ActionFit check
Is Hellfire worth it for you?
We tell you who should skip it, too.
Play it if you…
Good fit- Arcade shooter fans who want directional weapon management
- Players who want quick saves and rewind during arcade-style runs
- Friends who want a side-scrolling shooter with co-op play
Skip it if you…
Saves you a refund- Players seeking a broad campaign structure or exploration beyond arcade-style shooting
- Players who prefer slow, low-pressure pacing rather than attacks arriving from every direction
- Players looking for a primarily competitive multiplayer shooter
Our take on Hellfire
The directional firing system makes weapon positioning central to play, leaving less room for simpler reaction-only shooting. Its arcade foundation also favors repeated attempts and practice over a broad progression structure or extended campaign.
What is Hellfire?
Hellfire is a PC port of Toaplan’s 1989 arcade side-scrolling shooter.
Players control the HELLFIRE starship, rotate four weapons through eight firing directions, and fight aliens attacking from every angle. The game supports solo play and co-op with one friend. The port includes arcade-accurate emulation, online leaderboards, quick saves, rewinding, replay capture, Mirror Mode, and customizable practice play. Assist options include auto-fire at multiple rates and a Very Easy difficulty setting. Players can adjust display scaling, rotate gameplay by 90-degree increments, and choose Raw Input or Steam Input. Instrument panels add gameplay information and artwork, while Steam Achievements are also included.
How Hellfire plays
- 01Directional Weapon Control
- Four weapons can be aimed across eight firing directions during play.
- 02Two-Player Co-op
- The shooter supports solo sessions and play with one friend.
- 03Quick Save
- F1-F10 are used to save, while Shift+F1-F10 reloads a save.
- 04Extended Rewind
- Gameplay can be rewound for between 10 and 18 minutes depending on the action.
- 05Custom Practice Mode
- A customizable practice mode provides a separate setting for skill training.
- 06Online Leaderboards
- Single Credit, No Assist, and Assisted play categories have online rankings.
- 07Replay Capture
- Runs can be recorded for sharing after play.
- 08Display Options
- Windowed or full-screen play supports pixel-perfect or full-screen scaling and 90-degree rotation.
Games like Hellfire
Action
ActionFire Shark
Clear River GamesFor:Shoot-'em-up fans who want vertical arcade stages with boss fightsSkip if:Players seeking a slow-paced game with exploration or narrative progression may find the stage-and-boss structure narrow
ActionBatsugun
Clear River GamesFor:Shoot-'em-up fans who want to navigate dense projectile patternsSkip if:Players who prefer slower-paced action may hit a wall when enemy projectiles fill the screen.
ActionTruxton
Clear River GamesFor:Arcade shooter fans who want a vertically scrolling, stage-based gameSkip if:Players seeking a story-led campaign may find the focus on shooting through stages too narrow.Picked by overlapping fit notes and genres, not an editorial comparison.
Hellfire: platforms & release
Is Hellfire worth it?
It is worth it if: arcade shooter fans who want directional weapon management. Skip it if: players seeking a broad campaign structure or exploration beyond arcade-style shooting.
Where can I download Hellfire?
Use the Download Now button on this page: it opens Hellfire's store page, where you can choose how to get it.
What platforms is Hellfire on?
Windows, macOS and Linux.
