Released by Konami in 1983 for the Atari 2600, Gyruss is an innovative tube shooter that brings a unique twist to the arcade action genre. Players pilot a spaceship in a 360-degree circular pattern around the edge of the screen, firing inward at enemy formations emerging from the distant center. Famous for its pseudo-3D perspective and its driving chiptune rendition of J.S. Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, the game challenges you to survive increasingly difficult waves as you journey through the solar system toward Earth.
How to play
The objective is to clear each wave of enemy ships to progress from Neptune all the way to Earth. Enemies fly out from the center of the screen, requiring you to constantly circle the perimeter to dodge their fire and line up your shots.
- Player 1: Use the Arrow Keys to move your ship around the circle and press the Spacebar to shoot.
- Player 2: Use T, G, F, H to move and A to shoot.
Tips
- Prioritize shooting the sun-like satellites that occasionally appear; destroying them grants your ship double lasers, which significantly increases your firepower.
- Keep moving. Lingering in one spot makes you an easy target for enemies that aggressively dive toward the edge of the screen.
- During the bonus Chance Stages, you cannot be destroyed. Focus entirely on shooting as many enemies as possible to rack up extra points without fear of dying.

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