Play Earth Defense Online

Earth Defense is a 1991 horizontal shooter for the Sega Genesis, developed and published by Jaleco. It arrived during a period when the console was building a strong library of action games, offering a straightforward alien invasion scenario without much pretense. The game doesn't try to reinvent the wheel, but it presents a solid, no-frills challenge that feels right at home on the platform.

You pilot a lone fighter against waves of insectoid enemies, moving from left to right across each stage. Your main objective is to survive the onslaught and defeat the large boss waiting at the end of every level. Key mechanics include collecting power-up capsules to enhance your main shot and secondary options, like homing missiles or protective options. The game also features a charge shot, which you build up by holding the fire button to unleash a more powerful, focused blast. The pacing is relentless, and the difficulty can spike sharply, especially when dealing with the screen-filling bosses and their intricate attack patterns. It feels like a constant battle to manage your firepower and positioning against an overwhelming force.