"0ld sch00l, y0!!!!!!!11"

I guarantee that the average adult male between the ages of 30 and 40 has fond memories of playing this in the arcade, way back in 1981. Whether they were playing it as a preteen brat or a more mature college student, I don't know. But they played it, and they enjoyed it. A lot. Some even believe that Galaga beats out the engrossing Space Invaders, perhaps even Pac Man. I still think Centipede is better than any of them, but let's not get into it. The point is, many, MANY people have epic memories of playing Galaga in the arcades. What, exactly, makes Galaga great enough for all of the quarters spent, all of the tokens used? I don't know for sure, but I do know that there is a classic aura around Galaga (and Pac Man, and Space Invaders) that follows it wherever it goes. The classic aura (also included in many NES games, go play Contra!) is what I believe is the thing that makes Galaga so great.
So, what exactly does one do in Galaga? You shoot aliens from the bottom of a screen. That's enough? I don't think so, keep reading.

Obviously, Galaga does not have the elite graphics that are featured in today's hits such as Rogue Leader and Dead or Alive, but you really can't expect it. In 1981, we didn't have the awesome technology that we do today. However, this was some real state of the art stuff! Somehow, Nacmo could keep the stars in the background without serious slowdown and flicker! There was about 50 aliens on screen at the time, and the game could still run nicely! And oh, how those aliens shined! I still remember how awed I was, back when I was four years old, in 1991. Even though the game was hitting the 10 year mark, those were some bright colors, unworthy even of the majority of NES games! And let's not forget your wonderful ship! It was so pointy, so white, so easy to see on the black background of the game! Pretty colors and a lack of notable slowdown shine out in this game, the finest graphics seen in 1981.
Graphics: 8/10

Nope, the sound wasn't nearly as impressive as the graphics. We still didn't have consistent background music. But who cares? It still owned Space Invaders and its simple redundant beeps easily! The heavy sound of lasers and missiles being fired was consistent in working, and was plenty loud enough for the human ear to hear. There was some excellent sound effects for aliens flying down to attack your pitiful ship directly, and a wonderful beep that came when the aliens tried to capture your ship in their tractor beams! There was even a cool tune when approaching the bonus levels! How impressive is that? Back in 1981, that was one sweet tune. Nice effects for the sounds, but fairly uninspired. Oh well.
Sound: 6/10

How hard can Galaga's control be? When you insert your quarter or token (at least, I *hope* it's one quarter or token), you choose whether you are the first player or the second player, naturally by hitting the ''1 ship'' or ''2 ship'' button. You then appear on the screen, with aliens coming in from the side of the screen. Using a joystick to move your ship, you fire at these aliens with the ''fire'' button. The joystick is only somewhat responsive, but works very nicely. This is simple control, and very fitting for the simple game.
Control: 19/20

In order to play Galaga, aliens come in from the side of the screen. The aliens attack you, then align themselves into rows near the top of the screen. After about 50 aliens come, they start swooping down to attack you, more or less four at a time. You scroll at the bottom of the screen, and avoid the aliens. When your chance comes, you shoot missiles at the aliens. One hit kills them, and you must kill every enemy on the screen in order to pass the level. A simple concept that sounds really easy? Yes, definitely. Is it as easy as it sounds? Talk to the numerous 35-year-old men out there, who attempted for hours to get a worthy score if you want to know. Every three stages, you receive a ''challenging stage'', where enemies come swooping down in patterns at you. Destroy as many as you can, and earn points based on it. I sense what Space Invaders should have been? This is classic gaming at its finest.
Game play: 27/30

Galaga starts easy. It sort of eases itself into you, making you think ''this isn't so hard''. The first few levels aren't very challenging for a fairly good player. Then you pass the first Challenging Stage, and the aliens just start piling on. Frustrated, you play in terror, asking yourself if this curse will ever end. However, if you continue playing after your first try, you'll gain skills, and you will no longer be frustrated so fast. And simply, this isn't Mega Man frustration. This is frustration that you can survive. Need confirmation? Talk to the numerous 35-year-old men out there, who attempted for hours to get a worthy score. I think that if a 35-year-old man can survive, so can you.
Challenge: 13/15

Once again, I send you to a 35-year-old man who stood in line at the local arcade for hours. This time, ask them how fun the game was to play at hours on end. I guarantee that they will have enjoyed the game every time they played, and if they aren't currently, they'll have a sudden urge to go out and buy Galaga. Surviving the test of time is a good indication that Galaga isn't a game that gets old. From the first time you play the game, quarters will be sucked up by the machine from you. Until you must leave, you will be addicted to the craze that is Galaga. Then you will have an unexplainable urge to go out and buy Galaga for your Atari or NES, and if you don't have the system, you'll get it. There's a replayable game.
Replay: 14/15

Overall: 87/100
Do not be afraid of the 35-year-old men in line at the Galaga machine at your local 0ld sch00l arcade. Go ahead and get in line. Spend a quarter or two on the game. From the moment you insert the quarter, you will be gripped to the machine. You will play, and play, and play. Then you will go out to buy the game for your home NES or Atari (or Game Boy Advance, if you fancy Namco Museum). Or you'll buy the machine from a going-out-of-business arcade. I guarantee that you'll love the game.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/05/02, Updated 01/05/02