SHMUP INDEX

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Curated list

Top 25 Shmups of All Time

The Shmups Forum's 21st annual community vote, through 2025. The ranking is theirs, compiled by Nifty and voted on by the forum. Read the full results thread at shmups.system11.org.

Source: Shmups Forum

25 games

Battle Garegga cover art
1
Battle Garegga 1996 Raizing Vertical, Danmaku
Mushihimesama cover art
2
Mushihimesama 2004 CAVE Interactive Vertical, Danmaku
DoDonPachi cover art
3
DoDonPachi 1997 CAVE Interactive Vertical, Danmaku
Ketsui: Kizuna Jigoku-tachi cover art
4
Ketsui: Kizuna Jigoku-tachi 2003 CAVE Interactive Vertical, Danmaku
Mushihime-sama Futari cover art
5
Mushihime-sama Futari 2006 CAVE Interactive Vertical
DoDonPachi DaiOuJou cover art
6
DoDonPachi DaiOuJou 2002 CAVE Interactive Vertical, Danmaku
Armed Police Batrider cover art
7
Armed Police Batrider 1997 Raizing Vertical, Danmaku
Batsugun cover art
8
Batsugun 1993 Toaplan Vertical, Danmaku
Darius Gaiden cover art
9
Darius Gaiden 1994 Taito Horizontal
RayForce cover art
10
RayForce 1994 Taito Vertical
Crimzon Clover: World Ignition cover art
11
Crimzon Clover: World Ignition 2014 Yotsubane Vertical, Danmaku
R-Type cover art
12
R-Type 1987 Irem Horizontal
ESP Ra.De. Psi cover art
13
ESP Ra.De. Psi 2019 CAVE Interactive
DoDonPachi Resurrection cover art
14
DoDonPachi Resurrection 2008 CAVE Interactive Vertical, Danmaku
Progear cover art
15
Progear 2001 CAVE Interactive Vertical, Danmaku
Ikaruga cover art
16
Ikaruga 2001 Treasure Vertical, Danmaku
Radiant Silvergun cover art
17
Radiant Silvergun 1998 Treasure Vertical, Danmaku
Sky Shark cover art
18
Sky Shark 1987 Toaplan Vertical
G-Darius cover art
19
G-Darius 1997 Taito Horizontal
Gunbird 2 cover art
20
Gunbird 2 1998 Psikyo Vertical
Dangun Feveron cover art
21
Dangun Feveron 1998 CAVE Interactive Vertical, Danmaku
Thunder Dragon 2 cover art
22
Thunder Dragon 2 1993 NMK Co. Ltd. Vertical
Sorcer Striker cover art
23
Sorcer Striker 1993 Raizing Vertical
Gradius Gaiden cover art
24
Gradius Gaiden 1997 Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo Horizontal
Cho Ren Sha 68K cover art
25
Cho Ren Sha 68K 1997 Famibe No Yosshin Vertical

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