Galaga Game

Galaga is the definitive 1981 fixed-shooter that perfected the space combat formula. You pilot a lone starfighter at the bottom of the screen, facing off against waves of insect-like alien ships that dive, swoop, and loop around the playfield rather than simply marching downward.

What sets a session of Galaga apart is its risk-and-reward gameplay. Enemies don't just attack—the green Boss Galagas deploy a tractor beam that can capture your ship. If you have a reserve life, you can shoot the boss on its next dive to free your captured fighter, combining both ships side-by-side to double your firepower at the cost of being a much larger target.

Controls

• Arrow Keys / A & D: Move left and right
• Spacebar: Fire weapon

Tips

• Only two shots: You can only have two projectiles on screen at a time. If you miss, you're defenseless until they drift off-screen, so make every shot count.
• Take the capture early: Let a Boss Galaga capture your first ship on stage 1 or 2, then immediately rescue it. The dual-fighter setup makes the early challenging stages much easier to sweep.
• Watch the corners: Enemies often dive in sweeping curves from the bottom corners before returning to the top. Keep your ship near the center so you aren't boxed in.

Perfect for quick arcade sessions, Galaga remains a flawless test of reflexes and positioning that holds up perfectly today.