Games Like The Bug Butcher

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: Shoot 'Em Up 17%, Bullet Hell 16%, Great Soundtrack 14.7%, Local Co-Op 14.2%, Arcade 11%

Why You'll Like It: It offers the same high-intensity, arcade-style action and screen-clearing satisfaction found in the best twin-stick shooters.

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 22.3%, Local Co-Op 14.7%, Bullet Hell 14.3%, Co-op 9.2%, Difficult 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game delivers frantic, arena-based combat with a strong emphasis on local co-op and fast-paced action.

The Pang series is a beloved collection of arcade video games from the early 90s. Guide two brothers on a quest around the world to save humankind from a massive alien invasion!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 28.2%, Arcade 18.7%, Local Co-Op 17.5%, Action 12.9%, Co-op 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: This is the direct evolution of the classic arcade formula that inspired The Bug Butcher, featuring the same core mechanic of splitting bouncing enemies.

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: Shoot 'Em Up 27%, Bullet Hell 15.7%, Local Co-Op 14.6%, Action 11.8%, Arcade 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: This title features incredibly fast, arcade-style movement and boss-focused combat that mirrors the intensity of The Bug Butcher.

Super Hydorah is a nonlinear horizontal shoot’ em up designed to offer a challenging experience, sublimating the richness of traditional shmup classics. Face the menace of the Meroptians aboard the Delta Lance, alone or with your friends in this game with direct action and nostalgic art.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 35.2%, Arcade 12.3%, Great Soundtrack 11.1%, Action 9.1%, Indie 8%

Why You'll Like It: This game captures the retro arcade spirit with polished mechanics and a focus on challenging, wave-based enemy encounters.

Downwell is a curious game about a young person venturing down a well in search of untold treasures with only his Gunboots to protect him.

Why similar: Arcade 17.1%, Fast-Paced 16.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.7%, Difficult 14.6%, Indie 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the verticality and fast-paced, reflex-heavy arcade gameplay that makes The Bug Butcher so compelling.

Cuphead is a classic run and gun action game heavily focused on boss battles. Inspired by cartoons of the 1930s, the visuals and audio are painstakingly created with the same techniques of the era, i.e. traditional hand drawn cel animation, watercolor backgrounds, and original jazz recordings.

Why similar: Local Co-Op 19.5%, Difficult 13.4%, Co-op 13.2%, Great Soundtrack 12.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 11.1%

Why You'll Like It: The boss-rush structure and demanding, pattern-based combat provide a similar level of arcade challenge and satisfaction.

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 24.3%, Local Co-Op 20%, Difficult 17.7%, Great Soundtrack 16.6%, Indie 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: A masterclass in fast-paced, top-down arena shooting that rewards quick reflexes and strategic power-up usage.

Jamestown: Legend Of The Lost Colony is a neo-classical top-down shooter for up to 4 players, set on 17th-century British Colonial Mars. It features all the intensity, depth, and lovingly handcrafted pixels of a classic arcade shooter, with a modern twist: deeply-integrated cooperative gameplay.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 32.9%, Local Co-Op 20.7%, Bullet Hell 15.8%, Arcade 6%, Great Soundtrack 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: A highly polished arcade shooter that excels in local co-op play and offers a similar sense of progression.

Broforce is an action-packed side-scrolling run ‘n’ gun ode to freedom, putting you in control of an under-funded, overpowered paramilitary organization dealing exclusively in excessive force.

Why similar: Local Co-Op 35.4%, Co-op 23.9%, Action 12.1%, Arcade 6.6%, Indie 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: It provides the same chaotic, over-the-top arcade action and local co-op fun that defines the genre.

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 36.6%, Bullet Hell 16.5%, Local Co-Op 16.3%, Arcade 9.4%, Action 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: A modern take on the classic arcade shooter that features satisfying progression and high-quality visual effects.

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

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 35.2%, Great Soundtrack 17.7%, Bullet Hell 16.4%, Arcade 7.3%, Action 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: This game revitalizes the classic shoot-em-up genre with modern design sensibilities and intense, pattern-based challenges.

Carefully designed, beautifully remastered, and loaded with new ways to play—Risk of Rain is back and better than ever! Dive into the iconic roguelike full of unique loot combinations, enhanced with new Survivors, overhauled multiplayer, fan favorite content from Risk of Rain 2, and more!

Why similar: Local Co-Op 40.7%, Arcade 13.7%, Co-op 12.9%, Sci-fi 9.9%, Action 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: It offers intense, arena-based combat with a focus on character builds and surviving overwhelming waves of enemies.

A malicious orb has cast Savant out of his tower and transformed his surroundings into dangerous enemies!Dodge and shoot your way back up the tower, and blast down waves of enemies as you make your way towards the top! As you progress, you unlock CDs that not only give you new tracks to play to, but also grant you powerful new abilities!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 25.9%, Great Soundtrack 20.4%, Fast-Paced 15.9%, Action 9.2%, Bullet Hell 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: A short, incredibly fast-paced arcade action game that focuses on vertical movement and rhythmic combat.

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: Shoot 'Em Up 38.5%, Bullet Hell 27%, Great Soundtrack 11.7%, Arcade 11.3%, Action 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: A legendary bullet-hell title that offers the same level of precision and arcade intensity as the most challenging segments of The Bug Butcher.

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: Shoot 'Em Up 29.3%, Bullet Hell 25.1%, Great Soundtrack 13.3%, Local Co-Op 10.6%, Action 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on the same core loop of dodging projectiles and clearing screens of enemies in a vibrant, arcade-inspired setting.

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 42.6%, Bullet Hell 24.5%, Arcade 11.4%, Great Soundtrack 7.7%, Action 3.4%

Why You'll Like It: Its unique polarity-switching mechanic provides a deep, arcade-style puzzle-shooter experience that rewards mastery.

In Blazing Chrome, bring your best pal and kick some metal butts to free the humankind while enjoying a classic run’n’gun, fully loaded with action and exciting fights!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 28.9%, Local Co-Op 20.9%, Arcade 10.1%, Action 8.5%, Difficult 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: A love letter to classic arcade run-and-gun games that emphasizes tight controls and relentless action.

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: Local Co-Op 24.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 21.4%, Arcade 15.7%, Action 12.4%, Indie 11.1%

Why You'll Like It: This arena shooter captures the retro-arcade aesthetic and addictive, wave-based combat loop perfectly.

“METAL SLUG 3”, the masterpiece in SNK’s emblematic 2D run & gun action shooting game series, still continues to fascinate millions of fans worldwide to this day for its intricate dot-pixel graphics, and simple and intuitive game controls, heads out to the Steam gaming platform!

Why similar: Arcade 25.4%, Co-op 20.3%, Local Co-Op 19.6%, Action 11%, Shoot 'Em Up 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: The gold standard for run-and-gun arcade action, featuring the same frantic pace and high-energy combat.

A SUPER throwback to the classic quarter eating arcade games of the 80's. Super Bit Blaster XL is an (even more) enhanced version of the retro styled, addictive, and fast paced arcade shoot 'em up!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 28.7%, Bullet Hell 17.8%, Local Co-Op 16.6%, Arcade 12.1%, Co-op 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: A minimalist, high-speed arcade shooter that focuses on pure reflexes and high-score chasing.

Arcade Mayhem Juanito is a retro experience about arcade-hopping. Teleport into different video games, play with unique mechanics inspired by well-known arcade games, face stunningly animated bosses and join the fight against the clonocell invasion.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 20.9%, Co-op 12.4%, Action 12.3%, Arcade 11.5%, Bullet Hell 10.9%

Why You'll Like It: This game directly pays homage to classic arcade history with varied, fast-paced challenges.

Fact: everything is better with lasers. So we put lasers on over 30 angry giant insects who want to stop you, Space Moth, from escaping Earth and going to the Moon. Show them who's boss and blast your way into space! (Check out the all new SPACE MOTH: LUNAR EDITION, linked below!)

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 31.1%, Bullet Hell 16.3%, Great Soundtrack 12%, Action 11.5%, Arcade 10.7%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a unique, modern take on the shoot-em-up genre with a focus on aggressive play and high-scoring mechanics.

Xenoraid is a vertically scrolling shoot'em up with procedurally driven missions and detailed shooting mechanics. Modern features such as real time fighter switching and squadron management make Xenoraid a fresh and thrilling shooter!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 24%, Local Co-Op 18.3%, Great Soundtrack 11.1%, Arcade 10.1%, Bullet Hell 9%

Why You'll Like It: It adds a layer of tactical depth to the classic arcade shooter formula, keeping the action fresh and engaging.

Enter the futuristic year of 1984, an age where ducks run wild in a frantic battle for glory. Blast your friends with Shotguns, Net Guns, Mind Control Rays, Saxophones, Magnet Guns, and much, much more. This is DUCK GAME. Don't blink.

Why similar: Local Co-Op 19.3%, Fast-Paced 17.1%, Multiplayer 14.2%, Great Soundtrack 12.3%, Action 11.4%

Why You'll Like It: While more competitive, its fast-paced, physics-based local multiplayer captures the chaotic joy of arcade-style gaming.

Hear the shrieks of colliding metal! Behold the true form of steel! An explosive onslaught of shooting action!!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 35.5%, Bullet Hell 18.9%, Action 11.9%, Arcade 10.5%, Great Soundtrack 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game combines fast-paced action with a unique aesthetic, providing a solid, arcade-style challenge.

TowerFall Ascension is the definitive version of the hit archery combat game. Inspired by classics from the golden age of couch multiplayer, it's a 4-player local party game centering around hilarious, intense versus matches. The core mechanics are simple and accessible, but hard to master and combat is fierce.

Why similar: Local Co-Op 37.3%, Action 12.6%, Indie 11.4%, Co-op 11.3%, Arcade 7%

Why You'll Like It: The quintessential local co-op and versus arcade experience, focusing on tight, reflex-based combat in small arenas.

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 43.7%, Bullet Hell 21.4%, Great Soundtrack 15.8%, Action 13.4%, Sci-fi 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: A high-energy shooter that emphasizes aggressive play and screen-clearing power, fitting the arcade spirit of The Bug Butcher.

Command destructive spaceships to obliterate hordes of enemy vessels, while quickly solving puzzles to weave through networks of vibrantly colorful, adversarial machines!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 32.5%, Local Co-Op 22.4%, Action 12.8%, Indie 10.6%, Bullet Hell 7.1%

Inspired by “shmups” and shadows, Shmadow is a modern twin-stick side-scroller that nods to retro arcade gameplay. Use your light to blast through your enemies, unlock new powers, and defeat bosses before the darkness extinguishes you.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 21.5%, Bullet Hell 16.7%, Great Soundtrack 13.6%, Co-op 12.2%, Local Co-Op 12.1%

Set sail for 17th-century British Colonial Mars in Jamestown+: a cooperative shoot-em-up for 1-4 brave souls, designed to be exciting for players of all skill levels.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 29.3%, Local Co-Op 22.3%, Great Soundtrack 13.8%, Bullet Hell 12.9%, Action 7.1%

A deep, tactical shoot'em up. With every takedown, you’ll earn cash and xp to upgrade your ship and unlock new abilities. Online and local co-op. Unique versus mode. Realistic physics and water simulation.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 43%, Local Co-Op 17.4%, Bullet Hell 13.2%, Action 7.8%, Arcade 7.6%

Sky Mercenaries - Fast paced action overdose with rpg elements

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 37.7%, Bullet Hell 22.5%, Arcade 14.8%, Action 13.2%, Indie 11.7%

Addictive fast-paced shoot-em-up with beautiful 3D graphics and an amazing soundtrack. 5 ships to choose from and 5 action-packed Stages.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 39%, Bullet Hell 20%, Action 12.6%, Arcade 12.1%, Indie 9.4%

Saviors brings the best bullet hell experience you can find on Steam. Play through 18 challenging stages in this ultimate test of tactics and reflexes.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 43.9%, Bullet Hell 18.8%, Great Soundtrack 10.6%, Action 7.3%, Indie 6%

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

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 32.9%, Indie 18.2%, Bullet Hell 13.6%, Action 11.7%, Local Co-Op 8%

Get ready to push your skills to the limit against an endless sea of bullets and evil robots in Astral Gunners. Choose from five different gunners to master in this horizontal shooter. With the ability to dodge, reflect, delete, and convert bullets you are more powerful than you might believe.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 28.6%, Bullet Hell 17.7%, Great Soundtrack 13.7%, Co-op 11.7%, Difficult 9%

BUTCHER is a fast-paced, blood-soaked 2D shooter where carnage is the only way forward. Become a ruthless cyborg tasked with eradicating humanity, leaving nothing but blood, guts, and destruction in your wake. There's no such thing as too much violence in this grim, retro-styled gorefest.

Why similar: Action 23.2%, Difficult 21.9%, Great Soundtrack 16.2%, Indie 15.8%, Platformer 8.4%

Enjoy a fast and frantic arcade shmup from Triangle Service! Attack in all directions and rack up the multipliers - do you have XIIZEAL?

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 25.9%, Bullet Hell 16.2%, Local Co-Op 11.7%, Difficult 10.2%, Arcade 9.8%

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 43.7%, Great Soundtrack 13.3%, Arcade 12%, Local Co-Op 10%, Bullet Hell 9.8%

Alien Crusader is an action packed, vertical scrolling, space shooter game, similar to classic coin-up arcade and shoot'em up games.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 30.7%, Local Co-Op 19.1%, Action 16.5%, Indie 14%, Difficult 11.2%

Jump back to the good old days of arcade machines with Void Invaders: a colourful, chaotic and explosive arcade shoot-em-up game inspired by classics such as Galaga and Space Invaders!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 37.5%, Great Soundtrack 25.8%, Arcade 15.2%, Action 11.5%, Indie 10.1%

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

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 27.7%, Local Co-Op 19.9%, Arcade 15.6%, Indie 8.9%, Fast-Paced 8.8%

Prepare yourself for an insatiable rain of bullets, bombs, and beams in Crimzon Clover. Earn all the power-ups for an overpowered experience in the all new ARRANGE version.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 25.1%, Local Co-Op 15.1%, Bullet Hell 14.7%, Arcade 10.5%, Co-op 7.5%

Why play shoot 'em ups one ship at a time? Launch them all at once! Unleash an entire armada of ships in Shoot 1UP!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 29.4%, Bullet Hell 16.8%, Local Co-Op 14.4%, Arcade 11.5%, Co-op 10.1%

Shoot, blast and slash through hordes of enemies in Rocking Pilot - a twin-stick shooter extravaganza inspired by arcade classics.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 27%, Fast-Paced 14.3%, Bullet Hell 14%, Arcade 12.6%, Action 11.2%

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 43.7%, Bullet Hell 19.6%, Great Soundtrack 12.3%, Arcade 8.8%, Action 5.7%

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: Shoot 'Em Up 41.6%, Bullet Hell 29%, Great Soundtrack 9.7%, Action 6.9%, Arcade 6.8%

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: Shoot 'Em Up 24.6%, Bullet Hell 18.2%, Great Soundtrack 15.2%, Arcade 13.1%, Fast-Paced 8.1%

Woodpunk is an exhilarating roguelike bullet hell retro pixel art shooter in a medieval Woodpunk universe, where the primary energy resource is WOOD.

Why similar: Local Co-Op 18.3%, Bullet Hell 16.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 16.2%, Co-op 12.7%, Action 10.9%

Ghost Blade HD is an intense bullet-hell shoot 'em up game, with satisfying and addictive score-based gameplay. With its inspiration going back to the shooting games of the 1990s era, Ghost Blade HD ties old memories to current tones and techniques.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 45%, Bullet Hell 24.5%, Action 16.3%, Indie 14.3%

Fast Pace Shooter

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 39.7%, Action 18.9%, Great Soundtrack 18%, Indie 14.8%, Multiplayer 6%

Sky Force Reloaded is a classic shoot ‘em up experience packed in gorgeous visuals and excellent gameplay. Enjoy flashy explosions, beautiful scenery and massive bosses in single player or local cooperative modes.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 32.8%, Local Co-Op 25.5%, Bullet Hell 16.8%, Arcade 12.7%, Action 5.9%

Run, Gun and Eat your way through this roguelite RPG shooter. In a world where every enemy is edible, what you eat and how much you eat drives everything from your waistline to branching skill trees to weapon crafting. Shoot fast. Eat big. Satisfy your appetite for destruction.

Why similar: Local Co-Op 22.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 18%, Co-op 15.7%, Arcade 10.5%, Action 9.4%

Sine Mora is a horizontal shoot'em up that provides a unique take on challenge, where time is the ultimate factor.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 54.9%, Bullet Hell 18.9%, Arcade 10.3%, Action 8%, Indie 7.4%

Dead End Job sends you into a madcap, Ren & Stimpy-esque world to bust up ghosts. It’s a procedurally generated, couch co-op, twin-stick shooter that straps a vacuum pack to your back and puts a plasma blaster in your hand. For you, it’s just another day in the office.

Why similar: Local Co-Op 36%, Action 18.8%, Indie 12.3%, Shoot 'Em Up 8%, Co-op 5.4%

Aqua Kitty is a fast paced retro styled submarine arcade shooter with optional 2 player local Co-op.Blast through hordes of mechanical sea monsters in your kitty sub and defend the deep sea milk mining kittens!THE MILK MUST FLOW!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 41.5%, Local Co-Op 20.7%, Action 12.1%, Indie 10.3%, Arcade 9.3%

Classic STG game Have fun with your friends just like your childhood!

Why similar: Local Co-Op 29.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 29.3%, Bullet Hell 16.2%, Co-op 6.7%, Sci-fi 5%