loop that feels deeply satisfying.

Tempest 4000™ is a visually stunning, action-packed tube shooter based on the classic hit arcade game, Tempest™.

Why similar: Arcade 37.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 27%, Retro 21.7%, Casual 13.9%

Why You'll Like It: A modern take on a classic arcade shooter, featuring psychedelic visuals and a fast-paced rhythm that mirrors the intensity of retro-evolved games.

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 44.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 28.9%, Arcade 12%, Great Soundtrack 5.7%, Shooter 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: A highly accessible yet challenging bullet-hell shooter that focuses on the pure joy of weaving through complex enemy fire patterns.

Nuclear Throne is a post-apocalyptic roguelike-like top-down shooter. Not 'the final hope of humanity' post-apocalyptic, but 'humanity is extinct and mutants and monsters now roam the world' post-apocalyptic. Can you reach the Nuclear Throne?

Why similar: Bullet Hell 38%, Twin Stick Shooter 33.1%, Great Soundtrack 10%, Shooter 7.3%, Indie 4%

Why You'll Like It: A roguelike twin-stick shooter that prioritizes fast, chaotic combat and requires quick reflexes to survive increasingly difficult waves.

A classical science fiction point and click adventure which takes you into a deep story and murky atmosphere, while solving logical puzzles. Accompany Tessa Carter and her talking robot as she finds out about herself and searches for a way to survive.

Why similar: Singleplayer 62.6%, Indie 37.4%

Why You'll Like It: A tight, responsive roguelike shooter that emphasizes skillful dodging and precise aiming in confined arena spaces.

Everyday Shooter is an album of games exploring the expressive power of abstract shooters. Dissolute sounds of destruction are replaced with guitar riffs harmonizing over an all-guitar soundtrack, while modulating shapes celebrate the flowing beauty of geometry.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 79.3%, Casual 8.1%, Shooter 6.9%, Indie 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: A beautiful, music-driven arcade shooter that emphasizes a relaxed yet hypnotic gameplay experience similar to the seed game's aesthetic.

Super Hexagon is a minimal action game by Terry Cavanagh, with music by Chipzel.

Why similar: Arcade 39%, Great Soundtrack 29.3%, Psychedelic 7.7%, Score Attack 7.3%, Indie 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: While not a shooter, it captures the exact same 'flow state' and high-speed, minimalist arcade intensity as Geometry Wars.

Test your reflexes in POLYGONEER, defend yourself from prolygonal shapes taht comes from everywhere, just hitting is not enough you need to match the right color shot to the polygon too! Are you ready for the challenge?

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 26%, Arcade 19.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 14.6%, Retro 10%, Casual 7.5%

Why You'll Like It: A minimalist, single-screen arcade shooter that focuses on color-matching mechanics and fast-paced, reflex-based survival.

A masterful combination of top-down shooter and endless replayability with procedural levels. Blast your way through walls & enemies with guns and cybernetic abilities. Install perks from cyber chambers and upgrade your character stats after each death. Can you stop the Overseer?

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 74.8%, Great Soundtrack 10%, Shooter 9.8%, Indie 2.8%, Action 2.6%

Why You'll Like It: A top-down twin-stick shooter with a cyberpunk aesthetic that features destructible environments and satisfying, punchy combat.

Tesla vs Lovecraft is an intense top-down twin stick arena shooter from the creators of Crimsonland and Neon Chrome. Play as the enigmatic inventor Nikola Tesla harnessing the static energy to power up Tesla-Mech and give the lovecraftian nightmares a lesson in horror!

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 50%, Arena Shooter 18.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 12.9%, Shooter 10.1%, Indie 3.3%

Why You'll Like It: A frantic, high-enemy-count twin-stick shooter that provides a similar sense of power and chaos as you clear screens of monsters.

Xeno Crisis is an arena shooter in which up to two players take control of battle-hardened marines embarking on a deadly mission to confront an alien menace! Run and gun your way through thousands of adversaries, searching for survivors, and ultimately facing the origin of the outpost's demise.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 51.3%, Retro 13.4%, Arena Shooter 9.9%, Shooter 7.3%, Shoot 'Em Up 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: A modern arena shooter that captures the gritty, challenging feel of 16-bit era arcade games with tight, responsive controls.

Sektori is an intense, fast paced twin-stick shooter infused with hard hitting techno music. A game where the high-adrenaline gameplay, visuals, and music come together to transport you into another state of consciousness.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 40.1%, Bullet Hell 13.8%, Arcade 13.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 13.4%, Arena Shooter 7.8%

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: Bullet Hell 38.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 26.9%, Arcade 18.6%, Great Soundtrack 5%, Classic 4.2% ★

Why You'll Like It: A quintessential bullet-hell experience that pushes the limits of screen-filling projectiles and player precision.

Bleed 2 is a relentless arcade action game featuring air-dodging, bullet-reflecting, and tons of bosses. Now with randomly-generated levels and daily challenges, too!

Why similar: Bullet Hell 32.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 25.4%, Arcade 22.5%, Great Soundtrack 5.7%, Indie 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: A stylish, high-speed action game that features bullet-time mechanics and intense boss fights that reward arcade-style mastery.

A face-melting, pixel-pumping arcade shoot 'em up featuring awesome power-ups, epic boss battles and spectacular effects at a blistering 60fps. Blast into battle against giant space destroyers in Arcade Mode, tackle endless waves of enemies in Survival Mode and face off against epic level guardians in Boss Run mode.

Why similar: Arcade 26.4%, Bullet Hell 25.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 22.2%, Retro 17.7%, Indie 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced, retro-inspired arcade shooter that focuses on high scores and relentless enemy waves.

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: Bullet Hell 33.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 26.1%, Arcade 23.4%, Shooter 11.1%, 2D 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: A unique side-scrolling shooter where time is your health, adding a strategic layer to the standard arcade shooting formula.

Classic shoot’em up action in modern 3D! Blast off to take down hordes of infected aliens and dreadful machines programmed on waging an intergalactic war against mankind!

Why similar: Bullet Hell 21.2%, Arcade 19.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 19.5%, Retro 14.9%, Shooter 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: A modern side-scrolling shooter that focuses on classic mechanics with updated graphics and a very satisfying power-up system.

Buckle up for shoot ‘em up chaos in this fast-paced and hyper-stylized roguelite. As the infamous bounty hunter Black Paradox, it’s up to you to travel through space and defeat the Hellraisers – the most dangerous criminal organization in the galaxy.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 32.6%, Shoot 'Em Up 27.4%, Retro 15.2%, Shooter 11.4%, 2D 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: A retro-styled space shooter with a synth-wave aesthetic that captures the neon-drenched, high-speed feel of classic arcade titles.

This intense space shoot ’em up challenges you to fight across two battlefields on one splitscreen. Instantly switch between them to dodge waves of bullets, reach secret areas, or surprise your enemies. Play solo or turn it up to 11 with a local co-op partner.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 35%, Arcade 30.3%, Shooter 12.4%, Score Attack 8.5%, 2D 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: A unique shooter that allows you to swap between two screens instantly, adding a layer of spatial strategy to the classic arcade formula.

Crush the forces of hell and get a high score in this addictive, action-packed, arcade-inspired twin-stick shooter!

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 37.9%, Bullet Hell 16.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 13%, Arcade 12.2%, Shooter 5.9%

Bezier is a dual stick blaster set inside a vast computer built deep underground. The story traces the principal's escape from this "Noah's Ark" gone wrong. A simple shooter on the surface, the deeper narrative pulls in his relationship between evolution and god, family and love.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 41%, Bullet Hell 14.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 11.3%, Arcade 10.4%, Psychedelic 6.2%

a chaotic, infinite twin stick shooty✨

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 52.9%, Arcade 17.6%, Retro 12.5%, Score Attack 6.4%, Shooter 4.6%

Super Galaxy Squadron is a fast-paced vertical shooter designed for human beings as well as SHMUP veterans. Featuring multiple game modes, a challenging but merciful difficulty curve, forgiving health system, and SEVENTEEN playable ships.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 28.6%, Shoot 'Em Up 22.3%, Arcade 15.3%, Retro 14.3%, Classic 4.8% ★

A retro-style, fast-paced, and addictive shoot 'em up. A throwback to the classic arcade games of the 80s. Great for playing while waiting in line for another game. 🎮 (shmup)

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 36.9%, Bullet Hell 16.2%, Arcade 12.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 12.1%, Arena Shooter 8.7%

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

Why similar: Bullet Hell 34%, Shoot 'Em Up 24.6%, Arcade 18.6%, Retro 10.6%, Indie 5.2%

From gameplay to visuals to music and imagination, BIT.TRIP BEAT is inspired by classic games in every way. Get sucked into a whole new world of sight and sound as you juggle beats and ride the vibe in this modern look at the beginning of it all. BIT.

Why similar: Arcade 35.1%, Retro 18.4%, Great Soundtrack 15.2%, Casual 10.7%, Indie 8.7%

Story of a Cube is an action packed shooter about a lone cube and his quest for revenge. Mixing elements of twin-stick shooters and bullet hell games, this is a hardcode arcade game with a crazy amount of explosions.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 52.9%, Arcade 19.7%, Retro 12.2%, Great Soundtrack 8%, Indie 3.9%

Bullet Candy is a fast paced, action packed arena shooter. There are a variety of combo systems and many secret techniques that you can employ to get the best score and weapon upgrades possible. Viewed from a top-down perspective, Bullet Candy allows for a true 360° shoot-em-up experience.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 53.9%, Arcade 17%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.3%, Casual 8.8%, Indie 5%

Vectorium is a classical, yet intense arcade shooting game. Can you survive those dreadful enemies and barrage of gunfire?

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 40.7%, Bullet Hell 17.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 12.8%, Arcade 12.3%, Shooter 6.2%

Cycle 28 is a classic arcade space combat game where you have six minutes to beat your high-score. Simple controls, powerful upgrades, and intense dogfights. Perfect for when you just need to switch off and shoot something. See you on the scoreboard!

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 33.1%, Bullet Hell 15.9%, Arcade 13.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 10.6%, Retro 9.2%

Space Codex is a casual retro arcade minimal awesome top-down shooter featuring waves of enemy spaceships with different attacks in what is, literally, a bullet hell. To beat them, you will have power-up options available through the map. The game only gets harder. How long can you stay alive?

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 24%, Bullet Hell 22.2%, Retro 21.6%, Casual 16.2%, Arcade 16%

Experience your music collection as never before with this intense music driven arcade shooter. Each of your songs will have its own unique ebb and flow based on the music.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 42.2%, Bullet Hell 16.7%, Arcade 13.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 11%, Shooter 5%

The world really does revolve around you in this mind-bending shooter where changing your perspective could save your life.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 28.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 26.8%, Arcade 16.7%, Shooter 8.1%, Great Soundtrack 6.4%

A self-inflicted bullet hell that combines retro sci-fi with the sounds and sights of the disco era

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 46.2%, Bullet Hell 17.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 13.3%, Arcade 10.5%, Shooter 5.3%

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

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 31.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 18.1%, Bullet Hell 16.6%, Arcade 9.4%, Indie 6%

Geometry Survivor is rogue-lite survival where you fight waves of enemies. Unlock innovative upgrades in the shop, acquire new ships and conquer the unforgiving grid world.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 23.4%, Bullet Hell 21.7%, Arcade 20.5%, Retro 16.8%, Shooter 9.1%

Cyberhunt is a retro procedurally generated twin stick shooter, that takes you back to the sweet to the sweet arcade machines era!

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 37.6%, Arcade 13.8%, Bullet Hell 13.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 12.9%, Retro 10.4%

Nova Drift distills the mechanical depth and strategy of an ARPG into classic arcade space combat. Control an endlessly evolving bio-mechanical ship, face legions of strange and deadly foes, and ride the wake of a dying star across the void.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 21.2%, Arcade 16.6%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.8%, Retro 11.3%, Arena Shooter 11%

Death Ray Manta is an arcade game where you shoot lasers to kill bad guys, flash lights at yourself and move to the next screen to do it all over again. Sorry, no T-Rex.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 51.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.3%, Arcade 14.5%, Arena Shooter 7.3%, Indie 3.7%

Shoot from affar or get nibble away up-close and personal in a boss-rush, bullet-dodging revival of the 1982 Atari classic title, Yars' Revenge. Take on 60 unique enemy encounters alone or with a friend in local co-op.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 39.8%, Bullet Hell 18.6%, Arcade 14.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 13.8%, Shooter 6.8%

Geometry Arena 2 distills RPG depth and Roguelite elements into a unique loop of [ Meta-Progression + Endless Challenges ]. Mix and match Weapons, Bodies, Modules, and Pets to craft your game-breaking builds! Minimalist lines, vibrant colors!

Why similar: Bullet Hell 30.6%, Arcade 23.5%, Arena Shooter 16.8%, Shooter 11.3%, Score Attack 6.1%

Incandescent is a fast paced action arcade game that scales the difficulty to your skill level. The goal is simple, pilot your ship and defend yourself against waves of unique enemies and bosses. Different powerups will drop to help you with upgrades to your weapons and health.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 46.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 21.2%, Arcade 16.1%, Indie 5%, Action 4.4%

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: Bullet Hell 22.9%, Arcade 19%, Shoot 'Em Up 17.9%, Retro 9.2%, Shooter 8.6%

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: Twin Stick Shooter 65%, Bullet Hell 19.7%, Score Attack 6.7%, Indie 4.6%, Action 3.9%

Shatter is a retro-inspired brick-breaking game that merges familiar action with unique twists and a modern crafted production approach.

Why similar: Arcade 47.2%, Great Soundtrack 28%, Psychedelic 9.1%, Indie 6.3%, Action 4.1%

Shoot and dash your way through frantic missions! A twin-stick shooter set in a rotating world. Unlock weapons, move quickly and fight tons of bosses.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 37.3%, Bullet Hell 17.3%, Arcade 12.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 11.5%, Arena Shooter 6%

Classic Asteroids® updated with modern gameplay and perfected controls. Explore hazardous environments and sneak around asteroids to surprise attack giant bosses. Upgrade your ship to use additional power-ups. Single player or fight with up to 3 friends with intense local coop.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 32.1%, Bullet Hell 15.2%, Arcade 11.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 11.2%, Arena Shooter 7.9%

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 25.1%, Bullet Hell 24.8%, Arcade 16.5%, Retro 10%, Classic 8.5% ★

Vortex Attack is a frenetic arcade space shooter featuring worldwide tournaments and an intense local multiplayer mode.A worthy successor to Galaga for the XXI century.WARNING: Highly addictive.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 22.1%, Bullet Hell 19.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.3%, Arcade 14.2%, Retro 8.8%

A free-form arena-shooter Roguelite with heavy emphasis on building an overpowered character! You play as a little shape that shoots other shapes! Strengthen your character by mixing and matching mods and upgrades, and experiment with a limitless rune upgrade system!

Why similar: Bullet Hell 30.1%, Arcade 24.6%, Arena Shooter 17.9%, Score Attack 10%, 2D 4.6%