Reviewed: August 12, 2006
Reviewed by: Blake Kenny
Publisher
Namco Bandai Games
Developer
Namco Bandai Games
Released: July 26, 2006
Genre: Shooter
Players: 1
ESRB: Everyone
8
7
7
7
7.8
Supported Features:
Screenshots (Click Image for Gallery)
Back in the early 80’s, when I was 10 or 11 years old, the videogame industry was in it’s infancy and really starting to catch on in the world, especially with me. This local corner store, called the “Red and White” was one of the first places that I remember where I could get a steady dose of videogame excitement. My Dad used to toss me a couple bucks from time to time and I’d take the long walk to the store so I could slide my precious quarters into beautiful, electronic cabinets.
While the store was pretty good at circulating in some new games, to this day there are only a few that I vividly remember playing. That old Vector Graphics Star Wars, Pole Position and Dig Dug are the ones that I remember most fondly.
However, if asked today to name my all time favourite videogame classic, I wouldn’t even hesitate to give you an answer. It’s Galaga by a long shot, nothing else even comes into my mind, and nothing else ever has. Sure, I was captivated by some other games as the years went on, Double Dragon, Golden Axe and Ninja Gaiden just to name a few, but for me, Galaga was the Granddaddy of them all. To this very day, If I happen across a Galaga machine in some crappy old store, I simply can’t resist the temptation to play it, even if just one time.
What is it about this game that captured me when there were so many other popular games at the time. To be honest, I have no idea, perhaps it the sci-fi buff in me, who has always had a fascination with spaceships and alien creatures. Truth is, other games from that era, in particular Pac-Man just never did it for me.
Needless to say, I’ve been waiting for the XBLA release of Galaga since the first day I heard about it. For me, it was my quintessential, must have, downloadable game. Does my obvious love for this title bias my review? Perhaps, but I’m not one to avoid the obvious flaws within this release as well. Nostalgia aside, my personal tastes can’t really enter into the equation when there are so many more things to consider with this release than my glory days revisited. So with that said, is Galaga worth the Marketplace points? Well, read on and I’ll try to put your decision making process at ease.
The game has always had a simple premise. As a single fighter, dodging from left to right at the bottom of the screen, the player can do little more than fire missiles up towards wave after wave of enemy aliens – or are they giant insects? I don’t know, doesn’t matter. Destroy the entire wave of targets and move on to the next stage. Keep this up, as the ferocity and speed of the enemy begins to increase, and essentially try to live as long as possible, in addition to wracking up the best high score you can muster.
Adding to the main goal of reaching the next level, the game is punctuated by the occasional Challenge Stage. These involve nothing more than trying to clear away 40 enemy creatures for bonus points.
For a little extra fun, the player can choose to have their own fighter beamed up and captured by the enemy. Manage to free this ship without accidentally destroying it, and you can get yourself a dual fighter, which is essentially two ships side by side, thus making you a larger target for the enemy, but also doubling your firepower.
Truthfully, there isn't much else to say about it, pretty basic. While the heart and core of the game is faithfully emulated on the 360, the absence of online multiplayer really hurts the overall appeal of this great game. It would have been awesome to go head to head with a friend on the other side of the continent to see who could achieve the best score. Still, while it would have been a great addition, it is forgivable that such an option was left out. On the other hand, the lack of multiplayer on the same console is not.
In the arcades of old, two players taking turns on the same gaming cabinet was a lot of fun. This was simple and direct competition with a friend. Leaving this out of the download in inexcusable and a major disappointment. Obviously this option was part of the game’s original code. Surly removing the feature would have been a far bigger issue with its release on XBLA than simply leaving it in; I just don’t understand the reasons behind it.
Another issue I had with this release were the achievements. Before the game even released as a part of XBLA Wednesdays. I already knew that for me, some of them would be damn challenging achievements to reach. For example, one achievement was awarded for reaching stage 30, and while I could do it when I was a kid, I knew my slower reflexes (as a result of 25 more years of age) would certainly make this a hard one to get. To be honest, I was looking forward to the hard work I knew I would have in store for me.
Unfortunately, the XBLA release of Galaga contains an option that allows a player to continue their game from the highest level they’ve reached. Thus making it possible to reach level 30 and beyond in less than an hour. Pretty much the game just hands the achievements to you on a silver platter. For all the difference it makes, they might as well just give you the 200 Gamerscore just for downloading the full game. Still, the proof is in the pudding, and thanks to a leaderboard that displays some absolutely gigantic high scores, it’s pretty easy to discern the people who could clearly reach level 30 from the first level in one play.
There’s not much to say here. A basic black background hosting a twinkling al-be-it simplistic starfield. A basic looking starfighter and some flying insects. Not a single item in the game is made up of more than 3 colors either. Classic gaming at it’s most basic. Still, this is the way the game looked back then, thus, this classic download looks the same today. In fact, the most visually impressive part of the game is the colourful side panels that are clearly designed to resemble those of the old arcade cabinets. Fact is, the game looks the way it should, no better, no worse.
Same old explosions, same old popping and swooping enemies, same catchy little jingles. A perfect representation of the original. Nuff said.
For 400 marketplace points, which equates to about $5.00USD ($6.00Can) it’s hard to find much room for complaint, especially if you’re a fan of the game. For me, there was nothing to think about, I downloaded it the day it came out at my earliest opportunity. People who aren’t familiar with the game might want to give the trail version a play first, but all in all, the price isn’t going to break anyone’s budget.
It’s Galaga, pure and simple – and while it might not be the epitome of perfection that I would have hoped it to be on XBLA, it’s pretty much what you’d expect. Not flawless, since it’s missing multiplayer online and off, but it still has the leaderboard to keep you playing – and lets face it, back in the arcade, that was you’re only real goal, to achieve the highscore for that day – to remove some previous player’s 3 initial name. That part we get and for that I’m grateful.
For some, the decision of whether or not to download this title is pretty clear – at least it was for me. Personally I’m happy with my 400 Marketplace points spent. I know a lot of gamer’s who didn’t grow up back in the day’s of wooden cabinets may never be able to appreciate the history of this game, and no matter how much they play this gem, it’s simply going to feel old and dated.
Still, there’s no denying the impact this game had on the industry. Love it or hate it, Galaga is here to stay, whether you choose to accept it’s mission or not, is up to you.