Best PS5 Twin-Stick Shooter Games

Twin-stick shooters have become a rare commodity in this day and age. The genre rose to prominence during the '80s with games like Robotron: 2084, while the '90s saw the genre become a staple of arcades through games like Smash T.V. And Total Carnage. Nowadays, these shooters have generally evolved into roguelikes, with games like The Binding of Isaac and Enter the Gungeon representing the peak of this transformation's potential.

RELATED: Roguelikes to Play After Returnal

While not spoilt for choice, PS5 owners do have a few traditional twin-stick shooters to pick from, mostly courtesy of the console's backward compatibility. For those people yearning to dodge bullets and unleash chaos from a top-down perspective, they should check out the best twin-stick shooters on the PS5.

Updated September 23, 2023 by Mark Sammut: Nowadays, if someone wants to play a twin-stick shooter, they will likely need to prioritize PC gaming since most of the genre's releases are found on Steam. However, console-only gamers have a few options as well, even if new PS5 twin-stick shooters do not come out very often.

1 Nex Machina

Released in 2017 for the PS4 and PC, Nex Machina doesn't shake up the formula for twin-stick shooters, opting to just do the basics extremely well. Set in a world where machines have taken over, players blast their way through wave after wave of cybernetic enemies.

Although simple on the surface, Nex Machina hides quite a bit of depth. As players grow more familiar with the weapons and power-ups at their disposal, they become more efficient in battle, resulting in a progressively more enjoyable experience. The game also looks fantastic.

2 Darksiders Genesis

It has become a tradition for the Darksiders franchise to switch things up with each new entry, and Genesis marks the most significant shift in the series. As War and Strife, players rampage their way through a gloriously over-the-top narrative filled with solid banter between the characters.

The combat comes in two forms: War is all about melee attacks while Strife is the long-range gunman. Consequently, the latter will likely be more appealing to twin-stick shooter fans; that said, Darksiders Genesis is at its best when both characters are used to full effect.

3 The Ascent

Even though there are PS5 twin-stick shooters, native releases for the console are unfortunately quite rare. These types of games are simply not that popular in this day and age, although fans might get a kick out of third-person shooters like Returnal or even Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart. One of the genre's few PS5 offerings is The Ascent, a cyberpunk action RPG that originally debuted as an Xbox console exclusive. While garnering a somewhat mixed reception, the game has a number of positives that make it a worthwhile recommendation.

For one, The Ascent does a great job of bringing to life Veles, a dense dystopian city. The gunplay is, for the most part, solid, although it moves at a slightly slower pace than traditional twin-stick shooters. As this is an RPG, players have access to a fairly robust progression system that allows the gameplay to morph throughout the campaign.

4 God's Trigger

Twin-stick shooters are all about the gameplay. Sure, some titles do put more of an emphasis on story, but the vast majority just unleash players on thousands of enemies and tell them to kill everyone. God's Trigger takes the latter approach.

RELATED: Best Twin Stick Shooters On The Nintendo Switch

A demon and angel decide to work together to put a stop to hell's forces. So, they massacre their way through an apocalypse. Addictive, enjoyable, and difficult, God's Trigger doesn't have a single dull moment, and its positives are amplified when played in co-op.

5 Iron Crypticle

Released in 2017, Iron Crypticle is a stellar representative of the twin-stick shooter genre. Not only is it irresistibly fun to play but the game also manages to keep players coming back for more despite its rather high difficulty level. Iron Crypticle can be overwhelming, cumbersome, and frustrating; however, these elements combine to create an experience that demands to be overcome rather than abandoned.

Iron Crypticle is not the best game for newcomers to the genre, but it is a title that veterans should eventually try their hands at.

6 Ruiner

A cyberpunk delight, Ruiner boasts a red-tinged aesthetic that is very eye-catching, setting itself apart from most other twin-stick shooters. Along with looking great, Ruiner is also a blast to control, offering a plethora of weapons and abilities for players to mess around with.

Twin-stick shooters live and die by how satisfying their minute-by-minute gameplay feels, something Ruiner gets right through its detailed and explosive animations. The narrative doesn't cover any new ground for cyberpunk, but it serves as a fine backdrop for the action.

7 Assault Android Cactus

Witch Beam created something special with Assault Android Cactus, a twin-stick shooter that is welcoming to newcomers while still offering a substantial challenge. Players select from a number of androids who all come with different playstyles, and they set out on a short campaign that demands to be replayed so higher scores are earned. Assault Android Cactus very much feels like an arcade-style experience.

RELATED: Underrated Shooters That Came Out In The Last 5 Years

A fun game that allows a bit more room for error due to death not being the end, Assault Android Cactus is a great place to start for PS5 owners looking to try their hands at twin-stick shooters.

8 The Riftbreaker

A PS5 release rather than a PS4 title that can run on its successor, The Riftbreaker is an ambitious game that sticks its fingers in many pies. It is a survival game with a focus on building bases and protecting them similar to a tower defense title. The effectiveness of the player's mecha is directly tied to a number of RPG systems. And, when the action gets going, The Riftbreaker becomes a twin-stick shooter.

Such a scattershot approach could have readily backfired, resulting in a messy game that does too many things for its own good. However, The Riftbreaker's pieces come together surprisingly well, crafting an experience unlike any other on the PS5.

9 Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved

Debuting in 2003, Geometry Wars has been a consistent source of great twin-stick shooters. The latest new entry, 2014's Geometry 3: Dimensions was a respectable continuation for the series. This entry's selling point was the inclusion of 3D shapes that act as the battlefields for players, but the release was a bit lacking in variety.

2015's Geometry 3: Dimensions Evolved addressed this issue, offering a whole lot more levels along with new companions and even a "Hardcore" mode. Geometry 3: Dimensions Evolved serves as a testament to the timelessness of the twin-stick shooter genre. The gameplay isn't significantly different from 2003's original, yet, it doesn't feel dated.

10 Helldivers Dive Harder Edition

As close to a perfect modern twin-stick shooter as they come, Helldivers Dive Harder Edition is the type of game that can keep someone coming back for months on end. A galactic war acts as the canvas for the game's chaos, and Helldivers makes sure to bestow its soldiers with as many tools as possible so they can take on the wide array of enemies that await.

Helldivers' gameplay is a lot of fun even at its simplest, but its longevity comes down to the game's robust arsenal system. There are so many things to unlock and, more importantly, they are worth the effort. On February 8, 2024, Helldivers 2 will be making its way to the PS5.

MORE: First-Person Shooters That Never Got Sequels (But Really Need One)