Top 10 Classic Shoot 'em up Video Games

You are one ship against an entire enemy air force; They don't stand a chance. Join www.watchmojo.com as we countdown our picks for the Top 10 Classic Shoot 'em up games. Check us out at / watchmojo , / watchmojo and / watchmojo
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[@cliffemall666]

Raiden, Darius, Tyrian, Truxton, Musha, Lords of Thunder, Super Star Soldier, Life Force, Blazing Lasers, Fire Shark, Axelay, Space Megaforce.

[@Faxtron]

Awesome list you have here bro ! For me this is an A+ selection.

[@IceRickle]

bro u seem to know bout your spaceship shooters.,... im looking for one i dont know the name its a side scroller but you can turn around at the push of a button so rather than going left to right u can go right to left too... any ideas ?

[@colonelmoutardesea1708]

Rick zorrr if its on Megadrive / Genesis, it might be "Ex-Ranza / Ranger-X". And i suggest you take a look at "Atomic Runner Chelnov" too, talking about strange run'n'gun beasts on the Sega's 16-bits home system.

[@edwardicus4]

Now THAT'S a proper top 10 shump list!

[@lancecurry7538]

What about Dimahoo?

[@FistFuryX]

G-DARIUS AND EINHANDER (LEGENDARY GAME FROM SQUARESOFT) BOTH GAMES FOR PSX

[@FistFuryX]

you should try einhander and gdarius again , great games (y)

[@FistFuryX]

when you write totaled you mean broken right? hahaha sorry english is not my country language XD

[@fodidoemaupago]

+jorge manuel isuhuaylas chavez Can't believe there's no Einhander

[@FistFuryX]

Claro hermano si fue un juegazo de la epoca :D

[@paullittle8719]

jorge manuel isuhuaylas chavez Einhander should be in the top 3. And no R-type original? Clearly have no idea.

[@citiesxlpro1]

I was hoping Galaga as #1, not in the Honorable Mentions!

[@crazyshady666]

Me too! I still play it lol

[@realfamiliarfez]

i find galaga is an incredible game for the genre, just that it isnt what the genre has evolved into if it was its own thing, i think it would be number 1 for that genre but its considered a shmup and theres alot more games that do more than it

[@realfamiliarfez]

i just realized they left space invaders in the list- what the fuck

[@kongfeet81]

How did Einhander not make this list?

[@djkandadj7837]

+kongfeet81 Was wondering the same as well....

[@7force]

Wondering the exact same thing. Then again, this list is five kinds of fucked up. DoDonPachi, the granddaddy of bullet-hell, only gets an honorable mention. Of all the R-Type games, they pick one of the worst, R-Type Final. Ask any R-Type fan. R-Type Delta, R-Type III, and even the original are unanimously regarded higher. "One game per franchise" but they include both Radiant Silvergun and its sequel Ikaruga. They even rate Ikaruga higher than Radiant. I mean, Ikaruga's good, but it's only #1 in terms of being the most cock-sucked shmup on the planet. (Yes, even more overrated than Touhou.) Sine Mora was trash.

[@eddrush209mph]

Yep, most certainly agree. Shocked Einhander and Raiden IV isn't here

[@MeatPopsycle]

@@7force Sine Mora did have an interesting mechanic, though. Do you, by any chance, know of any other shmups that has that same concept of time as health? I wouldn't mind trying another game with that setup.

[@eXpeDiEnt89]

What in seven fucks where they thinking?

[@ThePunishersRevenge]

no Raiden!? not even in the honorable mentions! what the hell mojo!

[@Ahmm101]

BulletsDontLieIOS Actually, they don't always go with the viewer's choice on watchmojo.com.

[@f77ddngeod888]

i played the Raiden DX when iwas a kid Ah the memories........

[@darci480]

oh yeah those were epic!

[@crazyhippo60]

Reynard Nathaniel oh yes so many quarters went to that arcade. Great childhood memories.

[@margiewinfield3924]

Radiant was number two idiot

[@thiridian]

My first complaint is that it says "Classic". My second is I feel this should have been divided up into regular SCHMUPS and Bullet Hells.

[@ianjacka469]

I agree, I don't think a bullet hell is a 'Classic'. Is Ikaruga a 'classic' when schumps had been around for 25 years and it's borderline bullet hell.

[@nickolasecker9596]

Treasure are the king of shmups. Just played ikaruga for the first time and it's nothing short of a masterpiece. I wish Radiant Silvergun was cheaper but I will buy it eventually. I wish this list had Salamander (Life Force), Darius Gaiden, and most importantly: MUSHA! I would easily put musha at number 2.

[@Kalebent]

No Tyrian? Get outta town!

[@isaaccook1890]

+Ayk S I know, right?

[@SuperLotus]

YES

[@Rhoxeus77]

i was searching for tyrian too

[@bearscookies9645]

Number 1 should be Nokia 3310's Space Impact!

[@madferit_live4ever]

The saddest thing is that I've never beaten that game.

[@kemixxx7]

Those were the days.

[@junk3996]

my favourite was actually raptor: call of the shadows. i had that for PC way back in the day, and it was fantastic. never played many other shootemups, if any, and this one brightened my childhood up thats for sure

[@wolfhoodlum1789]

I love Galaga. It is one of my all time favorite games.

[@DwayneIsKing]

don't get how geometry wars is a "classic" shoot 'em up

[@GabrielusPrime]

I think they mean classic STYLE...

[@d-o-n-u-t]

when I was looking at it I was like "NO WAY THE GRAPHICS ARE TOO GOOD TO BE CLASSIC" lol

[@bobjones1783]

Dwayne Jones watchmojo is crap

[@ShredST]

The original Geometry Wars came out a year after Gradius V.

[@LewisNakao]

It's a "twin-stick" shooter too, which is a sub-genre of the classic shoot 'em up genre. But yeah, it became iconic given that it was the most downloaded game on Xbox Live Arcade.

[@dankerthanclanker]

Seriously? No Zero Wing? That game was great to play and it's translations are hilarious. "All your base are belong to us" and "Somebody set up us the bomb!"

[@zyx2323movies]

For Great Justice, they forgot to mention that one...

[@nihilanth5911]

Y U no list Tyrian...? Sheesh... I was really glad to see Raptor on the list, but not adding Tyrian to the list is saddening...

[@yamigekusu]

I knooow, Tyrian is super fun.

[@ericrevollo]

I Agree, Tyrian is great and they released it as freeware add Open Tyrian and you can play it on windows. I would also add Raiden

[@yamigekusu]

I've been playing the crap out of the Android version of Tyrian. Oh man, there's a Pizza Hut near my house that has a Raiden II arcade machine. It gets heavy play from me whenever I visit it

[@Malkierian]

Nihilanth Ah, so I wasn't the only one. Hats off to you, sir.

[@dent4f661]

Good list. Gradius V, Radiant Silvergun and Ikaruga would absolutely be in mine. I much prefer 1943 but 1942 works xD To complete my Top 10: Super Stardust HD, Resogun, Raiden IV, G-Darius, Ray Storm and Astebreed.

[@Frostmute19]

Sad to not see G-Darius even in honorable mentions. One of my favorite games soundtracks and games. Capturing any enemy ship to gain various effects as well as a multi pathway system to get through the game adds a ton of replay ability.

[@jonathan4824]

Einhander was pretty enjoyable, especailly with its interchangable secondary weapons

[@jllovit]

Raiden series, Musha series, Defender, Subterrania, Gyruss, Sol Feace, Viewpoint, Twin Bee, Truxton, Phoenix, Exerion, Gaiares, Forgotten Worlds should've at least been mentioned.

[@mrchowder12345678910]

I loved R-type best game ever!!!

[@EnigmaHood]

You have good taste sir.

[@therealpentap5266]

loved G-Darius for ps1. Really like how you could take control of nearly any enemy and use them for yourself :3

[@efe_aydal]

silkworm, project x, blastar, disposable hero

[@Voidsworn]

Einhander was quite fun :)

[@stuartd155]

Einhander was awesome it was the first shump i ever played and its the only reason i even care about shumps in the first place

[@Circleofcocytus]

I was surprised it didn't get even an honorable mention

[@Voidsworn]

Optimus Prime Yeah, I was expecting to see it listed here somewhere.

[@Laeonculdt]

I loved Einhänder, I especiallly loved the music that was in it, even have the OST, can't believe it didn't even get a mention.

[@Circleofcocytus]

AzkeadaGAMING lol, bought the soundtrack back in '01 in Tokyo.

[@mikael5743]

Einhander and Thunder Force 5 are my top

[@MrLolo-xs6ob]

Raiden? Border Down? Einhander? Ray Storm? Ray Crisis? In the hunt? Galaga? Legendary wings? GigaWing?

[@opaljk4835]

Well not every game can be on every list. But yeah those all are such wonderful games. Still waiting to try Einhander though. Next time I have money I’m either gonna get that or crisis force.

[@HaZiqGD]

Gotta say Raiden 3 is really cool.

[@raeglinlegrand3502]

Where the fuck is Blazing Star on Neo Geo AES ?

[@claresaprama3916]

Strikers 1945? Super Wings? Raiden?

[@mobius1117]

R-Type Series.

[@kaos5633]

not to mention Touhou

[@Revanor]

Holy shit, people actually know about R-Type?

[@sushiSlayr]

+NightHalo It's the most popular series of the genre, though the genre itself is niche.

[@siamkruanumkhum8700]

I found this awesome all in one cheat for Kill Shot :) facebook.com/1726818607548002/photos/a.1726819700881226.1073741828.1726818607548002/1726819620881234/?type=3&pidid=d72b29c6-2697-4e97-843d-a17c72f0085b Top 10 Classic Shoot 'em up Video Games

[@weston407]

+NightHalo pretty sure i had it on my calculator at one point

[@sgamer-xc1bd]

+NightHalo ... it's one of the biggest and most recognizable names/franchises in the genre

[@psndude101]

erm yeh, its one of the biggest shmups of its time with multiple sequels and is still a good game by todays standards

[@shintenku]

Well guys you forgot Ray storm and ray crisis ,,,, skull fang ,,, Progear by capcom,s Cave ,,, pulstar by neo geo ,,, Guwange by atlus and cave ,,,, Giga wing by capcom ,,,,, Dimahoo by capcom,s raizing ,,,, Cyvern a fucking dragons shoot em up by Kaneko ,,,, Blazing star by neo geo and snk ,,,, Battle garegga by raizing ,,,, those are the best and dodonpachi 1 and 2 those are a graphical achievement of the arcades

[@oneworldcommunity117]

HEY you should do 10 more classic shoot em ups games and put gradius and galaga in there.

[@blakecampbell0416]

They did have gradius

[@armanddentremont9061]

Galaga should of been more than a honorable mention.

[@oneworldcommunity117]

armand d'entremont yea i agree

[@ThunderhorseEX]

Tyrian? Not even a honorable mention? Damn...

[@WookieFragger]

Glad to see Raptor: Call of the Shadows getting some love!

[@SoulSeak]

So happy to see rapter on the list. Played that when i was a kid. So many weapons and I like how your ship has shields and armor. After I beet the game I went back to see how many stages I could go through without using a single bullet. I'd just crash into the boss. I think I got up to level 3 doing that.

[@adrianbigboss5685]

Before watching the video, I'm pretty sure that Asteroids is number 1.

[@adrianbigboss5685]

Damn it

[@AntiBunnyStudio]

An often forgotten gem that I'd like to point out is The Guardian Legend. A NES game that was actually a hybrid of overhead exploration and Shmup swapping between them when you needed to go from explorign the giant space station, to fighting at high speeds in space and in the interior. Some nice touches were the shops, huge arsenal, and the strategic use of your currency to fuel your special weapons at the cost of weakening your standard weapon if you used too much. Also the bosses were gigantic for a NES game, and it varied the scrolling speed in some levels speeding up and slowing down to keep you on your toes.

[@paulolameiras861]

R-Type 1 is still my favourite. And where's Pulsar? :o

[@MediaMogulMA]

Space Invaders for the GBA was a great reimagining of the classic. Sad it doesn't get more recognition

[@PenPalzTV]

Einhander

[@madferit_live4ever]

Chris Duncan It's not Aero Fighters, it's NERD Fighters lol.

[@tha3immortals]

Truxton and Einhander were my favorites.

[@TheMixedPlateFrequency]

Mojo is an awesome channel, I am actually glad u guys gained a lot of subs and such.

[@nosoulboy13]

Thank you for including R-type Final. Most of the lists I saw didn't have it. Was a great game.

[@overloadno2447]

Dodonpachi as honorable mention? Seriously what the fuck? And they didn't even show it, they showed Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu.

[@SlapNuts4Life]

Exactly!!! WTF man? You simply don't do a list like this and not have a game by cave on it!!

[@repivonex]

Ikaruga is a fun game. But it's definitely not a classic imo, it's too new. Gradius, Thunder Force, R-types are definitely top ranking classics. Einhainder and Radien should not be missed. GigaWings could be in honorable mentions too.

[@NecroCh]

yeah, I played Einhainder , really cool game

[@Sadvillainy]

It's over 10 years old. How the hell is that too new?

[@repivonex]

Compare to Thunder Force, Gradius, R-types which first appeared in 1980s, a 2001 production is way to new. =]

[@noticeme6412]

I mean, Ikaruga is pretty iconic

[@1invag]

@@Sadvillainy einhander on ps1 basically came out at the same time as ikaruga on dreamcast. Dudes bit muddled

[@Ryenobal]

Good list. Macross Scrambled Valkyrie (severely underrated), Thunder Force 3, and Raiden Fighters would be in my top 10.

[@johncowdrick]

The ones I loved were Xevious and Captain Skyhawk.

[@RandomEd787]

Resogun should've been at least an honorable mention.

[@TheCommentAcc]

Would have loved to see Beat Hazard... play your fav song with burning eyes!

[@madferit_live4ever]

Holy crap I used to addict to that game.

[@robertaurochenta]

good list

[@Foxster170176]

Couple of my favourites that werent featured, Xevious and Twin Cobra, and one that was Galaga

[@thierrydecker8110]

where is truxton ?

[@lincolt]

No Touhou? Dafuq is this?

[@fluffy3355]

Lincolt777 bruh ikr

[@AgentSkyper]

I have spent a lot of time with "Raptor". I still own it and play sometimes. Great game!

[@djkandadj7837]

May also want to include the following: Einhander (Rayforce, Raystorm, or Raycrisis) Battle Garegga Grind Stormer (Darius Gaiden, G, or Burst)

[@joachimweber6251]

Where's MUSHA and R-Type? Seriously, those two should have been in the TOP 3...

[@ravenlorans]

I use to have my girlfriend sit Reverse Cowgirl Style on me and use my Penile Unit as the Joystick while I used the real one and copied her movements. Using her thumb to tap the head to fire, jerking for missiles, and squishing my boys for the power ups. Good Times. XD

[@guywiththebottle]

What the actual fuck :D

[@DeletedMusic]

good joke

[@somerandomgamernamedaustin6954]

SHsurreal Gumball seems horrified by it though.

[@Born2kill2891]

You guys should do a top ten video game simulators (I.e. Goat sim, Surgeon sim, Arma, Tropico, etc.)

[@LittleBigKid707b]

Wow!! I feel fortunate to have the top 4 on this list.

[@MarcSisco]

Steel Empire.

[@piratatrillo]

Life force is king!! The music and levels are so good!!

[@mjpmattos]

Thunder Force 4 is such a great game. I glad you guys remember it.

[@gunbuckybucketman4578]

R-type Delta is amazing, and the third lightning is cool.

[@CPPRODUCTIONS1001]

Touhou?

[@shimigami92dk]

touhou is a Shoot 'em up but it is in a sub-genre Bullet hell

[@CPPRODUCTIONS1001]

philip tm still a Shoot'em up sub genres are just a way of categorizing the main genre

[@Negamare1]

I was thinking the exact same thing

[@infringementMAN]

Did it ever get a legitimate western release? As far as I know the english ones were just fan translated.

[@CPPRODUCTIONS1001]

infringementMAN I think so as many westerners play the game and it seems legitimate but it still should be classed on this list

[@thespacegeneral2920]

How about a little game called asteroids?

[@gradplanner]

What about Gaiares on the Sega Genesis. When bosses filled the screen long before Dark Souls.

[@moonpatrol9717]

I have such fond memories of playing Raptor on my 386 SX pc.

[@EmersonLeeIonita]

Before I watch the video I think Call of Duty: Black Ops II will win because it has flawless gameplay, Breathtaking graphics and could be mistaken to be written by Steven Spielberg.

[@mikey7257]

Lol what?

[@dumbthegamer]

Thats a fps not a shump and it is easily not the best fps ever just because it has good graphics and the cod stories all suck wanna play a really good fps game? Try half life/black mesa id recommend black mesa as they are the exact same game except black mesa has better graphics and is free

[@EmersonLeeIonita]

Have you ever played Call Of Duty? I almost thought Jesus made it himself.

[@hitokiri159]

have you ever tried to read the title before posting? and its a side scroll shoot em up, not first person shooter, kids these days

[@readyupswag]

WHY DON'T YOU MARRY IT

[@larnregis]

Galactix, Overkill, Xenon 2, Raptor, Stargunner, Tyrian, Final Impact, Fire Fight (isometric but awesome), Axelay...

[@biostemm]

+Larn Regis Tyrian was one of my faves!

[@Baalielieseee]

+Larn Regis TYRIAN!!!

[@kaos5633]

axelaty based

[@salbitani9406]

R-Type Delta is my favorite!

[@NightSprinter]

Tyrian was to me the pinnacle of arcade-style shooters for the MS-DOS platform. Controls were excellent no matter what method used (Mouse, keyboard, or joystick/gamepad), LOTS of replayability, I can't keep going without further gushing. It's got a free release on GoG (as Tyrian 2000). Give it a shot.

[@letsgoinc.705]

As an avid Shoot em up or "Shmup" enthusiast, I get excited seeing the revival of the genre slowly blooming again. For my top 3 shoot em up titles: 1. Mushihimesama Futari 1.5 by CAVE (xbox 360 Japanese import which is region free) Sexy 2D pixel graphics, brilliant stage set design, unique enemy types and rock solid innovative game mechanics. The game's narrative and design harking to Miyazaki's animation classic, Nausicaa Valley of the Wind. 2. Crimzon Clover: World Ignition by Yotsubane. (Steam release) A beautifully crafted indie Shoot em up created by a Japanese Shmup super player/world record holder who created the game initially as a PC Doujin title only to be picked up by Taito for their arcade NESiCA X Live "net" system and brought to Japanese arcades with revamped dynamics. 3. Raiden DX by Seibu Kaihatsu, which came out for arcade and the playstation 1. A seminal Shmup from the early 1990's which offers three different courses and encapsulates the zen of shoot em up game play with nutritious pixel work. I could go on, but I have already pushed beyond my "favorite". Really, there are so many great examples that any given week the line up could easily change.

[@wise_potato7922]

thanks for reminding me that Raiden exists.

[@zerocal76]

Your comment is 7 years old man but I've never come across a shoot-em up aficionado. Could you tell me where you rank Einhander on your list? I love that game but would like to know how it stands against other shooters. Also, would you mind giving us a top 5 or even top 10 list? 😀I'm collecting games and love this genre. Appreciate it!

[@TheJerseyShark]

Asteroids?

[@AnTiCs53]

Classic.

[@longdong1622]

Also blazing lazers , lords of thunder, paratrooper, missle command , raiden . Where the fuck are all these ? Reloaded should be up there too.

[@jekblom123]

I wouldn't count asteroids. Or geometry wars.

[@betacrest10]

Always loved shooters Thunderforce, R-Type, Gradius, Bangai-O.

[@FronezGez3592]

I remember always playing R Type-Final on my ps2, was an amazing game even for the time

[@Raiden7284677]

RAIDEN!!! Where's that one!?

[@Jonasman315]

Oh haven't seen Raptor since I was a little kid. The memories.

[@Jonasman315]

Gonna see if I can download it now.

[@Rm21said]

@@Jonasman315 there is 2015 remake on steam

[@sisepuedemaybe]

Blazing Stars, Pulstar, currently playing R-type, and one of the granddaddies, Raiden II. (Loved playing that one on the pc emulator)

[@elvinrey9535]

Ikaruga gets me hyped. Every time I see a gameplay.

[@robcape]

Anyone remember Tyrain?

[@robcape]

sorry Tyrian

[@mkay8509]

i thought its gonna be first place

[@robcape]

i grew up with that game on my windows 95 acer personal computer system it was the shit in 1996

[@ImDemonAlchemist]

"literally dozens"? Aren't you guys lowballing a bit there?

[@popgas3821]

Strikers 1999 stuck to me for a long time. Others like Salamander, Macross Plus, Raiden, Giga Wing were worth mentioning.

[@DavidEssex8008]

Hellfire on the Sega Megadrive was my jam, had some great weapon mechanics superb music and a tough challenge. Also Gynoug, which had a Clive Barker feel to it.

[@ADucksOpinion]

never even herd of number 1.. man.. Resogun beats all.

[@DeletedMusic]

Never heard of Ikaruga, serioulsy?

[@ADucksOpinion]

yeah, no clue wtf that is.. i herd of maybe 3 or 4 but i dont like side scrolling shooters..

[@ADucksOpinion]

it was free when i got my ps4... its great for free.

[@Arcanua]

Number 1 was from Japan is known for being very hard because it has bosses that fill the whole screen with bullets lol.

[@c4nnske]

Arcanua Most of the games from the list are from Japan...

[@weston407]

where the hell is Air Zonk?

[@nileriversoftware4070]

Back when I played 1942 on my famiclone, It took me forever to realize the roll maneuver makes you dodge bullets.

[@jonahjohnson8846]

My fav shoot em ups are not very well known but I love them because they are some of the first games I ever played:Nebula fighter,Demon star,Raptor(on this list),And r-type.Most of these I played on and old computer and got from a Galaxy of E Games Red disc.

[@callmemarc]

Life Force!

[@Ahmm101]

Top 10 Gundams

[@ScottHost]

There it is

[@shironekuro]

Can anyone tell what is the reference or game on the thumbnail, it's kinda remind of something but i forgot the name

[@machaggis7521]

Seriosly guys....wher ethe hell is Xenon II Megablast? One of the toughest I played- Glad Raptor made it in here with its carrot ship :)

[@Ultrox007]

Touhou? Einhander? G-Darius? *Raiden?!*

[@Rocki008]

Crimzon Clover World Ignition is great too

[@tiranogt]

I like G-Darius and there were one from dreamcast that is awesome, but I don't know the name.

[@AzrialAlaria]

Fav game right there! :)

[@johnsharp8021]

Gustavo Souza Zero Gunner 2 or Borderdown both should be on here....

[@danusty]

really! not a single darius/sagaia game made it to the list?!

[@nemowsz]

Sonic Wings of the PS1 is my absolute favorite. The sound effects are so very satisfying and you can blow so much buildings up in that one.

[@thepopcornthieves1203]

Zap! 2000 for Palm OS I loved this game as a kid and honestly wish I could still play it today or at least find something very similar to it. I love WatchMojo keep up the good work.

[@TheGaboefects]

Ikaruga es un placer para jugar!!! lo tengo en su version para el gamecube y es de lo mas adictivo ADEMAS DE INCREIBLEMENTE CARO! en amazon el juego es ridiculamente costoso incluso usado! 0.o

[@NecroCh]

ikaruga tiene que ser uno de los juegos mas dificiles que he jugado

[@Martintoney2012]

Pop'n twinbee wasn't on this list....how dare you.

[@ambersummer22]

I undoubtedly agree with the last four picks

[@muddslyde2666]

OMG!!! RAPTOR: CALL OF THE SHADOWS! I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS FOR, AT LEAST, 8 YEARS!! IT USED TO BE ON MY OLD WINDOWS 95/98 LAPTOP!

[@KenjiRyuma90]

Not sure if anyone cares, added I know it has some 3d moments, Einhander from Square Enix is my favorite shooter.

[@TheDenigreur]

And I wondered if I was the only one that had Einhander as his favorite schmup.