The Basics:
- Title: Galaga
- Release Date: 1981
- Publisher/Developer: Namco
- Type: Coin-Op Video Arcade
- Genre: Shooter
The Good:
- Highly addictive gameplay
- Exciting level structure that continually changes things up.
- Impressive depth of gameplay for a side-to-side shooter.
The Bad:
- Poor control design for left-handed players.
History
In 1978 Space Invaders premiered at video arcades, breaking records, causing coin shortages in Japan, and spawning hundreds of clones and rip-off titles. The idea of a side-to-side space shooter in battle with a uniformed group of "invaders" quickly became one of the more common types of games. While some (the cones) directly stole the Space Invaders code, making an exact duplicate of the game with nothing more than a name change, others made visual tweaks to the ships and experience. Then there were those who took the concept and style of Invaders and set out to make an entirely new experience out of it. The first truly successful attempt was Namco's Galaxian.
While the basic gameplay of Galaxian follows the Space Invaders formula, a space fighter moving from side-to-side while shooting at an oncoming fleet of enemy alien ships, the similarities end there. Each ship is unique in design, the gameplay was far faster paced, and enemies actually dove at you in attacks. Galaxian's innovative use of color and gameplay was an instant hit, eventually spawned a sequel that was just as unique, but has a completely different name, Galaga.
Galaga hit arcades in 1981 and was an enormous success, taking the tried and true side-to-side space shooter formula and the unique alien invader design and diving tactics, then expanded upon it for level after level of innovative and addicting gameplay.
Galaga quickly overshadowed its predecessor and joining the ranks of Pac-Man and Dig-Dug as one of Namco's top, and most illegally copied titles. Since its release there have been numerous ports, sequels, and remakes in both arcades and home consoles, but none have reached the acclaim and quality of the original Galaga video arcade experience.
The original game was released in three different cabinet formats, the largest being the "upright", a smaller version called the "mini", and then there was the "cocktail table", a small table with players sitting on opposite sides looking downwards as the screen beneath the clear table surface. Unlike the Pac-Man and Mrs. Pac-Man cocktail table models, Galaga's screen would flip to face the player based on their turn.
The Game:
The gameplay at its core is pretty simple; move from side-to-side while shooting enemy ships above and avoid getting hit, but Galaga builds quite a bit on those basics. An idea taken from its predecessor, Galaxian, has ships fly out of their formation and come at the player ship in a suicide run, but Galaga takes things further. Each ship has its own unique style of attack, shooting as it makes its dive, some curve around for a second attack, while others try to fire a tractor beam, capturing your ship.
The ship capture adds to the depth of the game. Some of the enemy ships have a tractor beam that, when activated, can suck up your ship and make it a captive. If you have another life your captured ship can be saved by shooting its captor, then join your new life to create a double ship firing simultaneously. The challenge is shooting the enemy without hitting your ship, which will cause you to lose both it and the life it took up.
In addition to the space combat stages, every third level there is a bonus "Challenge Stages" where players try to blow away as many alien ships as possible as they swoop down, swing across and zigzag in formation across the screen. With no danger of dodging kamikaze ships or return fire, all the player needs to do is blow away all the enemies.
Final Thoughts:
With its non-stop action, frantic button tapping, and brightly colored insect-like alien invaders, Galaga surpasses both its predecessor, Galaxian, and the game that inspired them both, Space Invaders. With level after level of uniquely designed space battling fun, Galaga remains a personal favorite.
