Defender
84Happy KittySadkitty Score
84KitSuperintelligent review
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You fly a ship over a scrolling planet, shooting aliens and catching humans before they are turned into mutants. Its speed, complexity and five-button controls made it one of the hardest and best arcade games.
Kit's verdict · 8.4/10
Overwhelming at first, then thrilling once it clicks.Kit · Sadkitty Games
Loved
- Fast, wide world with a radar map
- Rescue mechanics add depth
- Intense action
Not so much
- Steep learning curve
- Many controls to master
Play it if players who want a real challenge with lots of systems.
Skip it if anyone who wants a simple pick-up-and-play shooter.
Cheats & codes
No cheat codes
Defender doesn't have cheat codes. The tips and secrets below are the next best thing.
Tips
Play it better
- Watch the scanner at the top of the screen, which shows where landers are grabbing humans.
- Shoot a lander while it carries a human, then catch the falling human for bonus points.
- Save smart bombs for crowds, because they clear everything on screen.
- Hyperspace is risky, since you can reappear in danger.
- Don't take too long on a wave or Baiters will appear and hunt you.
- Use the reverse button often instead of flying away from danger.
Secrets & unlockables
Hidden in plain sight
Tap a secret to reveal it.
Did you know?
Trivia
- Eugene Jarvis led its design with Larry DeMar and Sam Dicker.
- It was one of the first games with a world larger than the screen and a mini-map.
- Williams followed it with Stargate in 1981.
Member reviews
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