Image via Complex Original
Shooters and top-down bullet hell games are a dime a dozen.
Enthusiasts of the shoot 'em up (schmups) genre have plenty to choose from. They're known for being devilishly difficult, however, so there's a sampling of particularly punishing shoot-'em-ups out there to bring any experienced player to their knees.
To commemorate the release of one particularly excellent shooter, Mamorukun Curse!, we've rounded up ten of the most difficult shoot-'em-up/bullet hell games around. Check out our choices and let us know if you've got any other suggestions to add.
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10. Undead Line
Release date: 1991
Publisher: PAL Soft
Undead Line is for hardcore players only, and though some of its frustration stems from your character's movement speed. All the enemies on the horizon are triple the speed of your character, and they're all coming at you at top speed and full force -- it's hard to keep track of what all is going on, let alone fight back. But conquer that, and you can consider yourself a formidable challenger.
9. Radiant Silvergun
Release date: 1998
Publisher: Sega
Treasure's most popular schmup is a classic, and if you're into the genre at all it's certain you've likely heard of it. Unlike many other similar games, it packs a memorable narrative with frutratingly difficult stages, and we love every single second. Chaining enemies and racking up bonuses are the key to victory here, especially since there are no power-ups available.
8. Battle Garegga
Release date: 1998
Publisher: Raizing
This Sega Saturn/Arcade vertical shooter is from the late '90s, but it's unique in that it trades colorful design and bullets for realistic shades and bullets that are shaded as they would be in real life. It's also got a system that increases the difficulty rank when players die. Players are forced to go through the game in a manner that keeps them underpowered and ultra-conservative. Think you're tough enough for it?
7. R-Type
Release date: 1987
Publisher: Sega
This classic is certainly one that many have tried, but its popularity doesn't cover up how hard it can actually be. Don't discount it just because you've played one or two iterations, including the excellent R-Type Dimensions of the 2000s.
6. Mushihimesama Futari: Ultra Mode
Release date: 2006
Publisher: Cave
The most difficult mode of Mushihimesama Futari is recognized as one of the tougheset single-loop shooters of all time, and for good reason. The sequel to Cave's Mushihimesama is rife with insects, crabs, and other strange creatures that want you dead. Dense enemy fire, increased bullet speed, and incredibly tough boss fights are appended to the final boss if you can somehow manage to reach the end without burning up a continue.
5. Espgaluda II
Release date: 2005
Publisher: Cave
Another from Cave's excellent stable of shooters, Espgaluda II is a manic adventure that's a hellish mix of combo-scoring and energy absorption. Effectively swapping between different energy types like Ikaruga is only part of the reason this contender is so high on our list, however. Try it out and you'll see. Deathsmiles this is not.
4. Viewpoint
Release date: 1992
Publisher: SNK
SNK's 1992 Neo-Geo shooter has only 6 stages, but they're a bear to complete, especially considering the amount of enemy fire and oncoming threats. It's an oldie but a goodie, and one schmup you should investigate if more current selections just aren't tough enough for you. That's saying a lot. Do you really want to be this aggravated?
3. Ibara
Release date: 2005
Publisher: Cave
Cave's 2005 arcade shooter is a barrage of bullets and blasts amidst gorgeous characters and scenery, adn it's so deliciously hard you can't help but love it. A real-time ranking system adjusts as players acquire more items and deal more damage, changing the landscape and upping the difficulty for players who fancy themselves experts.
2. Image Fight
Release date: 1988
Publisher: Irem
This top-down arcade shooter from the '80s is an austere trip through the heyday of gaming. Released one year after R-Type, this punishing classic has plenty to offer for those looking for a layer of strategy beyond that of unending waves of enemies. The red and blue pods that accompany your ship beg for split-second decisions that kindle that good old-fashioned fire for harder levels.
1. Ikaruga
Release date: 2001
Publisher: Sega
The spiritual successor to Radiant Silvergun is rough, and reversing the polarity on the fly is part of what makes the journey such a difficult one. Same-color bullets can be absorbed and expended as laser beams and other attack patterns, but even when you've mastered these skills you've still got to worry about memorizing more difficult stages. All these years later, it's still moving grown gamers to tears of frustration.