Alien Invasion!

In the past, Video games didn't need of long and complex stories or controls, they even didn't need of amazing graphics to amaze and entertain people... Only one or two screens, and a progressive Difficulty is all what it was need, To mention some examples: Pac Man, Donkey Kong and Space Invaders. That was enough to make a boy sit down in the front of a screen for hours and hours, playing and trying to get a good score. This formula was repeated by years... After the big success of "Galaxian", Namco decided to make his successor. That successor was named "Galaga". And it was released in 1981 for the Arcades. As his older brother, Galaga was a real success. It was ported to multiple systems... between those: the NES... Yes, that is, today I'm going to review Galaga, for the NES. So, if you're interested, take a seat and keep reading.

Story: Here's another typical thing of the old Arcade games: No Story... However, since it involves Aliens and a Space ship that must repel them, I would say that is all about defending the Galaxy from those Invaders. Nothing new about that. But, as said, no story. So, it's just me thinking on that. (N/A)

Graphics: For the time, the graphics were really amazing... Well, In my opinion, these are still amazing. If we compare the NES' port graphics to the original Arcade, we'll see that both are really similar! About the Sprites: Sprites are really good, these are colorful and with some good details on them... About the background: Ummm... Well, there's not much to say about it, it's only the black and cold space filled with many stars. Well, at least we can say that they had the correct vision of it. (8/10)

Sound: This game counts with a few songs... Which are good, of course, these are adapted from the original songs of the Arcade, and they sound very good (Specially the Results screen and start songs) SFX is pretty simple. It can be quite annoying if you're playing the game for the 1st. Time (mainly because these sound all the time, because the stages doesn't have music) ... But, once you've played it enough, you will enjoy it. (7/10)

Addictiveness: As the most part of the old games, this one can hook you up for various hours, mainly because of it's good details, ease, and the competition factor... Because playing until beating your best score is something you don't get bored so fast. (8/10)

Depth: The game is easy to play and understand: You control the white ship at the bottom of the screen, you only can move to the left or to the right. At every stage, the Aliens will come from the top of the screen, before taking position, these will make some loops around, trying to confuse you. Your only weapon here, are the bullets, which you can use by pressing both A or B. After a while, the Aliens will try to crash your ship or to shoot at it while descending, some can even capture your ship, forcing you to use your next life (if you have another, of course) if you manage to clean the stage, you'll go to the next one... After 3 stages, there will be a Bonus Stage. (Challenging Stage) in where you must shoot at all the Aliens you can... If beat them all, you'll get a bonus of 10000 points (if not, you'll get 100 points for every alien destroyed). That's all what this game is about... simple, right? (6/10)

Difficulty: As excepted, the difficulty is high... As long you progress, the game becomes difficult. The Aliens start moving and shooting faster, making almost impossible to clean the screen. (8/10)

Final Rating: 8

Even though if this game doesn't have a lot of things to do, this simple formula makes of the game a really decent and addictive product... If you have the chance, play this game... It's worth it.

-Eddy Out-

I never really played Galaga before, but it is something pretty interesting. Its a simple gaming formula, like you said. Simple sometimes is better.

This is a great game. I love space shooters like this because they are so simple and addictive. If I had to choose between playing Donkey Kong and Galaga when it comes to addicting gameplay I would go with Galaga.

Galaga is an addictive game and also an awesome game even today! It would be great if Namco make a new Galaga game. Great review also!

Also, there is a remake of this game: Galaga 91.

CarBitGTSaxen : Thanks.

I've played that remake... It's really good, fun and addictive like the original game!