SOTM November: Galaga '88

c0nn0r

If I could have, My time back, I'd keep it in ma'
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galaga_88.png

Shooter of the Month for November is the great Galaga '88, also known as Galaga '90 on PC Engine/TurboGrafx 16, and Galaga '91 on Game Gear.

I'll be playing via Namco Museum on Nintendo Switch.


Rules:

For Galaga '88 (Arcade, MAME, Namco Museum)

Default settings. Rapid-fire allowed
Difficulty: normal
Ships: 3
Credits: 1​

For Galaga '88/90 (PC Engine, TurboGrafx 16)

Default settings. Rapid-fire allowed
Difficulty: normal
Ships: 3
Credits: 1​




Arcade high scores - Hi-Score format: Player - Score - Dimension/Stage
Code:
1. opt2not - 197,430 - 3/12 
2. c0nn0r - 161,070 - 3/9
3. 
4.
5.

PCE/TG-16 high scores - Hi-Score format: Player - Score - Dimension/Stage
Code:
1. oliverclaude - 1,430,930 - Stage 4/29 - 1cc
2. ssjlance - 1,310,130 - 4/29 - 1cc
3. Beelzebub - 563,790 - 4/24
4. egg_sanwich - 243,670 - 3/15
5. Neodogg - 167,700 - 2/12

SEGA Game Gear high scores - Hi-Score format: Player - Score - Dimension/Stage
Code:
1. c0nn0r - 139,050
2. 
3. 
4. 
5.

Sharp X68000 high scores - Hi-Score format: Player - Score - Dimension/Stage
Code:
1. c0nn0r - 60,200 - 2/5
2. 
3. 
4. 
5.
 
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c0nn0r

If I could have, My time back, I'd keep it in ma'
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posting my first score:

con - 161,070 - 3

DNl4H84UQAAQ3lk.jpg
 

ssjlance

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Probably my favorite TG16 game of all time.

galaga.jpg
 

ssjlance

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Okay, I can't see the photo I posted. If everyone else can, awesome. The score is 548,090. Will upload elsewhere and link if image is fucked for everyone.
 

c0nn0r

If I could have, My time back, I'd keep it in ma'
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Probably my favorite TG16 game of all time.

I can see your pic ;-)

This is an excellent game, in fact this was the "old style" game that got me into playing and appreciating the older style 1-screen arcade games. Heck, even when this came out in 1988 it was looking and playing quite old in style, but that did not stop 10-year old me from having a blast with it. The way they updated the music and subtly extended gameplay is quite nice indeed.

And the PC-Engine/TG-16 port is excellent. The music is spot on. Glad I still have my TG-16 copy from decades ago!
 
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ssjlance

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I never had it as a kid, I just always really liked the original Galaga and checked the game out on a whim when looking through TurboGrafx roms 10 or 15 years ago. But yeah, it's currently the only SHMUP I've gotten around to purchasing for my TurboGrafx. Next up to get is probably Blazing Lazers, but probably going to work on getting a few of the peasant level AES carts out of the way first.

Also need Soldier Blade and Air Zonk, but money.
 

opt2not

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Excellent choice. I picked up the PCB not too long ago, but haven't had a chance to sit down and really put a good score effort on it. This is the perfect motivator.
 

egg_sanwich

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Glad to see this thread already has more posts than last months sotm. Should be a good one, gents
 

opt2not

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So do you guys go directly for the higher dimensions, or have you tried sticking to one dimension?

I’ve read that the dimensions don’t increase in difficulty, only stage increments do, so I guess jumping around early would help score but eventually you’ll have to raise in levels.

I really love this game, it’s got a charm to it with the sprite art, the music and the pathing gameplay.
 

egg_sanwich

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So do you guys go directly for the higher dimensions, or have you tried sticking to one dimension?

I’ve read that the dimensions don’t increase in difficulty, only stage increments do, so I guess jumping around early would help score but eventually you’ll have to raise in levels.

I really love this game, it’s got a charm to it with the sprite art, the music and the pathing gameplay.

Score bonuses from dimensions help immensely, however in my experience the rank also raised noticeably with each jump. I've tried experimenting to see which is better score wise - surviving longer at low rank or getting the bonuses and getting owned in later levels. Haven't settled on a strategy as of yet.
 

ssjlance

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So do you guys go directly for the higher dimensions, or have you tried sticking to one dimension?

If I'm going for score, I'll go up a dimension each time it's possible. The higher dimensions do get more difficult, as different types of enemies show up. Enemies that only take one shot are replaced by enemies that take three shots, or have armor that makes them invincible unless they turn around, etc.

Also, I see I've been bested by Beelzebub. Back to the TG16....
 

ssjlance

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How did you dimension warp from the first stage?

You let at least two of the small blue bugs/ships survive until near the end of the level. They fuse together, and the larger bug releases one of the blue capsules. Do it on level one and two and you'll have two of the capsules, resulting in a warp after the first bonus level.
 

ssjlance

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628,540 - Level 4-25
IMG_20171106_152131.jpg
 
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opt2not

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Damn, nice scores.
At level 29 you fight the final boss right? You guys are close.
 

egg_sanwich

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You let at least two of the small blue bugs/ships survive until near the end of the level. They fuse together, and the larger bug releases one of the blue capsules. Do it on level one and two and you'll have two of the capsules, resulting in a warp after the first bonus level.

Cool thanks.

What sort of bonus do you get for clearing the last boss? Does the game loop or end after that?
 

opt2not

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Don't know if it loops, I would assume so, but you get tons of points depending on the which Dimension you're in for the Final Boss:

Dimension 2: 100,000 points
Dimension 3: 200,000 points
Dimension 4: 300,000 points
Dimension 5: 400,000 points
 

egg_sanwich

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Don't know if it loops, I would assume so, but you get tons of points depending on the which Dimension you're in for the Final Boss:

Dimension 2: 100,000 points
Dimension 3: 200,000 points
Dimension 4: 300,000 points
Dimension 5: 400,000 points

Mmm this answers my previous question about which dimension to go for. Dimension 5 or gtfo.

17e9561aa53503b48199f9c51cf3ccfe.jpg


Was travelling this weekend so only had a few minutes to play on the GT. I'm thinking that playing on a proper monitor will help immensely.

egg_sanwich - 243,670 - 3-15 - PCE
 

opt2not

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First real attempt.

opt2not - 197,430 - 3-12 - Arcade

8AA6JHQ.jpg
 

oliverclaude

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oliverclaude - 194,740 - PS1

Galaga-Oli.jpg

Trial score, no auto-fire used. Played on a japanese Playstation via Namco Museum Vol.1. Don't remember the stage, next time I'll be more meticulous about it.
 

c0nn0r

If I could have, My time back, I'd keep it in ma'
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Mmm this answers my previous question about which dimension to go for. Dimension 5 or gtfo.

Was travelling this weekend so only had a few minutes to play on the GT. I'm thinking that playing on a proper monitor will help immensely.

egg_sanwich - 243,670 - 3-15 - PCE

Sexy piece of kit there. You should do better on a real screen. You are losing a lot of resolution with the stock PC/GT screen. It was nice back then to get a colour LCD, but we had to compromise on the resolution. I got one of these for Christmas back in the day. So good. I still have Galaga '90 for it, but it's back in my apartment in Canada.
 
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