10 Best Arcade 'Shmups, Ranked (2024)

Shmups – a retro video game genre that ignites pure, unadulterated joy in the hearts of those who know. Forget meditations and mindfulness; dodging a screen full of bullets and laser fire can be the ultimate stress release. Shmups, or shoot 'em ups, come in glorious varieties – vertical or horizontal, bullet hells or cute 'em ups, each a test of skill and memorization. Mastering a shmup is a badge of honor, a testament to your reflexes, strategic planning, and memorization.

The genre's intensity might seem daunting to newcomers, but the satisfaction of conquering a seemingly impossible stage or taking down a bullet-spewing boss is unparalleled. Thanks to modern re-releases and commonly available emulation, these games have been preserved for a new generation looking for a challenge. So sit back, relax, and enjoy making things go boom.

10 Raiden II Is A Well Balanced Shmup For Beginners

In 1993, Seibu Kaihatsu launched Raiden II into arcades, bowling alleys, and greasy pizzerias everywhere. Raiden II improved upon its predecessor by offering a more balanced power-up system alongside boost options like homing missiles and defensive barriers. Raiden II boasts a variety of stages brimming with detail, from sprawling pastoral landscapes to heavily fortified enemy bases.

Each stage presents unique mechanized enemies and bullet patterns, forcing players to adapt their tactics and utilize a boosted arsenal to overcome their relentless onslaught. Raiden II's bosses are particular standouts: spectacular, multi-phase encounters that demand strategic use of power-ups, bombs and memorization. Those itching for a great all-around shmup with sharp visuals and bass-heavy sound effects will have a great time with Raiden II.

9 GigaWing Allows Players To Switch Forms On The Fly

In 1999, Takumi Corporation and Capcom co-developed GigaWing, a genre-bending spectacle for the arcades, later ported to the Dreamcast. GigaWing offered a unique twist on the genre; players command a fighter craft that forces them to switch between two distinct modes on the fly: the agile "Assault" mode and the firepower-focused "Carrier" mode.

GigaWing's brilliance lay in mastering these forms and adapting to a given situation. Assault mode excelled in tight spaces, allowing players to weave through enemy barrages; carrier mode, while less maneuverable, boasted devastating firepower, allowing one to rain down screen-clearing lasers and powerful missiles. With its innovative form-switching mechanic, kinetic action, and a unique scoring system that rewards aggressive play, GigaWing occupies its own niche in the shmup genre, and a challenging standout for fans of bullet-hell games.

8 R-Type Leo Is A Gorgeous Evolution Of The Long Running Series

In 1992, R-Type Leo injected a shot of adrenaline into the classic Irem series. Players pilot the agile R-9 Leo starfighter, blasting through six expansive multiscreen stages, a stark contrast to the series' prior confined environments. Adding to the positives, R-Type Leo features refined controls, beautifully realized pixel art graphics, and a much more forgiving instant checkpoint system.

While the signature bullet-dodging gameplay remains familiar, R-Type Leo introduces a unique weapon system that replaces the series' traditional force-pod. This time, twin satellites flank a player's ship, mirroring their movements while unleashing a powerful forward shot when fully charged. This innovative mechanic adds a new strategic layer of depth to the classic R-Type experience, giving even seasoned shmup aficionados a novel gimmick to master.

7 DoDonPachi Brings Bullet-Hell To New Heights

Cave's 1997 vertical shoot-'em-up, DoDonPachi, cranked the bullet hell genre to eleven, improving upon its predecessor Don Pachi in every way. Offering players three distinct ships, each with their own shot style, DoDonPachi pushes players' reflexes to their absolute limits with screen-filling bullet-barrages and enormous bosses. Plus, the explosions are pure eye candy — some of the most impressive ever seen in a shmup.

DoDonPachi introduced the innovative "Maximum Mode," activated by collecting bombs when a player's stockpile is full. In this state, a player's score skyrockets as they unleash a torrent of destruction, turning the tide of battle with a glorious display of firepower. With its breakneck pace, unique bomb system, and scoring that incentivizes aggressive play, DoDonPachi is a cornerstone of the bullet hell genre and one that should not be missed.

6 Radiant Silvergun Is A Unique Challenge For Seasoned Shmup Fans

In 1998, Treasure unleashed a dazzling spectacle onto Japanese arcades: Radiant Silvergun. Forget the typical "spray and pray" approach to shoot-'em-ups; Radiant Silvergun offered a meticulously crafted ballet of bullets and bombs. Here, players pilot the sleek "Radiant Silvergun" starship, wielding an arsenal of specialized weaponry that is reminiscent of the Genesis classic, Alien Soldier.

Radiant Silvergun has a visually stunning presentation teeming with slick enemy designs and impressive special effects. The learning curve is steep, but mastering the intricate bullet patterns and weapon combinations remains immensely rewarding. With its emphasis on strategic offense, Radiant Silvergun is one of the best shmups out there and a testament to Treasure's innovative design philosophy.

5 Batsugun Is Toaplan's Explosive Swan Song

Released in 1993, Batsugun is yet another genre-defining vertical scrolling shoot-'em-up developed by the legendary Toaplan and their last release before declaring bankruptcy the following year. Throwing relentless bullet barrages and intricate patterns at players, Batsugun oozes Toaplan's signature tight gameplay and slick presentation that will test even the most battle-hardened shmup enthusiast.

Offering a unique shot chaining mechanic, Batsugun encouraged long strings of enemy destruction, providing an almost puzzle-like challenge to the relentless action. This process also amplified a player's offensive capabilities through experience points, providing a satisfying and practical reward for risky play styles. Batsugun remains a cherished classic for shmup enthusiasts and a testament to Toaplan's innovative spirit.

4 Darius Gaiden Is A Psychedelic Journey Through An Interstellar War

In 1994, the arcade scene was graced a dazzling evolution in the Darius franchise with Darius Gaiden, a horizontal scrolling shoot-'em-up by Taito. Darius Gaiden went all out while retaining the series' core appeal: a psychedelic journey through alien landscapes teeming with bizarre bio-mechanical creatures.Darius Gaiden retained the series' sprawling multi-path campaign, providing tons of replayability, lots of fun powerups, and a good challenge for a player of any skill level.

Players pilot the Silver Hawk starship, equipped with a powerful "wave cannon" that can clear entire swaths of enemies. They are also given the ability to capture and deploy captured mid-bosses as temporary allies adding another fun layer of depth to the well-balanced gameplay. With its blend of kinetic action, captivating visuals, and enjoyably bizarre OST, Darius Gaiden carves its own path within the Darius franchise and has remained a favorite for shoot-'em-up fans to this day.

3 Soukyugurentai Has Fantastic Graphics And A Killer Combat System

In 1996, arcades were buzzing with the arrival of Soukyugurentai, a frenetic vertical scrolling shoot-'em-up by Eighting/Raizing. Players pilot one of three distinct ships, each packing a unique wallop. The Redliner boasts a rapid-fire spread, the Green Diver specializes in homing missiles, and the Blue Impulse fires a powerful laser beam.

Soukyugurentai's defining feature is its "laser web" mechanic, similar to the Layer Section and RayCrisis series. By holding down the fire button, players unleash a lock-on laser mesh that ensnares enemies. Releasing the button triggers a devastating targeted homing blast that wipes out everything caught in the web. Mastering this innovative mechanic adds a layer of strategic offense to the bullet-dodging chaos, making Soukyugurentai a standout title amidst the crowded shmup genre.

2 In the Hunt Is The Best Submarine Shmup Ever Released

In 1993, Irem unleashed the unique and devilishly difficult In the Hunt. Departing from the more conventional shmup tableaus of outer space and alien worlds, In the Hunt takes place exclusively underwater on an Earth ravaged by climate change. Players assume the role of the Granvia, a submarine tasked with the singular mission of crushing the nefarious Dark Anarchy Society before they unleash their world-ending doomsday device.

In the Hunt has a slower, more contemplative pace, demanding quick reflexes combined with strategic attack approaches. While not revolutionary, In the Hunt's appeal stems from its unique underwater setting and hyper-detailed, intricate sprite work done by the same team that later created the fantastic Metal Slug series. Players yearning for an old-school tactile shmup experience with a refreshing aquatic twist will find In the Hunt well worth their time.

1 Ikaruga Revolutionized The Shmup Genre With A Wild New Gimmick

Treasure struck gold again when they unleashed a revolutionary shmup Ikaruga in 2001. In this novel evolution of the genre, players pilot a fighter jet soaring through a world divided between black and white. The key to success? Mastering the art of polarity. A player's ship can switch between black and white firepower and shields; matching one's polarity to enemy bullets negates them, while being mismatched results in death. This creates a thrilling risk-reward system, encouraging players to dance along the razor's edge between offense and defense.

Ikaruga's brilliance isn't just in its core mechanic; it offers a beautiful mechanized aesthetic that complements the intense gameplay. Bullet patterns are intricate but fair, demanding sharp reflexes and precise execution. With its groundbreaking polarity system, Ikaruga is yet another example of Treasure's ingenious ability to revolutionize long-standing genres.

Ikaruga

Platform(s)

Arcade , Dreamcast , GameCube , PC , PS4 , Switch , Xbox One

Released

April 15, 2003

Developer

Treasure

Publisher

Treasure, Sega, ESP, Atari

Genre(s)

Shoot 'em Up

How Long To Beat

2 Hours

Release

2003-04-15

Metascore

88

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