The Best Shoot-em-up Games

Update : Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story added at rank #12.
1

Rayaz Arcade Chronology (2023)

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80
Review score
Logo of Rayaz Arcade Chronology Screenshot of Rayaz Arcade Chronology Screenshot of Rayaz Arcade Chronology Screenshot of Rayaz Arcade Chronology

PC Windows

Lock-on to an exhilarating sci-fi shooting fest with the trilogy which put Taito on the 90s arcade shooting map: The Ray Series, together in one collection for the first time!


  • shooter
  • two-layer
  • shoot-em-up
  • scrolling
  • arcade
  • sprite
  • sci-fi
  • vertical
  • 2.5d
  • arcade-classic
  • pixel
  • pixel-drawn
  • playstation
  • classic
  • boss

2

DRAINUS (2022)

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87
Review score
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Nintendo Switch PC Windows

This is a side-scrolling shooting game in which you take control of the "Drainus", the Kharlal Empire's most cutting-edge fighter with the ability to absorb energy bullets, and take down the enemy ships zipping through space.

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  • shooter
  • shoot-em-up
  • scrolling
  • boss
  • horizontal
  • 2d
  • side-scrolling
  • tanks
  • pause
  • shoot
  • action
  • bullet-hell
  • pixel
  • puzzle-shmup
  • mecha-dragon

3

Jets'n'Guns 2 (2020)

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95
Review score
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Nintendo Switch PC Windows Playstation 5 Playstation 4

Jets'n'Guns 2 is a side-scrolling space shooter with insane levels of action and destruction. Travel the galaxies and unleash an arsenal of the deadliest weapons and devices to save the universe from its inevitable doom.


  • shoot-em-up
  • shoot
  • side-scrolling
  • shooter
  • unique-playing
  • scrolling
  • vertical
  • action
  • stage
  • 2d
  • colourful
  • scroller
  • bullet-hell
  • retro
  • local

4

Pewt 'em Up! (2022)

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97
Review score
Logo of Pewt 'em Up! Screenshot of Pewt 'em Up! Screenshot of Pewt 'em Up! Screenshot of Pewt 'em Up!

PC Windows Android

Pewt 'em Up! is a retro inspired arcade space shoot 'em up with lots of upgrades, achievements, extras and more.


  • shoot-em-up
  • rogue-like
  • aliens
  • retro
  • arcade
  • futuristic
  • pixel
  • 2d
  • space
  • sci-fi
  • shooter
  • linear
  • action

5

Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX (2023)

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74
Review score
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Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch Playstation 5 Playstation 4 PC Windows Xbox One

Soar sky-high in Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX, an electrifying entry in the classic arcade shoot-‘em-up series! Customize your music, wallpapers, game mode, and more before launching into high-octane aerial action!


  • top-down
  • jet
  • bullet-hell
  • arcade
  • shoot-em-up
  • shooter
  • space
  • aliens
  • flight
  • cooperative
  • shoot
  • pixel
  • local
  • boss
  • 2d

6

Chicken Invaders 2 (2021)

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88
Review score
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Linux Mac OS PC Windows IOS iPhone

Just when you thought it was safe to eat chicken again, the chickens have returned with an organized invasion to take over the entire solar system! Journey to each planet and fight your way through to save the world (again)!


  • shoot-em-up
  • casual
  • entertainment
  • action
  • 4-player
  • orchestral
  • parody
  • horizontal
  • spin-off
  • two-player
  • vertical
  • boss
  • cartoony
  • mmo

7

Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers (2022)

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88
Review score
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Nintendo Switch PC Windows Xbox One

UFOs! Aliens! Aircrafts! Resistance! SHOOT 'EM UP! Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers is a spaceship shooter with 2D gameplay and 3D environment. Enjoy a smart combination of a fast-paced shooting experience and the 1950's sci-fi movies aesthetic, with live-action cutscenes.


  • fmv
  • cinematic
  • shoot-em-up
  • scroller
  • noir
  • space
  • retro
  • aliens
  • politics
  • cooperative
  • old-school
  • local
  • sci-fi
  • action-adventure
  • so-so

8

Andro Dunos 2 (2022)

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77
Review score
Logo of Andro Dunos 2 Screenshot of Andro Dunos 2 Screenshot of Andro Dunos 2 Screenshot of Andro Dunos 2

Playstation 4 Nintendo 3DS dreamcast Nintendo Switch Xbox One PC Windows

The sequel of the famous Shoot'em up from the Visco studio is back, 30 years after the first opus, released exclusively on Neo-Geo MVS and Neo-Geo AES in 1992 . It's time to bring out your good old battle ship in ANDRO DUNOS 2!


  • arcade
  • shooter
  • horizontal
  • boss
  • shoot-em-up
  • bullet-hell
  • scrolling
  • sprite
  • old-school
  • side-scrolling
  • boss-fight
  • pixel
  • retro
  • classic
  • linear

9

Sophstar (2022)

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79
Review score
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PC Windows Xbox One Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Playstation 5

A vertical arcade shoot'em up with an inventive teleport system, lots of fast-blazing action and explosions, tons of boss fights, a risk/reward based score sytem and a proper challenge for both veteran and new players of the genre.

Buy

  • vertical
  • shooter
  • bullet-hell
  • shoot-em-up
  • top-down
  • arcade
  • collectathon
  • retro
  • boss
  • vertical-scrolling
  • multiple-endings
  • attack
  • score
  • aliens
  • space

10

Chicken Invaders 5 (2014)

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97
Review score
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IOS iPhone Mac OS PC Windows

Chicken Invaders puts you at the forefront of a battle against invading intergalactic chickens, bent on revenge for our oppression of Earth chickens. This time, the chickens have hatched a devious plan to block out sunlight and freeze Earth to death!

Buy

  • shoot-em-up
  • casual
  • arcade
  • action
  • battle
  • cooperative
  • boss
  • 4-player
  • orchestral
  • horizontal
  • spin-off
  • multiplayer
  • vertical

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