10 Best Shoot-'Em-Up Games Of All Time

Summary

• Shoot-'Em-Ups offer intense firefights with unique scenarios & multiple weapons for any playstyle.
• Classic games like Contra & modern ones like Enter the Gungeon provide exciting gameplay experiences.
• From gothic anime girls in Death Smiles to roguelike chaos in Vampire Survivors, Shoot-'Em-Ups offer diverse and challenging gameplay.

Shoot-’em Ups can be intense firefights against a multitude of enemies. With multiple weapons to suit anyone’s playstyle and dozens of unique scenarios that go beyond your average space shooter, you’ll soon see colors flashing on the screen as bullets fly and enemies explode both on the ground and in the sky.

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So, which are the best Shoot-’Em-Up games? Some games like to stick to what made the genre so good, while others use those mechanics and combine them with other genres for a more unique experience. From classic arcade games to modern-day side scrollers, these are the ten best Shoot-'Em-Ups of all time.

10 Contra

A Classic Arcade Shooter

If you’re looking for a classic Shoot-’Em Up that will secretly switch genres, try Contra. Contra has you and a friend shooting up bad guys like in the old-school days. Keep moving to the right to reach the end of the stage and then infiltrate the base.

All is not what it seems, though, because aliens are secretly involved and soon replace the usual henchmen that you spend the early game dealing with. The Contra Classic Collection contains plenty of titles from the original arcade edition, the NES adaptation, and more.

9 Enter the Gungeon

Guns And Dungeons

One of the best dungeon crawlers doesn’t focus on swords and spells. Instead, your magic and might come from the bullets that spray from your gun. Choose your hero and your co-op teammates as you set off toward the countless enemies coming at you.

Dungeons are procedurally generated, allowing for countless replayability. Gather loot and talk with merchants to unlock even more methods of getting through each floor in one piece. Just watch out for the deadly bosses that get in your way. Give them everything you got.

8 Death Smiles

Gothic Anime Girls

If you’re looking for a Shoot-'Em-Up Game with a gothic twist and a few horror elements, then look no further than Death Smiles. You’ll have to survive through bullet hell as one of five angels as you dodge the attacks of spooky enemies.

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Multiple paths allow you to tackle different stages, and extra game modes add to the replayability of Death Smiles. The game even includes a two-player local co-op, allowing a friend to hop on and join in on the action.

7 Vampire Survivors

Thirty Minutes To Kill

What happens when you mix roguelike elements with the chaos of a Shoot-'Em-Up? You get one of the best roguelikes of all time, Vampire Survivors. As you fight against endless hoards of enemies, you need to level up and select what rewards you get during the session.

Sessions last from 15 to 30 minutes depending on the stage selected. Your weapon automatically fires, so focus on not getting hit and outlasting the clock. Earn gold and unlock persistent upgrades and new characters that carry over to your next session.

6 Cuphead

Choose Your Weapon Wisely

Cuphead is a 2D sidescrolling Shoot-'Em-Up that has you tackling many unique bosses inspired by the rubber hose era of animation. From swashbuckling pirates to three-headed fantasy dragons, you’ll not only need excellent platforming skills but also mastery of your weapons.

Some weapons will deal lots of damage but shoot slowly. Others will have plenty of spread but have a short range. Each weapon has its own strengths, but some will make specific boss fights easier. It is up to you to determine which to unlock first.

5 Dead Estate

Collect Items And Shoot Zombies

Dead Estate is a twin-stick Shoot-'Em-Up that has you exploring a mansion infested with zombies. Creep through each floor and discover the location of a key, then find the exit to engage with a variety of deadly bosses.

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Weapons range from radiation guns to shotguns that turn zombies into money. There are plenty of hidden weapons that can be buffed with different items. Unlock new characters with unique abilities and continue to challenge yourself as you reach the rooftop over and over again.

4 Mushihimesama

Deserts, Forests, And Insects

What if instead of a space Shoot-'Em-Up, you had a game where insects were the focal point? This is Mushihimesama. It follows all the same rules you are familiar with from classic Shoot-'Em-Up games but it trades spaceships for beetles and the coldness of space for lush forests.

As you kill enemies, the desert backdrops are sprinkled with new life that quickly transforms the terrain. While the gameplay looks hectic, spending enough time playing will hone your instincts to dodge even the largest waves of beams.

3 Metal Slug

A Classic War Shooter

A classic war Shoot-'Em-Up comes in the form of Metal Slug. While there are plenty of sequels and spinoffs, this is SNK’s legendary 2D side-scrolling Shoot-'Em-Up. The franchise has been found in arcade cabinets, consoles, and even PCs.

With enemies everywhere, you will need to use powerup drops to enhance your firepower and push forward while dodging bullets coming your way. From soldiers to tanks and even the occasional mummy, Metal Slug has a grungy but cartoony aesthetic unique to the franchise.

2 Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved

Geometry Can Be Fun

If you love neon colors and geometrical shapes, then Geometry Wars has you covered. Originally released as an Xbox Live Arcade game, Steam has kept the experience alive in the form of Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved.

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Geometry Wars features minimalistic graphics that are enhanced by the sparkling sound effects and colors. Touching an enemy snake or ship will lose you a life, so do your best to keep enemies a good distance away. After certain point milestones, your weapon will change and the enemy presence will multiply. Can you survive in the box?

1 Galaga

An Arcade Masterpiece

It’s impossible to talk about Shoot-'Em-Up games without bringing up arcade classics such as Galaga. The classic arcade game still has plenty of impact, appearing as the classic rendition of the title to larger-than-life adaptations.

Galaga gives you a few lives and tosses swarms of enemy ships at you. The sounds are unforgettable as the ships descend faster than normal or even try to capture you. Even today, the controls feel satisfying to use with adrenaline-pumping space combat. It’s one game that is sure to last the test of time.

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