Shoot 'em up
Ongoing coverage on Shoot 'em up.
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Truxton Extreme – The Legendary SHMUP Returns With A Modern Twist
Truxton Extreme, the latest installment in the classic vertical shooter series, has launched on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Developed by TATSUJIN and published by Clear River Games AB, the game features modern 3D visuals, new modes like Story Mode and Team Mode, and a soundtrack by series creator Masahiro Yuge, while retaining the core gameplay of the original.
This week's Epic Games free games are roguelite heaven, with an underworld and a mansion to explore
Epic Games Store is offering two free roguelite titles this week: OTXO and Sol Cesto. Sol Cesto is a tactical roguelite with an underworld theme and tabletop-style gameplay, while OTXO is a fast-paced, top-down shoot 'em up set in a randomly generated mansion. Both games are available for free from July 30 to August 6.
Truxton Extreme launches today, bringing the classic shmup series back after 38 years
Truxton Extreme has launched today on PlayStation 5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC, marking the first new entry in the arcade shooter series in 38 years. Developed by Tatsujin and published by Clear River Games, the game features fully rendered 3D graphics, multiple game modes including cooperative play, and several difficulty options. The standard edition is priced at $24.99, with a Digital Deluxe Edition available for $29.99.
TX-1696 - A nod to Shoot 'em up classics for your ZX Spectrum Next [UPDATE]
The shoot 'em up game TX-1696 by Lucky Red Fish for the ZX Spectrum Next has received a significant price reduction to £25.00. The game is described as a coin-op quality destructive action title with a unique weapon system and multiple levels, drawing inspiration from classic titles like R-Type and Project-X.
Apidya' Special - An authentic, 24-bit pixel remake of a classic Shoot 'em up is still coming and we have exclusive footage!
ININ Games has announced that 'Apidya Special', a 24-bit pixel art remake of the 90s shoot 'em up classic, is still scheduled for release on August 25th, 2026 for consoles and PC. The game features handcrafted pixels, an original soundtrack by Chris Hulsbeck, and modern features like co-op mode and adjustable visual presentations.
Chromo Shock Reloaded - A side scrolling shoot 'em up for the C64 by cristiancubillos
Chromo Shock Reloaded is a new homebrew shoot 'em up game developed by cristiancubillos for the Commodore 64. This upgraded 'Reloaded' edition focuses on refinement, optimizing performance, and fine-tuning the soundtrack for a pure arcade blasting experience.
Scramble Arcade - An incredible conversion coded by Epy for the Commodore Plus/4
A new conversion of the arcade classic Scramble, titled Scramble Arcade, has been released for the Commodore Plus/4. Coded by Géza Eperjessy, the game is a faithful 1:1 recreation of the original, featuring high-resolution graphics, authentic sound, and controller compatibility. The project recently won second place in the GameDev competition at Arok Party 2026.
Blast’N Bounty Is A Love Letter To Arcade Shoot ‘Em Ups
Blast'N Bounty, an arcade-inspired vertical shoot 'em up developed by No CheckPoint and published by Eastasiasoft, has launched today. The game is available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, featuring colorful pixel art, low-poly 3D visuals, and a revenge-fueled quest.
R-Type 3 Dimensions (PC) Review – A Brutal Classic Reborn in 3D | Invision Game Community
R-Type 3 Dimensions on PC offers a faithful adaptation of the classic arcade shooter, bringing its brutal difficulty and pattern-based gameplay into a modern 3D presentation. While the visuals are updated, the core experience remains uncompromisingly challenging, demanding precision and repetition from players. This title is a direct homage to its roots, designed for those who appreciate old-school design and the satisfaction of mastering its unforgiving mechanics.
Vulgus - A nice little Arcade shooter is coming to the Amiga via JOTD and team!
JOTD is developing a Commodore Amiga AGA port of Capcom's 1984 arcade shooter, Vulgus. The game, which was Capcom's first video game, is a vertically scrolling shoot-'em-up featuring a dual-weapon system. The port is based on a Z80 assembly reverse-engineering effort by Mark and utilizes a new custom code converter. While still in development with some graphical and sound issues, the build is functional and promising for fans of arcade and Amiga games.
My favorite shmup game is coming to a retro console I still can't remotely afford
The Polymega retro console is releasing Polymega Collection Vol. 20, featuring four classic Toaplan shoot 'em up games: Truxton, Truxton II, Alcon, and Grind Stormer. This compilation is available via proprietary CDs for the $549 Polymega base unit or its PC app, adding to the console's growing library of retro game releases.
Classic PS1 Shooter’s PS5 Remake Out Today on PlayStation Store
The cult classic PlayStation 1 mecha shoot 'em up, Geppy-X, has received an HD remaster and is now available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Originally released in Japan in 1999, this marks the game's first release in the West. The remaster features enhanced HD visuals, upscaling techniques, and restored 24fps animation, with a launch price of $39.99, discounted for PlayStation Plus subscribers.
Space Dragons Builds Transformative Gameplay into Retro Style
Space Dragons is a retro-style shoot 'em up for Xbox that features transformative boss battles, customizable builds, and a narrative inspired by Neon Genesis Evangelion. The game offers a challenging bullet-hell experience with accessible difficulty curves and deep gameplay mechanics, including optimal routes and execution moves. Players can choose from five unique pilots, each with distinct abilities, to personalize their approach to overcoming alien threats and uncovering the game's lore.
ZPF - 16-bit SHMUP carnage for your Sega Mega Drive by Mega Cat Studios
Mega Cat Studios has released a demo for ZPF, a new 16-bit horizontal shoot 'em up for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. The game combines science fiction, dark fantasy, and body horror elements, featuring three playable characters, fast-paced gameplay, challenging bosses, and a deep arcade scoring system.
Zaxoid Revives Golden Age Arcade Magic on XBOX
Zaxoid, a new twin-stick shooter inspired by classic arcade games, is now available on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Developed by M80 Games Inc., the game aims to recapture the magic of golden-age arcades with modern production values and gameplay mechanics.
From Otome to Puzzle Games and RPGs, Aksys Games Announces an Exciting New Lineup at Anime Expo 2026
Aksys Games revealed its upcoming lineup at Anime Expo 2026, featuring new titles across various genres for the Nintendo Switch. Announced games include the RPG 'Another Eden Begins', shoot 'em up 'BOUNTY SISTERS', visual novel collection 'Cthulhu Mythos Adventures', otome titles 'Illusion of Itehari -trail-' and 'Olympia Soirée -Catharsis-', puzzle adventure 'UNDERGROUNDED', otome 'OVER REQUIEMZ', and the simulation bundle 'Tristia: Chronicles'.
Bounty Sisters confirms a western release on Nintendo Switch
Aksys Games has announced that Bounty Sisters, a vertical shoot 'em up, will receive a western release on Nintendo Switch in Fall. The game, which previously launched in Japan, features fully voiced comedic adventures of three bounty hunter sisters and their villains, with challenging boss battles and charming characters.
Chrome Horizon - This nod to R-Type looks pretty decent with this new version 1.0 release for the C64!
The Commodore 64 has received a new shoot 'em up titled Chrome Horizon, developed by retroteamgames. This final 1.0 release showcases modern C development on the classic 8-bit hardware, featuring advanced technical elements like parallax scrolling and extensive sprite support. The game includes four levels, an upgraded title screen, and optimized performance.
Raiden - A brilliant Arcade Shoot 'em up is partially recovered as an Amiga & Atari Falcon preview
Two unreleased 1990s computer ports of the arcade shoot 'em up Raiden for the Commodore Amiga and Atari Falcon have been recovered and added to digital archives as preview downloads. Developed by Imagitec Design, these mid-90s ports were famously shelved due to a shifting gaming market, though a one-level demo of the Amiga version and three levels of the Atari Falcon version are now preserved.
CyberBlocker Complete Edition Review | TheXboxHub
CyberBlocker Complete Edition is a genre mash-up that combines brick-breaker mechanics with shoot 'em up elements, featuring weaponized paddles and bullet-hell gameplay. While initially overwhelming, the game rewards persistence, with its power-up system and fast-paced action becoming enjoyable once understood. The presentation boasts a vibrant, Japanese shoot 'em up aesthetic that contrasts with its core brick-breaking gameplay.
