Galaxian

Here's one of the few cases where the home version of a game is actually BETTER than the arcade! This adaptation of the classic space shooter is absolutely superb in every way. The graphics are so detailed you can even see the fluttering wings of the swooping aliens. Your ship's explosion is impressive - far better than the arcade. Even the sound effects have a crystal clear, 3D quality to them. This game is hard though. On the intermediate skill level I found it almost impossible to take out both escorts and the boss, a task I'm usually proficient at. What really makes this game special is the speed. Your shots move much faster than the arcade game, but this is offset by aliens who are faster and more aggressive. Overall, it's pretty spectacular. If Atari could do this, why is the Atari 5200 version so bad?

A classic space shooter derived from Space Invaders, Galaxian incorporates dive-bombing aliens and better graphics. This 2600 version is particularly impressive, with multi-colored aliens, excellent sound effects, and the same intense action found in the arcade game.

It's a pretty nerve-wrecking game that really makes you relive the old days. The gameplay remains solid after all these years and if you're in for a quick game Galaxian will fulfill your need.

Galaxian é mais um jogo de batalha espacial. Sua nave deve derrotar os inimigos que atacam em bloco. Mas cuidado, pois eles se transformam em pássaros que lançam bombas na sua nave.

Another very good Atarisoft offering that seems to have all the features of the original. The sound is good, the action fast and it plays superbly. Well worth collecting, if only for the nostalgic value.

In terms of replay value, you're looking at a game where the only real replay value comes from trying to beat your high score. But this game is entertaining enough that you just may want to do that a bit. The gameplay doesn't seem overly dated today (other than the lack of rapid fire), and this game is easily as fun now as it would have been then. If you are a fan of the Atari 2600, this is a game to look for.

The crude audio effects are another black eye. The rhythmic "cadence" sounds like a constipated robot, and the explosions sound like rubber bands and trashcan lids. Once you get on a roll, it sounds like you're beating up the black guy from the Police Academy movies! After my original disparaging review of this game, a thoughtful reader informed me that I should play this using the track-ball controller. I'm glad I did, because the track-ball provides a fine degree of precision that even surpasses the arcade game! In fact, if you own one of these massive controllers, you can safely bump up the grade by not one but two whole letter grades! On a side note, my friend Mike taught me an alternate way of playing Galaxian - by not shooting at all! That's right, this "boogie style" of play is done by touching the missile on the tip of your cannon to oncoming aliens. Now there's a challenge!