It's no coincidence that Ikaruga is so renowned. It is the result of a highly brilliant team making use of superior technology and introducing the unique double polarity gimmick that covertly integrates problem-solving features into a bullet hell shmup. It's no wonder that it's still an enormously fascinating game all these years later, and it should be at the top of your shoot 'em up list on Nintendo's hybrid platform.

Beyond mobility, what actually elevates this edition beyond all others is the option to pass a Joy-Con to a friend for some co-op play whenever and wherever you choose, as easily as your ship reverses polarity. The ancient monarch reclaims its rightful throne; the ideal shmup on the perfect system.

Genre: Shoot 'em up

Release date: 2003

View Details: nintendo.com/games/detail/ikaruga-switch/

GALAK-Z, a twin-stick-style space shooter, isn't for everyone: its rogue-lite nature, high difficulty level, and severe death policy (even in its simpler Arcade mode) can irritate some players who are looking for a rapid blast of non-stop action. Treat it like the slower-paced exploration and survival game it is, and you'll be rewarded with some very thrilling space combat and a large array of configurable components (not to mention its great mech upgrade), all wrapped up in a beautiful '80s style visual.

GALAK-Z is a two-dimensional sci-fi shooter video game with roguelike elements. The game's levels are generated uniquely for each playthrough and are connected like an endless dungeon. The levels include spawners for enemies and traps. GALAK-Z may be played on TV, handheld, or tabletop, and it supports HD Rumble, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, and Joy-Con controllers.

Genres: Roguelike, Shooter game

Release date: 2015

View Details: nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/galak-z_the_void_deluxe_edition

Thunder Force IV debuted in 1992, fresh on the heels of the almost-as-popular third installment. The series is known for its harsh difficulty, rocking music, and slick presentation, and this fourth game is undoubtedly the pinnacle of the 2D entries. You control the game by selecting the starting sequence of the first four levels before progressing to the more difficult final stages. Your spacecraft has a configurable rate of speed, and collecting unique symbols throughout gameplay offers access to a variety of armaments that may be cycled through at will.

Then there are the features that, presumably, will be shared by all Sega Ages titles, such as save states, adjustable controls, screen filters, and replaceable boarders. Thunder Force IV also has an online ranking option that lets you download and watch replay data collected by other players - a nice addition that helps you to learn from the top Rynex pilots in the world (or Styx, as you can unlock the ship from Thunder Force III as well).

Genre: Shoot 'em up

Release date: 1992

View Details: nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/sega_ages_thunder_force_iv

Psyvariar Delta is a 2000 arcade shoot 'em up with an unusual mechanism that rewards you for living recklessly. While you must still avoid incoming shots (and there are a lot of them), your strength and score improve as you get closer to the bullets. This Switch edition actually is a full package that integrates all of the features from both Medium Unit and Revision, allowing the user to customize the experience in ways that previous versions have never allowed.

When you factor in the graphical upgrade, Tate support (which is ideal for the Flip Grip), an exclusive level, a new optional character to use, and smooth performance whether docked or portable, this becomes a must-have for any Switch-owning shooter fan; however, casual players or those who aren't fans of the genre may find the emphasis on high scores and short length off-putting.

Genre: Shoot 'em up

Release date: 2019

View Details: nintendolife.com/games/nintendo-switch/psyvariar_delta

Dragon Blaze is the pinnacle of Japanese developer Psikyo. You may be upset that this veers so near to bullet hell rather than the more conventional games that earned its brand famous in this business. The game, on the other hand, is a wonderfully designed vertical-scrolling shoot 'em up with a novel gameplay feature that goes beyond having the eponymous dragons as eye candy, essentially making them a major component of the high score chase experience.

You might be able to complete the entire game cycle in under 30 minutes, but you can play it once and never return to it. It's excellent, addicting, and yet another must-have for your burgeoning digital arcade Switch collection.

Genre: Scrolling shooter

Release date: 2000

View Details: nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/dragon_blaze