DEATHSMILES in IOS

Action

Walkthrough, Guilds, Tips on this special game

Our Expert Score

94/100

Deathsmiles is a masterpiece of the 'bullet hell' (shmup) genre, brought to mobile by the legendary developers at Cave. What makes it unique is its gothic-horror aesthetic and its dual-scrolling mechanic—enemies come from both the left and the right, forcing you to constantly flip your character's orientation. This adds a layer of tactical positioning that is often missing from vertical shooters. The mobile port is exceptionally handled, with 'touch-to-move' controls that feel pixel-perfect.

The iOS version includes an exclusive 'Smartphone Mode' with a new character, Tiara, and a loot-based equipment system that adds massive replayability. Watching the screen fill with thousands of bullets and successfully weaving through them is an unmatched adrenaline rush. The music is hauntingly beautiful, and the boss designs are some of the most imaginative in the genre. It is, without question, one of the finest arcade ports available on mobile, offering a perfect challenge for veterans and an accessible entry point for newcomers.

Dinsun reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

Version 1.1.4Fri Jul 28 2023

Fixed minor bugs.


Now updated for iOS 11 or later!

Enjoy the bullet hell with your new iOS!

### DEATHSMILES ###

Gothic Horror Shooter “Deathsmiles” finally arrives on your iPhone! Once more, the Angels descend upon Gilverado!

● The unique sliding maneuvering just with Smartphone.

Controls adapted to the iPhone feature slide controls for comfortable play!

Several button layouts are available in the Options so that even beginners can handle complicated controls.

●PRACTICE MODE AVAILABLE

And those who are just starting out. Practice Modes are also included for learning the stages!

● TWO GAME MODES

Two fully-featured game modes: Smartphone Mode,with a new character, revamped character designs and original story! and Arcade Mode, a port of the arcade shooter classic.

Players can power up their Princess by using equipment and items bought from “Sakura’s Shop”, as well as those dropped by enemies in stages throughout the game.

● COMPATIBLE WITH GAME CENTER

Rankings are included for each game mode and character!

Compete with players all over the world for high scores, and unlock achievements by completing in-game challenges!

Go for a full achievement list!

### Important ###: Please read the following before downloading this application.

●Compatibility: iPhone5S or later, iPod touch 6thGen. or later and iPad Air or later.

●Compatible OS: iOS 11 or later.

●This application will use mass volume of memory. Please note the application may not function properly or shutdown without any notice when used with limited memory space.

●Turning ON the accessibility option setting may cause malfunctions in certain features.


Requires iOS 11.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Now updated for iOS 11 or later!

Enjoy the bullet hell with your new iOS!

### DEATHSMILES ###

Gothic Horror Shooter “Deathsmiles” finally arrives on your iPhone! Once more, the Angels descend upon Gilverado!

● The unique sliding maneuvering just with Smartphone.

Controls adapted to the iPhone feature slide controls for comfortable play!

Several button layouts are available in the Options so that even beginners can handle complicated controls.

●PRACTICE MODE AVAILABLE

And those who are just starting out. Practice Modes are also included for learning the stages!

● TWO GAME MODES

Two fully-featured game modes: Smartphone Mode,with a new character, revamped character designs and original story! and Arcade Mode, a port of the arcade shooter classic.

Players can power up their Princess by using equipment and items bought from “Sakura’s Shop”, as well as those dropped by enemies in stages throughout the game.

● COMPATIBLE WITH GAME CENTER

Rankings are included for each game mode and character!

Compete with players all over the world for high scores, and unlock achievements by completing in-game challenges!

Go for a full achievement list!

### Important ###: Please read the following before downloading this application.

●Compatibility: iPhone5S or later, iPod touch 6thGen. or later and iPad Air or later.

●Compatible OS: iOS 11 or later.

●This application will use mass volume of memory. Please note the application may not function properly or shutdown without any notice when used with limited memory space.

●Turning ON the accessibility option setting may cause malfunctions in certain features.


Ratings & Reviews

4.6 out of 5 with 111 Counts
Age Rating 13+

Screenshots

DEATHSMILES screenshot 1DEATHSMILES screenshot 2DEATHSMILES screenshot 3DEATHSMILES screenshot 4DEATHSMILES screenshot 5DEATHSMILES screenshot 6DEATHSMILES screenshot 7DEATHSMILES screenshot 8

Deathsmiles is a side-scrolling 'bullet hell' shoot 'em up that casts you as one of several magical girls defending the land of Gilverado. Unlike traditional shooters, Deathsmiles allows you to fire in both directions and features a unique 'Lock-on' system for massive damage. The iOS version includes the full Arcade experience plus an exclusive Smartphone Mode featuring new story elements and an RPG-style equipment system. With stunning hand-drawn art and a soaring soundtrack, Deathsmiles is the definitive mobile shmup experience.

Features

1

Exclusive Smartphone Mode with new character

2

Pixel-perfect touch controls

3

Haunting gothic-horror art style

4

Multiple difficulty levels and endings

Tips

Promotion Videos

Deathsmiles Trailer - YouTube

Related Videos

News on this game

How Deathsmiles 2X Became Xbox Live's First Unlocalized Game

Cave's absurdly crazy shooter completely in Japanese is the beginning of something, but what?

Giant Bomb - Tue Jan 01 2013

Cave to acquire Monster Strike developer for around $40 million

Cave Interactive will be acquiring Deluxe Games for 5 billion yen (roughly $38 million) , making the Monster Strike developer a subsidiary...

AUTOMATON - Mon Jan 01 2024

Deathsmiles I & II PS4 and Switch western limited and collector's editions pre-orders open November 7

Strictly Limited Games will open pre-orders for limited print physical editions of Deathsmiles I & II for PlayStation 4 and Switch on...

Gematsu - Thu Jun 01 2023

Cave Releasing Deathsmiles 2X In North America, Hell's Christmas Has Frozen Over

Aksys may have released Deathsmiles in North America, but Cave is taking care of Deathsmiles 2X themselves. The news comes from the ESRB,...

Siliconera - Sat Dec 01 2012

Deathsmiles: Adorable Angels In Bullet Hell for Your Xbox 360

Deathsmiles: Adorable Angels In Bullet Hell for Your Xbox 360.. A News about Deathsmiles and its co-op game features.

Co-Optimus - Wed Feb 01 2012

Games Review: 2D shooter Deathsmiles comes to Steam

Legendary shmup developer CAVE bring another of their games to Steam, but is Deathsmiles necessarily their best work?

Metro.co.uk - Wed Nov 01 2017

Cave's Story

It strikes me, on the way to the company's offices, that the inspiration for Cave's legendary gameplay style may be sta…

Eurogamer.net - Sun Jul 01 2012

Cave iOS Shmup 64-bit Updates Are On The Way

There's good news for people who enjoy the mobile versions of Cave shmups. The company is going to make its classic Apple iOS apps...

Siliconera - Sat May 01 2021

City Connection to re-release Akai Katana in 2022

City Connection will re-release CAVE Interactive-developed shoot 'em up Akai Katana in 2022, the company announced.

Gematsu - Wed Nov 01 2023

Cave Chats About Deathsmiles And Overseas Expansion

Junya Inoue Acclaimed manga illustrator, known for his designs of famous shooter titles such as Dodonpachi, ESPrade and Guwange.

Siliconera - Sat Oct 01 2011

Gameplays

Q&A

While 'bullet hell' games have a reputation for being difficult, Deathsmiles includes a 'Level 1' difficulty that is very accessible for new players.

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