Taito Japanese vertical shmup with a unique proximity bonus system. Enemy bullets passed closely multiply the score. Difficult and demanding, for genre connoisseurs. A niche shmup that rewards mastery.
Your verdict
Category
Shooter1 player12+
Description
Members of a special unit wielding shikigami spirit powers battle demons in a vertical shoot-em-up with a unique scoring mechanic. Published by Taito, released in Japan in 2002. First entry in the Japanese series featuring a shot-charging system through capturing enemy powers, multiple characters with distinct shooting styles, and the intense difficulty typical of the era's Japanese shoot-em-ups.
Shikigami no Shiro review
3/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Polished"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
Gameplay
"Solid"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Difficult"
Lifespan
"Very short"
A vertical shooter cut for performance, it sends its shikigami-powered fighters into clouds of bullets, the span of one intense session. Its brevity is the cabinet's, where the scoring system rewards daring closest to danger. You return less to progress than to climb the ranking and tame spectacular bosses.
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Is Shikigami no Shiro still worth playing in 2026?
A vertical shoot 'em up from Alfa System, Shikigami no Shiro leans on a scoring system based on proximity to enemy fire, the Tension Bonus rewarding daring grazes. The Japanese gothic art direction, the characters with distinct powers and the risk-reward mechanic make it a demanding, rewarding shmup. The high difficulty and a niche framing can deter. A title for shoot 'em up scoring devotees and fans of Japanese bullet hell both tough and elegant.
