Defender

Defender (1981)

by Shockwave, Williams Electronics
Genres:Strategy, Shooter
Themes:Action, Science fiction
Game modes:Single player, Multiplayer
Story:Defender is an arcade video game developed released by Williams Electronics in 1980. A shooting game featuring two-dimensional (2D) graphics, the game is set on a fictional planet where the player must defeat waves of invading aliens while protecting astronauts. Development was led by Eugene Jarvis, a pinball programmer at Williams; Defender was Jarvis's first video game project, and drew inspiration from Space Invaders and Asteroids. Williams planned to display the game at the Amusement & Music Operators Association (AMOA) trade show, though development delays resulted in the team working on the game up until the show started. Defender was commercially successful, selling over 55,000 units to become the company's best selling arcade game. Praise among critics focused on the game's audio-visuals and gameplay. It is frequently listed as one of Jarvis's best contributions to the video game industry, as well as one of the most difficult video games. Defender was ported to numerous platforms, inspired the development of other games, and was followed by sequels and many imitations.Show more
user avatarAdded by @sergeu78
Vote to bring this game to GOG and help preserve it.
52
Trailers and screenshots
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Stories about this game (1)
What’s your memory of Defender?Share your favorite moments and see what others remember about this game.
user avatar@placeholder

Make sure to follow our Guidelines when adding new Stories.

If not sure what to write:
  • What made this game unforgettable?
  • Who did you play this game with?
  • What made it fun or challenging?
  • Why do you want this game on GOG?
user avatar@irregulars9user avatar@irregulars9
February 19, 2025
My father told me when I was four, one late night, he saw this cunning kid turn on the precious XT computer then input some DOS commands and play this. And he smiled and said I don't have any idea now you had a computer-thing job. God, I miss him... Anyway, this game was introduced in alias "Stargate". I still remember the map shifted landscape to space. It was awesome.
Those games also need your vote!
Doom Eternal
Doom EternalDeveloped by id Software, DOOM Eternal is the direct sequel to DOOM (2016). Experience the ultimate combination of speed and power with the next leap in push-forward, first-person combat. As the DOOM Slayer, return to take your vengeance against the forces of Hell. Set to an all-new pulse pounding soundtrack composed by Mick Gordon, fight across dimensions as you slay new and classic demons with powerful new weapons and abilities.
Action
Fantasy
Horror
Warfare
Science fiction
Action
Fantasy
Horror
Warfare
Science fiction
6 276
12
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earthThe players control the heroes or villians from the famous Lord of The Rings movies. With a hero characters similar to the Warcraft series you control both the armies and all the unique heroes. The game follows the movies very closely and even got scenes from the films appear in game. Not only does the game contain a giant campaign where you play through the journey of the ring as the good side, the game also features an evil campaign where as the players play as the evil forces of Middle Earth. With multiple diffrent races from all over Middle Earth, a giant spell tree to customize your game and a unique basebuilding layout the game was great for its time.
Top
Fantasy
Warfare
Top
Fantasy
Warfare
53 146
176
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth IIWage war in the North and assume command of the most storied civilizations in all of Middle-earth history - the Elven and Dwarven armies - or fight on the side of Evil with heroes and creatures that have never been seen in The Lord of the Rings films. Defend or overtake never before seen lands such as Dol Guldur, The Misty Mountains, and Mirkwood as you unleash powerful new weapons and abilities, such as summoning dragons.
Fantasy
Warfare
Fantasy
Warfare
31 530
89
Doom: The Dark Ages
Doom: The Dark AgesDOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells the epic cinematic origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage. Players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell.
Action
Fantasy
Science fiction
Action
Fantasy
Science fiction
767
2
Commandos: Origins
Commandos: OriginsCommandos: Origins tells the story of a newly founded British commando unit that grows into a brotherhood during its operations against strategic goals of the German Wehrmacht.
Action
Historical
Warfare
Stealth
Action
Historical
Warfare
Stealth
418
3
No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way
No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s WayA year after the first No One Lives Forever, tensions are rising between United States and Soviet Union over the tiny, but strategic Isle of Khios. Jones, now the sole Commander of U.N.I.T.Y. (after Smithy was discovered to be a H.A.R.M. spy in the first No One Lives Forever), is taking a vacation and leaves Temporary Director Lawrie in charge. The sequel to the award-winning No One Lives Forever returns you to a world of espionage, intrigue, and dry humor. In her second adventure, British UNITY operative Cate Archer must investigate a super-secret Soviet project that, if successful, could bring about the third world war.
Top
Action
Fantasy
Historical
Comedy
Stealth
Top
Action
Fantasy
Historical
Comedy
Stealth
57 239
54
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San AndreasReturning after his mother's murder to the semi-fictional city of Los Santos (based on Los Angeles), Carl Johnson, a former gang banger, must take back the streets for his family and friends by gaining respect and once again gaining control over the streets. However, a story filled with crime, lies and corruption will lead him to trudge the entire state of San Andreas (based on California and Nevada) to rebuild his life.
Open world
Action
Stealth
Open world
Action
Stealth
25 352
38
Satisfactory
SatisfactorySatisfactory is an FPS open-world factory building sim. You play as an engineer on an alien planet tasked to complete ‘Project Assembly’ - a massive machine for a mysterious purpose. Conquer nature, build multi-story factories, and automate to satisfaction!
Open world
Science fiction
Sandbox
Open world
Science fiction
Sandbox
1 759
6
Tokyo Jungle
Tokyo JungleIn Tokyo Jungle, everything is the enemy, and only the strongest will survive! With over 50 playable animals to choose from, unleash your inner beast to hunt your way to the top of Tokyo's post-apocalyptic food chain. Whether in Story or Survival Mode, you never know where your next meal will come from or the dangers you'll face, so be prepared for anything and everything. Forage through this desolate but dangerous city to complete story-based challenges using a variety of survival skills, from all-out attack to stealth. Beware-- you are not the only animal out there hunting for survival!
Action
Comedy
Stealth
Sandbox
Survival
Action
Comedy
Stealth
Sandbox
Survival
162
6
Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance
Metal Gear Solid 2: SubstanceMetal Gear Solid 2: Substance is a re-vamped and revised edition of the original Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, in which Solid Snake must recover the stolen Metal Gear Ray from a group of terrorists bent on using its power for unthinkable reasons. Along with the original espionage shooter comes a collection of 200 virtual reality (VR) missions. Missions range from killing certain targets and using particular weapons, as well as seeing the world of Solid Snake from different perspectives and styles, with first-person target modes and a variety mode including crazy characters of different shapes and sizes. Also included are various alternative missions, ranging from the protagonist sneaking around and snapping photos of targets to bomb disposal, all out destruction, and more.
Action
Stealth
Action
Stealth
26 020
12