Author Topic: Why is Galaga better than Galaxian? (Read 3660 times)

Grasshopper · « **on:** October 16, 2003, 04:59:05 pm »

This might seem like a really weird question, but in the recent "What ROM gets played to death" thread I've noticed that Galaga crops up quite a lot but never Galaxian. Why is this? Am I missing something?

I like both games, but to me Galaxian seems the better of the two. The sound effects are way better and it is slightly harder (at least on the early levels). Galaxian also has a higher nostalgia factor for me as I played it more in the arcades.

I've only got past a few levels on each game so it occurs to me that perhaps Galaga comes into its own on the later harder levels. Can someone explain?

RetroBorg · « **Reply #1 on:** October 16, 2003, 05:20:07 pm »

I think Galaga has more variety than Galaxian. The way the aliens move into formation, tractor beams, double shooters, challenge stages, more variety of enemies and varying levels of dificulty throughout the game e.g. gets easy again at pattern 10 - aliens don't shoot during formation. Galaxian is probably more repetitive and just keeps getting harder. I love both of these games and own a Galaxian cocktail cabinet but we don't play it all that often anymore, I've noticed a guy on Ebay selling 3 in 1 PCB's, one has Space Invaders, Galaxian and Galaga, I wouldn't mind that one but by the time I get it to Australia it'll cost me close to $480 Australian.

Xiaou2 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 16, 2003, 05:35:42 pm »

In galaxians, theres limited change in the levels and gamplay... at least so Ive noticed when I played a long ago.

In galaga... the enemies attack patterns are a lot more varried. Theres more types of enemies, and they attack and fly differently.

The leader enemies can steal your ship... and take it with them... and then yoo can shoot it back away from them and use 2 ships to attack them. The dual ship mode helped you to oblitterate the enemies... but also made it easier for them to shoot or crash into your ships.

The bonus stages were a nice touch as well. Every few rounds you get them... and you have the chanve to get the points needed to get more guys. While the enemies dont fire on them... it can be tough to get them all as they fly in some interesting and complicated patterns.

The fire system works well too... as you shoot faster if you hit things in a row... so if your timing is off... you can have some real troubles.

Tiger-Heli · « **Reply #3 on:** October 16, 2003, 05:47:06 pm »

See also http://www.classicgaming.com/rcatt/index.htm under Game Tips - Galaga. The last one is pretty cool.

Babu · « **Reply #4 on:** October 16, 2003, 07:47:48 pm »

Quote from: Grasshopper on October 16, 2003, 04:59:05 pm

This might seem like a really weird question, but in the recent "What ROM gets played to death" thread I've noticed that Galaga crops up quite a lot but never Galaxian. Why is this? Am I missing something?

I like both games, but to me Galaxian seems the better of the two. The sound effects are way better and it is slightly harder (at least on the early levels). Galaxian also has a higher nostalgia factor for me as I played it more in the arcades.

I've only got past a few levels on each game so it occurs to me that perhaps Galaga comes into its own on the later harder levels. Can someone explain?

are you frigging high man

zero-one · « **Reply #5 on:** October 16, 2003, 08:41:45 pm »

This is not surprising to me. I remember playing Space Invaders when it came out but as soon as Galaxian was available I started playing it as it was an improvement on the theme. Similarly, when Galaga came out I saw the evolution as another improvement. I ended up playing more Galaga in the arcades then Galaxian and Space Invaders put together.

I sometime play Galaxian just to practice for Galaga. In Galaxian your timing is crucial and you have to dodge more shots. Once in Galaga my hit ratio goes up.

The variety in Galaga makes the game a lot more fun. It probably represents the peek in game play for the genre.

Cheers,
01

Sasquatch! · « **Reply #6 on:** October 16, 2003, 09:58:40 pm »

Galaxian definitely has more nostalgia for me, but Galaga is the superior game IMHO.

grafixmonkey · « **Reply #7 on:** October 16, 2003, 11:37:21 pm »

I was wondering the same kind of thing. I've noticed everybody likes orange juice, and there isn't much of a following for grape juice. Why is orange juice superior?

Bill_S · « **Reply #8 on:** October 17, 2003, 06:50:11 am »

The pulp.

ErikRuud · « **Reply #9 on:** October 17, 2003, 08:48:45 am »

It's definately the Pulp! But I like Grape Juice as well.

I love Galaxian, Galaga and Gaplus. I'm not so crazy about the newer Galaga vesrions, but there OK.

Wade · « **Reply #10 on:** October 17, 2003, 09:34:30 am »

Same reason so many people like Mspac better than Pacman. But I still like Pacman better. If you like Galaxian better, good for you, you can buy one for a lot less than a Galaga.

Wade

allroy1975 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 17, 2003, 12:33:09 pm »

Quote from: Wade on October 17, 2003, 09:34:30 am

Same reason so many people like Mspac better than Pacman. But I still like Pacman better. If you like Galaxian better, good for you, you can buy one for a lot less than a Galaga.

Wade

In Ms. Pac the levels changed, the fruits moved around the level. There were 2 tunnels on the levels vs. the 1 in pac man. The ghosts in Ms. Pac were "smarter" too, paterns weren't as easy. At least that's what I've heard. I never use patterns, so I don't know.

as if all that wasn't enough, they changed Clyde to SUE! and then in Jr. Pac to TIM! amazing how they could come up with all those different names!

Anyway, I like the music better in Pac Man, but I think the gameplay is better in Ms. Pac

Oh, and I think most days I'd rather have Grape Juice. OJ is a little sour for me.
Plus Jessica Simpson told me OJ will kill you.

Allroy

SirPeale · « **Reply #12 on:** October 17, 2003, 02:38:47 pm »

Quote from: allroy1975 on October 17, 2003, 12:33:09 pm

Oh, and I think most days I'd rather have Grape Juice. OJ is a little sour for me.
Plus Jessica Simpson told me OJ will kill you.

I, too, like Grape Juice better.

And I think you're referring to Nicole Simpson, not Jessica.

allroy1975 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 17, 2003, 04:53:09 pm »

Quote from: Peale on October 17, 2003, 02:38:47 pm

I, too, like Grape Juice better.

And I think you're referring to Nicole Simpson, not Jessica.

Actually I was referring to Jessica being stupid...I keep hearing about how she won't eat buffalo wings because she won't eat buffalo, and she's not sure if she's eating fish or chicken while eating chicken of the sea tuna....

When I was making the joke it didn't even occur to me that they had the same last name...I don't know how that's possible..but...I'm a moron.

Nicole Simpson couldn't have told me OJ kills cuz her head fell off. Man this is so off topic....

I like Galaga better. both are good games. <--- back on topic.

spidermonkey · « **Reply #14 on:** October 17, 2003, 09:40:37 pm »

Gaplus is a friggin quarter eater. I've tried to get good at it countless times and if I get through 8 or 9 stages I'm lucky. I just end up getting frustrated and give up on the game. I know that all arcade games are designed to make money but some of them are just absolute pocket emptying ripoffs. Probably why Gaplus never got very popular.

anitabill · « **Reply #15 on:** October 17, 2003, 10:07:43 pm »

Speaking of Galaga I have a question. The other day I was playing the actual arcade and I noticed that it fired every time you hit the button. But I noticed in Mame that when you play Galaga it only fires like 2 times in a row.

Is that a problem with my setup or the emulator in general?

NIVO · « **Reply #16 on:** October 17, 2003, 10:23:52 pm »

actually that sounds like a modified rom that has autofire added. Unless I am wrong of course. Sure makes the challenge stages easier if your alignment was off hehe.

mh208 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 17, 2003, 11:03:06 pm »

Quote from: Grasshopper on October 16, 2003, 04:59:05 pm

This might seem like a really weird question, but in the recent "What ROM gets played to death" thread I've noticed that Galaga crops up quite a lot but never Galaxian. Why is this? Am I missing something?

It's the short little tune before the game starts, after you hit the player button.

hooded_paladin · « **Reply #18 on:** October 18, 2003, 03:30:07 pm »

Quote from: anitabill on October 17, 2003, 10:07:43 pm

Speaking of Galaga I have a question. The other day I was playing the actual arcade and I noticed that it fired every time you hit the button. But I noticed in Mame that when you play Galaga it only fires like 2 times in a row.

Is that a problem with my setup or the emulator in general?

play the "fast-shoot" variant in MAME. I guess it's based off of that boardset, which is a hack.

(I like the fast-shoot galaga better ... I have bad aim and it really slows me down when I miss (in the official one))

allroy1975 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 21, 2003, 03:19:57 am »

Quote from: hooded_paladin on October 18, 2003, 03:30:07 pm

Quote from: anitabill on October 17, 2003, 10:07:43 pm
Speaking of Galaga I have a question. The other day I was playing the actual arcade and I noticed that it fired every time you hit the button. But I noticed in Mame that when you play Galaga it only fires like 2 times in a row.

Is that a problem with my setup or the emulator in general?

play the "fast-shoot" variant in MAME. I guess it's based off of that boardset, which is a hack.

(I like the fast-shoot galaga better ... I have bad aim and it really slows me down when I miss (in the official one))

I saw this the other day on the new Galaga/Ms. Pac machine at a local bar....is it a Dip Switch like the Ms. Pac? I looked today in Galaga and didn't see it...

that machine also had Fast Ms Pac....does that make any sense?

Allroy

unhuman · « **Reply #20 on:** October 22, 2003, 04:12:15 pm »

Grape juice is good, but it's gotta be purple. That clear crap is awful

Quote from: ErikRuud on October 17, 2003, 08:48:45 am

It's definately the Pulp! But I like Grape Juice as well.

I love Galaxian, Galaga and Gaplus. I'm not so crazy about the newer Galaga vesrions, but there OK.


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