Fire Shark (2023)

Developer: Bitwave Games, Toaplan
Publisher: Clear River Games
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Genres: Action
Rating: 4.5 of 5, 22 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 57 minutes
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

More games like this

How it feels

Rapid-fire vertical shmup with homing missiles and bombs, offering arcade intensity softened by a beginner mode and quick saves.

arcadechaoticfast-pacedintenseretroscore attackforgiving

What players say

Players call Fire Shark a classic Toaplan shooter that stays true to the arcade original, complete with multiple regional versions and modern features like rewind and autofire. The base game is absurdly hard, but an easy mode gives less skilled players a way through. Opinions split on the port quality, with some praising its accuracy and others saying the emulation falls short.

Screenshots

More games like this

More by Embracer Group

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.