Galaxian is a classic 1979 fixed-shooter arcade game where you pilot a lone starfighter against waves of insect-like aliens. This browser-based version faithfully recreates the retro experience, using simple arrow key controls to move and a single button to fire.
As a foundational title in the shoot-'em-up genre, it built upon the formula of Space Invaders by introducing enemies with more complex, individual attack patterns.
The core objective in Galaxian is to eliminate every alien in the attacking formation to complete the wave and move on to the next.
Your ship, the Galaxip, can only move left and right at the bottom of the screen and can only have one laser shot on-screen at a time.
The aliens fly in a tight formation, but individual ships-especially the high-value Flagships-will periodically break away to dive-bomb your position, firing as they descend.
You start with a limited number of lives, and you'll lose one if your ship is hit by an enemy projectile or collides with a diving alien.
The game continues through progressively harder stages until you've lost all your lives, with the ultimate goal being to achieve the highest possible score.
Scoring is based on which type of alien you destroy. The blue and purple aliens in the lower ranks offer modest points. The red aliens are worth more, but the real points come from the yellow Flagships at the top of the formation.
While shooting a Flagship in the formation is good, the key to a high score is to shoot one while it's in the middle of a dive attack, often escorted by two red guards.
Destroying the entire escort party provides a significant score bonus, introducing a classic risk-versus-reward mechanic.
This version of Galaxian is an HTML5 game that runs directly in your web browser. There's nothing to download or install, allowing you to play instantly.
Because it requires no special plugins, it works seamlessly on most school or office networks, letting you enjoy a piece of arcade history from anywhere.
Your goal in Galaxian is to score as many points as possible by destroying entire waves of alien attackers. You must clear the screen of all enemies to advance to the next, more challenging level.
Control your ship at the bottom of the screen using the arrow keys to move left and right. Press the spacebar to fire your laser at the alien fleet. You can only have one shot on the screen at a time, so timing is crucial.
Survive by dodging enemy fire and the aliens themselves as they break from their formation to dive-bomb your ship. You begin with three lives. The game ends when you have lost all your lives.
Target Diving Flagships - The best way to rack up points is by shooting the yellow Flagships while they are diving, preferably with their red escorts. Stay on the Move - Never sit still.
Constant horizontal movement makes it much harder for diving enemies and their projectiles to hit you. Clear Bottom Rows First - Eliminating the lowest rows of aliens gives you more space and time to react to the dive-bombers from the top ranks.
Don't Spam Fire - Since you can only have one laser bolt on screen at once, firing wildly will leave you vulnerable. Make each shot count. Learn the Patterns - Diving aliens often follow predictable swooping paths.
Anticipate their movements to line up shots and to know where to dodge.
