Best free "shoot 'em up" games

GAME GENRE – Shoot ’em ups, or “shmups,” are action shooters focused on fast reflexes and precision. Usually presented from a top-down or side-scrolling view, they challenge players to dodge waves of enemy fire while blasting through swarms of foes. Most games feature spaceships, jets, or mechs, though some use on-foot characters. Levels are packed with enemies, bosses, and upgrades, demanding both survival and high scores. With roots in the arcade, shoot ’em ups remain iconic for their intensity, tight gameplay loops, and the thrill of navigating screen-filling “bullet hell” patterns.