Games Like Waves

Waves 2: Notorious is an arcade twin-stick shooter set in Cyberspace. Build Combos, earn Adrenaline and unleash powerful Burst attacks as you Dive into the Net and do battle against an AI that adapts to your weaknesses!

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 15.8%, Bullet Time 12.8% ★, Shoot 'Em Up 10.8%, Bullet Hell 10.6%, Cyberpunk 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: As the direct sequel, it refines the core twin-stick mechanics and high-score chasing gameplay of the original.

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 32.7%, Bullet Hell 17.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 11.3%, Cyberpunk 9.9%, Great Soundtrack 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: Developed by arcade legends, this game offers the ultimate high-octane, neon-drenched twin-stick experience.

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 38.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 17.8%, Bullet Hell 15.3%, Arcade 10.8%, Great Soundtrack 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: It is the gold standard for arcade twin-stick shooters, featuring intense action and deep leaderboard competition.

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

Why You'll Like It: The classic that defined the modern twin-stick genre, offering pure, minimalist arcade gameplay.

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 28.6%, Bullet Hell 18.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 18.1%, Shooter 9.1%, Top-Down 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: This game delivers relentless, high-speed twin-stick combat with a focus on maintaining combos and managing screen-filling chaos.

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 39.3%, Shoot 'Em Up 17%, Arcade 13.4%, Retro 10.8%, Shooter 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: A retro-inspired arcade shooter that captures the same neon aesthetic and addictive score-chasing loop as Waves.

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 26.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 21.9%, Great Soundtrack 13.1%, Arcade 12.5%, Shooter 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: A unique, stylish arcade shooter that emphasizes fluid movement and high-score survival.

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 24.8%, Great Soundtrack 18.8%, Fast-Paced 14.1%, Bullet Hell 14%, Score Attack 13.4%

Why You'll Like It: A high-intensity, music-synced action game that requires quick movement and precise aiming in a confined space.

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 40.6%, Shoot 'Em Up 36%, Great Soundtrack 8.1%, Arcade 6.4%, Shooter 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: Provides the intense bullet-hell experience that fans of the genre's more challenging modes will appreciate.

Thousands of aliens, giant spiders, mutant lizards, and more are on the attack - can you survive the onslaught? Crimsonland is a top-down shooter with a touch of RPG. Unlock over 30 weapons and over 50 perks from quirky to brutal. Complete the quest and show your skills in five survival modes.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 36.9%, Shooter 17.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 16.1%, Top-Down 16%, Action 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: The definitive arena shooter that focuses on overwhelming odds and satisfying weapon upgrades.

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 33.1%, Arena Shooter 16.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 16.7%, Shooter 13.4%, Top-Down 13.3%

Why You'll Like It: Features fast-paced, twin-stick action with satisfying power-ups and a chaotic, arcade-style atmosphere.

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 32.7%, Bullet Hell 18.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 16.6%, Psychedelic 9.6%, Arcade 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: Uses procedural generation based on music to create a chaotic, neon-filled twin-stick experience.

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 36.7%, Twin Stick Shooter 22.4%, Great Soundtrack 15%, Shooter 10%, Top-Down 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: A high-speed, high-stakes twin-stick roguelike that rewards aggressive play and quick reflexes.

Retrograde Arena is a multiplayer twin stick shooter where bullets don’t kill. Use weapons, physics, and your Drone to push, pull, and blast your foes into deadly surroundings in this skill-based shooter action title that redefines physics-based action.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 23.7%, Bullet Hell 15.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.3%, Cyberpunk 13.7%, Psychedelic 11.2%

Why You'll Like It: A physics-based twin-stick shooter where movement is just as important as your aim.

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 100%

Why You'll Like It: Combines tight, top-down shooting mechanics with a challenging, arcade-inspired progression system.

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 38.7%, Bullet Hell 35.9%, Arcade 11.1%, Great Soundtrack 6.7%, Shooter 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: A legendary shoot-em-up that introduces unique color-switching mechanics to the bullet-hell genre.

Akka Arrh is a modern take on a scrapped project from the 1980s, providing players with a fast-paced, addictive, arcade shooter experience and psychedelic visuals. Protect your life rings as you chain together combos and go for a high score!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 18.9%, Bullet Hell 18.6%, Abstract 12.8%, Shooter 9.6%, Top-Down 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: A modern revival of a classic arcade concept that emphasizes frantic, colorful, and rhythmic shooting.

A fast twin-stick shooter where you compete for the top spot in the leaderboards.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 25.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.4%, Bullet Hell 15.2%, Abstract 10.9%, Shooter 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: A minimalist, high-score-focused twin-stick shooter that is perfect for fans of pure arcade mechanics.

Beginner Welcome Bullet Hell Shooter. "Chapter Mode", which is starting from a simple stage and gradually becoming more difficult, is recommended for beginners. Once you get used to bullet hell, let's experience full-scale bullet hell in "Challenge Mode".

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 20.1%, Bullet Hell 19%, Abstract 10.8%, Psychedelic 10.3%, Shooter 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on pure bullet-hell patterns and high-score chasing in a clean, accessible format.

Chip destructible bosses apart pixel-by-pixel in this twin-stick bullet-hell shooter.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 20.6%, Bullet Hell 13.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 13%, Abstract 9.9%, Score Attack 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: A boss-rush bullet-hell game that demands extreme precision and fast reaction times.

Swarmlake is an ultra-intense first-person shooter ballet about fighting a record-breaking swarm.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 18.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.4%, Great Soundtrack 11.5%, Arena Shooter 10%, Score Attack 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: A first-person bullet-hell that focuses on crowd control and surviving against thousands of enemies.

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 26.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 17.4%, Bullet Hell 13.2%, Arcade 7.6%, Arena Shooter 7.2%

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 34%, Bullet Hell 24.6%, Arcade 9.5%, Score Attack 8.8%, Shooter 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: A highly polished arcade shooter that offers satisfying progression and classic top-down combat.

Dodge the music and dance through a mesmerizing ballet of choreographed bullets, each synced to music from over a dozen international artists. Push your creativity and skills with the fully-featured Level Editor and never run out of things to dodge.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 24.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 13.3%, Psychedelic 13.1%, Abstract 12.1%, Arcade 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: A rhythm-based bullet-hell game that tests your ability to dodge patterns in time with the music.

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 23.2%, Bullet Hell 15.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 14.4%, Score Attack 8.7%, Arcade 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced, arcade-style space shooter that emphasizes survival and high-score competition.

A modern revisitation of the 80s arcades. Use your Razerwire to cut through waves of nanobugs with a rogue-like inspired progression.

Why similar: Bullet Time 19% ★, Time Manipulation 18.6% ★, Shoot 'Em Up 14.6%, Bullet Hell 14.4%, Shooter 7.5%

Why You'll Like It: An arena-based shooter that utilizes unique wire-based mechanics to challenge your spatial awareness.

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 26.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 17.5%, Bullet Hell 16.1%, Score Attack 8.7%, Shooter 8.1%

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 37.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 24.2%, Bullet Hell 23.5%, Shooter 4.9%, Arcade 4.3%

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 29.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.6%, Bullet Hell 14.2%, Psychedelic 11.4%, Great Soundtrack 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: An abstract, fast-paced shooter that focuses on fluid movement and challenging enemy patterns.

TimeTekker is an arcade shoot em' up where your actions dictate the speed of time itself! Overcome the endless hail of bullets at your own pace and become the ultimate ninja!

Why similar: Bullet Time 17.8% ★, Twin Stick Shooter 17.5%, Time Manipulation 16.5% ★, Shoot 'Em Up 12.3%, Bullet Hell 11%

"Bullet Hell Monday: Finale" is a beginner-friendly bullet hell shooter. Upgrade your craft, clear the Chapter Mode, defeat bosses, and enhance your abilities to conquer stages.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 26.4%, Bullet Hell 23.7%, Abstract 8.4%, Psychedelic 8.1%, Shooter 8%

An addictive fast paced twin stick arena shooter with banging electronic sound track, nostalgic nods and a barrage of flashing lights and bullets. Your task is simple, kill drones, free humans, don't die!

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 19.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 13.4%, Bullet Hell 11.5%, Abstract 9.2%, Psychedelic 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: A straightforward, arcade-style twin-stick shooter that captures the classic feel of the genre.

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

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 32.4%, Bullet Hell 25.2%, Shooter 10%, Score Attack 9.7%, Great Soundtrack 8.7%

Play a classic Shoot 'Em Up... in reverse!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 56.4%, Action 26.1%, Retro 17.5%

Destropolis is a top-down shooter game with a fully destructible environment, hundreds of enemies and nuclear explosions. Fight a countless swarm of enemies. Tear them to pieces with bullets, lasers and explosions. Destroy as many of them as you can before they overwhelm you...

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 22.9%, Bullet Time 17.5% ★, Bullet Hell 15.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.4%, Cyberpunk 11.5%

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: Shoot 'Em Up 22%, Bullet Hell 21.5%, Shooter 11.2%, Arena Shooter 10.9%, Arcade 9.8%

Hyperspace Invaders II: Pixel Edition is a hardcore, uncompromising vertical scrolling bullet hell/invader hell shooter (shmup) that doubles as a techno-based lightsynth, triggering bursts of funky invaders at the pulse of a relentless beat.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 28.6%, Bullet Hell 27.6%, Great Soundtrack 14.5%, Shooter 10.8%, Arcade 10.6%

Dodge the music and weave through an endless ballet of bullets in an all-new collection of hand-crafted levels set to the music of an award-winning cast of international musicians. Turn any song into an amazing experience with the robust Level Editor and never run out of things to dodge.

Why similar: Bullet Time 20% ★, Time Manipulation 18.7% ★, Bullet Hell 15.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.2%, Abstract 9.2%

HYPER DEMON is an FPS like no other. a pearl of lightning. a dream from the future. a drop of poison. a swan song. The faster you slay demons, the harder the game and the higher your score. There is an end. Will it see you?

Why similar: Bullet Time 18.8% ★, Bullet Hell 12.9%, Psychedelic 11.9%, Score Attack 11.7%, Fast-Paced 11.3%

A non-shooting shoot 'em up where you must grow, make friends, and survive together.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 31.3%, Shoot 'Em Up 27.4%, Great Soundtrack 16.8%, Bullet Time 13.8% ★, Arcade 7.8%

Savant - Ascent REMIX is an explosive shoot-em-up / scrolling shooter, starring an acrobatic wizard on an elevator-ride. Unlock destructive spells & acrobatic moves as you survive through a tower brimming with robotic fiends!

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 26.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 17.7%, Bullet Hell 17.4%, Score Attack 13.6%, Shooter 8.7%

Trigonarium is a hardcore twin-stick shooter for fans of challenging arcade gaming. Fight your way through multitudes of enemy formations in constantly shifting battle arenas to face the colossal level bosses.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 26.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 15%, Abstract 13.4%, Psychedelic 12.3%, Score Attack 9.2%

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: Shoot 'Em Up 29.3%, Bullet Hell 24.2%, Arcade 14.7%, Fast-Paced 14.2%, Retro 10.8%

SPLIT BULLET is a game all about 'splitting up' a massive crowd of enemies—yes, those polygons—crawling towards you. Don't let 'em get you and survive as long as you can, by using your instincts and weapons.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 16.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.2%, Abstract 12.8%, Score Attack 10.9%, Fast-Paced 9.4%

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

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 27.2%, Twin Stick Shooter 24.6%, Bullet Hell 18.2%, Shooter 8.6%, Arcade 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 52.3%, Bullet Hell 22.6%, Score Attack 16.9%, Action 8.2%

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 25.9%, Bullet Hell 21.6%, Score Attack 12.1%, Arcade 10.8%, Top-Down 10.2%

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

Why similar: Bullet Hell 35.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 35.2%, Arcade 11.2%, Action 9.9%, Retro 7%

Gunvein is a dynamic, aggression-based bullet hell shoot em up where you use lock on lasers, charged weapons, bombs & hypers to overwhelm the enemies before they overwhelm you.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 37%, Bullet Hell 28.5%, Arcade 12.5%, Shooter 9.1%, Action 5.3%

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 50%, Bullet Hell 27.8%, Arcade 10.1%, Shooter 7.4%, Action 4.2%

Dodge! Strike back! This is a fast-paced barrage arcade game. Move the character to dodge bullets. Pick the right time to strike bullets back and destroy enemies to get gold coins. Unlock more characters and powerful skills. Keep challenging yourself to get higher scores and rankings.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 17.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 16.7%, Score Attack 14.6%, Bullet Time 14.5% ★, Abstract 9.9%

Void Prison is a fast paced, endless arcade twin stick shooter that puts you inside of an ever shrinking ring. Survive by fighting emerging enemies around you and don't get consumed by the void. Complete achievements to unlock new skins and powerups and get on top of the leaderboards!

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 25.7%, Bullet Time 17.1% ★, Bullet Hell 16.3%, Shooter 8.8%, Arcade 8.1%

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 26.9%, Bullet Hell 17.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 16.2%, Fast-Paced 11.2%, Shooter 7.7%

a chaotic, infinite twin stick shooty✨

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 42.9%, Score Attack 16.1%, Arcade 11.8%, Retro 9.1%, Shooter 7.5%

Take control of a virtual organism in this unique indie arcade title, while unlocking Steam Achievements and climbing the leaderboards!

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 23.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 14.6%, Bullet Hell 14.4%, Psychedelic 10.1%, Score Attack 8.7%

Polychromatic is a physics-based arcade shooter with a pop of color.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 46.2%, Great Soundtrack 16.1%, Arena Shooter 13%, Arcade 11.7%, Colorful 7.5%

Load up and roll out, in this twin stick shooter with roguelike progression! Blast your way through arcade-style levels, using pinball-style physics mixed with an arsenal of devastating weapons. Defeat waves of enemy bots, battle big bosses, and upgrade your mech between runs.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 23.3%, Shoot 'Em Up 16.1%, Bullet Hell 14.1%, Cyberpunk 11.8%, Shooter 7.4%

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

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 29.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 21.5%, Bullet Hell 19.7%, Shooter 9.1%, Arcade 7.8%