When it comes to the Xbox Series X, gamers don't typically think of the twin-stick shooter; despite the brand's established action-shooter pedigree. It makes sense on one level, as the genre itself isn't near as prominent as it was in the heyday of the 80s or 90s. However, there are quite a few examples of great efforts that are playable on Series X/S, which are a blast to burn through.
And despite most of these existing as backward compatible games via Xbox One, a number of them are given the optimization treatment for Microsoft's latest machine. As a result, most of these twin-stick shooters are a treat for the eyes and ears along with being great fun—despite the simpler, arcade-style elements of most.
8 Halo: Spartan Assault
There have been more notable efforts bearing the Halo moniker, to be sure, but this entry-level offering proves enjoyable in its own right. Originating as a fun means to kill time (and Covenant) on mobile, this spinoff was subsequently released on Xbox One and Series X, where it's been quite overshadowed by the Halo heavy hitters.
But beyond the Halo themes, the game incorporates familiar weapons and a similar sense of action, while offering solid co-op gameplay to boot. While there are stronger efforts when it comes to twin-stick shooters even on Series X, Spartan Assault is a great option for Halo fans seeking quick entertainment fixes.
7 Hotline Miami Collection
Years after its explosive debut, this cult-hit finally blasted its way onto Xbox consoles in early 2020. This intense top-down shooter fills a retro-fied void on Xbox One and Series X with its wild brand of gory gameplay and thematic celebration of 80s culture.
The cartoony visuals manage to dilute the over-the-top violence while oozing with character and style. This enticing bundle of Hotline Miami 1 and 2 offers a dozen thrilling hours of button-mashing action, stealth gameplay, and a delightful synth soundtrack.
6 Neurovoider
Take retro gaming themes, fuse it with zany sci-fi action, and inject some RPG depth, and the result is this hidden gem from Flying Oak Games. Neurovoider has players assume the role of anthropomorphic brains, gunning through ruthless robots hordes while gathering scraps to gain power.
The frantic pacing coupled with rewarding RPG progression makes this one hard to put down, especially when sharing some laughs with a few friends in co-op mode. Addictive, often grueling roguelike elements ensure players will be coming back for more.
5 Anvil: Vault Breaker
This early-access effort on Steam recently blasted its way onto Game Pass, drawing from classic shooters and roguelikes while very much doing its own thing. Blending arcade accessibility with nuanced progression and gameplay, Anvil has players running and gunning through alien locales to seek out coveted Vaults.
There's no shortage of galactic biomes to explore, goodies to collect, and weapons to unleash on the various critters. The crux of the intrigue, however, stems from the fighters' mechanical bodies, which can be customized, upgraded, and rebuilt once destroyed.
4 Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved
The renaissance of this classic arcade romp began on the Xbox 360, holding its own with the flashier, 3D epics of the time. Fast-forward well over a decade, and this robust sequel still manages to shine on Microsoft's latest console.
This hypnotic vector graphic shooter successfully draws from the addictive, action-packed core of its predecessors. At the same time, Lucid Games fleshes out the experience to the nth degree, with an impressively deep Adventure Mode, fun 3D gameplay, and vibrant visuals that really dazzle on Series X.
3 Enter The Gungeon
Dodge Roll's Enter the Gungeon taps into that retro sensibility in its own wild way, pummeling the player with bullet hell action and procedurally-generated dungeons. One or two players will venture deep into a fiery chasm as they seek a special gun with the power to kill their past.
Enter the Gungeon leans on the appealing elements of classic and modern top-down shooters, with the NES-style toughness of projectiles flying at players from all angles. At the same time, the game injects nuance in the form of dodge rolls inspired by the Souls games, and loads of memorable baddies and bosses.
2 The Binding Of Isaac
The graphics may be simple and whimsical in this cult-classic roguelike, but the gameplay is anything but—nor are the dark themes for that matter. While its origins date back a decade, the randomized, addictive gameplay of this strange shooter has carried its momentum to the Series X era, as has the worthy add-ons like Rebirth.
In The Binding of Isaac, Players will fight their way through nightmarish dungeons and fend off a slew of things that go bump in the night. While doing so, Isaac will collect power-ups and abilities, while spamming "weapons" and attacks ranging from icy lasers to flaming tears of death.
1 The Ascent
Cyberpunk themes, Hades-style action, and satisfying twin-stick combat make up this breakthrough hit from studio Neon Giant. The game leans on rapid-fire, rapid fun spam-shooting in a sense. But at the same time, it offers depth with its unique mechanics, which allow players to aim high and low on enemy targets in their path.
The Ascent also utilizes a Gears-style cover system, adding a subtle-but-effective tactical feel. Features like destructible environments, open-world locales, and side quests further add to the depth. In addition, thrilling online missions of up to four players inject plenty of replayability. The Ascent provides a delightfully retro feel while bringing modern sensibilities with its impressive detail and flashy presentation.