Galaxian, a seminal fixed shooter released in 1979 by Namco and manufactured by Midway, advanced the Space Invaders formula by introducing full-color graphics and enemies that break formation to dive-bomb the player. You control the Galaxip starfighter, tasked with defending Earth from the alien Galaxian fleet. This “Set 2” arcade release preserves the classic, demanding gameplay that set the foundation for the ensuing golden age of arcade shooters.
How to Play
Move your starfighter left and right across the bottom of the screen to dodge incoming fire and kamikaze aliens. You can only fire one shot at a time, meaning you must wait for your projectile to hit an enemy or travel off-screen before you can shoot again. Clear the entire swarm to advance to the next, increasingly difficult wave.
Controls: Insert a coin with Shift, press Enter to begin. Use the arrow keys to move left and right, and press Z or X to fire.
Tips
- Target diving enemies: Aliens award significantly more points when destroyed mid-dive compared to when they are stationary in the formation.
- Hunt the Flagships: Try to eliminate the yellow Galaxian Flagships while they are diving with red escorts. Destroying the escorts first and the Flagship last yields the maximum bonus points.
- Make every shot count: Because you are restricted to a single on-screen projectile, a missed shot leaves you vulnerable for a dangerous amount of time. Time your shots carefully.
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