Shoot 'em up
Ongoing coverage on Shoot 'em up.
Latest coverage
Tengai
Tengai, also known as Sengoku Blade in some regions, is a fantastic horizontal scrolling shooter developed by Psikyo. It features fast-paced action, a diverse cast of characters with unique abilities, and impressive art direction. Despite a challenging difficulty spike in its later stages, the game remains accessible to newcomers and offers significant replay value.
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for May 18 to 22
Xbox has announced a slate of new games arriving on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Game Pass between May 18 and May 22. Titles include Forza Horizon 6, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, Riven, and many more across various genres.
Roguelike shoot ’em up Ira announced for Nintendo Switch 2
Publisher Nicalis and developer ABShot have announced Ira, an anime-inspired roguelike shoot 'em up for the Nintendo Switch 2. The game features procedurally generated levels, over 150 different bows, and bullet hell combat. Ira is planned for a digital launch this summer.
IRA coming to Switch 2 this summer
The roguelike action shoot 'em up IRA is set to release on Nintendo Switch this summer. Publishers Nicalis and Pikii, along with developer ABShot, are bringing the title to the platform.
7 Days to Launch: R-Type Dimensions III Incoming on May 19th!
R-Type Dimensions III is set to launch digitally on May 19th, 2026, with a new teaser trailer released to mark the occasion. Publisher ININ Games is offering a free digital key for pre-orders of the physical edition, allowing early access on May 15th. The game continues the legacy of the R-Type series with classic gameplay and modernized presentation.
Evening Consolidation
Nintendo has not ruled out the possibility of a price increase for its upcoming Switch successor. Meanwhile, R-Type Dimensions EX is highlighted as a significant entry in the shoot 'em up genre.
A Breathtaking Rebirth of One of the Greatest Shoot ’em up Sagas Ever Told
ININ Games, in collaboration with Irem and Tozai Games, announced that R-Type Dimensions III will launch on Xbox Series X/S on May 19, 2026. This title is a ground-up remake of R-Type III: The Third Lightning, featuring enhanced visuals, new modes, and refined systems for a modern audience. The game is available for digital pre-order now.
IKARUS DEMO NOW AVAILABLE ON STEAM
Magical Something and Tiny Dragon Games have released a demo for their upcoming game, IKARUS, on Steam and Itch.io. IKARUS combines arcade shoot 'em up action with rogue-like deck-building elements. The full game is scheduled for release this Summer on PC and Mac.
Beasts of the Sea, Soaring Through The Skies! Toaplan Arcade Garage: Flying Fire Shark Blasts Onto PlayStation®4 and Nintendo® Switch™ This August
Clear River Games announced that Toaplan Arcade Garage: Flying Fire Shark, a collection of six classic Toaplan shoot 'em up titles, will be released on August 29, 2026, for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. The collection includes arcade versions of Flying Shark, Fire Shark, Sky Shark, Hisho Same, and Same! Same! Same!, along with bonus DLC featuring the game Wardner and its variants. A free download of the puzzle game Teki-Paki will also be included with purchases of any Toaplan Arcade Garage game.
Flying Fire Shark: Toaplan Arcade Garage coming to Nintendo Switch
Clear River Games and M2 will release Flying Fire Shark: Toaplan Arcade Garage on Nintendo Switch on August 29, 2026. This collection features classic titles from the Toaplan studio's Shark series, including Flying Shark and Fire Shark, with new features and modes like Super Easy Mode and Arcade Challenge. The physical edition will also include additional games and ports from various platforms.
Flying Fire Shark!!!: Toaplan Arcade Garage coming west on August 29
Clear River Games will release the M2-developed shoot 'em up collection Flying Shark!!!: Toaplan Arcade Garage in the West on August 29. The collection will be available on PC and other platforms.
Xevious 128k - Arcade classic Xevious gets a 128k edition for the Amstrad CPC via Easter Egg
The classic 1982 arcade shoot 'em up Xevious has received a new 128k edition for the Amstrad CPC, developed by Easter Egg. This port features advanced raster effects, a custom screen layout, dedicated sound effects, and utilizes ZX0 compression to push the hardware's limits. The game challenges players to pilot the Solvalou fighter against enemy forces across eight looping zones.
SDO - A fast vertical shoot’em up for the Amstrad CPC by Xevimet4l
Star Defense Operation (SDO), a new vertical shoot 'em up developed by xevimet4l, is now available for the Amstrad CPC. The game is optimized for the 4 MHz hardware, featuring fast scrolling, parallax starfields, and 25 levels with bosses. SDO aims to provide a classic arcade experience with tight controls and a focus on high scores.
R-Type Dimensions III physical release moved to August, but don’t despair…
The physical release of R-Type Dimensions III for Nintendo Switch has been delayed to August 11, 2026, due to manufacturing and logistics issues. Digital versions will be available on May 19th, with pre-order customers eligible for early digital access keys. The Collector's Edition, featuring a figure crafted by Wētā Workshop, is now slated for a winter 2026 release.
Mag Max is this week’s Console Archives on Nintendo Switch 2
Hamster announced that Mag Max, originally released by Nichibutsu in 1986, will be available on Nintendo Switch via the Console Archives series starting May 7. The game features players controlling a transformable mecha to fight an alien computer. The Console Archives series aims to faithfully reproduce classic console games with modern conveniences like save states and customizable controls.
Shikhondo: Blue Pieta details boss characters
Publisher CFK and developer DeerFarm have revealed new details about the boss characters featured in their upcoming fantasy bullet hell shoot 'em up, Shikhondo: Blue Pieta. Further information regarding the game's bosses has been released.
R-Type Dimensions 3 announced for Nintendo Switch 2, Switch [update: release date]
ININ Games, in partnership with Tozai and Irem, has announced R-Type Dimensions 3 for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, set for release in May 2026. The game features completely reconstructed assets with cutting-edge visuals and sounds, expanded gameplay modes, and local cooperative play. A specific release date of May 19, 2026, was later confirmed, with physical editions delayed to August 11, 2026.
Devolver's 'Dark Scrolls' Mixes Roguelike Fantasy And Shmup Chaos On Switch This Month
Devolver Digital announced that Doinksoft's dungeon-scrolling fantasy game Dark Scrolls will launch on Nintendo Switch on May 28th. The game mixes roguelike elements with shoot 'em up mechanics, featuring procedurally generated levels, nine playable characters with unique skills, and online co-op gameplay.
ININ Games Confirms Timely Digital Launch of R-Type Dimensions III
ININ Games has announced that R-Type Dimensions III will launch digitally on May 19, 2026, while the physical edition has been delayed to August 11, 2026, due to manufacturing constraints. The Collector's Edition, featuring a figure crafted by Wētā Workshop, is now slated for a winter 2026 release. Physical copies will include the latest game build on-disc, eliminating the need for a Day One patch.
Review: R-TYPE DX: Music Encore (Switch) - A Pint-Sized Port, Still Curious And Cute
R-Type DX: Music Encore for Nintendo Switch is a port of a Game Boy Color title that combines R-Type and R-Type II with an updated soundtrack by WASi303. The package includes various modes, filters, and a rewind function, though the rewind timer does not pause when the game is paused. Despite some quirks inherited from its original hardware limitations, this audio-polished version offers a unique and enjoyable R-Type experience, particularly in handheld mode.
