Boomer Shooters are part of a unique genre, taking players back to a time when we didn’t care about trivial things like reloading.
Shooting games don’t need to be stuffed full of modern mechanics to be enjoyable. In fact, the lack of realism makes many Boomer Shooters feel timeless. If you’re not convinced, here’s a selection to try before you write off the genre.
If you ask ten different people what a “Boomer Shooter” is, you’ll get ten different answers. We’re going with an “old school” or “old-school-styled” shooter.
Elements that typically define the genre include fast movement speed, no aiming down sights (ADS), and unrealistic physics. Many 90s shooters fall into this category, but games don’t have to be “Doom Clones” to be counted.
10Alien Trilogy
Still One Of The Best Alien Games
Alien Trilogy
Alien Trilogyis one of the finest first-person shooters on the original PlayStation.
The title firmly lands in Boomer Shooter territory thanks to its fast-paced combat, reliance on hip firing, and retro visuals, which still hold up today.
Alien Trilogy is easilyone of the scariest games on the list. You can wield iconic equipment like the Assault Rifle from the movies and the Motion Tracker. All of your fancy kit sounds the part as well, and the Tracker does a phenomenal job at ramping up the tension.
Despite the primitive graphics,Xenomorphs still manage to be unnerving, especially when they charge at you from the shadows.
The game captures so many movie elements with the foundations of a superb console shooter. I would love to seeAlien Trilogyget the Nightdive treatment, but only time will tell.
Alien-licensed games have been a mixed bag over the years, but they still offerunique takes on Xenomorphsyou won’t find elsewhere.
9Immortal Redneck
A Roguelite Boomer Shooter
Some gamers only use “Boomer Shooter” to describe a modern game with retro trimmings. If that sounds like you, then let me introduceImmortal Redneck.
Immortal Redneckoffers everything you expect from a Boomer Shooter. It’s ridiculously fast-paced; you shoot from the hip, and there arearmies of enemies to defeat.
Where this game truly comes into its own is itsRoguelitemechanics. Levels areprocedurally generated, so no two levels are the same. There’s also permadeath, and a few false moves will send you back to the beginning.
Fortunately,there’s meta progressioninImmortal Redneck, and you’re constantly collecting gold to upgrade your base stats to make the whole game easier.
I dig the Egyptian theming, as it reminds me of the oldSerious Samgames. Even without that nostalgia,Immortal Redneckoffers an admirable blend of genres, which works remarkably well.
8Wolfenstein 3D
Move Over, New Blood
Wolfenstein 3D
We can’t talk about classic boomer shooters without mentioning another 90s juggernaut,Wolfenstein 3D.
TheWolfensteingames are yet another successful franchise from id Software. Compared toDoomandQuake, Wolfenstein takes a more grounded approach withcontemporary weapons and human opponents. Those human opponents are, in fact, Nazis, and the walls are adorned with Nazi paraphernalia in some versions of the game.
Out of all the classics on the list,Wolfenstein 3Dis the one I vibe with the least. Combat feels great, but there’s a lack of atmosphere, thanks to the brighter levels.
Regardless,Wolfenstein 3Dis a solid Boomer Shooter and amust-play if you’re exploring the genre.
Oh, and there’s aWolfenstein 3Dport by Wisdom Tree calledSuper 3D Noah’s Ark, where you knock out goats with a catapult. I’m not kidding.
7BPM: Bullets Per Minute
An Unlikely Combination
BPM: Bullets Per Minute
I’m a sucker forRhythm Games, andBPM: Bullets Per Minuteis an admirable attempt at merging the genre with old-school shooters.
Gameplay inBPMwould feel pretty rudimentary if it wasn’t for the Rhythm mechanics. You mustshoot on the beatof the music, which does feel a little awkward to start with.
Fortunately,the soundtrack is full of bangers, and it’s easy to tap along to the music while shooting. Combat is surprisingly fast-paced, and boss battles force pattern memorization.
There’s a lot going on inBPM: Bullets Per Minute, soexpect to get your butt kickedwhile you learn the ropes. Battles are rewarding once you get the hang of this unusual title, and it’s a real treat with the music blasting into your ears with headphones.
Blurring The Lines
Selacois a love letter to early 2000s shooters likeDoom 3andF.E.A.R, complete with dozens of references for fans.
Gameplay is notably slower-paced than many other titles on this list, but not to a detriment. Environments are complex, and combat demands a more methodical approach.
On that note,enemies inSelacoaren’t stupid.Your foes will actively flank you, forcing constant movement as you attempt to stay one step ahead.
You could argue thatSelacois less of a Boomer Shooter and morelike early PS2 FPS titles, likeTimesplitters. However, combat is still chaotic, and explosions and gunfire often light up the screen with ridiculous, over-the-top particle effects.
If you prefer your old-school shooters with a sprinkle of modern sensibilities, you can’t go wrong withSelaco.
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Ready, Aim, FIRE!
Another Id Software Classic
Back in the 90s, it was likeid Software could do no wrongin the shooter genre.
Riding high from the success ofDoomandDoom 2, the studio releasedQuake. The titles are similar, and the enemies are the most obvious difference. We trade demons and hell spawn for aliens and monsters.
Quakefeels like more of a sidegrade than an upgrade, but that’s not a bad thing, considering the pedigree.
It depends on who you ask, butmany preferQuakemovement toDoom, as there’s a subtle speed-up mechanic that makes combat even more fast-paced.
I’ll always be aDoomguy, butQuakeis an essential shooter, and Steam’s port is a solid remaster.
4Serious Sam
The One Man Army
Serious Sam Collection
Serious Samis a superb FPS with dumb one-liners and gameplay that throws modern tropes out the window.
Serious Samis just as fast-paced as heavy hitters likeDoom, with a motley assortment of baddies, including giant charging mammoths andheadless screaming soldiers holding bombs. How do they scream without heads? Don’t ask.
Enemy density is high inSerious Sam, and later stages feel like giant arenas strung together.Sam lays waste to literal armiesin his games, and there’s never a dull moment.
I have the fondest memories of Serious Sam First and Second Encounters, but you may start with any of the games and have a good time. You can even enjoy the games on the Nintendo Switch aspart of a collection.
No Introduction Required
Doom (1993)
You all knew the originalDoomwould end up on the list somewhere. Id Software’s juggernaut isthe quintessential Boomer Shooterand many titles on this list have earned their place thanks to their similarities.
If you’ve never played,Doomis a turbo-paced shooter where you can effortlessly zip around at breakneck speed.
The weapon selection is almost as iconic as the monster lineup. Tearing up Imps with a Chainsaw is sadistic and satisfying, and it doesn’t take long forDoomto throw armies of hellspawn your way.
All of this frenetic action is paired withone of the most recognizable soundtracks in gaming, and yes, it absolutely slaps.
Doomis the complete package, and there are many ways to enjoy the title with modern trimmings. I’m a fan ofDoom 1&2on the PlayStation 5, but there’s no “wrong” way to enjoy your time with the series.
2Powerslave Exhumed
Not Your Average Doom Clone
PowerSlave: Exhumed
Powerslave Exhumedis a remaster ofPowerslavefrom the 90s, also known asExhumedin Europe. At first glance, the title looks like aDoomClone with an Egyptian overhaul, but it’s so much more than that.
Besides the incredible arsenal of weapons, you collect Sacred Artifacts during your journey that unlock new powers. These abilities include massive jumps, diving, and even floating to negate fall damage.
In many ways,Powerslave Exhumedis like a Metroidvaniabefore the genre even had a name. Exploration is encouraged and rewarded. There are evenmultiple endings, with a good outcome reserved for players who have thoroughly explored every nook and cranny.
I have a soft spot for this one, butPowerslave Exhumedhas everything you could want from the genre, and your powers basically make you a demi-god by the end.
1Doom Eternal
An Iconic Boomer Shooter
DOOM Eternal
I feel a bit cheeky putting twoDoomgames on the list, but a lot has changed in the 25+ years between the titles.
Doom Eternalhas all the flair of a high-budget modern shooter. A kickass licensed soundtrack, pinpoint controls, and gorgeous graphics perfect forhigh-resolution gibs and gore.
Movement inDoom Eternalis eerily similar to the original. Theblistering, fast-paced combatreturns, and all realism is cast away so you can glide around the stages.
There isn’t even any reloading to worry about, and the modern trope of regenerative health is replaced with good old-fashioned health packs.
And then we have Glory Kills. You can restore health by landing finishing blows in melee combat, and the animations are as visceral as you should expect.
Eternalis a phenomenal Boomer Shooterwith such widespread appeal that all shooter audiences will appreciate it.
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Luckily, not every game in the genre is brutally difficult, and there are some that can get you integrated with it a bit more smoothly.
