Shoot 'em up
Ongoing coverage on Shoot 'em up.
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Game Reviews
This review covers R-Type Dimensions EX, a shoot 'em up game. The review is provided by Christ Centered Gamer.
Shoot ’Em Up Warding Witches Demo Is Out Now
The demo for the bullet hell shoot 'em up Warding Witches is now available on Steam. Developed by Sonorode and published by Headup Games, the demo allows players to experience the first stage and part of the second, featuring two playable characters, Willa and Talia. It includes multiple difficulty options, a story mode for beginners, and an arcade mode for veterans.
Apidya’ Special – Launch Date Set
ININ Games has announced that Apidya' Special, developed by Team Apidya, will launch on August 25, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Pre-orders are now open, with physical Limited and Special Editions available for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, the latter including an artbook and a two-disc soundtrack by Chris Hülsbeck. The game is a modern revival of the 16-bit shoot 'em up classic, featuring enhanced graphics, new modes, and accessibility options.
Apidya’ Special secures Nintendo Switch release date, new trailer
ININ Games has announced that Apidya’ Special, a 24-bit pixel remake of the 1992 shoot 'em up game, will be released on August 25, 2026, for the Nintendo Switch. The remake features handcrafted pixels, an exclusive soundtrack by Chris Hulsbeck, and multiple visual modes including original Amiga 4:3 presentation and optional CRT effects.
Apidya’ Special launches August 25
Apidya’ Special, a 24-bit pixel remake of the 1992 side-scrolling shoot 'em up Apidya, will launch on August 25 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Developed by the original team and a fan, the remake features handcrafted pixels, new art, sound, and a remixed soundtrack by Chris Hulsbeck. Players can choose between HD widescreen or original 4:3 Amiga modes, with optional CRT effects.
Touhou Scarlet Devil Remake Announced
A remake of the classic Touhou Project game, The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil, has been announced for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC. Titled Touhou Koumakyou: New Classic – The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil, it is developed by Shanghai Alice Reprise and Alliance Arts and is set to release in September 2026. The remake will feature both original and arranged music by ZUN, and will include the original classic release.
Touhou Koumakyou: New Classic – the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil announced for PS5, Switch 2, Switch, and PC
Alliance Arts and Team Shanghai Alice have announced Touhou Koumakyou: New Classic – the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil, a remaster of the classic shoot 'em up, for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC, launching September 10. The game features enhanced graphics, rearranged music by ZUN, and multiple gameplay modes, including an accessible option with unlimited lives. It will also include 11 new language options.
Indie Game of the Month Awards May 2026 🏅
Video Chums has announced its Indie Game of the Month Awards for May 2026, highlighting standout titles across various genres. Mina the Hollower was named the overall top indie game of the month and is a strong contender for game of the year, praised for its intricate world and rewarding exploration.
Maximum Thunderness is a roguelike shoot-em-up that promises the same vibe 'of a Saturday morning cartoon'
Maximum Thunderness is a new side-scrolling shoot 'em up roguelike from Berzerk Studios, aiming for the vibe of a Saturday morning cartoon. The game features chaotic co-op gameplay with branching paths and various in-run upgrades. A Steam demo is available now, with the full release planned for this autumn.
Berzerk Studio announces 2D shooter Maximum Thunderness
Indie developer Berzerk Studio has announced Maximum Thunderness, a new co-op shoot 'em up game featuring alien-blasting action. The game is in development for Windows PC via Steam, with a release planned for late 2026. A demo is currently available, and the game supports up to three players locally or online.
Wind Runners turned me into a wannabe fighter pilot in 30 seconds
Wind Runners, a kinetic 2D shooter inspired by Luftrausers with anime aesthetics and roguelike elements, is set to launch into early access on September 23, 2026. A demo is currently available on Steam, allowing players to experience its fast-paced movement and explosive combat.
Psyvariar 3 Review
Psyvariar 3 is a unique shoot 'em up that features a core "Buzz" mechanic encouraging players to graze enemy bullets to level up and gain temporary invincibility. While the game offers deep and exhilarating gameplay reminiscent of Doom Eternal, it suffers from a lack of proper tutorials for its complex systems. Despite basic presentation and UI, the inventive mechanics make it a fun experience to master.
PS5 Getting Reboot of Hit PS1 Action Game, Out in 2026
Clear River Games announced that Cotton Reboot!, a reboot of the 1991 game Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams, will be released on October 22, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. The game features updated visuals and both an HD Reboot mode and the original X68000 mode. This title is part of a reboot series for the classic 'cute 'em up' genre.
Demos and Freebies
Brave Rounds, a close-range arcade bullet hell shoot 'em up, is now available on Steam for PC. The game features shooting and punching mechanics as players confront a mysterious cult.
Cotton Reboot coming to Nintendo Switch 2, Cotton Reboot High Tension heading to Nintendo Switch in the west
Cotton Reboot! is launching on Nintendo Switch on October 22, with a physical release planned. Additionally, Cotton Reboot! High Tension, previously released in Japan, will also receive a western release on Nintendo Switch on the same date, featuring enhanced gameplay mechanics and a new story. Both titles are described as 'cute 'em up' games.
Cotton Reboot! High Tension! coming west this fall
Publisher Clear River Games announced that Cotton Reboot! High Tension!, the sequel to Cotton Reboot!, will launch in the west on October 22nd for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. Physical editions will be available for the Switch and PS5 versions. The game is a horizontal shoot 'em up featuring the witch Cotton and her fairy companion Silk, with a unique "Willow Fever" and "Over Tension" mechanic.
Cotton Reboot! coming to PS5, Switch 2 on October 22
Clear River Games announced that Cotton Reboot! will be released for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch on October 22. This 'cute 'em up' title will be available on both platforms on the specified date.
Strategic bullet-hell shoot ’em up Brave Rounds explodes onto PC and Nintendo Switch
Developer PlayShift Games announced that its bullet-hell shoot 'em up, Brave Rounds, is now available on PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch. The game features fast-paced, close-range combat, a story involving a cult conspiracy, and multiple gameplay modes including solo, co-op, and dual control.
Bracer, a Dark 3D Fantasy SHMUP Revealed at The MIX Summer Showcase
Curious Fate and Akupara Games have revealed Bracer, a 3D fantasy shoot 'em up featuring couch co-op, RPG progression, and customization options. Players will battle a necromancer and his undead armies through various environments. The game will include a story campaign and an 'Endless Dungeon' mode, with multiple difficulty settings.
Bracer Revealed as a Dark Fantasy SHMUP From Akupara Games
Akupara Games and Curious Fate have announced Bracer, a 3D fantasy shoot 'em up featuring RPG progression elements. Players choose from three heroes to battle a necromancer through various environments, with local co-op and an Endless Dungeon mode also available. The game is available to wishlist on Steam.
