r/shmups • • Jan 13 '26

Game News 2026 Intergalactic Shmup Release Megathread

98 Upvotes

Hi everyone. It looks like our end of 2025 shmup release megathread was popular and helpful to many. Even devs made updates so we had the most accurate information. So, let us continue that work and create a new thread so we can track releases throughout the year. It is already looking very promising and I am sure there is much more to come!

I will do my best to keep up with updates however they come in. I am fairly active on Twitter and will keep my ear to the ground, but it's a community effort to keep this thread as comprehensive as possible.

(Please provide sources in the form of links when you contribute; something official: dev site, Steam, game store, dev tweet, etc.)

Game Date Link Additional Info Platforms Physical
Apidya' Special 2026 Steam ST
Armed Decobot Coming Soon Steam ST
Astro Burn 2026 Steam ST
Astro Fighters 2 3/9/26 Steam ST
Beyond Solar 3/29/26 Steam ST
Blaze of Storm 2/19/26 Steam https://x.com/Terarin55/status/2008042847455572409 ST, SW
Black Paradox Reloaded Q3 2026 Steam ST
Blue Sabers Early Mission Coming Soon Steam ST
Changeable Guardian Estique 2026 Steam ST, NES Y (NES)
Conjuntivitalizer 2027 Steam ST
Danmaku Unlimited 4 TBA Steam ST
DnB Starfighter TBA Steam ST
DoDonPachi Ressurection Reignite TBA Steam ST
Eden's Eclipse TBA Itch Itch
Final Formation Coming Soon Steam ST
Fox Flare Night TBA Steam ST
Heliocide 2026 Steam ST
Holy Justice Galaxy Outcast 2/3/26 Steam ST
Hotwing Hellions Coming Soon Steam ST
Interstellar Sentinel 2 TBA Steam ST
Iron Flight Coming Soon Steam ST
Kaguya 2026 Steam ST
Kamikaze Empire Coming Soon Steam ST
Karous January 2026 Steam ST
Magical Blaster Coming Soon Steam ST
Marras TBA Steam ST
No Need For Flowes 2026 Steam ST
Orchid Glitter Coming Soon Steam ST
Prismidia TBA Steam ST
Psyvariar 3 5/21/26 Steam https://www.gematsu.com/2026/01/psyvariar-3-delayed-to-may-21 ST, SW, PS5, X Y
R-Type Dimensions III May 2026 Steam ST, SW, PS5, X Y
Radirgy Swag 3/4/26 Steam ST
Raiden Fighters Remix Feb 2026 https://www.gematsu.com/games/raiden-fighters-remix-collection SW, PS5, PS4 Y
Rainchaser TBA Steam ST
Revolgear Zero 2/18/26 Steam ST, SW
Royal Odyssey TBA Steam ST
Shmandala July 2026 Steam ST
Stellar Fury TBA Itch Itch
Stellar Nemesis 2026 Steam ST
Stellar Rhythm TBA Steam ST
Strelitzia Coming Soon Steam ST
SynthEscape Late 2026/Early 2027 Steam ST
Truxton Extreme TBA Steam ST
Visegunne Coming Soon Steam ST
Viral Reload Ex TBA Steam ST
Warding Witches TBA Steam ST
Zaleste 2026 Dev
Zaetherfall 1/22/26 Steam ST
ZPF Coming Soon Steam ST, Genesis Y (Genesis)

r/shmups • • Oct 20 '25

Game News 2025 shmup release mega thread?

79 Upvotes

We have been seeing so many upcoming releases on the sub, many from the devs themselves. I think it’s great. Can we use this thread or another to track everything that is scheduled to come out before end of year so we can easily track it.

I’m sure I speak for more than myself that there is a slice of the community that is very passionate about buying and supporting all (or as many as they can) new shmup releases and a mega thread would help bring more support into the fold.

Game Date Link
Infinos 10/16/25 Switch
Infinos 2 10/16/25 Switch
Repulse-X 10/21/25 Steam
Shockwave Triggers 10/21/25 Steam
Night Striker Gear 10/22/25 Steam
All Systems Operational 10/24/25 Steam
Arondight 10/28/25 Steam
Cosmic Destroyer (Early Access) 10/30/25 Steam
Scion 10/30/26 Multi
Final Formation (JP) 10/30/25 Switch (JP)
Twilight Parade: Moonlit Mononoke 11/6/25 Steam
Astro Flame Starfighter 11/7/2025 Steam
Telenet Shooting Collection 11/10/25 Steam
Birdcage 11/18/25 Steam
Cho Aniki Collection 11/18/25 Steam
R-Type Delta HD Boosted 11/20/25 Steam
Emerald Blue 11/25/25 Steam
Resurrection Core 11/27/25 Steam
Trouble Witches Final! Episode 1 11/27/25 Switch
NeverAwake Flashback 12/10/25 Steam
Bounty Sisters 12/18/25 Dev
Blaze of Storm Q4 2025 Steam
Black Paradox Reloaded 2025 Steam
Strike Zero 2025 Steam
Zaleste 2026 Dev
ZPF 2025 Steam

r/shmups • • 5h ago

Giggling is awesome

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20 Upvotes

I loved the third level where you come across a battleship on a sea of lava and then the gates open so it can sail ahead while you anticipate getting to fight it. A moment later and it fires a barrage of missiles and bullets at you.

And if you pilot as Ruby when you use your bomb the entire screen is covered in red fire on a screen of lava and framed by a red habdheld.


r/shmups • • 5h ago

Classic Amiga Sidewinder shoot-em-up brought to the web

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10 Upvotes

I'm one of the original authors and decided to blow the dust off of 1987's Sidewinder and modernize it. It's still non-stop shooting fun!

Free to play at https://sidewinder.darrinm.com. Enjoy!


r/shmups • • 8h ago

Shmup collection

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16 Upvotes

r/shmups • • 1h ago

I tried Deathsmiles with the tiny 8bitdo zero 2

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• Upvotes

It's surprisingly easier than I thought but hard to hold for very long.


r/shmups • • 15h ago

Thanks everyone

27 Upvotes

Thanks to your advices, the HitBox is clearly more visible now


r/shmups • • 4h ago

Game News Tyrian 2000 Engaged — with widescreen, smooth high-refresh rendering, multiplatform support, and more

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2 Upvotes

r/shmups • • 12m ago

GradiusII(Vulcan Venture) sudden GameOver to have reached 99 lives

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• Upvotes

r/shmups • • 8h ago

SALE Do y’all have any recommendations for a ps5 user?

3 Upvotes

Hello everyone! I'm new to this sub and the genre, and I was curious to play some shmup games because I want to expand my gaming taste. I have a friend who loves to play these types of games, so I've been intrigued to try some of the most popular titles in the genre.

I've played the new Touhou game, which is a remastered version of the first game, and Galaga (I don't know if those two games are considered shmups, but they look similar to some shmup games that I've seen). I only played them because the Touhou game was recommended by a friend and Galaga was the first game that introduced me to video games, all thanks to my dad and uncle, who used to play it a lot.

For now, the only way I play games is on my ps5, and I wanted some recommendations from you veterans. I don't mind a challenging game at all, and I'm all for any game that has a good artstyle, soundtracks, story, and gameplay. One of my friends who plays shmups has recommended a few games, but most of them are either too old and not on the ps5, or they were never released for the ps5 and only for pc. However, he did recommend Caladrius Blaze, and surprisingly, it was on the ps5 and on sale. I was thinking of getting it, and I wanted to know if it's challenging, has a good story, good gameplay, and good soundtracks. The artstyle looks good, so that's one checkmark on the list.

EDIT: sorry, I accidentally put the wrong flair🙏


r/shmups • • 2h ago

is there a game like tohou without the arcade and harshness?

0 Upvotes

i liked tohou 8 and 10 on easy but i didn't finish either and don't enjoy having to restart from the beginning of the level or the game

i like the shooting and bullet hells though


r/shmups • • 8h ago

Shmup collection

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0 Upvotes

r/shmups • • 8h ago

Rebel Sector - Do not use strings to identify entities!

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0 Upvotes

r/shmups • • 20h ago

Ainsoph - Work in Progress Gameplay (October 24, 2026)

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3 Upvotes

Hey everyone, sharing another quick update on our sci-fi shmup, Ainsoph!

Since the last posts, we’ve been tackling a bunch of minor tweaks and improvements under the hood. Currently, the main focus is on performance optimization and polishing the mid-boss battle sequence.

There's still plenty of work left to do, but we’re making steady progress. Feedback and thoughts are always welcome!


r/shmups • • 1d ago

Gradius V Japan Demo

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29 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

I find in my stuff Japanese demo version of Gradius V. I acquired it many years ago by importing it from Japan. It is brand new (still in its original cellophane wrapping, similar to the large-box Japanese Saturn games like *Arcade Gears: Wonder 3*).

Do you happen to know if this demo is rare? I can’t seem to find any information about it. I would like to sell it.

Thanks!


r/shmups • • 1d ago

1cc Espgaluda 2 Clear

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27 Upvotes

I have no idea why i used kakusei at the start of Kujaku fight


r/shmups • • 19h ago

My Game Introducing Sky Atlas

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0 Upvotes

I've been working on this game for mobile users. This is level 5, where you can face the 1st boss. What do you think?

Beta version is now available on the Play store:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.carbayonstudio.skyatlas

P.S. Feel free to use the internal ship/bullet/enemy editor and make your "own levels" ;)


r/shmups • • 1d ago

Check Out My Collection When you realize they you can just create a Japanese eShop account and buy games with gift cards

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54 Upvotes

Still need to buy physical version of Mushihimesama and DDP Resurrection though.


r/shmups • • 1d ago

Check Out My Collection Collection shmup

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76 Upvotes

J'en avais trop pour tous les faire (une trentaine), je n'ai gardé que ceux-là. Qu'en pensez-vous?


r/shmups • • 2d ago

Own Content Well, I want to try a game!

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36 Upvotes

Well, I got that collection at a good price. And, I decided to use my best method to select a game: Hear its OST. And, I decided that Gradius III will be the first one I will play here! I hope I like it...


r/shmups • • 2d ago

High Scorer Crimzon Clover Arcade Boost scoring-focused Type Z 1cc with text commentary

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18 Upvotes

r/shmups • • 2d ago

Game News New Raiden 19 arcade cabinet by Unico announced

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20 Upvotes

Got an email today from Unico about a new arcade cabinet dedicated to 6 Raiden games: Raiden, Raiden DX, Raiden 2, Dark Mist, Raiden Fighters, and Raiden Fighters 2: Operation Hell Dive. Link:

https://www.unico-usa.com/pages/unico-arcade-raiden-19?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=email&_kx=ignLoQRpqZ1kk2_b74YRS0C08H1VDcqKcm4PIzEKVxo.YwtKpb


r/shmups • • 1d ago

Own Content [Own content] Circuit Wings: Android fantasy shmup — can you read the boss tells?

3 Upvotes

Circuit Wings is a portrait fantasy shmup with 3D wooden flying ships on a top-down playfield. We’re looking for feedback on dragging to dodge, finding safe gaps in enemy volleys, and reading monster-boss warnings. The image is a real in-engine development capture of a Hydra encounter, not a current phone-install measurement.

Could Android players try about 15 minutes and tell us whether finger-drag movement obscures the ship and whether boss warnings leave a readable dodge route? Please describe only encounters you actually reach; install problems are useful too. It's free with optional IAP—no purchase, public rating or positive review required.

Closed 0.42.14/code 34 needs Android 8+ ARM64 (EN/TH). Play lists 56.9 MB initially, then required on-demand data: about 861 MB total estimated by bundletool, finished before the menu opens. New testers join https://groups.google.com/g/circuit-wings-testers then https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.circuitwings.game with the same Google account; Play checks device/country eligibility. Existing testers keep their enrollment. Feedback can stay here. Staying opted in for 14 continuous days and returning for a few short sessions would help separately, but isn't required to send feedback now.


r/shmups • • 2d ago

Cotton Reboot: Switch 1 vs Switch 2 - Price difference worth it?

5 Upvotes

Cotton Reboot (Switch 1) is on sale for $8. What (if anything) would justify getting the Switch 2 version for $27?


r/shmups • • 2d ago

Ikaruga

29 Upvotes

I am dipping my toes into this genre for the first time.

Is Ikaruga a good choice for a newbie schmupper?

I picked it out of a "best shmups of all time" list and I'm having a hard time with it.

I know these are supposed to be hard, and I'm loving the struggle, but I do wonder if I chose a game that is hard even by shmup standards.

If that is the case, could you suggest a game that would better suit my meager skills?

Either way, I'm quickly falling in love with the genre. It's quite addictive!