Cover of Defender

Similar games

Games like Defender

1981

A legendary arcade shooter where you fly a ship over a horizontally scrolling planet, fending off alien waves while rescuing astronauts from abduction. Fast pace and brutal difficulty define the experience.

Challenging difficulty
Shooting and gunplay
Sci-fi setting
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)

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More in these topics: Sci-fi games Action games Shoot ’em ups

The closest matches for Defender are Galaga, Xevious and Raiden. Each of these 10 games shares something of what makes Defender special – the reasons are listed right on each game.

Best match

Galaga

97 %Match

1981PCXbox

Shooting and gunplay
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Sci-fi setting

A classic arcade shooter where you pilot a fighter along the bottom of the screen and blast waves of insect-like aliens. The tractor beam that captures your ship, which you can rescue for double firepower, gives it its hook.

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Xevious

Shooting and gunplay

A 1982 arcade classic in which you pilot the Solvalou fighter through vertically scrolling waves of alien enemies, shooting air targets and bombing ground ones at once. It was a pioneering title for the shoot-'em-up genre.

Raiden

Challenging difficulty

A classic vertical arcade shooter where you dodge enemy fire across eight missions, blast targets and collect power-ups. Built around score chasing and replays, with a steep challenge.

DoDonPachi

Challenging difficulty

A landmark Cave arcade bullet-hell shooter where you thread through dense bullet patterns, build huge scores with a chain system, and unlock a hidden, tougher true ending through masterful play.

RefleX

Challenging difficulty

A Japanese indie shmup where you weave through dense bullet patterns and use sharp reflexes to tear down huge enemies. As the second chapter of the ALLTYNEX trilogy, it delivers short, intense arcade action in a sci-fi setting.

Zero Wing

Shooting and gunplay

A classic side-scrolling shoot 'em up that became a cult name thanks to the infamous Mega Drive translation and the "All your base are belong to us" meme. Its signature twist is grabbing enemies with a tractor beam and using them as shields.

Gyruss

Shooting and gunplay

A classic Konami arcade shooter where you rotate your ship around the edge of the screen, blasting waves of enemies that swoop in from the center. Known for its tube-shooter design and its memorable Bach-based soundtrack.

Gradius Origins

Challenging difficulty

A collection of all seven arcade Gradius games in 18 versions, including the Gradius III AM Show Version making its home console debut. Classic side-scrolling shoot-'em-ups with the power-up bar, precise dodging and steep difficulty.

Wolflame

Shooting and gunplay

A classic vertical 2D shooter in the vein of Raiden and Twin Cobra, built around arcade action, reflexes and dodging bullets. A no-frills retro throwback from the makers of Gigantic Army and Satazius.

Satazius

Challenging difficulty

A classic side-scrolling arcade shooter with 13 upgradeable weapons, selectable side weapons and a charge attack. Demanding boss fights and dense enemy waves are aimed at arcade veterans.

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