- This is not to be confused with the home videogame based on the movie of the same name.
Stargate (also known as Defender Stargate and Defender II) is an arcade game released in 1981. It is the sequel to the game, Defender.
The name, Defender II, was used in home video game releases, due to legal issues (according to the bonus material for Midway Arcade Treasures, Williams wanted to "make sure they could own the trademark" on the "Defender" name). The name "Defender II" has been used on all of its home ports, and game compilation appearances, however there were never any "Defender II" arcade units.
Gameplay[ | ]
It is identical to Defender. In the arcade and Atari 2600 versions, there are additional aliens the player must deal with: Phreds, Big Reds, Munchies, Dynamos, Space Hums, Yllabian Space Guppies, Firebombers, and Fireballs. On the offensive side, the player has one more weapon to activate: the Inviso cloaking device, which makes your ship invisible for as long as you have energy for Inviso. There's also the Stargate, which allows the player to transport to either a place where a humanoid is being abducted by a lander or just to the other side of the planet. Every five waves, there is one of two special attack waves: the Yllabian Dog Fight, where the only aliens that appear on the screen are Yllabian Space Guppies, Pods, and Dynamos; and the Firebomber Showdown, where the prime targets are Firebombers.
The NES version is simply closer to a modified port of the original Defender, with only the sequel's Stargate included.
Controls[ | ]
The arcade controls are identical to that of Defender, with the inclusion of yet another button for Inviso on the right side of the panel.
The Atari 2600 version splits up its controls between two joysticks. The left joystick controls the flight, thrust, and direction of the ship and its laser fire. The right joystick activates smart bombs, hyperspace, and Inviso.
The NES version does not have either Inviso or hyperspace. The D-pad is used for flight, thrust, and direction of the ship, and the action buttons activate fire and smart bombs.
Notes[ | ]
The NES version curiously has musical tunes that also appear on Punch-Out.
Atari developed a prototype version of this game for the Atari 5200, but it was never completed or released.
Gallery[ | ]
Stargate[ | ]
Atari 2600 Boxart
Famicom Boxart
Defender II[ | ]
Atari 2600 Boxart
NES Boxart
 | This article is a stub. You can help Codex Gamicus by expanding it. |