Games like Ikaruga

95% positive from 1,221 reviewsReleased 201411% finish itSteam Deck Verified$9.99

What it is

Ikaruga is a vertical shoot 'em up with a polarity-switching mechanic where absorbing same-colored bullets powers your attacks. It offers fast-paced, tactical gameplay focused on high scores through chaining.

What players liked

Ikaruga is a masterclass in shmup design, praised for its unique polarity mechanic, challenging gameplay, and beautiful aesthetics.

The catch

Punishingly hard in a way that makes learning it feel like work rather than fun.

Why it is here

It is here because it sits in the band this site looks at: well reviewed at 95% positive, but with 1,221 reviews, far fewer than the household names carry.

View Ikaruga on Steam

More like this: Bullet Hell Arcade Classic Shoot 'Em Up

Six games like Ikaruga

BLUE REVOLVER

98% positive from 827 reviews201630% finish itDeck Verified

This is a manic, arcade-style shooter where you blast through enemies and bosses using custom devices. It features adaptive difficulty, multiple characters and weapons, and score-based progression.

What players likedPlayers praise BLUE REVOLVER as a challenging, modern interpretation of classic arcade bullet-hell shooters with fun scoring and slick stage design.

Both are tagged Shoot 'Em Up, Bullet Hell and Great Soundtrack.

Games like BLUE REVOLVER →

Geometry Wars™ 3: Dimensions Evolved

90% positive from 1,590 reviews20146% finish itDeck Playable

This is a frenetic arcade shooter with wave-based combat on 3D grids. Players control a ship, shooting enemies and navigating challenging levels.

What players likedPlayers praise it as one of the best twin-stick arcade shooters, offering an awesome space shooting time with incredible audiovisual design and satisfying gameplay.

The catchEnemies spawn right on top of you, causing cheap deaths you cannot avoid.

Both are tagged Shoot 'Em Up, Bullet Hell and Great Soundtrack.

Games like Geometry Wars™ 3: Dimensions Evolved →

Mushihimesama

96% positive from 1,435 reviews201510% finish itDeck Playable

This is a vertical bullet hell shooter with a fantasy setting. Players dodge dense bullet patterns while fighting giant insect bosses.

What players likedPlayers praise its challenging bullet-hell gameplay, visual aesthetic, and music, making it a great entry point for the genre.

The catchBullets and enemies are hard to pick out against the cluttered, busy backgrounds.

Both are tagged Shoot 'Em Up, Bullet Hell and Great Soundtrack.

Games like Mushihimesama →

Touhou Tenkuushou ~ Hidden Star in Four Seasons.

98% positive from 4,534 reviews2017Deck Playable

This is a bullet hell shooter where players dodge enemy fire and defeat bosses. Players equip two seasons, one for their character and one as a sub-option, to attack and clear bullets.

What players likedPlayers praise this Touhou game as an easy and fun entry point, offering simplified mechanics and resource generation compared to others.

The catchEnemy bullets blend into busy, cluttered backgrounds

Both are tagged Shoot 'Em Up, Bullet Hell and Great Soundtrack.

Games like Touhou Tenkuushou ~ Hidden Star in Four Seasons. →

TouHou Makuka Sai ~ Fantastic Danmaku Festival Part II

97% positive from 2,629 reviews20198% finish itDeck Playable

A danmaku shooting game where players navigate bullet patterns to solve a mysterious blizzard incident in Gensokyo. It features keyboard and gamepad controls with a focus on dodging and shooting.

What players likedPlayers praise the stunning art, music, and detailed, unique boss fights and spell cards.

The catchController support is broken and high refresh monitors run the game at double speed.

Both are tagged Shoot 'Em Up, Bullet Hell and Great Soundtrack.

Games like TouHou Makuka Sai ~ Fantastic Danmaku Festival Part II →

Touhou Kouryudou ~ Unconnected Marketeers.

98% positive from 1,809 reviews2021Deck Playable

This is a bullet hell shooter where players use ability cards to defeat enemies. It features intense, colorful danmaku action and strategic card usage.

What players likedPlayers praise its fresh progression system, a standout in the Touhou series known for intense bullet-hell gameplay.

The catchCard pickups swing the difficulty wildly, with a few of them trivializing runs.

Both are tagged Shoot 'Em Up, Bullet Hell and Great Soundtrack.

Games like Touhou Kouryudou ~ Unconnected Marketeers. →

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