Galaga

"Taking a classic gameplay style and adding new quirks, that's Galaga."

Back during the golden age of arcade games (the early 80s,) there were many games that were destined to become classics due to their unique style of gameplay that intrigued video game players everywhere. A lot of these games borrowed from the classic shooting action that was Space Invaders, and tried to add their own unique features to make it seem better. Unfortunately, a lot of these games felt like rip-offs and didn't get as much attention. However, Namco seemed to have a winning strategy with the game Galaxian, which took Space Invaders and put it in actual space, while adding the challenge of having the aliens actually swarming to attack you. With Galaxian's success, it would soon be followed by Galaga, the more memorable of the series. This game took Galaxian and made it more intense while adding new gameplay features that would soon become noted by everyone, and turn it into the game we all know and love.


Graphics: 9/10

Just like its predecessor, Galaga featured parallax scrolling of the background (in this case the starfield of outer space) to make it seem more realistic, almost like the player was actually flying through space engaging enemy alien fighters. On the subject of the alien fighters, it's interesting that Namco chose to utilize designs that are very similar to insects, albeit with touch-ups to make them look more like actual aliens. The way they explode in a small way with just a little 'bleep' is kind of dull, but then again they are small compared to your ship. On the flipside, the way your ship actually spins around when its caught in the Boss Galaga's tractor beam and then changes color when it's captured is a nice touch. Also, if you look closely, when your ship explodes, you can briefly see its shape during the initial frame. A rather nice touch if you ask me. The only other thing I have with the graphics is how the missiles the enemies look like spears, but hey, maybe that's the type of projectile they use on their planet.


Sound: 8/10

If you've played Galaga, you know that classic tune that always plays at the beginning. It always sticks with you. It's one of those game tunes you just love to remember. As for the in-game sounds themselves, the sound that the attackers make when they swoop at you is simple enough to indicate what they're doing, but it does get a bit repetitive over time. The explosion of your ship, however, is a completely different story. The explosion is loud and sounds very realistic. The other tunes in the game sound OK for the most part, like the tune that plays when you get a perfect score on the challenging stage. That really sounds like you've accomplished your goal. The high score table themes, however, are kind of questionable, as the highest score one sounds like it was just random notes put together, while the other tune sounds kind of sound and melodic.


Controls: 10/10

Well, what more you can you ask for? You've got a joystick that moves from side to side (no vertical movement here folks, sorry,) and a fire button. Easy enough if you ask me. The concept is similar to Space Invaders, where you move side to side and shoot the incoming enemies, except this time they can swoop in and try to crash into you. There's one challenge that you didn't face in Space Invaders. But things get really interesting when the Boss Galaga attempts to use its tractor beam on you. If it gets you, you lose your ship and the Boss Galaga takes it back to formation. When that Galaga alien attacks, if you shoot your ship, it's lost. But if you destroy the Boss Galaga, you not only get your ship back, but they lock together to provide dual fire, which is very useful for the Challenging Stage.

The Challenging Stage is where various Galaga aliens fly around in patterns, while the goal is to shoot as many as you can down. The thing is, they're moving in dance-like formations, meaning that you have to try to figure out their patterns so you can shoot them right. It seems simple enough, but in the later stages some of those formations seem impossible to hit.


Replay: 8/10

There's something about Galaga that makes it so simple to play, yet so addicting that you want to play it again. The challenge of beating each of the challenging stages, or trying to see how many insignias you can earn as you get higher and higher. Or, perhaps it's just the challenge of seeing how high of a score you can get as you fight the aliens. Trying to get into the hundred thousands, or maybe making the score roll over. Either way, there's just something about Galaga that makes it so replayable.


Overall: 8/10

Galaga was one of those games that had a simple concept to it, yet it had unique challenges and quirks that challenged players quite a bit. It had its flaws, but nothing too major to detract from the fun of trying to shoot down those Galaga aliens. It's definitely worthy of being considered one of the greatest games of the Golden Age of Video Games.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/10/00, Updated 02/17/09

Game Release: Galaga (US, December 1981)