Defender (Red label)

Pilot a laser-firing spaceship in Williams’s 1980 arcade shooter, Defender, and protect vulnerable humanoids from alien abduction. Using a two-way joystick and five buttons, players scan for stranded humans across the planet's surface while battling waves of increasingly challenging enemies, including fighters, mines, and formidable mother ships that unleash swarms upon destruction. A key mechanic involves rescuing captured humanoids; if an alien carries one to the top of the screen, it transforms into a dangerous mutant joining the attack. As play progresses, entire planets can be destroyed if all humanoids are abducted, transitioning the action to outer space where only enemy waves remain. Players can utilize a "smart bomb" for total on-screen clearance or risk using “hyperspace” to teleport their ship – a potentially perilous maneuver that could place them in an even more vulnerable position. The game’s unique design pioneered a sideways scrolling perspective and introduced elements like the long-range scanner, adding depth and complexity to this intense, demanding experience. Distinct editions of Defender were released over time, with later versions featuring corrections to minor details such as point values for certain enemies and high score displays. While initially met with skepticism at trade shows, the game would become one of history's highest-grossing arcade titles, inspiring a popular song and leaving an undeniable mark on gaming culture.