In one of the most seminal variations on the Space
Invaders format, Galaxian was among the first clones to introduce
attacking formations that would break off from the usual rows and columns of
invaders. Though Galaxian's use of this innovation was minimal, it was a
drastic change from the usual slowly-advancing target gallery.
(Bally/Midway [under license from Namco], 1979)
Galaxian may not be as well remembered as the much more strategically
challenging Galaga, but it ultimately added a vital new twist to the
Space Invaders-inspired genre, a format which was badly in danger of
becoming stale. Galaxian was also the first arcade video game to use
a color display instead of a monochrome monitor with translucent colored
overlays.
The mothership from Galaxian appeared in some
later levels of Pac-Man as a substitute for the
cherries, apples, and other fruits which would periodically appear as bonus
items at the center of the maze. Galaxian's mothership also appeared as
a bonus item in one of the final entries in the Pac-Man franchise, Pac
'n' Pal. Galaxians also appear in Galaga
and Gorf.
Galaxian was a relatively simple game to
adapt for home play, but it didn't arrive in Atari 2600 form for several years.
For quite a while, the only home version of Galaxian was
Coleco's tabletop arcade game, which was a rather faithful rendition,
right down to the arcade cabinet art, which looks like it fell off of a Yes
album somewhere.
Apparently, Coleco's Galaxian is now considered much more rare than
any of the other tabletop arcade games, even Zaxxon.
I'm not sure I understand this, but that's how it appears to be.
The Atari 2600 version of Galaxian
arrived in 1983, and considering the simple nature of the game, it was a very
faithful rendition.
items at the center of the maze. Galaxian's mothership also appeared as
a bonus item in one of the final entries in the Pac-Man franchise, Pac
'n' Pal. Galaxians also appear in 
Four quarters - a couple of minor irritants, but mostly a compelling and
addictive game.
