Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers
UFOs! Aliens! Aircrafts! Resistance! SHOOT 'EM UP! Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers is a spaceship shooter with 2D gameplay and 3D environment. Enjoy a smart combination of a fast-paced shooting experience and the 1950's sci-fi movies aesthetic, with live-action cutscenes.
SCREENSHOTS
STORY
Warning! Extraterrestrials from outer space arrived on our planet bringing promises of a bright new future. However, this intergalactic partnership soon reveals its darker side as the VEGA CORPORATION, the alien enterprise led by the hideous DIRECTOR ZAROG, is imposing its predatory politics on the human kind. In the midst of this oppression, the rebel group Squadron 51 rises as a response against the violent acts spread by these inhuman beings. Will the brave pilots of Squadron 51 and their aircrafts stand a chance against the Zarog's diabolic fleet of flying saucers?
Join the rebel cause as LIEUTENANT KAYA, facing flying saucers, alien fighters and monsters in the skies of the 1950’s! Remember: the future of the Earth lies in your hands!
Features
- Classic gameplay: Squadron 51 is a SHOOT 'EM UP! game with four different aircrafts to play and set up with special weapons.
- Cinematic experience: Glorious black-and-white aesthetics, live-action FMV sequences and dubbed voices will tell the story of the battle between the Squadron 51 and Director Zarog’s alien supremacy.
- 11 levels: Fight against enemy ships and bosses in many different environments - snowy mountains, forests, cityscapes and many others.
- Dynamic difficulty:No matter you are a rookie or a veteran shooting star, Squadron 51 supports dynamic difficulty which allows every pilot to enjoy.
- Multiplayer: Feeling lonely against Aliens? Invite a friend! A second player can enter a level any time. Earn points with your friend and unlock together new special weapons and upgrades.
TRAILERS
STORES best right now: Nintendo eShop −55%
Prices are cached from each storefront and may be out of date.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.
Nintendo eShop low: $8.99 (10 Sep 2026) , Steam low: $5.99 (8 Sep 2026) , Xbox low: $19.99 (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.
“Squad 51 vs. The Flying Saucers is a brilliant game. With tight fun combat, combined with that incredible 50's style makes it a title that is incredibly unique and fun in the medium. While the black and white image can sometimes detract from gameplay, it still manages to be an amazing experience.”
“Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers is honestly pretty great. You can just tell this game was made with love, and it shows. Between the unique FMV approach to Shmups, and it just being an overall good game, I'd say give it a go, even if the price point is a little bit much.”
“A great game that shows what R-Type could be like, if only it was coded in 1958! Blast the freaking aliens like it there's no tomorrow, with this stunning shoot 'em up action in black & white, with great FMV intros in every level.”
“I was not just having fun; I was invested in the cheesy over the top story. After every level I eagerly loaded up the next one excited to see more of this wonderfully realized world. Yes, the seams are sometimes more visible than one would hope, and loading times to restart a level are legitimately frustrating, but the net result is easily one of my personal favorite shumps of all time.”
“Undeniably novel and entertaining with its decision to run with the vintage 50s black and white sci-fi look, but just a decent arcade shooter overall”
“Even though Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers is beyond frustrating, I didn’t think it was that disappointing. It’s still very unique and completely bonkers. Its premise is set, and needs no improvements. Its gameplay design choices render it annoying to deal with right now, but I honestly think a second attempt, with a smaller playable character and better balancing, would result in one of the best bullet hell shooters in years. As of now, this is a fun diversion, but a flawed one.”
“As a piece of '50s nostalgia, Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers fits the bill almost perfectly but as a shoot 'em up, it makes for quite a maddening experience complete with ambiguous visuals that will cause many unexpected failures.”
“Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers occasionally overcommits to its retro vibe with punishing and unfair difficulty, but its action is tight and it's charming enough to overlook the flaws.”
Reviews are the work of the outlets named. Titles, scores and quoted excerpts are reproduced for identification and criticism; each links to the original.