Assault Android Cactus
"Assault Android Cactus is a manic twin stick arena shooter for the PC with screens full of enemies, buckets of bullets and high scoring combo chains! Take on the role of Cactus, an enthusiastic police android, who responds to a stranded space freighter only to discover it under siege by its malfunctioning robot workers. Cut off from the outside and in over her head, Cactus and the androids she recruits along the way battle through the crippled Genki Star to reach the brain of the ship and put things right before it's too late."
SCREENSHOTS
PHYSICAL
HISTORY
Assault Android Cactus is a twin-stick shooter developed and published by Witch Beam. The game was released for Windows, OS X, and Linux in 2015, PlayStation 4 in 2016, Xbox One in 2017, and Nintendo Switch in 2019. An enhanced version for the Switch was released in 2019 as Assault Android Cactus+.
Gameplay
Assault Android Cactus is a twin-stick shooter played primarily from a quarter-down perspective. The Player takes control of one of nine Androids, the first of which being Cactus, an Interplanetary Police Department (IPPD) junior constable, who crashes her ship into a space freighter 'Genki Star'. The player must fight through hordes of rogue robots to take back control of the Genki Star. The game can be played in single-player or in local cooperative play with up to four players. The game features four game modes: a story, campaign, a challenging 50 layer mode, Infinity Drive, daily challenges, Daily Drive, and boss rush mode. The game has nine playable androids to choose from, each of which have a different combination of primary and secondary weapons. The game includes 25 stages which morph and transform as the level progresses.
Development
Assault Android Cactus was developed and published by Brisbane-based video game development studio Witch Beam. One of the game's developers, Sanatana Mishra noted that the team's decision to not launch the game on Xbox One video game console was due to the ID@Xbox parity clause which required developers to launch their games on Xbox One the same day as other platforms.
Release
The development team were originally targeting a January 2014 release for Assault Android Cactus. However the game was officially released for Windows, OS X, and Linux on 23 September 2015, after launching from early access. A PlayStation 4 version was released on 8 March 2016. The game was initially in development for the PlayStation Vita and Wii U but did not release on those platforms. The game, with Xbox One X enhancements which include native 4K 60fps support and an optional developer commentary, was released on 7 November 2017.
Announced in February 2019, an expanded port for the Nintendo Switch known as Assault Android Cactus+ was released on 8 March 2019.
Reception
Assault Android Cactus received "generally favorable" reviews from critics according to review aggregator website Metacritic.
Accolades
Assault Android Cactus won the award for "Best Action Game" at Intel Level Up 2013.
STORY
Assault Android Cactus is a frantic twin-stick shooter set aboard a stricken vessel adrift in deep space. The story follows Cactus, a plucky junior constable of the Interplanetary Police Department, whose patrol takes a sudden turn for the worse when her ship crashes into a massive space freighter called the Genki Star. Stranded aboard the crippled vessel, Cactus quickly discovers that its robotic crew has malfunctioned, turning the freighter's mechanical workers into hostile, rampaging machines. Armed and undaunted, the little android sets out to blast her way through the swarming rogue robots, fighting to restore order and wrest control of the Genki Star back from the chaos. Along the way she is joined by a colorful roster of fellow androids, each with their own distinctive weapons and abilities. Battling across the freighter's ever-shifting, transforming stages, Cactus and her allies push deeper into the ship in a relentless, action-packed struggle to survive and set things right.
1CC RUNS
One-credit clears we point to as the benchmark for this game.
TRAILERS
STORES
Prices are cached from each storefront and may be out of date. Last checked 24 Sept 2026.
PRICE HISTORY
Every price change we know of, per shop. Flat means the price held; PC shops reach back through IsThereAnyDeal's archive, console shops start when this site started watching.
Humble Store low: $4.99 (1 Nov 2021) , Steam low: $3.99 (25 Jun 2026) , Xbox low: $14.99 (26 Aug 2026)
REVIEWS
Published elsewhere, collected here. Every score is the outlet's own, on the outlet's own scale. Follow the link for the full review.
“Starting with the basics the game gives you a starting roster of 4 androids to choose from, with another 5 that you’ll unlock as you make progress in the campaign...”
“Assault Android Cactus' greatest weakness is that it defines itself as an "arcade dual stick shooter" in such a traditional fashion that it's limited by that.”
“Assault Android Cactus+ is arguably the best version of the game that you can play. Sure it doesn’t look quite as sharp as it does on the other platforms but it still looks good and more importantly runs just as well. It still is one of the most fun twin-stick shooters I’ve played even three years after I first played it.”
“One of the best modern twin-stick shooters is now (slightly) better than ever.”
“While Assault Android Cactus was and is a great game on other platforms, it's real home is on Switch. If you own a Switch, you need to play this game. It's the best fun you'll have with androids and killer robots on a handheld.”
“The remixed Campaign+ might not be enough of a reason for previous owners of the game to jump back in, but the plethora of online leaderboards should entice the high-score chasers among us. The local multiplayer and ease of play are perfect reasons to bust this one out for group gaming sessions, too. Assault Android Cactus+ is an easy recommendation for Switch owners looking for an exciting arcade experience.”
“GREAT - Assault Android Cactus+ is a great highlight of the twin-stick shooter genre on the Switch. Both newcomers and veterans will find something to like here with the variety of game modes on tap. A great deal of fun is waiting to be had here, whether playing solo or with friends in couch co-op.”
“While it is a short game, I think the phrase “short and sweet” applies rather well to this title. While it might not have the most to offer in terms of campaign, it well makes up for in couch co-op-ability, and yes that’s now a word. If you’re looking for something to do with a few friends, if you have those, go check out Assault Android Cactus, available on pretty much any system you can shake a stick at.”
“Assault Android Cactus was an incredible game when it released a few years ago and it's just as great now with a few extras, too.”
“Assault Android Cactus+ is the baked potato of twin-stick shooters. A perfectly cooked center, loaded with all the extra goods, and a dollop of charm for good measure. It's a perfect fit on Switch with its drop-in multiplayer and bite-sized levels, especially for those with score-chasing in mind.”
“The Switch isn’t exactly light on twin-stick shooters. Assault Android Cactus + is easily in the upper echelon, though.”
“Precise controls, fast and action-packed twin-stick shooting for up to four players on one console: Assault Android Cactus is simply fun.”
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