Best Shoot ’Em Up Games to Play in 2025

Shoot ’em ups, or shmups for short, have been a part of gaming since the arcade days. Long before battle royales and massive open-worlds, players were dodging walls of enemy fire in games like Gradius and R-Type. While those cabinets are now mostly history, the genre has lived on through PC and digital storefronts like Steam. In 2025, shoot ’em ups remain as fast, punishing, and rewarding as ever.

Best Shoot ’Em Up Games to Play in 2025

What Exactly Is a Shoot ’Em Up?

At their core, shoot ’em ups are about piloting a ship or character, weaving through enemy patterns, and firing back with overwhelming force. Some are simple, letting you dodge and blast with little else to worry about. Others build in systems like combo chains, counters, and bullet-cancelling mechanics that add layers of strategy. Bullet hell shooters crank things up even further, filling the screen with projectiles that test patience, reflexes, and precision.

Can You Play Shoot ’Em Ups on Steam Deck?

The Steam Deck has made PC gaming portable, and that includes shmups. Plenty of shooters on Steam are Steam Deck Verified, meaning they run right out of the box. Others are labeled Playable, which means you might need to adjust some settings, but they still run well. That makes the Deck a great way to carry the genre around, whether you’re looking for retro-inspired arcade action or a modern roguelike spin.

Cygni: All Guns Blazing

Cygni feels like a love letter to classic twin-stick shooters with some modern twists. Instead of just firing away, you also manage energy between shields and weapons, creating moments where you’re forced to choose between defense and offense. The action ramps up quickly, filling the screen with chaos that makes every encounter feel like a fight for survival.

Deathsmiles

Cave is a legendary name in the shmup world, and Deathsmiles is one of its standout titles. This gothic-inspired shooter puts you in the role of one of several magical girls fighting off waves of demons. With its side-scrolling stages, multiple modes, co-op play, and flexible progression paths, Deathsmiles mixes fast-paced bullet hell mechanics with a distinct personality that still feels fresh years later.

DoDonPachi Resurrection

Another Cave classic, DoDonPachi Resurrection, is a vertical shooter that pushes intensity to new heights. You pilot advanced ships with different attack styles, and the Hyper Counter System lets you cancel enemy bullets while dealing massive damage. Between multiple modes, co-op play, and branching storylines, there’s a lot to dive into here. It’s a game built for high-level play, but it also welcomes anyone looking for pure arcade action.

Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions

Geometry Wars is a name most players recognize, and the third entry takes the series into 3D. Instead of flat arenas, you fight across geometric shapes, blasting enemies in a neon world that feels like it’s pulsing with energy. Simple controls make it easy to pick up, but mastering its modes and arenas takes time. It’s a great reminder that sometimes the most straightforward shooters are also the most fun.

Ikaruga

Few shooters are as iconic as Ikaruga. Its polarity-switching mechanic forces you to think differently, absorbing bullets of the same color as your ship and unleashing counterattacks for massive damage. It’s a blend of twitch shooting and puzzle-like strategy that makes every encounter feel deliberate. Even years after its original release, it stands out as one of the smartest and most challenging shmups ever made.

Mushihimesama

If insect swarms sound like a nightmare, Mushihimesama gives you a chance to fight back. You play as a princess taking on waves of gigantic bugs across vertically scrolling stages. It offers multiple modes that scale difficulty from beginner-friendly to arcade-accurate, plus an arrange mode that amps up the firepower. It’s one of Cave’s most unique titles and a great entry point for anyone looking to try bullet hell shooters.

Vampire Survivors

Vampire Survivors doesn’t look like a traditional shmup, but its roots in the genre are clear. Instead of a scrolling stage, you’re stuck in an arena fending off endless waves of enemies. Weapons fire automatically as you collect upgrades, and the challenge comes from building synergies that let you survive longer runs. It’s easy to underestimate, but the mix of roguelike progression and bullet-dodging chaos has made it one of the most addictive games of the past few years.

Whisker Squadron: Survivor

Whisker Squadron: Survivor wears its inspiration on its sleeve. It borrows the corridor-style action of Star Fox but puts its own spin on it with roguelike elements. Every run feels different thanks to randomized stages and power-ups, while its talking cat pilots add a lighthearted touch. It’s a modern twist on a classic style of shooter that shows how flexible the genre can be.

Final Thoughts

Shoot ’em ups may not dominate the industry like they once did, but they’re still some of the most engaging games to play in short bursts or long sessions. From legendary classics like Ikaruga and DoDonPachi Resurrection to new favorites like Vampire Survivors and Whisker Squadron: Survivor, there’s plenty to keep fans busy in 2025. Whether you’re diving in on PC or Steam Deck, the genre is alive, challenging, and as satisfying as ever. Here’s the full list of all the games mentioned:

1. Cygni: All Guns Blazing
2. Deathsmiles
3. DoDonPachi Resurrection
4. Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions
5. Ikaruga
6. Mushihimesama
7. Vampire Survivors
8. Whisker Squadron: Survivor

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best Shoot ’Em Up games in 2025?

Some top-rated shoot 'em up (shmup) games in 2025 include the modern arcade-style shooter Utopia Must Fall and collections like Gradius Origins and Toaplan Arcade Collection, which offer classic shmup experiences with modern conveniences. Other highly anticipated titles include the French horizontal shmup Arena and various other potential releases noted on lists of upcoming games.

What are the best Shoot ’Em Up games for PC in 2025?

For 2025, anticipate upcoming games like Ren Chaser, a cinematic 2025 release with a demo available on Steam, and Sand, a unique PvPvE extraction shooter featuring giant mech combat. While some expected games like Black Ops 7 and Battlefield 6 are set for 2025, you can also enjoy current popular titles such as Helldivers 2, Doom Eternal, and Overwatch 2, which are still highly regarded.

Which new Shoot ’Em Up games are coming in 2025?

New Shoot 'Em Up (Shmup) games releasing in 2025 include Ren Chaser, a cinematic shmup with steampunk elements, and Danmaku Unlimited: Wyver Ultra, which may arrive in mid-to-late 2025. Other notable releases include the 2D platformer-shooter Space Adventure Cobra and Satellite The Ghost and the Phoenix, a post-apocalyptic game with a Steam demo available. You may also be interested in Karous (2025 Port), with releases on Switch, Steam, and PlayStation.

Which are the No. 1 Shoot ’Em Up games so far in 2025?

There isn't a single "No. 1" shoot 'em up for 2025, as it's a subjective genre, but several notable titles have been released or are highly anticipated. The Toaplan Arcade Shoot 'em up Collection Vol.1 & 2 has been a major release for 2025, featuring classic titles like RayForce and Mr. Heli. Other well-received recent games include the indie title Devil Blade Reboot and the retro compilation Irem Collection Volume 3.