Play Defender

Rows of aliens that speed up as you kill them; the game that caused a coin shortage in Japan.

Dual fighters and the captured ship; the shoot-em-up perfected.

Two planes, a screen of bullets and the Vulcan/laser choice; the vertical shooter to start with.

The Pacific from above, with a loop-the-loop to dodge; Capcom's 1984 shooter.

Vector rocks, one ship and hyperspace; Atari's 1979 arcade high-score machine.

Do a barrel roll; Arwings, the Rumble Pak and branching routes.

The best DOS shoot-em-up: a shop between missions, a story told in text screens, and art that still looks sharp.

Four ghosts, a maze and 256 levels before the kill screen; the 1980 arcade icon.