Games like Starblaster (ZX Spectrum Next 2.08+)

Defeat the Galactus empire, battling wave after wave of relentless attack craft and alien creatures! Galactus is a fast paced, classic arcade-style shooter, with a broad variety of backgrounds and aliens,  written entirely in NextBASIC (2.07k) for the ZX Spectrum Next.   ---UPDATED:Note that there are now two Galactus game downloads.  Either version will work fine - however the Speedfix/KS2/208 ve… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to GALACTUS (ZX Spectrum Next).

89%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:replayability, story

94% User Score Based on 125 reviews

Critic Score 63%Based on 1 reviews

A modern revisitation of the 80s arcades. Use your Razerwire to cut through waves of nanobugs with a rogue-like inspired progression. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Razerwire:Nanowars.

27%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, humor

Most mentioned negative aspects:graphics, story

27% User Score Based on 82 reviews

Arcade shoot game inspired on 80’s classics with extra features as you progress. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to GALAXIUM.

The day started out as just another relaxing Sunday drive...  However craters, rocks, mines, road spikes, plummeting asteroids and being bombed by the angry locals who don’t like you driving around their neighbourhood made it less pleasant than normal. Crater Crawler is an arcade game inspired by the classic Moon Patrol, written entirely in NextBASIC (2.07L) for the ZX Spectrum Next.   ---- FYI … If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to CRATER CRAWLER (ZX Spectrum Next).

18%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned negative aspects:graphics, music

25% User Score Based on 24 reviews

Grav Blazer is an arcade space shooter with a focus on fast paced action. Players will experience procedurally generated levels with increasing difficulty. To beat a sector all space bases need to be defeated. Each base will constantly construct enemy ships to defend themselves and the ship type and strength is determined by what sector you are in. Skill based firing mechanics, rotational controll… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Grav Blazer Squared.

Space Junk, the much loved, retro-styled homage to arcade classics, has finally arrived on Steam. This game-play in this 2d Action shooter is fiendishly simple, but fiercely addictive! Steer your player through waves of interstellar junk, pulverising it with your blaster and breaking it down until it's reduced to space dust. Fight your way through 25 increasingly intense levels of action. Aim t… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Space Junk.

89%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:optimization, stability

89% User Score Based on 275 reviews

PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 Emulator If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to PCE.emu (PC Engine Emulator).

94%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, stability

94% User Score Based on 1,422 reviews

Prepare yourself for an insatiable rain of bullets, bombs, and beams in Crimzon Clover. From Japanese indie developer YOTSUBANE, AdventurePlanningService, this unique top-down shooter is a wild ride you won't want to miss out on. Your first step in Crimzon Clover: World Ignition is as simple as choosing how you want to play, and which powerful ship will be yours to command. Choose your mode from … If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Crimzon Clover WORLD IGNITION.

87%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, replayability

92% User Score Based on 763 reviews

Critic Score 72%Based on 2 reviews

As the last surviving tank commander on Earth, single-handedly turn back the evil invading alien army, drive back the Titans across the Solar System, and defeat them on their homeworld... Titan Attacks has the same easy-to-learn and addictive gameplay of the classic arcade shoot 'em up If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Titan Attacks!.

Battle for Asciion is a classic horizontal shoot 'em up built entirely from real text characters. No sprites. No pixels. No images. Just pure ASCII action, massive bosses, weapon upgrades and retro arcade challenge. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Battle for Asciion.

Originally released in the early 1980s for 8-bit home computers, then later ported to 16-bit machines, this unique top-down shooter with text adventure elements saw players take on the role of a time traveller seeking wealth and adventure across a number of different eras of time. Now, relive those days in this remastered emulated version. This is the version of the game originally published for … If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Time Bandit.

A classic maze-munching arcade game!  Eat your way through mazes, slurping up dots, munching on the dopey cube-folk who live in the maze.  As dopey as they are, they don't stay that way - when you've eaten just too many of their dot's, it puts them in a rage!  This game is written entirely in NextBASIC for the ZX Spectrum Next.   It was originally written in 2020 when I first got my next, under th… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to BLOK BOY (ZX Spectrum Next).

93%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:replayability, story

97% User Score Based on 290 reviews

Critic Score 87%Based on 7 reviews

Earthion is a side-scrolling space shooter developed natively for 16-bit systems. Guide space fighter pilot Azusa Takanashi in her fight to repel the alien invaders and save planet Earth. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Earthion.

Last update of the game (ZX Spectrum tape):  1 September 2025 Last update of loaders for various other media:  14 October 2025 (10 October: new versions for Disciple / +D / Uni-DOS, Didaktik 40 / 80 / Kompakt and Wafadrive; 14 October: updated version for TR-DOS, and new versions for Timex FDD and Timex cartridge) This game is for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum computer and is based on the arcade g… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Donkey Kong.

97%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding

97% User Score Based on 465 reviews

◆Story Notari had expected one day she would be separated from her best friend. Nothing prepared her for what happened that day. Did the Institute take away Miroita? Did the military, or the Federation itself? The distinction no longer seemed important. All must pay. Notari desperately fought on. Luciolla, the AI created by Miroita, was Notari's only companion. "Miroita lives" said her. … If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Mirage Feathers.

85%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

90% User Score Based on 648 reviews

Critic Score 81%Based on 17 reviews

The Bug Butcher is an action-packed 2D side scrolling shoot em up game where peril comes from above. So in a nutshell, pest control with machine guns in space. The core mechanics hold old ties from the classic arcade shooter "Super Pang" where you shoot vertically, but with modern day twists. You are Harry, a brash and tenacious exterminator who has a knack for decimating bugs. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to The Bug Butcher.

84%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, grinding

89% User Score Based on 1,052 reviews

Critic Score 85%Based on 11 reviews

You are Roy Becket, a young pilot with dreams of becoming as skilled as his adoptive father. When a galactic war with an ancient mechanical alien race reaches its boiling point, Roy is forced to spring into action and take control of an otherworldly bipedal war machine in hopes of saving what's left of humanity. Joining Roy is a young girl who claims to have escaped the clutches of the nefarious a… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Astebreed.

94%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, monetization

94% User Score Based on 469 reviews

1982 is a FREE retro inspired blasta-thon that will test your gaming skills to the max. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to 1982.

94%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, story

Most mentioned negative aspects:atmosphere, stability

94% User Score Based on 1,861 reviews

Jamestown: Legend Of The Lost Colony is a neo-classical top-down shooter for up to 4 players, set on 17th-century British Colonial Mars. It features all the intensity, depth, and lovingly handcrafted pixels of a classic arcade shooter, with a modern twist: deeply-integrated cooperative gameplay.Unlike most top-down shooters, which give multiple players a shared pool of lives or continues, Jamestow… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Jamestown.

77%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

77% User Score Based on 526 reviews

Critic Score 64%Based on 2 reviews

R-Type has returned! The legendary side-scroller is back and better than ever with beautifully rendered 3D graphics, exhilarating shoot-'em-up gameplay, and a multitude of stages, ships, and weapons that will allow you to conduct a symphony of destruction upon your foes. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to R-Type Final 2.

84%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, replayability

93% User Score Based on 42 reviews

An inferno roars over a destroyed secret military base. Then, from the flaming rubble...an invincible super robot is reborn! Mechs born of advanced science and modern weaponry battle in heavy weight Run 'n Gun mech shooter!! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to MECHBLAZE.

83%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, humor

83% User Score Based on 684 reviews

Cyberhunt is a infinite Twin-Stick Shooter game set on a cyberpunk world. Destroy the asteroids, avoid cops and more on this new take on a classic genre. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Cyberhunt.

95%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, optimization

98% User Score Based on 691 reviews

Critic Score 80%Based on 1 reviews

BLUE REVOLVER is a fresh new shoot-em-up built for newcomers and psychos alike. An adaptive difficulty system tailors the game to your skill level as you fight and flourish to evade the maniac environmental force, "Blue Revolver"! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to BLUE REVOLVER.

88%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, monetization

90% User Score Based on 707 reviews

Critic Score 74%Based on 1 reviews

The legend is back! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Sky Force Anniversary.

80%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:music, story

86% User Score Based on 44 reviews

In the not-so-distant future, the calamity of World War III led to eventual world peace. But, it didn't last. Earth was invaded by alien marauders - the Kretons. Earth's united military force, still depleted after the mighty onslaught of WWIII, was not nearly sufficient to repel the numerous Kreton attacks. It was discovered that the Kretons had used a wormhole to invade our region of space from … If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Major Stryker.

84%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:optimization

87% User Score Based on 244 reviews

Critic Score 80%Based on 4 reviews

Space Invaders Extreme combines the captivating essence of the original game with a stunning alliance of futuristic graphic design and cutting-edge audio. The gameplay experience has been developed to maximise on the consoles' abilities, offering players a whole new range of amazing features including a vast array of new power-ups. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Space Invaders Extreme.

86%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, atmosphere

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, graphics

88% User Score Based on 49 reviews

Zero Wing is a side-scrolling shoot 'em up arcade game, notable for a poorly translated English version for Sega Mega Drive (Genesis) that spawned the "All your base are belong to us" Internet meme. Gameplay includes novel features such as being able to 'tractor' enemy ships, using them to shield your own. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Zero Wing.

78%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, story

92% User Score Based on 36 reviews

Z-Exemplar is a side-scrolling shooter in the tradition of R-Type, Gradius, Nemesis and other classic arcade games from the past. Borrowing its aesthetic from the computers of yesteryear (specifically the Sinclair ZX Spectrum) Z-Exemplar combines bright, bold, 8-bit pixel art with frantic action and an epic mission to conquer a galaxy of almost 1000 planets. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Z-Exemplar.

"Quadron is an original arcade style game for the 48K ZX Spectrum created in the mould of the 1980s Williams classics. Set in the Quadron complex, you are charged with the task of defending the crystals mined by the relentless onset of marauding aliens. Featuring fast arcade style gameplay, multiple weapons, enemies, collectables, powerups, and a pointer based status screen and scanner, the … If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Quadron.

57%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay

88% User Score Based on 16 reviews

Set on a distant mining facility under alien attack, DEFENDOR makes you the last ship to stand up to the alien hordes! One pilot against impossible odds taking on the entire enemy fleet. Just like if we were back in the '80s. Defendor is a arcade, one screen, shoot-em-up, based on Asteroids with the emphasis on "steroids" part! Control a ship that keeps on shooting and gather stars to upgrade you… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Defendor.

``An unknown alien armada from deep space is advancing through the Solar system. Defenders, stop this invasion before Earth falls.`` Advanced Invaders is an arcade shoot 'em up game with a sci-fi campaign through Solar system, multiple weapons, enemies, bosses and other surprises. The player is in control of a ground defence, D-1, vehicle, with the task to shoot down all invading alien formations … If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Advanced Invaders.

Welcome to Validius - a fun and furious shooter written for the Syntax Bomb "Reboot" competition. I'm very proud that this game was the winner of that event. Important information for Mac users. When you have downloaded the zip file then you need to make sure you drag the app into the applications folder before running it else sometimes you get a "game not found" error message when launching it. … If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Validius.

96%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:replayability, story

96% User Score Based on 96 reviews

StoryThirty years have passed since the first battle against the alien menace in Project X. Now, the threat has returned—stronger, smarter, and more relentless than ever. Project X: Light Years brings back high-octane, side-scrolling shoot’em-up action as the official successor to the beloved Amiga classic. Crafted by passionate fans and shaped through close collaboration with players and m… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Project X: Light Years.

70%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

100% User Score Based on 21 reviews

In Atomanta, you step into the role of Taria Takara, a space pirate on a mission to recover a highly valuable artifact hidden on the planet Azavuraz. Armed with the powerful Atomic Manta warship, Taria finally has a chance to claim the bounty and pay off the debts from her previous handlers. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Atomanta.

86%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:optimization, stability

86% User Score Based on 93 reviews

Painted In Blood is currently in development. A Love Letter To All My Beloved FPS Games With 30 years single-player FPS gaming history, I created this game with my whole life's passion, I want to use this game to express my love to the FPS genre, let you adventure through a strange world full of dangers, imagination and excitement; kill eerie monsters from your weirdest dreams with badass wea… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Painted In Blood.

85%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, story

85% User Score Based on 129 reviews

You are a space trooper. Somehow you got to the enemy territory, and you should wait for your squad to get out of here! But only God knows when will they arrive to you! They will send you bonuses for killed enemies to longer your life till they arrive. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Alien Attack.

87%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

88% User Score Based on 609 reviews

Critic Score 82%Based on 1 reviews

Steredenn is a frenetic and chaotic space shooter, carved in big beautiful pixels, with insane boss battles. Embark in your ship and engage the fight against dreadful space pirates in a never-ending combat for your survival. Steredenn is at the crossroads between a shmup and a rogue-like. Enjoy the infinite replayability of the game with its unforgiving gameplay, intense boss fights, (almost) ran… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Steredenn.

69%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, story

69% User Score Based on 78 reviews

Space. Anomalies. Throw down a challenge to mad alien mutants in dynamic firefights with continuous injection of adrenaline! Get ready for the most unforgettable and enchanting space confrontation of all time! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to DEEP SPACE ANOMALY.

68%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:optimization, stability

73% User Score Based on 44 reviews

TERRORhythm - the music powered beat 'em up game. Follow the rhythm of music to defeat the security systems that keep any sound from the society. You are here to challenge and break the total muted control system. You are the TERRORhythm! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Terrorhythm.

73%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, stability

73% User Score Based on 371 reviews

DSP is side-scrolling, roguelike, shoot 'em up set in the Starr Mazer universe. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Starr Mazer: DSP.

74%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:optimization, story

74% User Score Based on 977 reviews

Way over in the big void of space live some aliens. They coveted your planet and would do anything to live there. So what's your planet to do? Yeah, blast through them all! Face off against waves of enemies, bosses, giant laser planets, blackholes, wormholes, massive lasers, planets and asteroids across 12 game modes! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Really Big Sky.

74%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:replayability, grinding

74% User Score Based on 102 reviews

The Hurricane of the Varstray is a vertically scrolling shoot'em up with a SF story: in the distant future, to defend the Earth against the invasion of mystery mechanical structures, 4 girls head to "the Varstray sector," far away from the Earth and considered as the villain. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to The Hurricane of the Varstray: Collateral hazard.

91%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, music

94% User Score Based on 48 reviews

"MISSILE CARDS is an intense turn-based defense card game inspired by the retro Atari classic Missile Command. Arm your defenses and blast away flaming death orbs, nuclear warheads, and other hazards hurtling down from space. High replay and lots of unlockables!" If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Missile Cards.

90%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

90% User Score Based on 494 reviews

Shred the skies to pieces in Furious Angels, an endless shooter with flying tanks, leaderboards and different waves each day! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Furious Angels.

42%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned negative aspects:graphics, stability

48% User Score Based on 40 reviews

Create your own professional quality videogames without any programming or scripting using a simple yet powerful drag-and-drop interface. With the Shoot Em Up Kit a simple game can be created in just a few seconds while lighting, camera views, behaviours, physics settings, shaders, particle effects and AI can be created and modified to fine-tune a complex game. Royalty-free stand-alone executable… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Shoot 'Em Up Kit.

97%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

97% User Score Based on 3,453 reviews

A throwback to the classic quarter eating arcade games of the 80's. Bit Blaster XL is a retro styled, addictive, and fast paced arcade shoot 'em up! (shmup). If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Bit Blaster XL.

82%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:optimization, replayability

82% User Score Based on 160 reviews

Horizon Shift is an explosive wave based, single screen shooter, with a ton of new ideas and platformer elements. Do what it takes to protect your horizon from the ever encroaching enemy attack! Use the unique risk reward multiplier system to maximise power-ups, build your bomb and destroy EVERYTHING! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Horizon Shift.

97%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

97% User Score Based on 296 reviews

Beat Invaders is a cool space Shoot-Em-Up. Blast your way through enemy fleets! Upgrade your ship with rockets & armor! Defeat the final boss! All to flashy neon musically charged visuals! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Beat Invaders.

85%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

85% User Score Based on 398 reviews

Super Cyborg is an old school non-stop hardcore run'n'gun action game! You are an elite battle cyborg who is sent in to investigate a series of anomalies on a mysterious island. The merciless alien known as the 'Xirxul life form' has been awakened by unwitting scientists and now: all humanity is in danger! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Super Cyborg.

56%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, replayability

59% User Score Based on 120 reviews

Critic Score 49%Based on 3 reviews

Zotrix is a modern take on the classic arcade shooter. The game introduces resource trading economy and system of upgrades between number of space stations bringing the classic experience into modern generation. Aliens are attacking and Solar Division Command needs You! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Zotrix.