Shoot 'em up
Ongoing coverage on Shoot 'em up.
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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.
3D dark fantasy shoot ’em up Bracer announced for PC
Publisher Akupara Games and developer Curious Fate have announced Bracer, a new 3D dark fantasy shoot 'em up. The game is currently in development for PC.
Fantasy shoot ’em up Bracer announced
Bracer, a new dark fantasy shoot 'em up from Curious Fate and Akupara Games, has been announced. The game features three playable heroes, gothic environments, and combines classic bullet hell action with RPG elements like skill trees and loot. It will also include local co-op and an Endless Dungeon mode, and is available to wishlist on Steam.
PlayStation Plus Hidden Gem: Raiden IV: Overkill 💎
Raiden IV: Overkill, a classic vertical shoot 'em up originally released as an arcade game in 2007 and remade in 2014, is highlighted as a hidden gem available on PlayStation Plus Premium. The game features intuitive controls, weapon power-ups, challenging enemy formations, and boss fights, with a unique 'overkill' mechanic for scoring. A later remake, Raiden IV x MIKADO remix, offers sharper visuals and a new soundtrack.
Platypus Reclayed will have a Nintendo Switch physical release
Super Rare Games has announced a physical release for the Nintendo Switch version of Platypus Reclayed, with 3,000 standard copies available starting June 4. The game is a complete revamp of the original indie shoot 'em up, featuring updated graphics, gameplay, and new content, including two-player simultaneous action.
Muchi Muchi Pork & PinkSweets Boosted announced for Nintendo Switch
City Connection announced that Muchi Muchi Pork & PinkSweets Boosted, a collection of two classic Cave shoot 'em up titles, will be released on Nintendo Switch on October 1, 2026. The collection features multiple versions and game modes for both Muchi Muchi Pork! and PinkSweets: Ibara Sorekara, along with new arranged music and online rankings.
CAVE Interactive shoot ’em up bundle Muchi Muchi Pork! & PinkSweets Boosted announced for PS5, Switch, and PC
City Connection has announced Muchi Muchi Pork! & PinkSweets Boosted, a bundle featuring CAVE Interactive's shoot 'em up titles. The collection will be released for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
CAVE shmup bundle Muchi Muchi Pork! & PinkSweets Boosted announced
City Connection has announced Muchi Muchi Pork! & PinkSweets Boosted, a bundle featuring two CAVE Interactive shoot 'em up titles, Muchi Muchi Pork! and PinkSweets: Ibara Sorekara. The collection will launch on PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5, with physical editions planned for the latter two platforms. It includes various game modes and new arrangements for both titles.
R-Type Dimensions III (Switch 1 & 2, PS5, PC)
R-Type Dimensions III is set to release on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC, featuring R-Type Dimensions EX and R-Type Dimensions II. The game pays homage to Irem's classic arcade shooter series, R-Type, which was popular in the 1980s.
Geki-Oh ShienRyu is this week’s Console Archives on Nintendo Switch 2
Hamster announced that Geki-Oh ShienRyu, a 1999 shoot 'em up originally developed by Warashi, will be released for the Nintendo Switch on May 28 for $11.99. The Console Archives series aims to faithfully reproduce classic games with modern conveniences like save states and customizable controls.
