Start with the kind of shmup you want
| If you like… | Look for | Well-known examples |
|---|---|---|
| Intense patterns, mastery | Bullet hell / danmaku | DoDonPachi Resurrection, Mushihimesama |
| Clever mechanics | Design-led classics | Ikaruga |
| Story and style | Modern indie shmups | ZeroRanger, Sine Mora EX |
| Open arenas | Twin-stick / multidirectional | Geometry Wars 3, Nova Drift |
| Quick, accessible runs | Arcade-style indies | Captain Star |
Check each store page for current price, platforms and reviews.
How to search Steam for shmups
- Browse the Shoot 'Em Up tag, then add Bullet Hell, Twin Stick Shooter or Top-Down Shooter to narrow it.
- Sort by review score, not by release date.
- Read the negative reviews: they tell you whether a game is "too hard" or "too short", and whether that matters to you.
- Check the controls: some shmups are pad-only in practice.
When to buy
Steam's big seasonal sales, especially the Summer Sale in late June, are when shmup interest peaks and most of the catalogue is discounted. Wishlist what you want and Steam will email you.
Captain Star on Steam
Captain Star has been on Steam for Windows since June 2025. It is a multidirectional arcade shmup: short runs, escalating waves and controls designed around the mouse. It suits players who want something to pick up between longer games, and players new to shmups. Steam pricing varies by region; check the store page.
Captain Star is our top-down space shooter: you pilot a UFO through escalating alien waves, reach the star to clear each wave, and chase a high score. One pointer both moves and aims the ship. It is US$0.99 on the Mac App Store, on Steam for Windows, and on Apple TV and iPad.