A projectile launcher containing a top mounted striker launching mechanism capable of propelling a projectile or object is disclosed. In one aspect, the projectile launcher includes a bolt, a valve, and a striker. The bolt containing an air channel and a bolt carrier is situated inside a receiver of the projectile launcher. The bolt is used to facilitate launch of a projectile. The valve, which is situated inside the receiver above a firing chamber away from ground, is operable to control the release of pressurized gas for propelling the projectile. The striker, which is coupled to the bolt via the bolt carrier and is physically situated above the bolt away from the ground, is able to strike a valve pin of the valve to release a predefined amount of pressurized gas for propelling the projectile from the firing chamber to a target.