"Namco classic?"

Third installment of Namco's ''Galaxian'' series, (Galaxian, Galaga, then this one,) this game was released in 1984. Looking back, Namco was definitely dominating the arcade scene around this time, and suppose that is why around this time was called Namco's golden era. And as one of games released in such a time, this game sure was worthy of name of Namco.

This game was sequel of ever famous ''Galaga'', and though there were few alterations, it was basically a stationary shooters (like Space Invaders) just like its predecessors. Since there were few side or upward scrolling shooters in arcade scene already, some of the gamers had criticized its old ''boring'' format, yet it had more than enough qualities to appeal to gamers and became smash hit.
Upon creating this game, smart enough, Namco had left the best part of Galaga, which was to retrieve captured fighter and create double ships, and added more. In this game, by acquiring certain tools, you can capture your enemies and make them your ally (up to 6 enemies), or string your enemies up with ''fly paper'' like laser and earn high points upon killing them, or power up your beam. Also additions to these power up items, your enemies sometimes carried parts of your ship which when you earn three parts, becomes extra ship to add to your stock. Fun factor of bonus stages are left in tact as well, though this time around it was more of juggling of enemies (which capturing of ''allied '' enemies played bigger part,) rather than just shooting up enemies who appear in patterns like Galaga did. And those juggling sure was fun part of this game since you can hit them as long as your skills allowed you to. (Of course there were limits on how many times you can hit them too though.)

Also adding to all the upgrade Namco had done to this game, they provided this game with sort of secret technique where you can change your ship to different type of ship which was little better than original ship (since altered version of ship was twin shot without acquiring blue cap.) There was also this bug in this game which enabled you to become invincible. I believe this bug was fixed in later version, but it sure was fun to stay on game for more than 4 hours to keep playing the game as kid.

As for critique of this game, though it couldn't have wiped off influence of its previous versions, Namco had tried innovative approach in enriching its game play. Also though it was tired old stationary shooter, they've given many factors to revitalize its tired old format and came out on top. Not kind of game you could play timeless, but it sure beats the its predecessors in game play. Suppose it is a good game to play to change pace when you're tired of modern day games.

Control:
Solid, very solid and you are not gonna be able to blame loss of your ship to its control that's for sure. Also unlike rest of stationary shooter which gives you only left-or-right movement, though limited, you can move forward and backward which gives you little bit leverage in avoiding enemies shots or kamikaze attacks.

Graphic:
Far more clear than Galaga as far as my eyes can tell. Its rendered graphic was rather mesmerizing especially when you start stages after bonus stage.

Sound:
Just like Galaxian or Galaga, only tune you hear is as you start game. Also all the stage after bonus stage always had its own VGM and it was sort of intense and brought up the voltage of stage.

Over-All and Replayablity:
Most of games made by Namco around this time were good enough games in standard of its time anyway, so it won't be too bad to put little bit of your time for this game. You might get tired of it after brief time of playing, but it plays solid that's for sure. I don't think anybody should waste their money by buying gameboard for this game, unless you're Namco classic collector or something obviously. Wait, I think one of Namco museum already contained this game, so if you are PSX owner, just check it out by renting it at somewhere. Also there is always a Mame that you can count on. (of course I'm not encouraging you to go take part in some kind of piracy here, I'm just saying.) Anyway, it was all in all, fairly made game which had fair deal of following, thus this game should given little over an average score. I'd give it 6 and since I'm not too big of shooter fun, that should mean something.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 04/21/01, Updated 04/21/01