Galaga Game

Galaga

Introduction

I was born in 1981, the year Namco released Galaga.  The first time I remember playing Galaga was in the late 1980's with my dad and brother, at a local arcade.  By that time, my brother and I could challenge my father at virtually any game on our Nintendo Nes system.  But if there was one game that our dad could beat us at, hands down, it was Galaga!  Now, after over 23 years since its release, Galaga is still as fun as ever!  Last year my dad got a small Namco box featuring Galaga and Ms Pac-Man for his 49th birthday.  Now, whenever I visit my parents in Wichita, Kansas, I continue my love for the game by challenging my dad at one more game of Galaga.

History

The Legend is Born

In 1979, following the huge success of the game Space Invaders, Namco released Galaxian.  The game became an instant success.  Nearly one year later, in 1981, Namco released a sequel and named it Galaga!

Legacy

Space Invaders
Galaxian (1979)
Galaga (1981)
Gaplus (1984)
Galaga 88 (1987)
Galaxian 3 (1990)
Attack of the Zolgear (1994)
Galaga Destination Earth

Game Play

Overview

Galaga is played by a single player or by alternating between two players.  The objective of the game is to destroy as many insect-like enemies as possible.  The player controls a ship at the bottom of the screen, moving it left and right and shooting upwards at enemies.  The enemies assemble in formations at the top of the screen and fly down at the player in a kamikaze attack, dropping bombs along the way.  If an enemy survives its attack it rejoins the formation to attack again later.  Most enemies require a single hit to destroy.  Once all enemies on the screen are eliminated the player continues to the next level.  After every four levels is a bonus stage.  During these stages, enemies fly around the screen in loops and then disappear off the screen.

Boss Enemies

A boss enemy requires two hits to destroy.  The first hit turns the boss from green to purple and the second hit destroys it.  Another unique feature of the boss enemy is its tractor beam.  Sometimes a boss will begin its usual kamikaze attack, but will stop midway to emit a tractor beam.  If the player ship is caught by the tractor beam, the enemy will capture it and rejoin the formation.  The player can then attempt to retrieve its stolen ship by killing the captor enemy during its next attack.  If retrieved, the player will control both ships at once, creating a dual ship and having twice the fire power.  From then on the dual ships are destroyed individually.

Point System

Every blue enemy that is destroyed is worth 50 points, while in formation, and 100 points, while attacking.  Every red enemy that is destroyed is worth 80 points, while in formation, and 160 points while attacking.  Every boss enemy that is destroyed is worth 150 points, while in formation, 400 points while attacking alone, 800 points while attacking with one red escort, and 1600 points while attacking with two red escorts.  A player is given a new life when they have reached 20,000 points, 70,000 points, and every other 70,000 after that.

Trivia

Galaga is one of the first games with a bonus stage.

Galaga is one of the most bootlegged games of all times.

Galaga is one of the most popular video games in the world.

Tricks

Prevent Tractor Beam Capture

Sometimes a Galaga tries to capture the player ship using a tractor beam.  The Galaga will begin its usual kamikaze attack, but will stop midway to emit a tractor beam.  If the player ship is under the tractor beam, it will begin to spin uncontrollably and slowly move up towards the Galaga.  At this point the player has no control over movement, however, they still have the ability to fire.  Timed just right, the player can shoot the captor Galaga and free their ship before its too late.

Retrieve Captured Ship

When a Galaga captures a player ship using a tractor beam, assuming the player has another life, the player has a chance to retrieve its stolen ship.  If the player kills the captor Galaga while its in formation the stolen ship will be lost forever.  However, if the player kills the captor Galaga during its next attack the ship will be retrieved giving the player control of both ships creating a dual ship with twice the fire power.  Because of the player gets twice the fire power, if used early in the game, this trick can be very beneficial especially during bonus levels.  Unfortunately, players cannot create more then a dual ship.

Prevent Score Rollover

The first player has a six digit score counter.  If a player gets above 999,990 points their score rolls over back to 0.  Notice that the second player has a seven digit score counter and isn't restricted by this same rule.  So, if you're a champion Galaga player, be player two and your' score won't rollover back to 0 when you hit 999,990 points.

Cheats

Disarm All Enemies

This cheat only works on some machines.  It causes all enemies to not fire at the player.  During the first stage, destroy all enemies on the screen except for the two in the lower left.  Allow these two enemies to continually fly past you  for around 15 minutes.  Soon they will stop firing at you and from then on no enemy will ever shoot at you.  If you have the patience, this can be a very effective cheat.

Play Demo Game

When no one is playing a Galaga, the machine displays a demonstration as if someone were actually playing.  In this demonstration, a Galaga enemy attempts to capture the player with a tractor beam.  For some reason, while the player is bing captured the machine will respond if you shoot.  Timed just right, the player will shoot the captor Galaga, freeing the ship.  The player can then play out the end of the demonstration.  Sometimes the player ship will move oddly or be invulnerable or the system may crash and restart harmlessly.

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