Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 85 | 5 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 87% | 80 | 123 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 82 | 2 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 1 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 2 reviews sampled · 2 total reviews in window · weighted 1.9 up / 0 down · computed 4h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (17)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“Each playthrough I seemed to get slightly better. The more I played the more engrossed I found myself in it. Questions like, can I get a little bit closer to that bullet next time? Is it really worth the boost in score and the charge of my weapons? Playing Danmaku Unlimited 3 was an absolute privilege. I certainly look forward to future titles.”
read full review ↗ - 90
- 90
“Danmaku Unlimited 3 is a brilliantly executed best of bullet hell shmup ideas wrapped up into a phenomenal package. It is the very best shmup money can buy in the whole Switch game library (plus it will cost you about half what it should!). Even if you don’t particularity like shmups - or if Japanese bullet hells are not your particular favourite flavour within the genre - exposure to the insane lightshows provided by this game might just turn you into a die-hard fan. ”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Overall, as the first pure bullet-hell shooter on the platform, Danmaku Unlimited 3 hits the Switch with a firm level of difficulty and style to spare. While you’ll often end up cursing it as you get so close to getting further there’s a quality in it that I couldn’t ever put it down for long before taking another crack at it. With a gorgeous look, intense gameplay, and plenty of room for technique if you’re a genre fan you shouldn’t hesitate to pick it up!”
read full review ↗ - 80
“While Danmaku Unlimited 3 is not the most polished game of its kind, it is a very satisfying experience. The unique mechanics and multiple difficulty options combined with compelling reasons to keep playing and improving make for a game with a wider appeal than most other titles in the bullet hell genre. Danmaku Unlimited 3 successfully creates the tense feeling of a screen filled with bullets, without excessively punishing failure.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Danmaku Unlimited 3 is another excellent shooter on a system that's quickly becoming an appropriate home for them. The frantic action you'd expect from a bullet hell shooter is improved with interesting attack patterns and a set of mechanics that rewards both quick kills and exhibits some flair during gameplay. There's a nice balance for both veterans and genre newcomers, with the latter being served especially well since the game's difficulty and lack of continues foster a need to improve while ensuring that death isn't immediate. Topped off with a great presentation, DU3 is a high point for the genre, and despite the deluge of shooters on the Switch, it's a title that fans shouldn't miss.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“It’s the best in its field and now it’s on Switch, which makes it more or less essential and yet another cracking indie port to Nintendo’s delightful handheld hybrid.”
read full review ↗ - 76
“With its substantial variety of content and well-tuned shoot-'em-up mechanics, Danmaku Unlimited 3 is a title that will certainly please newcomers and action enthusiasts alike. It makes full use of the Switch hardware and is a blast to play at home or on the go.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Danmaku Unlimited 3 takes the genre of shmups and deliver a modern masterpiece. Quite frankly its the best of the shmup around.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“If you are not into this sort of game, then it’s unlikely that Danmaku Unlimited 3 will change your mind. However, even if you are curious about what a bullet hell game is really all about, then you can’t really go wrong here. It’s actually quite approachable for beginners to the genre, due to its gradual learning curve and spirit bullet mechanic. While the more hardcore will certainly get their fill by how incredibly chaotic it can all get on higher difficulties. Overall, Danmaku Unlimited 3 is a great little game that’s well priced, thumb blisteringly addictive and one of the most hardcore arcade titles you can get on your Nintendo Switch at the moment.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“The graphics look great on the TV, and it looks great as well in portable mode. As is the case with most shoot ‘em ups, Danmaku Unlimited 3 is devoid of a story, placing its focus entirely on its gameplay. This is not a deal-breaker since the gameplay is top-notch for this bullet hell release on Nintendo Switch. If you're a fan of the genre, then you should definitely check out this game on Nintendo's latest console.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Danmaku Unlimited 3 is a very strong entry into the ever-growing shmup genre on Nintendo Switch. It takes nerves to conquer the endless bullets on display, but casual gamers are also well catered for with a generous selection of difficulty options.”
read full review ↗
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Switch Player…and 5 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Update notes for V.1.0.9Mar 13, 2023
- Version 1.0.8Oct 20, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Version 1.0.8Oct 20, 2017
- Version 1.0.6 LiveJul 1, 2017
- Version 1.0.6 LiveJul 1, 2017
- Patch 1.0.5May 2, 2017
- Patch 1.0.5May 2, 2017
- Version 1.0.4Mar 18, 2017
- Version 1.0.4Mar 18, 2017
- Version 1.0.3 LiveMar 16, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Version 1.0.3 LiveMar 16, 2017
- Version 1.0.2 now availableMar 13, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Version 1.0.2 now availableMar 13, 2017
- Version 1.0.1 LiveMar 11, 2017
- Version 1.0.1 LiveMar 11, 2017