Summary
- Release Year: 1983
- Genres: Shooter
- Platforms: Sega Master System/Mark III, SG-1000
- Developers: Namco
- Publishers: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
Sega-Galaga (1983): A Retrospective
Introduction
Sega-Galaga is a fixed shooter arcade game developed and released by Namco in 1981. It is the sequel to Galaxian, and was one of the most popular arcade games of its time. Sega-Galaga was ported to a number of home computers and consoles, including the SG-1000 in 1983.
The SG-1000 port of Galaga is largely faithful to the original arcade game, but with a few minor concessions to the SG-1000’s limited hardware. The graphics and sound are not quite as advanced as the arcade original, and the “challenging stages” have been omitted, meaning each stage is identical to the last.
Despite these minor concessions, Sega-Galaga is still a great port of a classic arcade game. It offers all the same great gameplay as the original, and is a must-play for fans of retro gaming.
Gameplay
Sega-Galaga is a fixed shooter game in which the player controls a spaceship that must destroy all of the on-screen enemies. The enemies are arranged in a formation of four rows, with five enemies in each row. The player’s spaceship is located at the bottom of the screen, and can move left, right, and up.
The player’s spaceship can fire a single shot at a time. The shot travels in a straight line, and can destroy any enemy that it hits. If the player’s spaceship is hit by an enemy, it will lose a life. The player has three lives, and if they lose all of their lives, the game is over.
In addition to the regular enemies, there are also a number of special enemies that can appear. These special enemies include:
- Boss Galaga: A large, powerful enemy that fires three shots at once.
- Galaga Fighter: A small, fast enemy that can fly around the screen.
- Galaga Commander: A large, powerful enemy that can fire a spread shot.
The player can earn bonus points by destroying special enemies. The player can also earn bonus points by destroying multiple enemies in a row.
Graphics and Sound
The graphics in Sega-Galaga are simple but effective. The enemies are all distinct and easy to identify, and the backgrounds are colorful and varied. The sound effects are also well-done, and add to the overall atmosphere of the game.
Reception
Sega-Galaga was a huge success upon its release. It was one of the most popular arcade games of its time, and was praised for its addictive gameplay and innovative features. The SG-1000 port of Galaga was also well-received, and is still considered to be one of the best ports of the game.
Legacy
Sega-Galaga is considered to be one of the greatest arcade games of all time. It has been ported to a number of different platforms, and has been featured in several compilations. The game has also been referenced in popular culture, and has been featured in movies, TV shows, and music videos.
Conclusion
Sega-Galaga is a classic arcade game that still holds up today. It is a simple but addictive game that is easy to learn but difficult to master. If you are a fan of retro gaming, then you owe it to yourself to check out Sega-Galaga.
Additional Information
- Developer: Namco
- Publisher: Sega
- Release Date: 1983
- Platform: SG-1000
- Genre: Fixed shooter
Trivia
- Sega-Galaga is the only port of Galaga to receive a name change.
- The SG-1000 port of Galaga is missing the “challenging stages” that were present in the arcade original.
- Galaga has been ported to a number of different platforms, including the NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, and PlayStation.
- Galaga has been featured in several compilations, including Namco Museum and Midway Arcade Treasures.
- Galaga has been referenced in popular culture, including in the movies The Last Starfighter and Pixels.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
