- #1 Dangerous Blaster
97% match7 user reviews100% of 7 reviews2019
Dev: Juicy Frog
Windows
Run, roll and shoot as long as possible through an arena filled with aliens and dangerous obstacles. Be careful, every missed shot becomes a new threat ! Great little game to practice and warm-up.
Why similar: Action 33.8%, Indie 26%, Score Attack 21.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 19.1%
- #2 Bourbon Risky
95% matchNo user reviews2026
Dev: HaJoonHeon
Windows
Bourbon Risky is a simple but deep boss rush action game with retro style graphics. Smash all enemies in your way with your eternal companion that blasting bullets and lasers!
Why similar: Boss Rush 65.4% ★, Shoot 'Em Up 12.8%, Action 11.6%, Indie 10.2%
- #3 Lonecastle
96% match7 user reviews100% of 7 reviews2020
Dev: Rainkioutou Interactive
Windows
Lonecastle is a top-down shooter where the player attempts to survive countless enemies. Defend your little castle from the incessant waves of enemy ships and soldiers. Collect gold and gain experience to improve your castle.
Why similar: Action 32%, Indie 25.4%, Top-Down Shooter 21.9%, Score Attack 20.7%
- #4 Steel Eagle
96% match2 user reviews50% of 2 reviews2018
Dev: enrjuPub: Andrzej Cudzilo
Windows
Steel Eagle is a reference to the 80's and 90's shooters. Your task is to reach the landing pad at the end of the level, destroying as many enemy units as possible, for which you collect points that can be exchanged for force and strength, which allows you to upgrade your “Steel Eagle”.
Why similar: Action 32.7%, Indie 25.2%, Top-Down Shooter 21.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 20.3%
- #5 Nowhere Patrol
94% matchVery Positive98% of 222 reviews2018
Dev: Slugsoft
Windows
Nowhere Patrol is a boss rush game with bullet hell and platforming elements. Inspired by classic action arcade games with it's steep difficulty curve and non-stop action.
Why similar: Boss Rush 51.5% ★, Action 19.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 14.9%, Indie 14.4%
- #6 Dezatopia
93% matchPositive100% of 41 reviews2020
Dev: HEYPub: Hanaji Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Strange and unusual creatures inhabited Earth’s underground, unknown to humankind. This was until Momoko, a fashion-obsessed high school girl, accidentally discovered them. Together, they plotted to combine the civilizations above and below the surface to create a new world: Dezatopia.
Why similar: Action 32.5%, Indie 25.6%, Shoot 'Em Up 23.1%, Top-Down Shooter 18.8%
- #7 PASKA BATTLE STYLE!
94% matchMixed50% of 12 reviews2018
Dev: No one important
Windows
The time has finally come! All the most dangerous people in the world have reunited to show off their talents in the annual Paska Battle Style anniversary and you, yes, YOU, will have to shut their big egos off!
Why similar: Boss Rush 61.4% ★, Action 21.8%, Indie 16.8%
- #8 ニンジャスレイヤー : AREA 4643
91% matchVery Positive99% of 113 reviews2018
Dev: DeathMofuMofuPub: Diehardtales Games
Windows · Mac
**NOW ON SALE!!** AREA 4643 is the cyberpunk action shooting game. It's based on the cyberpunk city Neo-Saitama and Ninja Slayer universe.
Why similar: Action 43.1%, Indie 32.3%, Top-Down Shooter 24.6%
- #9 Cyber Strike
90% matchNo user reviews
Dev: Sprinkle Games
Windows
Cyber Strike is a butt clenching bullet hell dungeon crawler. Navigate through intense shootouts, strategic dodges, and cybernetic boss battles. Save a digital world from viruses and virtual foes. Rewrite destiny as you save cyber space in this thrilling adventure.
Why similar: Boss Rush 55.5% ★, Indie 23.8%, Action 20.7%
- #10 Dantes Bullet Inferno
91% match3 user reviews100% of 3 reviews2020
Dev: Red Pentagram Studios
Windows
Dantes Bullet Inferno is a shoot-em-up where the player fights against hell as Dante. This top down shooter includes a speedrun mode called time-dilation.
Why similar: Action 44.3%, Indie 34.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 11.5%, Top-Down Shooter 10.2%
- #11 Square Massacre
92% match1 user reviews100% of 1 reviews2017
Dev: CyberVaca Entertainment
Windows
Square Massacre is a skill based, hardcore top-down shooter. No matter what you are going to do, you will lose. The question is how long you will last before the end.
Why similar: Action 34%, Indie 26.2%, Top-Down Shooter 20.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 19.2%
- #12 Superstatic
89% matchMixed65% of 40 reviews2015
Dev: Sleepy Studios
Windows
Median: 4.0 hrsMean: 4.3 hrs≥1hr: 97%
Superstatic is a top-down shooter where you're given the ability to possess and control your enemies. Using "copies", you're able to perform a variety of skills including killing enemies within a certain radius, chaining kills together based on your current combo, teleporting to your copy's position and more.
Why similar: Action 41.1%, Top-Down Shooter 29.9%, Indie 29%
- #13 Iridescence
88% match1 user reviews100% of 1 reviews2018
Dev: Polarity Bear
Windows
Iridescence is a Shoot 'Em Up with a color-changing mechanic, where you dodge and absorb many different colored bullets. It features a painted watercolor theme & features an inventive chaining system. Play through 5 main levels and 30 varied challenge levels!
Why similar: Action 41.2%, Indie 31.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 27.1%
- #14 Endless Burst
89% match5 user reviews20% of 5 reviews2016
Dev: Neon Squid Games
Windows
This top-down shooter pits you against an overwhelming hell of bullets. Customize your experience with 9 upgradeable classes and unleash powerful attacks as you fight and dodge your way through procedurally generated levels, enemies, and bosses.
Why similar: Action 31%, Indie 23.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 22.8%, Top-Down Shooter 22.4%
- #15 Star Rogue
87% matchPositive90% of 31 reviews2016
Dev: Julian Wehrmann
Windows
Star Rogue is a sci-fi roguelike platformer. This pixel indie game will challenge you with a randomly generated spacestation full of deadly traps, collectable items, nasty enemies and strong bosses, each time you play it.
Why similar: Indie 52.8%, Action 47.2%
- #16 cloudphobia
86% matchMostly Positive78% of 27 reviews2016
Dev: MarsboundPub: Rockin' Android
Windows
In this pulse-pounding arcade style shoot 'em up, players control giant armored robots, loaded with hi-tech weaponry. Chose from two types of mechs: the PLG-90, armed with a high-tech laser rifle or the NúllPunktur with the Vibroblade!
Why similar: Action 41.5%, Indie 29.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 29.1%
- #17 A Shooty Bit
86% matchMixed69% of 35 reviews2017
Dev: FROGPub: Gameland Studios
Windows
Median: 3.3 hrsMean: 3.5 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Postsoviet shoot 'em up borne from and reflective of the listlessness that modern, hyperconnected society injects into our selves
Why similar: Action 39.9%, Indie 30.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 29.3%
- #18 Crush
85% matchPositive87% of 23 reviews2017
Dev: VIS-GamesPub: SilentFuture
Windows
Crush is an old-school-styled shoot´em up. The game leads you through 7 challenging levels filled with action and great soundtracks. A must for all old-school shoot´em up fans!
Why similar: Action 40%, Shoot 'Em Up 30.5%, Indie 29.5%
- #19 Mecha Ritz: Steel Rondo
83% matchVery Positive99% of 137 reviews2016
Dev: HEYPub: Hanaji Games
Windows · Linux
Mecha Ritz: Steel Rondo is a vertical scrolling arcade shoot 'em up following the journey of a lone Mecha through the desolate retro stylized world and the onslaught of enemy waves to reach Veloce, the young genius responsible for the extinction of humankind.
Why similar: Action 37.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 32.8%, Indie 29.7%
- #20 Gamma Bros
80% matchVery Positive91% of 164 reviews2018
Dev: Pixeljam
Windows · Mac
Median: 36 minMean: 5.5 hrs≥1hr: 41%
The original 8-bit twin-stick space shooter about brotherly love, available to play for free.
Why similar: Action 44.7%, Indie 33.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 21.8%
- #21 Zenodyne R
82% matchVery Positive83% of 70 reviews2016
Dev: Team Grybanser Fox
Windows
Median: 12 minMean: 6.3 hrs≥1hr: 26%
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: Action 39.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 33%, Indie 27.8%
- #22 Elemental Combat
82% matchPositive84% of 45 reviews2017
Dev: AVRLON VR Studio
Windows
Set in a world of fantasy and martial arts, Elemental Combat is a competitive Virtual Reality game that blends the speed and intensity of a modern FPS with the strategy of classic arcade fighting games. Use your hands to let fire fall from the sky or raise mighty walls of earth in VR.
Why similar: Action 56.5%, Indie 43.5%
- #23 The Blue Flamingo
84% matchMixed45% of 635 reviews2014
Dev: Might and Delight
Windows
Median: 2.7 hrsMean: 3.6 hrs≥1hr: 77%
You are ready to challenge pilots from all around the world. Shoot your way through intense levels with swiftly increasing difficulty in a game world completely built with handcrafted models. Invest your score in upgrades or save it to gain interest with the risk of losing it all.
Why similar: Action 38.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 32.8%, Indie 28.8%
- #24 SHOOTING CHICKEN BRUTAL SUCKERS
81% match7 user reviews71% of 7 reviews2020
Dev: KoheiGallery
Windows
Makoto Yonekura, a new waitress, is a bright girl in Noh weather.Contrary to its appearance, it is a survival game girl who uses powerful weapons!She will do her best to crush the rampaging chickens for the beloved chief!
Why similar: Action 42.2%, Indie 32.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 25.4%
- #25 Fire Arrow Plus
81% matchVery Positive89% of 54 reviews2017
Dev: Team Grybanser Fox
Windows
Fire Arrow and Fire Arrow X are time attack style shooters with a heavy emphasis on scoring. Otherwisely, you can call them coffee break shmups.
Why similar: Action 39.6%, Shoot 'Em Up 33.4%, Indie 27.1%
- #26 Astro Tripper
84% matchMixed57% of 68 reviews2011
Dev: PomPomPub: Pom Pom Games
Windows
Median: 12 minMean: 2.6 hrs≥1hr: 20%
Astro Tripper is a furious shoot-em-up experience inspired by the painful, knuckle busting video games of years gone by.
Why similar: Action 38.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 31.6%, Indie 29.7%
- #27 Hyper Shapes
76% matchMostly Positive76% of 21 reviews2023
Dev: BlindShot StudioPub: JanduSoft
Windows
Hyper Shapes is a frenetic minimalist Boss Rush where understanding the enemies attack patterns and weaknesses is key.
Why similar: Boss Rush 65.6% ★, Top-Down Shooter 17.3%, Action 10.5%, Indie 6.6%
- #28 Jet Buster
78% matchVery Positive92% of 59 reviews2017
Dev: Team Grybanser Fox
Windows
Median: 3.1 hrsMean: 4.1 hrs≥1hr: 91%
Jet Buster is the new 90s anthro shmup, going back to the cuter roots of the genre.
Why similar: Action 37.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 34.4%, Indie 27.9%
- #29 LIGHT
79% matchMixed60% of 10 reviews2018
Dev: Indie Light
Windows
Not known what year it is, and in which galaxy everything happens. But one thing is known-you must to clear the space of dirty pirates, and their technique. For this, you will have to open the nearest space systems, improve your ship, and of course to shoot a pirate ships.
Why similar: Action 37.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 34.1%, Indie 28.6%
- #30 Endless Wave
79% match4 user reviews100% of 4 reviews2017
Dev: Snowdrop Lab
Windows
Endless Wave is wave style stg. 9 kinds of waves and 3 bosses are waiting for you. Manipulate fighter planes to defeat enemies approaching ! ・Endless wave style ・Neon style(Bullet) ・Minimum price
Why similar: Action 37.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 34.1%, Indie 28.6%
- #31 Drive to Hell
78% matchMostly Positive77% of 73 reviews2015
Dev: Ghost Crab Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.1 hrsMean: 5.1 hrs≥1hr: 67%
Drive to Hell is an action-packed shooter where you'll take a ride through an army of monsters to exact revenge on the Demon King for destroying your favorite dive bar. Enemies assault from all sides, each with its own special personality and attack style.
Why similar: Action 37.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 34.4%, Indie 28.5%
- #32 Joe Blunt - Up In Smoke
77% match3 user reviews100% of 3 reviews2019
Dev: Sykonest
Windows
Joe Blunt - Up In Smoke is a single player top down shooter game in which you "Joe Blunt" are trying to fight your way through an onslaught of cigarettes, with the sole purpose to track down your beloved Mary Jane from the clutches of evil Dr Hydro.
Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 37.6%, Action 35.2%, Indie 27.1%
- #33 Velocity®Ultra
76% matchMostly Positive75% of 273 reviews2013
Dev: Curve StudiosPub: Curve Games
Windows
Median: 3.3 hrsMean: 4.4 hrs≥1hr: 93%
Velocity®Ultra is an award-winning top down shooter that puts you in control of the galaxy’s only Quarp Jet, an advanced spacecraft with the ability to teleport at will. Tasked with rescuing survivors from a collapsed black hole, you’ll need to use both firepower and quick-wits to catapult the Quarp Jet through 50 levels of sci-fi action.
Why similar: Action 37.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 35.8%, Indie 26.5%
- #34 Valiant Gears
70% matchNo user reviews
Dev: Gaze Interactive
Windows
Valiant Gears is a 3D old school shoot 'em up game. Hop on your Valiant Gear, a ferocious battle machine and defend the planet by fighting the alien robots!
Why similar: Action 49.1%, Indie 37.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 13%
- #35 Humans Must Answer
77% matchMixed62% of 63 reviews2014
Dev: Sumom Games
Windows
Median: 24 minMean: 2.1 hrs≥1hr: 25%
Dodge, shoot and explode across the Solar System as a crew of intelligent and dangerous chickens. As the pilot of The Golden Eagle, it's your duty to keep Colonel Ram and Professor Bez safe as they squabble about ethics and who last used the toilet. Wage war against humanity as you battle your way towards the Sun to complete your mission.
Why similar: Action 35.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 34.3%, Indie 30.2%
- #36 Dash Dash Run!
75% matchPositive82% of 22 reviews2017
Dev: Prime VR Inc.
Windows
Dash Dash Run! The frantic VR arcade runner that has you pumping those arms, performing to the crowd, and racing at crazy speeds across a wild selection of vibrant courses.
Why similar: Indie 100%
- #37 Starfighter General
71% matchMostly Positive77% of 30 reviews2020
Dev: James Sager IIIPub: James Sager
Windows
Space ACTION-MMO. Control & upgrade more than one ship. Build a fleet! Turn a rag tag team into an armada. Aliens build relationships. Crew/attributes/skills/mastery/magic(legendary/unilegendary/unique)items. WORLD FIRST: Multicore MMO & INFINITE PLAYERS! Soon: Conquer star systems & Tax Players.
- #38 Battle Crust
74% matchPositive89% of 36 reviews2016
Dev: Picorinne Soft
Windows
"Battle Crust" is a 80's-90's arcade-style shooter. You make full use of "Charge shot" that is available by obtaining the item, And let's Complete all of the 6 stage!
Why similar: Action 37%, Shoot 'Em Up 36.2%, Indie 26.8%
- #39 Bit Bullet
73% matchPositive88% of 26 reviews2017
Dev: Growfall Games
Windows
Median: 12 minMean: 8.1 hrs≥1hr: 44%
Bit Bullet – Is a single player top-down shooter with an escalating difficulty level and complicated enemies, in which you will have to blow up and crush hordes of enemies using various weapons and skills.
Why similar: Action 38.1%, Top-Down Shooter 33.2%, Indie 28.7%
- #40 Space Pirate Amai
75% match2 user reviews50% of 2 reviews2018
Dev: Rockets and Cats
Windows
Old school 2d shooter with crazy music by the indie band 8bit Phantom Galactic! -Challenging retro space shooter -Fight your way through various stages and enemies. -Intense Boss fight! -Master the use of your shield to survive. -Use powerups to upgrade your ship's weapons!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 36.1%, Action 36.1%, Indie 27.8%
- #41 Kill The Humans
73% match1 user reviews100% of 1 reviews2020
Dev: Cold Beverage StudiosPub: Walsh Technologies Corp
Windows
Heavily armed homicidal robots have taken over Weapons Laboratory Delta Five. Something sinister is afoot in the dimly lit corridors of the science complex. Your mission: commandeer the last functional X-4 battle mech, breach the magnetically shielded entrance and wipe them out!
Why similar: Action 39.7%, Indie 31.5%, Top-Down Shooter 28.7%
- #42 Master Pyrox Wizard Smackdown
72% matchMixed70% of 23 reviews2018
Dev: Denis ComtessePub: Dropped Monocle Games
Windows · Linux
Master Pyrox Wizard Smackdown is a fast-paced arcade-style multiplayer game for up to 8 players. Avoid the fireballs, knock your opponents down, collect power-ups and cast spells. The game offers single player, competitive and cooperative game modes and a built-in level editor.
Why similar: Action 53.1%, Indie 46.9%
- #43 Smogpunk 湮霾之地
71% matchMostly Positive76% of 17 reviews2018
Dev: CJH Labs
Windows
The world is engulfed with poisonous gas and deadly monsters. To survive and find truth about the world, welcome to Smogpunk.
Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 27.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 26.1%, Action 26.1%, Indie 20%
- #44 Redux: Dark Matters
74% matchMixed55% of 38 reviews2014
Dev: KTX SoftwarePub: Signo & Arte
Windows
Median: 24 minMean: 5.8 hrs≥1hr: 30%
Redux: Dark Matters is a fast-paced space shooting game with fresh scoring elements - a bastard-hard shooter and definitely a must have for every shmup fan!
Why similar: Action 37.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 36.5%, Indie 26.3%
- #45 Kantmis-Zero
58% match1 user reviews100% of 1 reviews2026
Dev: Kagawa
Windows
"Kantmis-Zero" is a boss rush action game. As the only chosen one on the Kantmis continent, you must follow the divine instructions and complete the trials.
Why similar: Boss Rush 70.7% ★, Action 22.6%, Indie 6.6%
- #46 Dark Matter
72% matchMixed39% of 28 reviews2018
Dev: Jared Miller
Windows
The Space Pirates are planning on destroying the Earth. They have stolen many space cargo vessels in order to gain the supplies to blow it up. You play as Dark Matter, a hired bounty hunter who works with the Space Federation in order to stop the pirates. You must stop the pirates, save the space cargo vessels, and save the Earth.
Why similar: Action 56.5%, Indie 43.5%
- #47 Rocket Armor
71% matchPositive92% of 13 reviews2017
Dev: Illusion Foundry
Windows
Rocket Armor is the most realistic and exciting flight combat experience in VR today! It features a completely new type of flight control system and maneuvering capability – it’s like really flying using two huge rockets strapped to your arms!
Why similar: Action 56.5%, Indie 43.5%
- #48 Starship Annihilator
70% matchMixed64% of 354 reviews2016
Dev: IR Studio
Windows
Median: 3.4 hrsMean: 28.4 hrs≥1hr: 97%
A classic style vertical scrolling-shooter. Includes 10 levels and 10 boss enemies. You will have several power-ups for weapon modification. Within each level, you will face different enemies, among which will vary from low to extreme levels of threat!
Why similar: Indie 43.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 31%, Action 25.5%
- #49 Zenodeath
67% matchPositive92% of 13 reviews2020
Dev: Team Grybanser Fox
Windows
Zenodeath is the final entry in the Zeno series, the final evolution, featuring a modern OST by HeavyViper and two gameplay types.
Why similar: Action 42.8%, Indie 32.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 24.3%
- #50 战争冒险 序章
62% matchPositive84% of 19 reviews2022
Dev: Dawncraft
Windows
在90年代的东欧国家,由于艾斯佩罗族和伊多诺族之间的矛盾,进而引发了双方的战争。玩家将扮演故事的主人公艾斯佩罗族的少女——弗洛拉,穿越战火过后的断壁残垣,结识抱持着不同想法理念的人们,在残酷的战争中竭尽全力生存下去,并揭开隐藏在战争背后的真相。
- #51 Trigger Time
69% matchPositive80% of 41 reviews2017
Dev: Shephf GamesPub: Creative Mobile
Windows · Linux
Trigger Time is a story-driven, top-down Shoot 'em up with a fun gravity gun and physics puzzles to solve. Blast your way through 9 levels filled with enemies, hazards and bizarre bosses. Along the way you'll take control of vehicles, pick up weapons, items and boosters.
Why similar: Action 33.2%, Indie 25.5%, Top-Down Shooter 23%, Shoot 'Em Up 18.3%
- #52 Underworld Dungeon
70% matchMostly Positive74% of 19 reviews2017
Dev: InfernoSoulPub: Fromjaf Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Underworld Dungeon is a rogue-like action-adventure, in which you explore a ruined Greek dungeon hidden within the depths of the Underworld. As you dig deeper, ancient weapons and armor will be uncovered which you can combine to create more powerful gear.
Why similar: Action 56.5%, Indie 43.5%
- #53 Retro Space Shooter
69% match8 user reviews75% of 8 reviews2019
Dev: Gable Games
Windows
Retro Space Shooter is a refreshingly modern 3D physics-based implementation of a top-down retro arcade space shooter. Expertly pilot your drone ship through an onslaught of enemy fire and fight seemingly endless waves of enemy ships and bosses.
Why similar: Action 46.8%, Indie 36%, Top-Down Shooter 17.2%
- #54 Ankora: Lost Days - Prologue
61% matchPositive85% of 27 reviews2022
Dev: Chibig
Windows
The opening act of Ankora: Lost Days. Discover the beginning of this adventure and explore freely around this mysterious world full of promise and danger. Craft different tools, build structures and terraform yourself a new home in the opening act of this cute-as-heck survival game.
Why similar: Action 100%
- #55 tri.Attack();
68% match6 user reviews100% of 6 reviews2019
Dev: Demmy Mangusso
Windows
In this 2D arcade game, your body is the weapon. Shoot the tri out of yourself and recall it back to you to take out a constant onslaught of rogue polygons. Unlock all the tri modifiers and get as high of a score as possible!
Why similar: Action 42.8%, Indie 33%, Shoot 'Em Up 24.2%
- #56 COMPLEX a VR Puzzle Game
68% matchMostly Positive75% of 24 reviews2018
Dev: Rock AK GamesPub: Rock AK Games (AK)
Windows
- A puzzle game for HTC VIve and Oculus Rift
Why similar: Indie 100%
- #57 The Real Laser Ball
67% matchPositive88% of 16 reviews2018
Dev: Holmsario Games
Windows
A physics based, arcade, high score chaser with a progression system and a fetish for the 80’s. In The Real Laser Ball you’re a ball… with a laser.
Why similar: Action 48%, Indie 37%, Shoot 'Em Up 15%
- #58 World Destroyers
69% matchPositive88% of 16 reviews2017
Dev: HardHead Games
Windows
World Destroyers is a fast-paced, skill-testing, multiplayer space shooter that pays homage to classic games such as Asteroids, but with modern high-speed action.
Why similar: Action 56.5%, Indie 43.5%