Summary

• Release Year: 1982
• Genres: Arcade, Shooter
• Platforms: Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Commodore C64/128/MAX, Commodore VIC-20
• Publishers: Sirius Software

Bandits (1982): A Galaga Clone That’s Still a Blast to Play

Bandits is a 1982 arcade game developed and published by Namco. It is a Galaga clone, but it has its own unique features that set it apart from the original.

Gameplay

The goal of Bandits is to defend your moon base from waves of enemy spaceships. The enemies come in different shapes and sizes, and they each have their own unique attack patterns. You control a spaceship that can move left, right, up, and down. You can also fire shots in any direction.

As you progress through the game, the waves of enemies become more difficult. The enemies also start to move faster and fire more shots. You will need to use all of your skills to survive and protect your moon base.

Features

Bandits has a number of features that set it apart from other Galaga clones. These features include:

• Power-ups: There are a variety of power-ups that can help you in your fight against the enemy spaceships. These power-ups include:
  • Speed up: Makes your spaceship move faster.
  • Shot speed up: Makes your shots travel faster.
  • Double shot: Allows you to fire two shots at the same time.
  • Spread shot: Makes your shots spread out when they are fired.
  • Barrier: Creates a barrier around your spaceship that protects you from enemy fire.
• Boss battles: At the end of each level, you will face a boss battle. The bosses are large and powerful, and they will require all of your skills to defeat.
• Multiple endings: There are multiple endings to Bandits, depending on how well you play. If you manage to destroy all of the enemy spaceships, you will get the best ending.

Reception

Bandits was a popular arcade game when it was first released. It was praised for its challenging gameplay, its variety of power-ups, and its multiple endings. The game was also ported to a number of home computers, including the Commodore 64, the Atari 8-bit family, and the ZX Spectrum.

Legacy

Bandits is considered to be one of the best Galaga clones ever made. It is still enjoyed by retro gamers today. The game has been included in a number of retro game compilations, and it is also available for download on a number of online platforms.

Tips for Playing Bandits

Here are a few tips for playing Bandits:

• Use the power-ups wisely. The power-ups can give you a significant advantage in battle. Use them strategically to help you defeat the enemy spaceships.
• Be careful of the boss battles. The boss battles are challenging, but they are not impossible to defeat. Be patient and use your skills to take down the bosses.
• Don’t give up. Bandits is a challenging game, but it is also a lot of fun. If you keep trying, you will eventually be able to beat the game.

Conclusion

Bandits is a classic arcade game that is still a blast to play today. If you are a fan of Galaga or other classic arcade shooters, then you should definitely check out Bandits.

Review Score

7.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots