If you’ve been waiting for an arcade shooter that doesn’t waste time with lengthy tutorials, sprawling progression systems or endless distractions, Space Dragons may be exactly what you’re looking for.
Launching on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch after previously finding an audience on Steam, this frenetic horizontal shoot ’em up is all about explosions, oversized bosses and surviving overwhelming odds.
Developed by TEAM Black Hat Robot and published on consoles by DOJO System, Space Dragons arrives with a simple mission statement: pick a ship, blast aliens, save Earth and have as much chaotic fun as possible along the way. What more could you want?
At A Glance
- Game: Space Dragons
- Price: £12.99
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Genre: Horizontal Shoot ‘Em Up
- Players: Solo / Local Co-op
- Game Pass: No
A Bloody Battle Against A Lunar Threat
An alien force emerging from the Moon has begun taking control of Earth’s military technology, turning humanity’s own weapons against it. That leaves you as the last line of defence, piloting one of several unique spacecraft in a desperate fight to stop the invasion before it spirals completely out of control.
What follows is a fast-moving campaign spread across 11 stages, each packed with enemy formations, environmental hazards and increasingly ridiculous boss encounters. And yes, things get messy as we move into over-the-top action, with the game encouraging players to blast, crush and explode anything that moves as they carve a path through waves of grotesque alien enemies.
Don’t think that Space Dragons is attempting to reinvent the shoot ’em up genre. Instead, it embraces everything fans love about classic arcade experiences. Expect screens filled with bullets, split-second dodges, screen-filling bosses and constant action from beginning to end.
Players can choose between different ships, each bringing unique strengths and abilities to the battlefield, while cumulative upgrades earned throughout the campaign allow for different weapon combinations and playstyles as the difficulty ramps up.
The hand-drawn pixel art also gives the game plenty of personality. Explosions are dramatic, bosses are grotesque and every stage bursts with the kind of colourful chaos that feels right at home in a classic arcade cabinet.
Better With A Co-Pilot
While solo players can tackle the entire campaign alone, Space Dragons is clearly designed with local co-op in mind.
The developers have built encounters around the idea of two players sharing the same screen, working together to survive impossible situations and overwhelming enemy attacks. It’s a throwback to the golden era of arcade gaming, where success often depended on having a friend sitting beside you.
From Steam Success To Console Launch
Originally released on PC through Steam, Space Dragons built a loyal following among shoot ’em up fans thanks to its frantic gameplay and retro-inspired design.
Now console players finally get the chance to experience what TEAM Black Hat Robot has been crafting. For £12.99, it arrives as an affordable slice of old-school gaming that looks determined to keep the spirit of the arcade alive.
Space Dragons is available right now on Xbox Series X|S (via the Xbox Store), PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, with the PC version also available via Steam.
