First-person shooters have come a long way since the days of MIDI Maze and Doom. Full 3D meshes are used instead of 2D sprites, dial-up internet isn't needed to compete with others, and the variety of game types in FPS games easily trump what was available decades ago. All of that said, most FPS games still take inspiration from these classic games.

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Deemed "arena shooters" by most, this subgenre of FPS focuses on weapon pickups, map control, and a massive skill ceiling. A dead genre by today's standards, arena shooters set the groundwork for most FPS titles today and are still worth experiencing. Of course, while arena shooters might be nowhere near as popular as they used to be, this doesn't mean that fans aren't spoiled for choice when it comes to checking one of the many games that encompass this bracket and are pretty enjoyable in their own right!

Updated on October 6, 2023 by Ritwik Mitra: Arena shooters are slowly but surely dying out, which is a shame for players who loved the arcade-y nature of this experience. However, there are many classic games in this genre that fans can enjoy, and it helps that the rise of indie gaming has allowed imaginative developers to add their own unique spin to this genre too! This means that players can definitely have a great time checking out one of the many arena shooters around that promote boundless fun over realism.

23 Turok: Rage Wars

During the late 90s and early 2000s, several arena shooters cropped up after games like Doom and Quake became mainstream. With console gaming supporting the FPS genre since the release of GoldenEye 007, many other titles were released on these mainstream consoles that aimed to cash in on the hype.

One such title was Turok: Rage Wars, released on the Nintendo 64 and featuring a robust multiplayer mode that was a blast to play at the time. If players get the opportunity to play this title now, they shouldn't miss out on this opportunity... especially if there are more players willing to give this title a shot. Another version of this title was released on the Game Boy Color, although its storyline and gameplay were quite different from its home console iteration.

22 Cube

The moniker of a free-to-play game causes many doubts to creep up into the minds of people who simply aren't confident in such releases given their track record. However, in earlier times, any free game that became even slightly popular was worth checking out because the fame alone made it clear that these games did something right, and Cube is no exception to this golden rule.

The game was mostly known for the engine it was based on, but Cube itself was a pretty fun arena shooter that fans of the genre could check out. The sequel, Cube 2: Sauerbraten, was even better, with its advanced engine being to develop titles like Red Eclipse.

21 Warsow

With Quake's titles dying out as more and more modern FPS multiplayer games took over the limelight instead, many fans were sad that their beloved arena shooters would not see the light of day anymore. This is where Warsow decided to pick up the pieces, implementing many of the unique gameplay features from the Quake series while adding unique additions of its own.

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The end result is a great arena shooter that is still receiving updates to this day. Warsow may not be the most popular shooter around, but it definitely scratches the itch left behind by the arena shooters of yore and features enough depth that players can get hooked on this title for hours on end if not more.

20 Quake Champions

Quake Champions was a game released to satiate the demands of players who wanted to check out a classic arena shooter with modern graphics and sensibilities. While the game does lack in some departments, Quake Champions is a pretty competent title that any fan of the genre should check out.

The abilities of different characters are fun to use, while the gameplay itself is solid. The free-to-play model means that more people can check this game out, although this does come at the cost of slow and uninteresting progression.

19 Doom Eternal

The sequel to 2016's Doom tried to be bigger, bolder, and better in every way possible. While some people didn't like the sheer amount of gameplay mechanics that players needed to juggle in this title, the majority of this game's reception was positive.

The classic designs of enemies in Doom Eternal made the game feel more retro and engaging than ever before. This, coupled with the massive arsenal of weapons Doomguy has access to, makes Doom Eternal one of the best single-player arena shooters around.

18 Overwatch 2

Overwatch 2 is a classic example of what modern arena shooters feel like. The focus on short and intense multiplayer matches coupled with the addition of unique heroes makes for a great time indeed.

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While Overwatch 2 has been slightly disappointing, players still have hope for this sequel to turn things around. Blizzard is a company that hasn't really generated a ton of confidence in fans with their recent string of controversies and game releases, and Overwatch 2 simply needs to improve exponentially if they wish to convince fans that shutting down the first game's servers was the right way to go.

17 Xonotic

This free-to-play romp from Team Xontic isn't exactly a household name, but it's often been regarded as one of the most underrated PC shooters in recent years.

Even if it's a bit rough around the edges, the gameplay shines with some tight mechanics, ample action, and loads of multiplayer options. With its fast-paced nature and wild physics, Xonotic channels that classic Unreal vibe while still doing its own thing.

A slew of fun futuristic weapons can be wielded within various sci-fi stages to zap and blast foes into oblivion. A whopping sixteen game modes round out this FPS, and range from more typical capture the flag and deathmatch to a Rocket League-esque soccer showdown.

16 Toxikk

Reakktor Studios classifies the look and feel of this one as a spiritual successor to what many consider the "golden age" of the FPS; games of the late '90s and early 2000s. The few that have unearthed this hidden gem would likely agree — as TOXIKK's environments and map layouts resemble classics like Quake, GoldenEye, and even Turok.

While the game is one among many indie attempts at the arena shooter revival, TOXIKK stands out for its solid mechanics, pretty visuals, and authentic recapturing of Unreal Tournament 2004. Not only this, but the weapon arsenal is particularly fun to play around with, featuring everything from flak cannons to flamethrowers.

15 Serious Sam: The First Encounter

It would be hard to talk about arena shooters without mentioning Serious Sam, a classic franchise that many fans of retro shooters still love to this day. The fact that this game received a fourth entry in the modern era was a treat for fans... even if the gameplay itself wasn't particularly exciting.

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Regardless, the first two Serious Sam games did a great job of letting players fight tough enemies in massive arenas, making for a great time as players shot down hordes of baddies. It wasn't complicated by any stretch of the imagination... but it didn't need to be.

14 TimeSplitters 2

This surprise hit from 2002 is often considered a spiritual successor to GoldenEye 007, despite TimeSplitters 2's cartoony aurora and alien premise being pretty far removed from the Rare classic. It makes sense, as Free Radical Design, the studio behind the game, finds itself home to several refugees of the British studio.

The comparisons can certainly be made — from the super fun split-screen multiplayer to the memorable campaign and solid mechanics. TimeSplitters, and this more robust sequel, truly shine when being pitted against three other friends in a variety of colorful maps. The nifty option to customize several elements and throw in up to ten AI bots helps mix things up and adds to the entertaining chaos.

The game even offers a relatively user-friendly map maker, as well as a System Link functionality (sans the GameCube version) for sixteen-player anarchy.

13 Ultrakill

Indie gaming has been a breath of fresh air in an industry where most AAA developers seldom take major risks. Most titles simply follow a template to earn as much money as possible, while indie gaming promotes creativity as many developers take risks to allow for engaging gameplay loops.

Such is the case with Ultrakill, an old-school FPS that harkens back to the good old days of arena shooters. The game is pretty challenging, and players need to be on the move at all times while accurately hitting enemies with well-placed shots to clear a level by the skin of their teeth.

12 Half-Life 2: Deathmatch

Shortly after the renowned Half-Life 2, studio Valve kept its momentum churning with this appealing multiplayer expansion. Deathmatch taps into the same mechanics and source code that provided the solid foundation for Half-Life 2 while amping up the excitement and replayability with fun arena face-offs.

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The use of special abilities, weapon spawn points, and instant respawn give a unique feel that's both frantic and strategic. This is further intensified by a competitive team deathmatch option, which even offers a friendly fire mode for those who seek a bit more challenge.

11 Halo 3

This iconic FPS series largely solidified its legend with its Xbox 360 debut. Halo 3 draws from the gripping sci-fi premise and appealing gameplay of its predecessors while prettying up the visuals and loading it with more fun content. Bungie somewhat rolls with the mantra of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" with Master Chief's third outing, bringing back various Halo staples and multiplayer options.

At the same time, added elements like new vehicles and equipment are sprinkled in, along with a more robust, dynamic multiplayer mode. The result is an FPS masterpiece that still holds up today.

10 Doom (1993)

Doom was the franchise that sparked the hyper-competitive arena shooter genre. While Wolfenstein 3D and MIDI Maze were the first games in the FPS genre, Doom 1993 was the first game to truly embrace the genre's speed and momentum.

Firing devastating weapons was complimented by Doom Marine's incredible speed and intricate level design. Instead of fighting enemies with hit-scan attacks, players could dodge projectiles from enemy demons. These core tenants would form the arena shooter genre. Its multiplayer component might have aged poorly by today's standards, but Doom's campaign is still as much fun to play today as it was back in 1993.

9 Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy

The Star Wars Jedi Knight franchise carries the same spirit of arena shooters but places emphasis more on lightsaber duels than on using weapons. These games still have weapon pickups for players to find, but they are complementary to the franchise's excellent melee combat.

Every player gets to use various Force powers, weapons, and a custom lightsaber to take on dozens of foes either in either single-player or multiplayer arenas. Emphasis on map control is still present since positioning can help open an opponent's guard, allowing for an easy kill. Impeccable control and a high skill gap make this the best Star Wars game with lightsaber combat ever made.

8 Doom (2016)

After Doom 3 and RAGE were released, many fans questioned if id Software still had the same magic they did back during the '90s. Expectations for their Doom reboot were considerably low considering the lackluster multiplayer beta.

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id knocked it out of the park. While the multiplayer component might not have landed, Doom 2016's single-player is one of the best campaigns the arena genre has ever seen. It brilliantly dismantled every common trope with the FPS genre while simultaneously setting a few trends of its own. Doom's Glory Kill system and push-forward combat proved to be a major success that some FPS titles have unashamedly copied. Ripping and tearing through hordes of demons has never felt so good.

7 GoldenEye 007

Rare's GoldenEye 007 would change the FPS genre forever with its single-player innovations and fantastic split-screen multiplayer — a feature that was almost cut. Instead of flying through levels with a rocket launcher, players had to strategize how to complete levels with GoldenEye's various side objectives. Manually aiming weapons was also a great addition that would lay the groundwork for what Perfect Dark would bring to the genre.

However, what made this game truly legendary was its multiplayer component. Four-player split-screen deathmatch was a blast as most would expect, but Rare also included unique modifiers named scenarios that fundamentally changed gameplay. The Man with the Golden Gun and The Living Daylights remain some of the most engaging alterations to the deathmatch formula the genre has seen.

6 DUSK

Not every arena shooter needs to have a triple-A budget to succeed in today's gaming landscape. No better example of this exists than DUSK, a fast-paced arena shooter developed by David Szymanski. Taking inspiration from classic arena shooters, DUSK brilliantly delivers a chaotic single-player campaign that harkens back to the older era of shooters.

DUSK doesn't rely on 90's nostalgia to deliver its vision, either. Every level, every gun, every encounter feels well-crafted and modern while simultaneously having as much over-the-top cheese as one would expect. Players can deflect projectiles with a sickle, shoot two-lever action shotguns at once, and move through arenas at incredible speeds. While DUSK might not bring any major innovations to the genre, it is such a superb arena shooter that it deserves a place amongst the giants it was inspired by.

5 Unreal Tournament 2004

Unreal Tournament 2004 needs no introduction for most arena shooter fans. This game is the pinnacle of party-play FPS titles. Instead of relying on a tightly balanced sandbox to win genre enthusiasts, Unreal Tournament 2004 focused on a plethora of game types and unique weapons.

Capture the Flag, Invasion, Onslaught, and the iconic Assault are just a few modes that this game has to offer. Vehicular combat and varied weapons complimented the game's variety of maps and modes nicely. Additions such as dashing also allowed newer players to avoid attacks while increasing the skill gap. For casual arena shooters, it's almost impossible to top UT 2004.

4 Perfect Dark

Despite GoldenEye 007's multiplayer component being nearly cut from the final game, it proved to be one of the game's largest selling points. With Perfect Dark being developed with multiplayer in mind from the start, Rare had an opportunity to improve on their last iteration and deliver something truly special.

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Perfect Dark is an improvement over GoldenEye 007 in almost every way. Better weapons, multiplayer levels, and a dizzying amount of customization options are here for the player to experience. While GoldenEye feels dated by modern standards, Perfect Dark is still a joy to play even today. That is if players can deal with the Nintendo 64 version's low framerate.