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Released by Konami in 1985, Gradius is a seminal side-scrolling shoot 'em up that revolutionized the arcade landscape.

✦ Best for retro shoot 'em up fans seeking a classic arcade challenge.

Released in 1986 by Konami, Salamander is a legendary side-scrolling and vertically scrolling shoot 'em up that serves as a spin-off to the Gradius series.

✦ Best for retro arcade enthusiasts wanting classic two-player co-op shmup action.

Truxton is a 1988 vertically scrolling shoot‑em‑up where you pilot a lone fighter against the Gidan armada and their massive asteroid fortresses.

✦ Best for retro arcade shooter fans craving authentic eight‑way control and co‑op

Art of Fighting 3: The Path of The Warrior is the final entry in SNK’s iconic Art of Fighting series.

✦ Best for pc gamers craving classic 2d fighters with deep combos and co‑op

Exed Exes puts you in the cockpit of battle machines Colonel and Sergeant as they battle the rebellious Exes on a distant planet. The game scrolls vertically, letting you dodge attacks, collect power‑ups, and even turn enemies into fruit for extra points.

✦ Best for retro arcade fans craving local two-player vertical shooter

Advanced Busterhawk Gley Lancer, known as Gleylancer, is a 1992 Sega Mega Drive shoot‑'em‑up developed by NCS. Set in 2025, 16‑year‑old Lucia pilots the prototype CSH‑01‑XA to rescue her captured father amid a human‑alien war.

✦ Best for retro shooter enthusiasts craving tight controls and classic boss battles

R-Type is a 1987 side‑scrolling shoot 'em up set in the 22nd century. Players control the futuristic R‑9A Arrowhead to strike the evil Bydo Empire and free humanity.

✦ Best for hardcore retro shooter fans craving tough gameplay