Stargate

About

Stargate is an arcade shooter that follows Defender, challenging players to guard humans from alien abductions. You control a spacecraft navigating vertical waves of enemies, zapping bots while defending civilians on screen. The game builds on Defender's mechanics with tighter controls and varied level layouts. Eugene Jarvis and Larry DeMar designed it to be fast paced, requiring quick reflexes to juggle combat and rescue missions. Released in late 1981, it became a short-lived hit but faded with the arcade market crash. Some home versions were relabeled Defender II to avoid legal issues. Though overshadowed by later arcade classics, it maintains a cult following among retro gaming circles. The original arcade version remains the most revered for its responsive handling and escalating difficulty. Still playable via modern web ports, it offers a pure test of skill with no frills.