What is the ultimate classic arcade shooter?

Fatsquatch

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When you think of all the classic arcade shooters (Galaxian, Galaga, Phoenix, Satan's Hollow, Space Invaders, etc., etc.), which one makes you think, "Yeah, that's the best; the icon of the genre."
 
Ooh...good question! It's a toughie.


The *ICON* shooter is Space Invaders. Hands down. Game caused a friggin COIN SHORTAGE! It also cemented consoles in the home by becoming the first killer app.

Which one got most of my quarters? Galaga.
Only game I ever rolled in the arcade. Bastard older kids didn't tell me I was about to roll it. They just encouraged me. So their high scores would stand. Bastards. I loved Galaga but haven't seen a real one in ages. I played the reunion cab and it seemed...different. Didn't feel right. I'm probably just older and have incorrectly remembered the original. But if pressed I'd say I don't like the game anymore.

Which one do I play every day? Satan's Hollow.
Best artwork. (though Galaxian is cool. And Galaga.) Really challenging. Cool sound FX/music. Church groups hate it. And it lives in my living room. (That helps with the every day thing.) And the subjective: it's veryfun/addictive.

You forgot Moon Cresta. Isn't that somebody's favorite? Jow? Phet? Bueller?
 
space invaders or galaxian. Space invaders would be the more iconic game. Galaxian was not only a good game but the basic game play and it's characters were used repeatedly after it's creation.
 
Space Invaders. I never even saw much less played a Galaga back in the day, but Space Invaders was everywhere. Cool ass cab too.
 
Humm..I'm going to go with Galaga for a classic...but man has that genre come a long way. The newer stuff is absolutely amazing. Some of the stuff that Seibu, Raizing/8ing and Cave is putting out is insane.
 
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Wow that is a good question. I have always liked centipede and I would group it in that genre as well.

I am assuming vertical so others would be
Galaga - sorry i agree better then galaxian
1943 - lots of fun and two player
Space Invaders - a true classic
Gyruss - awesome audio
 
space invaders hands down is THE ultimate shooter. now, is it the best shooter....heck no. but, it's 1 of those games that stands above all others for the craze it started. along with pac man and DK, these 3 games have no equals. they had songs, tv shows and even movies based on them.
 
Defender and Stargate would hold this crown.
 
Defender is a love/hate game. Those who are good at it love it. Those who suck at it (like me) dont care for it as much. I have one in my collection but rarely play it because its too hard.
When I first read "shooter" operation wolf came to mind. I was thinking games with a gun and that is one of the best of them.
Galaga wins hands down. Besides pacman its one of the most remembered games.
 
I like King and balloon as far as space invaders style format shooters go. I think the king exhibits a true appreciation for being saved that comes through his heart felt thank you!
 
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