The End

Konami’s The End, released in 1980, is a cooperative two-player shooter where players pilot spacecraft tasked with eliminating waves of enemy ships before they can achieve a destructive goal. The core challenge involves preventing the bugs from dismantling three bases; these pieces are then used to construct the word "END" across the top of the screen. Enemy attacks originate from a large mothership, requiring coordinated effort and skillful maneuvering to survive. Players control their ships using two-way joysticks, moving horizontally to dodge projectiles and target approaching adversaries. Success depends on efficiently destroying enemy vessels while safeguarding the bases and ultimately thwarting the bugs' plan to spell out "END". The game’s distinctive mechanic of base destruction adds a unique strategic layer to the classic shoot 'em up formula. Later distributed in North America by Stern, The End features a Zilog Z80 processor and General Instrument AY8910 sound chips, contributing to its distinct visual and audio presentation. A version of the game was also unofficially released under the title "Omega."