"Wha....?"

Defender is an age old game that allowed you to take control of a small attack ship and fend off the constant attacks of an aggressive alien force in an attempt to save the humans on a small planet. In this version of Defender, you not only re-take that role, but in a much more visually satisfying environment that spans across a couple of different variations of the game! Anyone who has played Defender in the past will recognize this version to be a superior game, but those who haven't will probably be drawn into the non-stop game play action.

-Game Play 7/10-

Defender is back, but with a couple of different variations on the original that have some pretty wild effects. You control a ship that moves up and down, or side to side depending, and encompasses a wide location. One of the modes is the classic Defender, in which you attack incoming ships, rescue workers who have been captured and generally make yourself a nuisance to the enemies. A second version features more of the same game play, but with a more visually satisfying accompaniment while the third version offers you several new weapons, and plenty of new locations with good looking themes! The basis of each upgrade is the speed at which you play. The higher the version, the faster it moves and the more challenge you'll have! While this may seem like only a face lift on the visuals, you'll find that the true upgrades are with the rising difficulty that you find on each passing stage in each version!

-Control 7/10-

There really isn't much to it other than moving your ship around the huge stage in a back and forth manner. You'll find that there is a smaller map with each version that shows you what is going on just outside of your field of vision, and will help you overall to keep your ship moving! You have a single weapon to choose from in the original, and all you have to do is just line up your ship with your target and fire away. In the other versions, it's more or less the same, but you'll have a number pad designation for the smart bombs that you can pick up in the different areas.

-Visuals 7/10-

The original version of the game is a carbon copy of the arcade big brought that features those famous vector graphics. The other two versions offer you several different themes and locations that you'll defend agaisnt the alien armies! All in all, you'll find that the visual upgrades are well worth watching, with ships exploding and cities burning depending on how well you do with your missions. Special effects are pretty limited, with the smart bomb blowing everything up on screen, although the detail in the cities and different enemies is well worth taking notice of!

-Audio 7/10-

The classic music has been re-worked with some pretty funky stage music that clearly shows of the games upgraded situation! Pulse pounding and pace keeping, the music will keep you in line and in tune with the game as you defend through the different stages! The sound effects have been ported over from the original arcade game, but with some noticeable changes as well with the new versions that are included with more satisfying explosions and laser blasts.

-Overall 7/10-

Defender 2000 is a wonderful upgrade to the original in several different ways. Gamers who have never played this action game will probably find it to be a relatively great game to play and will be drawn in by the addictive qualities that it has to offer! Veterans of action games who have played Defender in the past, or games just like it will find this version to be a good release from the norm like the top scrolling 1940 series or side scrolling games like Gradius. Jaguar owners will be pleased with this outing, and it's worth picking up a copy if you've still got a Jaguar, and you can find this particular game!

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 10/13/01, Updated 10/13/01