SHMUP INDEX

Running the index costs money. If you want to collaborate:

Buy me a coffee Support on Ko-fi

If you have any question, contact us.

Corrections and missing games are welcome too.

Curated list

The Best Shmups for 2026

Jeffrey L Wilson's unordered PCMag selection. Page order is preserved for the published games held in this index, but it is not a ranking.

Source: PCMag

6 games

Cygni: All Guns Blazing cover art
1
Cygni: All Guns Blazing 2024 KeelWorks Multi-directional
Deathsmiles cover art
2
Deathsmiles 2007 CAVE Interactive Horizontal, Danmaku
DoDonPachi Resurrection cover art
3
DoDonPachi Resurrection 2008 CAVE Interactive Vertical, Danmaku
Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions cover art
4
Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions 2014 Lucid Games Multi-directional
Ikaruga cover art
5
Ikaruga 2001 Treasure Vertical, Danmaku
Mushihimesama cover art
6
Mushihimesama 2004 CAVE Interactive Vertical, Danmaku

A curated list, maintained by shmupindex. The selection is credited above.