Ikaruga Classic Co-op
Best Sega Dreamcast shoot 'em ups
The Matrix has 28 shoot 'em ups on file for the Sega Dreamcast, released between 1999–2015. 12 of them support multiplayer, including 5 with co-op. They're ranked below by legacy score, so the games that shaped the genre on the Dreamcast come first, with lesser-known picks further down.
Shoot 'em ups (shmups) put you in a ship facing waves of enemies and bullets. Runs are short and intense, and the goal is to survive, collect power-ups and push your high score.
Typical commitment: quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun). Tip: Focus on your ship's small hitbox rather than the flood of bullets, and learn which power-ups suit each stage. Most shmups are designed to be replayed many times.
Giga Wing Classic
The House of the Dead 2 Co-op
Trizeal Deep cut
Twinkle Star Sprites Deep cut
Last Hope Deep cut
Chaos Field Deep cut
Gunbird 2 Deep cut Co-op
Zero Gunner 2 Deep cut Co-op
Millennium Soldier: Expendable Deep cut
Under Defeat Deep cut
Centipede Deep cut
Silent Scope Deep cut
Radirgy Deep cut
Psyvariar 2 Deep cut
Sturmwind Deep cut
Castle Shikigami 2 Deep cut Co-op
Fast Striker Deep cut
Gunlord Deep cut
NEO XYX Deep cut
DUX Deep cut
Ghost Blade Deep cut
Shoot 'em ups on other systems
Jaguar shoot 'em upsN64 shoot 'em ups32X shoot 'em upsSaturn shoot 'em upsPS1 shoot 'em ups3DO shoot 'em ups