The Bottom Line
Pros
- Classic gameplay
- Nostalgia factor is through the roof
- Addictive
- Easy Achievements
Cons
- Small gameplay board
- Continue system ruins replayability
- Slight control lag
Description
- Costs 400 marketplace points
- Simple, fun, and addictive gameplay
- Still rocking the early 80's graphics (why didn't they update it like Frogger?)
- Continue system makes achievements a breeze but kills replayability
Guide Review - Galaga
Galaga is a perfect fit for the Xbox Live Arcade. It is cheap (only 400 points), it is easy to pick up and play, and it offers addictive and satisfying gameplay that will keep you hooked. It isn't perfect, however, and young whippersnappers probably won't think too much of it, but if you are looking for a heavy dose of 80's nostalgia Galaga is worth taking a look at.If you aren't familiar with it already, the concept of Galaga is pretty simple. You fly a little ship at the bottom of the screen and you shoot enemy ships as they first line up at the top of the screen and then start breaking off and moving down towards you. It is deceptively simple, but is absolutely addictive and pursuing high scores is a blast.
There are some issues with this port, however. First off, there is a slight lag between you pushing a button and it showing up onscreen. You get used to it, but this can be an issue at first. Also, the game uses a continue system that allows you to restart on the level you died. This completely kills overall replayability and makes the achievements ridiculously easy to earn. Also, while the graphics are fine, there isn't any sort of updated mode like we got with Frogger. It seems like Namco just cranked this out ASAP to cash in on the Live Arcade. Not cool.
Overall, Galaga is still worth checking out, but it isn't the great port we all had hoped it would be.
