Play Galaga '88 Online

Game Overview

Galaga '88 is like someone took the original Galaga, cranked up the colors, and threw in a bunch of wild surprises. You still blast waves of alien bugs, but now they pull off these ridiculous formations—some merge into giant monsters, others explode into fireworks, and a few even drop tiny wiggling enemies like confetti. The first time one of those armored aliens flipped mid-dive, I panicked and shot wildly. (Turns out you’ve got a split-second window when they’re vulnerable.)

You start with the classic single ship or gamble on a dual ship right away—just know you’ll have fewer backups. The music kicks in during those bonus stages where enemies "dance" in sync, and if you clear all 40 in time, you’re rewarded with a massive point boost. Later levels get brutal with crystals and blobs cluttering the screen, and those egg-spawning enemies? Their screech when hit still makes me flinch.

It’s chaotic, loud, and way more strategic than it looks at first glance. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve gotten greedy for a power-up only to get swarmed.