Player starfighter
The player's ship, positioned at the bottom of the screen.
Documented for this version
Which controls does this version use?
Control notes
Specific DOS keyboard mappings are not verified here.
How it plays
How does Galaxian play?
Galaxian uses a fixed single-screen perspective. The enemy fleet begins in formation above the player, then individual aliens swoop downward, sometimes attacking in groups and firing during their descent.
The objective is to destroy every alien in a wave while avoiding enemy shots and collisions. The player moves horizontally, fires upward, and advances through repeated waves with increasing pressure. There is no documented alternate mode or character-based progression for this DOS version.
Plan your run
What is the best way to play Galaxian?
Stay near the center when the formation is intact so both sides remain reachable, but keep enough horizontal space to evade diving enemies.
Prioritize aliens that leave formation, watch for their return paths, and avoid firing so rapidly that enemy movement becomes difficult to read. Clear dangerous attackers before concentrating on the remaining formation.
Meet the cast
Who are the key characters?
Galaxians
Alien enemies arranged in formation. Different enemy colors represent different point values and attack behavior.
Before you begin
What should you know before playing?
- 1
Track diving enemies as well as the formation above; attacks can come from either direction.
- 2
Use controlled shots and keep moving rather than remaining under one section of the formation.
Community discussion
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