70
The Bug Butcher is a fun, finely-polished, Pang-inspired shooter that modernises the classic formula with sharp controls, frantic pacing and charming presentation. Its short campaign and limited modes hold it back, making it a title that’s great for short bursts but not for extended play. Think of it as a small snack between the bigger meals. A snack made out of vibrantly colourful alien insects, that is. If the price is right, it’s a solid recommendation for arcade afficionados and not only.
100
It’s got that great arcade feel and frantic pace you look for in a title like this, and is so deftly executed it could delight the most stridently anti-nostalgia gamer.
80
While The Bug Butcher won’t be amazing gamers with its unique premise anytime soon, it’s a game that is well worth playing for a handful of hours.
10
This game is painfully addicting! I've put in about 60 hours at this point just trying to perfect some of the early top scores. Simple and amazing game!
7
This game can be a weekend of fun, blasting through 30 levels of bouncing bugs for 5 or 6 hours, or you can dedicate yourself to get the highest score. For me I had a fun a weekend with it. I completed 29 of the 30 levels in arcade mode giving up on the last one because I recognized I would never be able to beat it. But to others who are more competitive this game does offer an outlet to that and playing the game that way you can get a lot of value out of it.
10
Fast paced action game in the tradition of pang ( ****/wiki/Buster_Bros. ). The right thing if you're into challenging arcade shooter.
The Bug Butcher
Released On:
Jan 19, 2016
Metascore
Generally Favorable
80
User score
Generally Favorable
7.7
My Score
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
81% Positive
17 Reviews
17 Reviews
19% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Apr 26, 2016
100
It’s got that great arcade feel and frantic pace you look for in a title like this, and is so deftly executed it could delight the most stridently anti-nostalgia gamer.
Jan 18, 2016
90
The Bug Butcher gets chaotic, but rarely is it frustrating. Even when the screen is packed with enemies, you still have this overall awareness of where you should be standing, and when. The difficulty curve is spot on. It does a stellar job of making you feel mostly in control -- and, at times, over-powered -- without letting you sleepwalk to victory. You'll have to work for those high scores.
User score
Generally Favorable
63% Positive
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
26% Mixed
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
11% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
Feb 4, 2016
10
This game is painfully addicting! I've put in about 60 hours at this point just trying to perfect some of the early top scores. Simple and amazing game!
Jan 27, 2016
10
Fast paced action game in the tradition of pang ( ****/wiki/Buster_Bros. ). The right thing if you're into challenging arcade shooter.
Mar 3, 2016
80
While The Bug Butcher won’t be amazing gamers with its unique premise anytime soon, it’s a game that is well worth playing for a handful of hours.
Jan 29, 2016
80
I went into The Bug Butcher with few expectations, so I was pleasantly surprised by how well the classic arcade mechanics held up to today's standards. It's a challenging game that never feels cheap or unfair.
Jan 27, 2016
78
A great Pang homage, but without enough variety to keep players entertained for long.
Dec 16, 2025
70
The Bug Butcher is a fun, finely-polished, Pang-inspired shooter that modernises the classic formula with sharp controls, frantic pacing and charming presentation. Its short campaign and limited modes hold it back, making it a title that’s great for short bursts but not for extended play. Think of it as a small snack between the bigger meals. A snack made out of vibrantly colourful alien insects, that is. If the price is right, it’s a solid recommendation for arcade afficionados and not only.
Jan 18, 2016
70
The Bug Butcher is a good-humored throwback to an almost-forgotten series, updating the gameplay while preserving the heart of what made it great in the first place.
Jan 26, 2016
9
After downloading this game i had to leave for a meeting. When i came home a few hours later i was surprised to find my nice beloved wife yelling swear words to someone in the „computer room“. Fortunately i found out, she was not having a fight with some visitor– no, she was having a heavy fight with a bug butcher „stage boss“. I sat down and watched my wife die and die an die and die and it was so much fun to see her getting more an more excited. Time flies by watching/playing this game. We finally made it to 31 hours of fun so far. The „simple at the first look“ 2D classic arcade game has ist very own „mechanic“. Since you can only shoot vertically while your enemies are improving theirs skills from level to level, you need the perfect timing, tactics and lots and lots of combos to collect coins for very helpful upgrades. The time limit in every level, a limited number of lives, and awful stage bosses gonna let you die a thousand deaths. But as your enemies are getting stronger and more complex every level, so do your skills and your weapons until you are a real master. For me that is the main fun in this game, seeing how your own skills improve and improve and killing bastard stage bosses, that seamed unbeatable in the beginning. I can highly recommend this game, give it a try !
Jan 24, 2016
9
A fresh take on classic arcade action. Enemies are very varied and different tactics need to be employed to make it through the "story". An endless mode and local-coop will provide players hours and hours of great fun. Highly recommended!
Jan 21, 2016
9
Ok, before you buy this one I have something to tell you: this game is pure arcade. It is not something you will cry while playing or even fall in love to, because arcade games are not suposed to do so. Now that I have made it all clear, this is one of the best arcades I have ever played, and this is something arcade lovers will enjoy a lot, mainly due to its frenetic rhythm and pace. Getting 3 stars in all levels is a hell of a challenge and very entertaining. Also, soundtrack is great and matches the game flow. But, if you don't like simplified arcade games, thats not for you.
Feb 3, 2016
7
This game can be a weekend of fun, blasting through 30 levels of bouncing bugs for 5 or 6 hours, or you can dedicate yourself to get the highest score. For me I had a fun a weekend with it. I completed 29 of the 30 levels in arcade mode giving up on the last one because I recognized I would never be able to beat it. But to others who are more competitive this game does offer an outlet to that and playing the game that way you can get a lot of value out of it.
SummaryA fast paced action shooter inspired by the arcade classic Super Pang. Use a wide selection of weapons and powerups to tear through increasingly challenging levels.
