Why Galaga 88 is the finest 2D shooter ever made

Here are his reasons why you should play it…

What elements would the perfect old-school shooter require?

A steadily rising challenge?

Multiple paths through the game?

A smattering of strategy?

Go on, then.

NamcosGalaga 88, Id argue, contains all those elements, plus a few unique ones of its own.

At heart, its little more than left, right, shoot, left, right, shoot.

So just what is so special about an ancient arcade game that nobody talks about anymore?

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Initially,Galaga 88s brilliance can be summed up in a single word: refinement.

And depending on which stage youre on, shooting certain bees will uncover little blue canisters.

Its not a concept unique toGalaga 88,but it is a relatively unusual one in 2D shooters.

In later stages, the fixed screen of earlier rounds is replaced by scrolling sections.

My favourite is the giant killer crab.

Theres no doubt thatGalaga 88is a tough game, but there are ways of evening the odds a little.

This is the Morecambe and Wise of 2D blasters.

All these elements come together to the most addictive and downright fun 2D shooter ever made.

Fortunately, there are a number of cheaper and simpler options.

And once you start shooting thoseGalagabees, you may never be able to stop…