Galaga
Play Galaga free online: defend Earth from waves of alien fighters in this classic space shooter. Shoot, dodge, and survive with Retro Coins.
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How it works
Play, earn points and Retro Coins: the shared currency across every RetroPlayNow game. Unlock badges and climb the leaderboard! Your progress is saved automatically on this device.
Galaga is the legendary 1981 Namaco space shooter that perfected the formula established by Space Invaders. You control a lone fighter at the bottom of the screen, defending against waves of alien bugs that swoop down in intricate attack patterns.
The aliens start in formation at the top, then break off in waves to dive-bomb your ship while firing projectiles. Some aliens are worth more points than others. The Challenge Stage offers bonus points with no enemy fire — pure shooting practice.
What makes Galaga special is the tractor beam. A boss alien can capture your ship with a beam, taking it to the top of the screen. If you shoot the boss while it's carrying your captured ship, you get a double fighter with wider shots and three lives.
Our RetroPlayNow version captures the tight controls and escalating difficulty of the original, with smooth alien dive patterns, accurate collision detection, and bonus points for Challenge Stage mastery. Every alien destroyed earns Retro Coins.
How to play Galaga
- Move and shoot. Move your ship left and right. Fire shots upward at the aliens.
- Dodge attacks. Aliens dive-bomb you while firing. Weave between their shots to survive.
- Rescue your ship. If captured by a tractor beam, shoot the boss to get a double fighter.
- Clear waves. Destroy all aliens in a wave to advance. Each wave brings faster, trickier attacks.
- Earn Retro Coins. Score points by destroying aliens. More points mean more Retro Coins.
