What is shmup?

Shmup is short for "shoot 'em up," a subgenre of video games where the player controls a character or vehicle to shoot at a continuous stream of enemies while dodging their attacks. These games typically feature a top-down or side-scrolling perspective and are known for their fast-paced action and challenging gameplay.

Shmups often require players to have quick reflexes and sharp hand-eye coordination to navigate through increasingly difficult levels filled with swarms of enemies and intense boss battles. Power-ups and upgrades can be collected to enhance the player's weapons and abilities.

Some popular examples of shmup games include classics like Space Invaders, Galaga, and Raiden, as well as more modern titles like Touhou Project, Ikaruga, and Cuphead.

Shmups have a dedicated fan base and are considered to be a challenging yet rewarding genre of video games for those looking for a fast-paced and action-packed experience.