Vanguard 2

About

Vanguard 2 puts you in a fighter jet defending Earth from an alien mothership. You blast through waves of enemies while targeting the moving base below. Fire handles regular combat but you need missiles to hit the platform. The challenge lies in balancing both attacks as the action never slows. Released in late 1984, this SNK arcade title arrived during a busy period for the developer. They produced over 150 games under their name by this point, including titles like Alpha Mission and Main Event. Vanguard 2 keeps things simple with its twin-stick controls and relentless enemy patterns. The mothership constantly shifts position forcing quick reflexes and precise timing.