My journey into gaming began with classic platformers, but it didn’t take long to delve into the thrilling realm of run & gun games. However, mastering these games was a much longer road.
Initially, I struggled with NES Contra while playing with my babysitter, often facing quick defeat. Later, my friend and I honed our skills on Contra III: The Alien Wars and eventually improved our gameplay with Contra: Shattered Soldier.
This development transformed me from a casual player to an ardent fan of the genre. Fast forward a couple of decades, and I’m excited to share my curated selection of the best run & gun platformers released in recent history.
If I were limited to older titles, Contra would dominate the list, showcasing its undeniable influence. However, we’re gearing up to feature both nostalgia and innovation as we suit up to tackle the enemy forces in this adrenaline-fueled guide!
10 Contra: Operation Galuga
Back to Basics
Despite the iconic status of Contra, many might wonder why it’s positioned at the bottom of my list. The reason is straightforward: Contra’s golden years have passed, overshadowed by legendary titles like Contra III, Shattered Soldier, Contra 4, and Hard Corps.
Nevertheless, the legacy of run & gun gaming is incomplete without mentioning Operation Galuga, the latest addition to the franchise. This title offers a compelling blend of classic challenge and modern conveniences.
Thanks to the creative efforts by WayForward, you’ll find exciting features such as voice acting, a diverse cast of characters, unique abilities, and explosive Overload attacks. While the game shines in multiplayer mode, it also delivers an engaging single-player experience.
Throughout Operation Galuga’s eight levels, mastering timing and evading attacks will be key to your success. It’s a jubilant adventure that will keep you on your toes!
9 Mighty Goose
The Goose is Loose!
Games like Mighty Goose showcase the incredible artistry of Richard Lems, who also worked on KUNAI. Lems brings to life a vibrant, energetic world that feels reminiscent of classic arcades.
This title captivated me with its seamless blend of rapid-paced gameplay, thrilling boss encounters akin to Mischief Makers, and laugh-out-loud humor.
Prepare to dash around, avoid enemy fire, charge your Mighty Meter, and unleash havoc on adversaries. The game even allows for cooperative gameplay, the use of powerful secondary weapons, and the thrill of riding colossal machines.
While it has some minor audio issues and may feel a bit frantic, if you appreciate high-octane fun with a quirky premise, team up with this courageous goose to confront the sinister Void King!
8 Mechstermination Force
Destroy the MegaMechs
The Contra series is renowned for its monumental boss battles, and Hörberg Productions embraces this tradition with their title, Mechstermination Force. This game is dedicated entirely to taking down colossal, multi-layered bosses.
Though I initially expected a different experience from the developer behind Gunman Clive, I was thrilled by the inventive gameplay. In this title, each level revolves around confronting a gigantic MegaMech, requiring you to either pursue them across expansive stages or engage them in contained spaces.
Mastering their unique attack patterns is essential and strategically using newly acquired gear like Magnet Gloves and Boost Boots can make all the difference in your battles against these formidable foes.
7 Broforce
Do It For ‘Murica
While Contra is notorious for its explosive action, Broforce adds a delightful twist by introducing parody elements to the mix.
This game presents a humorous take on American tropes long before it became a trend, and it offers a chaotic blend of single-player and competitive modes that promises abundant fun.
With a plethora of unique characters, each equipped with specialized weapons, there’s no shortage of gameplay diversity. While the main campaign is brief, the inclusion of a level editor boosts replayability significantly, allowing users to experience countless player-generated scenarios.
As an explosive sandbox, every element can be destroyed, enabling on-the-fly strategic madness or simply a chance to vent some stress. A win-win for fans of the genre!
6 Guns of Fury
A Furious Metroidvania
| Platform | PC, Nintendo Switch |
| Publisher | Gelato Games Ltd. |
| Genre | Run & Gun; Metroidvania |
| Release Date | February 13, 2025 |
Among the titles in my selection, Guns of Fury is the most contemporary entry. It distinguishes itself as a hybrid game that intertwines run & gun elements with the exploration-focused Metroidvania style.
While Omega Strike first blended these genres in 2017, Guns of Fury represents the most accomplished integration of these differing styles.
You take on the role of Vincent Fury, tasked with reclaiming the stolen Tetra Cell, meant to alleviate an energy crisis but instead utilized to produce war machines.
The gameplay is a whirlwind of action, featuring wide-open environments to explore, acquiring new tools to unlock distant areas, multiple endings, destructible walls hiding treasures, and formidable mechs to obliterate enemies. A truly engaging offering from Gelato Games Ltd.
5 Metal Slug X
The Mightiest of Slugs
No discussion of run & gun games would be complete without Metal Slug, a series that excels in gunplay over running styles. Despite any debates over which title reigns supreme, Metal Slug X stands out as a remarkable choice.
This remaster of Metal Slug 2 introduces new visual dynamics, enhanced weaponry, and character transformations, along with quirky foes like Mummy Dogs to fight through.
As you traverse the bombastic world on foot or riding your trusty tank, each level teems with challenges, providing endless entertainment. Here’s hoping for future modern adaptations beyond the current ACA NEOGEO release!
4 Iron Meat
Fresh Meaty Violence
The narrative of Iron Meat unfolds as the sentient Meat, capable of merging with biological and mechanical entities, escapes a laboratory on the Moon, unleashing chaos everywhere.
In the role of the hero, Vadim, players must fend off relentless waves of mutant adversaries, ranging from human-like foes to colossal train monsters.
Similar to Contra, Iron Meat provides an array of weaponry to dispatch adversaries and face powerful bosses, leading to an epic showdown against the very embodiment of the Meat itself. It’s a stellar modern homage to retro gaming!
3 Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider
From JoyMasher With Love
While run & gun games typically involve firearms, the genre fundamentally captures a high-energy, fast-paced spirit.Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider embodies this essence seamlessly.
Here, you embody a revenge-fueled super soldier, rebelling against your creators to dismantle a totalitarian regime.As you seek vengeance, modifier chips can influence your gameplay style, enhancing the frenetic combat system.
Equipped with a katana and acrobatic agility, you have everything required to annihilate enemies on your mission of liberation. An exemplary showcase of JoyMasher’s retro creativity!
2 Cuphead
Deal With the Devil
Although both Mechstermination Force and Cuphead center around boss battles, Cuphead elevates the experience to an unparalleled level.
In this challenging escapade, players must conquer a series of audacious bosses while navigating classic run & gun platforming elements that culminate in a dramatic confrontation with the Devil.
The game’s unique art style, reminiscent of 1930s cartoons paired with a captivating Big Band soundtrack, enhances the gameplay experience — even amidst repeated failures.
Despite its notorious difficulty, Cuphead reflects the core contract of run-and-gun titles: learn the patterns, and victory will follow, with the added perk of equipping new weapons and powerful super moves.
1 Blazing Chrome
Go Down in a Blaze of Glory
Concluding on a high note, I present Blazing Chrome as the pinnacle of JoyMasher’s craft and a remarkable tribute to the heritage of run & gun platformers epitomized by Contra.
The game’s premise resonates strongly, showcasing a narrative where an AI-driven robot army threatens humanity, compelling the remaining forces to resist and reclaim their future.
With the ability to lock your gunfire in various directions, the game features exhilarating bike rides, mecha combat, and epic boss encounters that nod to the Contra legacy.
Though each level is compact, the diversity in enemy designs and level aesthetics ensures that players are never bored. If you have any love for run & gun platformers, Blazing Chrome is an essential experience!
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