Games Like The Bug Butcher

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 22.2%, Local Co-Op 14.7%, Bullet Hell 14.5%, Co-op 9.2%, Difficult 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: A high-octane twin-stick arena shooter that captures the same chaotic, arcade-style intensity and local co-op fun.

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 16.9%, Bullet Hell 16.2%, Great Soundtrack 14.5%, Local Co-Op 14.2%, Arcade 11%

Why You'll Like It: Developed by arcade veterans, this game offers pure, high-speed, single-screen action with a heavy focus on score-chasing.

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 28.1%, Arcade 18.8%, Local Co-Op 17.4%, Action 12.8%, Co-op 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: This is the direct modern successor to the arcade classic that inspired The Bug Butcher's core vertical shooting mechanics.

Vlambeer's SUPER CRATE BOX is coming to bring back the glory of the golden arcade age, when all that really mattered was getting on that high score list. Grab your baseball cap and loosen your pants, it's time to fight endless hordes of enemies and collect every weapon crate you can.

Why similar: Arcade 16.3%, Action 14.5%, Indie 14.3%, Platformer 11.4%, Difficult 11.1%

Why You'll Like It: A quintessential single-screen arena shooter that demands fast reflexes and constant movement to survive waves of 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 26.9%, Bullet Hell 15.8%, Local Co-Op 14.6%, Action 11.8%, Arcade 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: This game focuses on high-speed, boss-heavy action that matches the frantic energy and platforming-shooter hybrid feel of The Bug Butcher.

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 24.6%, Local Co-Op 19.8%, Difficult 17.6%, Great Soundtrack 16.4%, Indie 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced, challenging arena shooter that rewards aggressive play and precise movement in tight spaces.

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 13.3%, Co-op 13.3%, Great Soundtrack 12.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 11.1%

Why You'll Like It: While more platform-focused, its intense, pattern-based boss encounters and local co-op capture the same 'one more try' arcade spirit.

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 16.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.7%, Difficult 14.5%, Indie 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: A unique vertical-scrolling arcade game where you must master the art of shooting downwards while falling through dangerous levels.

Enter the Gungeon is a bullet hell dungeon crawler following a band of misfits seeking to shoot, loot, dodge roll and table-flip their way to personal absolution by reaching the legendary Gungeon’s ultimate treasure: the gun that can kill the past.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 41.9%, Local Co-Op 20.5%, Difficult 11.7%, Co-op 10.3%, Indie 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: A bullet-hell dungeon crawler that features intense arena-based combat and excellent local co-op support.

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 16.7%, Local Co-Op 16.1%, Arcade 9.6%, Action 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: A modern, accessible shoot-em-up that emphasizes power-up progression and high-score chasing in a polished arcade package.

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 25.8%, Great Soundtrack 20.2%, Fast-Paced 15.9%, Bullet Hell 9.2%, Action 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: A short, intense vertical arena shooter that focuses on dodging and precise shooting in a confined space.

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

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 35.1%, Great Soundtrack 17.5%, Bullet Hell 16.6%, Arcade 7.3%, Indie 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: A masterfully crafted shoot-em-up that balances classic arcade sensibilities with modern, surprising gameplay twists.

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%, Arcade 12.3%, Great Soundtrack 11%, Action 9.1%, Indie 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: A non-linear, retro-styled shoot-em-up that offers a vast variety of weapons and power-ups similar to The Bug Butcher.

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 24%, Action 12%, Arcade 6.7%, Indie 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: A chaotic, fast-paced side-scrolling action game that emphasizes cooperative destruction and arcade-style level progression.

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 27.2%, Arcade 11.5%, Great Soundtrack 11.3%, Action 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: A definitive bullet-hell experience that tests your ability to navigate complex patterns in a high-pressure arcade environment.

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 30.1%, Bullet Hell 24%, Great Soundtrack 13.1%, Local Co-Op 10.9%, Action 8%

Why You'll Like It: A charming, action-packed bullet-hell game that features a great soundtrack and classic arcade-style challenge.

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 42.4%, Bullet Hell 24.8%, Arcade 11.5%, Great Soundtrack 7.6%, Action 3.3%

Why You'll Like It: A classic arcade shooter that introduces a unique color-switching mechanic, demanding the same level of focus and pattern recognition.

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 28.8%, Local Co-Op 21%, Arcade 10.2%, Action 8.5%, Difficult 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: A retro-inspired run-and-gun game that captures the difficulty and fast-paced action of 90s arcade classics.

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 32.7%, Local Co-Op 20.7%, Bullet Hell 15.9%, Arcade 6%, Great Soundtrack 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: A cooperative-focused arcade shooter that excels at providing accessible yet challenging action for multiple players.

“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 25.6%, Co-op 20.4%, Local Co-Op 19.6%, Action 11%, Shoot 'Em Up 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: A legendary run-and-gun arcade game that defines the genre with its frantic action, co-op play, and distinct visual style.

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved is a old school style shooter, but remixed for the 21st century with next generation graphics and deep, modern gameplay. Playing is simple: you are a geometric "ship" trapped in a grid world, facing off against waves of deadly wanderers, snakes, and repulsars.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 26.6%, Arcade 26.4%, Bullet Hell 23.4%, Great Soundtrack 8.5%, Indie 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: The gold standard for pure, single-screen arena shooting that focuses on survival and high-score optimization.

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 43.7%, Bullet Hell 19%, Great Soundtrack 10.5%, Action 7.2%, Indie 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced space shooter that leans heavily into the bullet-hell aesthetic and arcade-style score chasing.

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 24.3%, Shoot 'Em Up 21.3%, Arcade 15.8%, Action 12.3%, Indie 11.2%

Why You'll Like It: A vibrant, single-screen arena shooter inspired by 80s arcade classics, focusing on upgrades and survival.

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 30.1%, Bullet Hell 16.6%, Great Soundtrack 12%, Action 11.5%, Arcade 10.9%

Why You'll Like It: A stylish, indie-developed shoot-em-up that emphasizes tight controls and intense, pattern-based combat.

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 43.3%, Great Soundtrack 13.2%, Arcade 12.2%, Local Co-Op 10%, Bullet Hell 10%

Why You'll Like It: A massive, content-rich arcade shooter that provides a deep, satisfying experience for fans of the genre.

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 30.6%, Local Co-Op 19.1%, Action 16.4%, Indie 14.2%, Difficult 11.2%

Why You'll Like It: A straightforward, challenging arcade shooter that focuses on wave-based survival and enemy management.

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

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 35.3%, Bullet Hell 19.1%, Action 11.8%, Arcade 10.5%, Great Soundtrack 10%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced, casual-friendly bullet-hell shooter that captures the arcade spirit with its focus on dodging and screen-clearing attacks.

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 23.9%, Local Co-Op 18.3%, Great Soundtrack 11%, Arcade 10.2%, Bullet Hell 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: A modern take on the classic arcade shooter, featuring dynamic combat and a focus on upgrading your fleet.

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 20.8%, Co-op 12.4%, Action 12.2%, Arcade 11.5%, Bullet Hell 10.9%

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 28.6%, Bullet Hell 17.9%, Local Co-Op 16.6%, Arcade 12.1%, Co-op 9.9%

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 42.7%, Local Co-Op 17.3%, Bullet Hell 13.3%, Action 7.8%, Arcade 7.6%

Sky Mercenaries - Fast paced action overdose with rpg elements

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 37.5%, Bullet Hell 22.7%, Arcade 14.8%, Action 13.1%, Indie 11.8%

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 32.3%, Local Co-Op 22.4%, Action 12.8%, Indie 10.8%, Bullet Hell 7.2%

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 21.4%, Bullet Hell 16.9%, Great Soundtrack 13.5%, 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 29.2%, Local Co-Op 22.3%, Great Soundtrack 13.6%, Bullet Hell 13%, Action 7.1%

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

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 32.7%, Indie 18.5%, Bullet Hell 13.7%, Action 11.6%, Local Co-Op 8%

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 32.5%, Local Co-Op 25.4%, Bullet Hell 17%, Arcade 12.7%, Action 6%

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 38.8%, Bullet Hell 20.1%, Action 12.5%, Arcade 12.2%, Indie 9.6%

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 23.3%, Difficult 22%, Indie 16.2%, Great Soundtrack 15.7%, Platformer 8.3%

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 43.6%, Bullet Hell 21.6%, Great Soundtrack 15.7%, Action 13.4%, Sci-fi 5.7%

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 41.3%, Local Co-Op 20.7%, Action 12.1%, Indie 10.5%, Arcade 9.4%

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 28.5%, Bullet Hell 17.9%, Great Soundtrack 13.6%, Co-op 11.8%, Difficult 9%

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 54.6%, Bullet Hell 19.1%, Arcade 10.4%, Action 8%, Indie 7.5%

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 37.4%, Great Soundtrack 25.5%, Arcade 15.3%, Action 11.5%, Indie 10.2%

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 26.9%, Fast-Paced 14.3%, Bullet Hell 14.1%, Arcade 12.6%, Action 11.2%

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 29.2%, Bullet Hell 16.9%, Local Co-Op 14.3%, Arcade 11.5%, Co-op 10.1%

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 16.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 16.1%, Co-op 12.7%, Action 10.8%

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 24.5%, Bullet Hell 18.4%, Great Soundtrack 15.1%, Arcade 13.1%, Fast-Paced 8.1%

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 41.3%, Bullet Hell 29.3%, Great Soundtrack 9.5%, Arcade 6.9%, Action 6.8%

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 44%, Bullet Hell 19.2%, Great Soundtrack 12.1%, Arcade 8.8%, Action 5.8%

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 22.6%, Shoot 'Em Up 18%, Co-op 15.7%, Arcade 10.5%, Action 9.3%

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 44.7%, Bullet Hell 24.7%, Action 16.1%, Indie 14.4%

Fast Pace Shooter

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 39.6%, Action 18.8%, Great Soundtrack 17.8%, Indie 15%, Multiplayer 6.1%

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 27.5%, Local Co-Op 20%, Arcade 15.8%, Indie 9.1%, Fast-Paced 8.9%

Atomik: RunGunJumpGun is a tough as nails game that puts a gravity-defying weapon in your hands. One button lets you fly, the other blasts obstacles out of the way. With a cast of crazed characters, challenging gameplay, and a pulsing musical score, it delivers twitchy platforming goodness.

Why similar: Action 22.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 21.5%, Indie 19.4%, Great Soundtrack 14.2%, Difficult 13.5%

CometStriker DX is a fast-paced arcade-style shooter where you boost through danger and blast everything in your way!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 31.4%, Bullet Hell 18.1%, Local Co-Op 11.6%, Arcade 10.7%, Difficult 10.6%

KILLBUG is a fast-paced, first-person movement shooter set in an endless arena. Slash and shoot your way through hordes of ravenous insects, mastering fluid aerial movement mechanics as you fight for glory on the leaderboards.

Why similar: Fast-Paced 34.1%, Difficult 30.6%, Action 19.4%, Great Soundtrack 12.1%, Singleplayer 3.8%

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 35.9%, Action 18.7%, Indie 12.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 8%, Co-op 5.5%