Classic Games

Galaxian

The diving aliens

Namco's 1979 space shooter that evolved Space Invaders with diving enemies, individual AI, and RGB colour graphics - the true ancestor of Galaga.

arcadeatari-2600cross-platform shooterarcadenamcospace 1979

Overview

Galaxian was Namco’s 1979 response to Space Invaders that advanced the fixed shooter genre with enemies that broke formation to dive-bomb the player, primitive AI that gave aliens individual behaviour, and full RGB colour graphics. While Space Invaders established the genre, Galaxian refined it - and set the stage for its legendary sequel, Galaga.

Fast Facts

  • Developer: Namco
  • Released: 1979 (arcade)
  • Innovation: Diving enemies, RGB colour
  • Hardware: Namco Galaxian board
  • Sequel: Galaga (1981)
  • Ports: Almost every platform

Evolution from Space Invaders

Space InvadersGalaxian
Monochrome with overlaysTrue RGB colour
Formation-only movementDiving attacks
Uniform behaviourIndividual AI
Two-dimensional feelDepth through scaling
Basic explosionSatisfying destruction

Gameplay Mechanics

The diving attack system:

  1. Aliens wait in formation
  2. Individual aliens (or pairs) break away
  3. They dive toward the player in swooping arcs
  4. Player must shoot them or dodge
  5. Flagships dive with escorts for bonus points

This created dynamic, unpredictable gameplay.

The Colour Revolution

Galaxian was technologically significant:

  • RGB graphics - No more coloured overlays
  • Star background - Scrolling field of stars
  • Sprite scaling - Enemies grew as they dived
  • Smooth animation - Hardware sprite support

The Galaxian hardware became a platform for many games.

Namco Galaxian Board

The custom hardware powered:

  • Galaxian (1979)
  • Pac-Man (1980)
  • King & Balloon (1980)
  • Naughty Boy (1982)

Efficient, capable, and well-documented.

Cultural Impact

Galaxian’s innovations:

  • Made diving enemies standard
  • Inspired countless clones
  • Established Namco as major force
  • Set up Galaga’s success

The Galaga Succession

Galaga (1981) built on everything:

  • Capture mechanic (alien steals ship)
  • Dual-ship power-up
  • Challenging stages
  • Deeper scoring system

Galaga became the more remembered game, but Galaxian created the template.

Home Ports

Ported extensively:

  • Atari 2600 - Simplified but playable
  • Atari 5200 - Closer to arcade
  • NES - Solid conversion
  • Commodore 64 - Competent port

Quality varied but the game reached everyone.

See Also