Fire Shark is the most direct next game after Flying Shark: Toaplan’s publisher Tatsujin groups the two in one M2 ShotTriggers Toaplan Arcade Garage release. For a different but closely related aircraft-shooter experience, try Twin Cobra; go back to Tiger-Heli to explore the earlier helicopter lineage. Zero Wing is a worthwhile Toaplan pick once you want to branch farther from the same aircraft-and-helicopter context.
Which Toaplan shooter should you play after Flying Shark?
Choose Fire Shark if you want the clearest follow-up: the official Tatsujin catalog pairs it with Flying Shark in an M2 ShotTriggers Toaplan Arcade Garage release. If you would rather change from a biplane to a helicopter, Twin Cobra is the next strong choice, while Tiger-Heli takes you to an earlier point in that lineage.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Toaplan Arcade Collection Vol. 1 - Nintendo Switch | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Toaplan Arcade Collection Vol. 2 - Nintendo Switch | $34.15 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Toaplan Arcade Collection Vol. 2 PS5 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Toaplan Arcade Collection Vol. 2 NS | $34.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Toaplan Arcade Collection Vol. 1 NS | $50.20 | Buy on Amazon |
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| Game | Why it follows Flying Shark | Best fit | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Shark | Paired with Flying Shark in the official M2 collection [Tatsujin catalog]. | Players looking for another aircraft shooter and the most direct follow-up. | Region, platform, and whether the listing is digital or physical. |
| Twin Cobra / Kyukyoku Tiger | Part of the lineage linked to Tiger-Heli; Tatsujin describes it as a seminal Toaplan shooter [Tatsujin title page]. | Players ready to try a prominent Toaplan helicopter shooter. | Regional title and the exact collection and platform. |
| Tiger-Heli | An earlier Toaplan helicopter game that the official page recommends to fans of Flying Shark and Twin Cobra [Toaplan game page]. | Players curious about the earlier design and helicopter theme. | Which version you are playing; a port is not necessarily identical to the arcade original. |
| Zero Wing | Another Toaplan shooter, but less directly connected to Flying Shark by the cited material [Toaplan licensing catalog]. | Players ready to explore beyond the aircraft-and-helicopter comparison. | Platform, version, and regional release details. |
Why start with Fire Shark?
Flying Shark is a single-player, top-down World War II biplane shooter, according to Toaplan’s official game page [Flying Shark page]. Fire Shark is the natural next pick if you want to stay near that aircraft-shooter starting point: Tatsujin’s official catalog documents the two together in an M2 ShotTriggers Toaplan Arcade Garage release [Tatsujin catalog].
There is also a retail collection titled Flying Fire Shark. Clear River Games lists Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 formats on its official release page [Clear River Games release page]. That establishes the named formats, not a particular retailer’s current price, inventory, listing, or included contents. Check the platform and edition on the listing before buying.
#1 Best Overall
- This collection includes Tiger-Heli, Flying Shark, Twin Cobra, Fire Shark, Out Zone, FixEight, Dogyuun, and Batsugun. It's octuple the action, a billion times the fun, and a thrill ride back in time to the neon-lit arcades of the past!
- Through this re-release, a new generation of players will surely discover what made Toaplan such a special company, and their games timeless masterpieces. Now, let's blast some enemies!
When to choose Twin Cobra or Tiger-Heli
Twin Cobra: a prominent helicopter-shooter branch
Twin Cobra, also known regionally as Kyukyoku Tiger, offers a change of vehicle and theme from Flying Shark. Tatsujin calls it a seminal Toaplan shooter, and its official catalog groups it with Tiger-Heli in a release pairing [Tatsujin catalog]. The pairing makes it a good choice if you want to explore another major Toaplan title rather than seek the closest named follow-up.
Tiger-Heli: go back to the earlier lineage
Toaplan describes Tiger-Heli as an early game and a precursor to Twin Cobra. Its page also recommends the game to fans of Flying Shark and Twin Cobra [Toaplan game page]. The game uses crate-based pickups, as outlined on that page. Choose it if you are interested in the earlier helicopter-shooter design; check which version you are considering rather than assuming every port matches the arcade original.
Rank #2
- This collection includes Slap Fight, Truxton, Hellfire, Twin Hawk, Zero Wing, Vimana, Truxton II and Grind Stormer. It's octuple the action, a billion times the fun, and a thrill ride back in time to the neon-lit arcades of the past!
- Through this re-release, a new generation of players will surely discover what made Toaplan such a special company, and their games timeless masterpieces. Now, let's blast some enemies!
Where does Zero Wing fit?
Zero Wing belongs in a broader tour of Toaplan shooters, not at the top of a list of direct Flying Shark follow-ups. The official licensing catalog lists it alongside Flying Shark, Tiger-Heli, and Twin Cobra [Toaplan licensing catalog], but that listing does not establish a closer gameplay or sequel connection. Check the release region and platform when choosing a version.
How to choose a version or collection
- Pick the game by what you want next. Choose Fire Shark for the direct collection pairing, Twin Cobra for a prominent helicopter shooter, or Tiger-Heli to explore the earlier lineage.
- Check the platform and edition. Tatsujin’s catalog documents the M2 ShotTriggers pairings of Flying Shark with Fire Shark, and Twin Cobra with Tiger-Heli [Tatsujin catalog]. Clear River Games identifies Flying Fire Shark for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 [Clear River Games release page].
- Confirm the exact listing before purchase. Retailer stock, price, SKU, and package contents are not established by those official pages, so verify them on the seller’s listing.
What the official descriptions do—and do not—settle
Toaplan’s official pages give useful context for the games’ themes and lineage, and Tatsujin’s catalog establishes particular collection pairings. Toaplan’s hardware reference places Flying Shark and Twin Cobra in the same broad board generation [Toaplan hardware reference]; that technical context does not prove that their gameplay is identical.
Rank #3
- Eight classic titles, including some of the most influential games in shoot ‘em up history!
- Modern quality-of-life additions such as quick save and leaderboards.
- Not just one unforgettable soundtrack – but eight!
- Meet Pipiru, the whimsical mascot of Toaplan! Can you find all his locations?
- Uk import, Region-Free
The available official material does not establish a comparable difficulty ranking across these titles. Treat vehicle, theme, lineage, and the version available to you as the useful points of comparison rather than assuming one is objectively easier or better.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Eight classic titles, including some of the most influential games in shoot ‘em up history!
- Modern quality-of-life additions such as quick save and leaderboards.
- Not just one unforgettable soundtrack – but eight!
- Meet Pipiru, the whimsical mascot of Toaplan! Can you find all his locations?
- UK Import. Region-Free
Rank #4
- Eight classic titles, including some of the most influential games in shoot ‘em up history!
- Modern quality-of-life additions such as quick save and leaderboards.
- Not just one unforgettable soundtrack – but eight!
- Meet Pipiru, the whimsical mascot of Toaplan! Can you find all his locations?
- UK Import, Region-Free
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