Defender

Defender (1981)

by Shockwave, Williams Electronics
Genres:Strategy, Shooter
Themes:Action, Science fiction
Game modes:Single player, Multiplayer
Story:Defender is an arcade video game developed released by Williams Electronics in 1980. A shooting game featuring two-dimensional (2D) graphics, the game is set on a fictional planet where the player must defeat waves of invading aliens while protecting astronauts. Development was led by Eugene Jarvis, a pinball programmer at Williams; Defender was Jarvis's first video game project, and drew inspiration from Space Invaders and Asteroids. Williams planned to display the game at the Amusement & Music Operators Association (AMOA) trade show, though development delays resulted in the team working on the game up until the show started. Defender was commercially successful, selling over 55,000 units to become the company's best selling arcade game. Praise among critics focused on the game's audio-visuals and gameplay. It is frequently listed as one of Jarvis's best contributions to the video game industry, as well as one of the most difficult video games. Defender was ported to numerous platforms, inspired the development of other games, and was followed by sequels and many imitations.Show more
user avatarAdded by @sergeu78
Vote to bring this game to GOG and help preserve it.
50
Trailers and screenshots
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Stories about this game (1)
What’s your memory of Defender?Share your favorite moments and see what others remember about this game.
user avatar@placeholder

Make sure to follow our Guidelines when adding new Stories.

If not sure what to write:
  • What made this game unforgettable?
  • Who did you play this game with?
  • What made it fun or challenging?
  • Why do you want this game on GOG?
user avatar@irregulars9user avatar@irregulars9
February 19, 2025
My father told me when I was four, one late night, he saw this cunning kid turn on the precious XT computer then input some DOS commands and play this. And he smiled and said I don't have any idea now you had a computer-thing job. God, I miss him... Anyway, this game was introduced in alias "Stargate". I still remember the map shifted landscape to space. It was awesome.
Those games also need your vote!
Transformers: Fall of Cybertron
Transformers: Fall of CybertronTransformers: Fall of Cybertron transports you to the final days of the planet Cybertron where you will experience the darkest hours of the apocalyptic war between the Autobots and Decepticons. Embark on an adrenaline-fueled journey through a wide range of missions and massive environments designed around each character's unique abilities. Fight through both sides of the most epic battles leading to their legendary exodus from their homeworld. In addition, players experience action in the form of new Transformer bot types Combaticons, Insecticons, and Dinobots.
Action
Science fiction
Action
Science fiction
1 590
7
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - Fortune Hunter Edition
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - Fortune Hunter EditionReleased via a giveaway on the PlayStation Blog for players in the US only. Only 250 copies were produced and they were distributed through various promotional contests during the first few months after the game's launch date. The Fortune Hunter Edition includes: - Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - An exact in-game replica of the Phurba Dagger Artifact and stand - Collectible Art Book and Collector case autographed by Naughty Dog - A "host of downloads"
New
Action
Historical
New
Action
Historical
18
Toki Tori
Toki ToriIn Toki Tori, the player controls a little yellow chicken determined to save all the lost eggs. Armed with an arsenal of 10 different tools and weapons, Toki Tori must overcome dangerous obstacles, trap monsters and save all of the lost eggs. The game contains four mysterious worlds, offering over 60 levels of exciting platform and puzzle action. While Toki Tori looks like a platform game, it's a puzzle game by heart. Players will have to look and plan ahead carefully if they want to succeed.
Comedy
Kids
Comedy
Kids
18
Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster
Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD RemasterBased on the international versions of the games that were previously only released in Japan and Europe, FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster brings these timeless classics forward to the current generation of fans, old and new alike.
Fantasy
Fantasy
1 998
2
Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles
Final Fantasy: Crystal ChroniclesJoin a crystal caravan! A deadly miasma has swallowed the land, and it's up to you to hold it at bay! Many dangers lie along your journey, but you need not face them alone. Enlist your friends in a crystal caravan and make your mark together in the Crystal Chronicles!
Open world
Action
Fantasy
Open world
Action
Fantasy
966
Chessmaster: The Art of Learning
Chessmaster: The Art of LearningChessmaster: The Art of Learning expands the scope of chess to include broader principles of learning with Josh Waitzkin's training program. Follow interactive advice from the master to perfect your play style. Compete against advanced AI characters (24 ranging from easy to hard) or challenge other real players via local connection.
Educational
Educational
18
Omikron 2: Nomad Soul Exodus
Omikron 2: Nomad Soul ExodusOmikron 2 Exodus was meant to be the planned sequel to the 1999 sci-fi action adventure game, Omikron: The Nomad Soul for PS2 and Dreamcast. The title was later changed to “Omikron 2 Karma” and the development was moved to XBOX 360 and PS3. By January 2000, a sequel was in the early stages of development, then scheduled to be released by 2001. After the release of Fahrenheit, the project was still in discussion, but ultimately scrapped in favor of Heavy Rain.
Fantasy
Science fiction
Fantasy
Science fiction
18
Front Mission 3
Front Mission 3Yokosuka, Japan, 2112 AD. The young student Kazuki Takemura works as a test pilot with Kirishima Industries, a production company of military battle wanzers (walking panzers), mechanized walking robots with movement similar to that of a human being. Kazuki has just finished testing the combat capabilities of the new Zeinslev prototype in the lab. Finishing his day's tasks he is asked by his best friend Ryogo to help with a company delivery to the Japanese Defense Force (JDF) military based. This simple choice determines where Kazuki is when strange things begin happening in Japan. A large explosion, a wanzer theft, his sister Alysia being hunted, rumors of a powerful weapon, and accusations of involvement by agents of both the OCU and the USN all make the situation more complicated. Kazuki is swept up in a plot of conflicting loyalties and attacked by various factions. He will need to recruit additional characters and wanzers in order to be victorious in battle and investigate leads to uncover what is going on.
Science fiction
Science fiction
525
3
Hello Neighbor Bundle
Hello Neighbor BundleGet two games in the Hello Neighbor series at a discount! This is a must-do to learn all the Neighbor’s secrets! Hello Neighbor is a stealth horror game about sneaking into your neighbor's house to figure out what secrets he's hiding in the basement. Hello Neighbor: Hide and Seek follows the tragic story of the Neighbor’s family in this dramatic prequel to Hello Neighbor. Experience playing a game of hide-and-seek with your brother as you both deal with a loss of a family member.
Open world
Action
Comedy
Horror
Thriller
Stealth
Sandbox
Open world
Action
Comedy
Horror
Thriller
Stealth
Sandbox
9
Gotcha Force
Gotcha ForceGotcha Force is a fighting / third-person shooter video game developed on HAL Laboratory Sysdolphin engine and published by Capcom for the GameCube in 2003. The game consists primarily of collecting gacha toys and battling with them.
Action
Science fiction
Action
Science fiction
76
6