Galagon - Atari 2600

Price:
$35.00

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GalagonGalagon

Galagon brings the hit arcade game to the Atari 2600! Champ Games continues their excellent track record of bringing remarkable arcade ports to the Atari 2600. Their previous titles include Wizard of Wor Arcade, Mappy, Super Cobra Arcade, Scramble, Lady Bug, and Conquest of Mars. Galagon features one and two player modes (including two-player co-op and challenge modes), several skill levels, the ability to enable auto-fire independently for each player, pause functionality, AtariVox support to save high scores, and QuadTari support to allow two-players and AtariVox use at the same time.

How to Play

Galagon is a one or two player game using the joystick controllers. Use the joystick to move your ship left and right to avoid incoming fire and to line up your shots to destroy the enemy. Press the fire button to fire up to two missiles (or four missiles when your ship is doubled). Destroy all of the enemies to advance to the next stage. There are 99 levels to complete.

Galagon

The Enemies

  • Bees (blue): These enemies fly in a loop pattern towards your ship when attacking. Be careful when they loop around to return back to the formation!
  • Butterflies (red): These enemies fly in more of a zig-zag pattern towards you and wrap around the screen when they pass your ship.
  • Flagships (cyan/blue): These flagship enemies fly alone or in packs protected by butterfly guards. The flagships require two hits to destroy them; after one hit they turn from cyan to blue. Hitting them when they are blue will destroy them.
  • Split enemies (multiple): Starting on level 4, at some point during the level a bee will flash and split into three other enemies! They will swoop towards you and circle your ship; destroy all three for bonus points.
  • Captured ship (red or blue): When your ship is captured by a flagship (see below), he is forced to fight for the opposition until he is freed. Although he can be destroyed, you should instead try to rescue him so that he may fight for your cause once again!

Tractor Beam

Occasionally during a level, a flagship will fly to a particular spot on the screen and emit a tractor beam attempting to capture your ship. If your ship is captured in the tractor beam, it will turn red (or blue for player 2) and join the enemy! When he takes off from formation, shoot his captor to free him and double up your ship (and double your fire power!), but be careful not to shoot the captured ship. With double fire, your two ships will each fire a missile at the same time (up to two each).

Challenge Stages

Starting on level 3 and every 4th level after that is a CHALLENGE STAGE. In this stage, the enemies do not fire and your ship cannot be destroyed. The object is to shoot as many ships as possible (up to 40) to increase your score. Shooting all 40 will result in a 10,000 point bonus.

Gameplay Video

Game Options

  • Novice, Standard, Advanced, and Challenge Modes
  • One and Two Player support (including two-player co-op modes)
  • Use Difficulty Switches to Enable/Disable Auto-fire for each player
  • Built-in Pause Feature using Color/BW Switch
  • Supports QuadTari Adapter for simultaneous two-player and AtariVox support
  • High-Score Tables stored using AtariVox or SaveKey (if present)

Screenshots

Galagon Screenshot Galagon Screenshot Galagon Screenshot Galagon Screenshot

Choose Your Galagon Label!

We've created two different label designs for Galagon, featuring Dave Dries' artwork. "Style A" is the artwork on the front of the box, and "Style B" is the artwork featured on the back of the box. Please choose above which label style you want! If you don't make a choice, you will receive "Style A" by default.

Galagon Label Style A
Label Style A
Galagon Label Style B
Label Style B

Galagon Poster Included

Dave Dries' beautiful artwork for Galagon is featured on a double-sided 10" x 14" poster and is included free with the game!

Galagon Poster

QuadTari Support

Galagon has built-in support for the QuadTari, which is a device that allows you to plug up to four controllers into your Atari 2600 or 2600-compatible system. In the case of Galagon, you can connect two joysticks and an AtariVox or SaveKey into your console at the same time. This allows two players to enjoy the game while being able to save your high scores and other data to the AtariVox. You can see all the games in the AtariAge Store with QuadTari support here.

AtariVox Support

If you have an AtariVox or SaveKey plugged into joystick port 2, up to five high scores are saved for each skill level. The current skill level, game mode, and number of players are also saved. To reset all scores on the AtariVox/Savekey for Wizard of Wor Arcade, press and hold RESET while powering on the game.

Get a Galagon Box!

Galagon Box

If you'd like a boxed copy of Galagon, please select "Box Upgrade: Yes" at the top of the page before adding Galagon to your cart. Our boxes are professionally printed and include a box insert to hold your Galagon cartridge in place. We want you to play our games, so we have not sealed or shrinkwrapped the boxes in any way, allowing you easy access to the game cartridge and manual.

These boxes are the same size as boxes Atari produced for their games "back in the day". They look great sitting on a shelf with your other boxed homebrew games, or alongside games from the classic Atari 2600 library. We only have a limited number of boxes for each game, and there is no guarantee they will become available again once our supplies are exhausted. Click on the images to the right to see larger photos of the box.

Additional Information

MelodyGalagon is a Melody-enhanced game that takes full advantage of the CDF mode in the Melody.

Galagon includes game cartridge and full-color, 12-page manual, and a double-sided 10" x 14" poster featuring Dave Dries' Galagon artwork! You can optionally purchase a professionally printed box (see above)

Available in NTSC and PAL60 television formats--please select above. If you do not select an option, you will receive an NTSC cartridge by default.

Number of Players 1 - 2
Controller Joysticks
Cartridge Size 32K CDF
Code and Design John W. Champeau
Graphics and Design Nathan Strum
Music and Sound Effects Ross Keenum
Packaging Illustration and Design Dave Dries
Joseph Raska on 02/13/2023 08:15pm
This game is great. Looks amazing on the 2600. My favorite is the 2 player co-op it%u2019s hysterical switching back and forth in the middle of the game. I love it.
Joseph Janoski on 02/08/2022 09:49am
For an unofficial port of Galaga from the arcade it really is a well developed conversion on the Atari 2600 using a Melody board with CDF mode for better sound and Visuals. Galagon for what it achieves is really fast-paced shooting action that blows the 7800 official Galaga port out of the water. There are three modes of difficulty which are Novice, Standard and Advanced each with different highscore saves when you use the Atarivox or Savekey.

With a nice variety of enemies, fast scrolling star sprites and explosion frame sound on your ship is all very close to the arcade. Double fighter is there too with the Boss ship's tractor beam to suck you in. Extra modes like the 2-player Co-Op is actually really cool with both ships on the same screen which you can save the highscore if you have a Quadtari accessory.

Challenge mode really changes things up as its basically going through 99 challenge stages where you shoot all 40 enemies in each round to keep your double ships. Miss a couple and you might lose a ship in process making this port fresh and interesting to keep on coming back for more. Champgames has outdone himself with this unofficial arcade port which I highly recommend to pick it up when you have time to kill.
Jeff on 11/01/2021 04:33pm
My goodness, what an awesome game! Easily best on the 2600. Pretty faithful Galaga conversion, at least with what is possible with the system.
Brek Brixius on 08/27/2021 10:33pm
With all the great reviews and the videos out there, my expectations were high. To my shock, they were surpassed. Galagon is a truly amazing game. Seriously, the best of the best.
Jacco Bot on 03/23/2021 12:04pm
This game takes the 2600 to a whole other level. The playability, the fluid motion of the graphics, I would not have thought this was possible on the 2600. The conversion is perfect; I am still stunned that this is the 2600 that I'm playing this on. Unreal.
Zeb on 03/03/2021 01:07am
I'm totally blown away. One of my most favourite games I first encountered on the BBC Micro is on the 2600. Just been playing via Stella on my PC and I'm hooked and want more! The demo version just doesn't cut it so PLEASE release this as digital purchase!

I'm in the UK and import taxes make this far too expensive to buy a physical copy plus I am unable to play this on a real 2600.
Ethan C. Nobles on 02/19/2021 10:16am
Simply an excellent version of Galaga for the 2600. Had this come out in 1982, it would have have been a major hit. Don't miss out on this one, folks.
Tommaso Ragnoli on 01/12/2021 12:26am
Really a top game, but where is a buyable digital ROM-download of this game for Harmony users??? :-( How many more years this will take? The game is two years old and still nothing happened.
Radical Reviews on 12/14/2020 01:13pm
35 years ago this game would have been impossible on the 2600. Hell, 20 years ago it would've been impossible. This is easily one of the best games on the console. Period. Great graphics, controls and sound come together to create this fantastic arcade port. Do yourself a favor and buy this game. Buy it now. Do it. Do it. Have you done it yet? Dammit! Why not? Buy it!

Here's a link to my full review:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRXA0d9ZwcQ
Crazy Climber on 09/14/2020 01:08pm
I was reluctant to purchase this because I own/owned Galaga on just about every system imaginable at some point (including the arcade machine) Galaga is a great game.but it's over done these days. Anytime I talk classic games with someone who was alive BACK THEN but not really into classic games NOW it's always the same thing. "remember Galaga??" Yes, of course I do, but there was other games back then too!!!

That being said, this is an EXCELLENT port. No need to repeat all the great things people have already said. They are correct, it's amazing.

Now, I hear a few (minor) complaints about the limitations of the Atari (spacing, etc) but that's a good thing and also what makes this game great! You see, it's different enough to NOT be the same old version of Galaga you have played a MILLION times and already own on multiple systems! It's refreshing to have something a little different! Makes it fun all over again!

I would have gave 4 joysticks but the option to do the "challenge stages" ONLY is a HUGE plus and has added many hours of gameplay for me. I'll admit it, there are times when I play Galaga where I am just mindlessly going through the motions, eagerly awaiting the Challenge stage (which is my favorite part of the game) Now I can play a quick game of ONLY challenge stages (or make an entire Sunday morning out of it, I have!!) and for that, plus the atarivox high score save, this game gets a coveted 5 Joystick rating from me.

Pick it up, It's worth it guys, and the packaging is top notch too (I even hung the poster on my wall just like I did back in the 80's)
Paul Young on 09/07/2020 07:55pm
No kidding: this really is the best port of GALAGA for a classic system. It's better than the original 7800 port by a long shot. I'm using a Genesis Arcade Power Stick, and the control is dead on. Only on the arcade machine itself have I ever felt so confident in my aim, even under heavy enemy fire. GIVE CHAMP GAMES AND ATARI AGE YOUR MONEY.
adam ford on 09/05/2020 01:52am
I love Galagon on the Atari 2600! I love playing this in 2 player Co-op mode. This is a fantastic port of a fantastic game that I always loved playing in the Arcades growing up. I enjoy playing this game in mame, but its even better on the 2600! Thank you Champ games!
Utilikey on 08/16/2020 11:01am
Excellent adaptation. I have a number of Galaga ports across systems, but utilizing a true Joystick in a game with a single fire button is cathartic. This is my favorite version, because of all the in game adaptations. Remarkable work.
Jase on 07/04/2020 07:31am
Never say it can't be done on a 2600. At least not while Champ games is active on the scene!
This puts the 7800 version to shame in every way.
The gameplay is fantastic, and so are the graphics. It's as close to the real thing as I've experienced on any 8-bit platform!
The hi-score table is saved too if you have a save key or Atarivox, which I think adds to the replay value, trying to beat your highest score!
Superb packaging and artwork too. A must have in anyone's collection!
Chris H on 06/22/2020 12:04pm
Somehow Galaga is one game that had passed me by, back in the 80s. But, I thought I'd acquire a copy of Galagon on the strength of the reviews and also because I have fond memories of playing a game called Galaforce, which was supposedly based on Galaga.

I think Galagon on the Atari 2600 is excellent. There's a fairly small, but nice variety of enemies that attack you in numerous ways and formations. Whilst the way the game looks and sounds is first class. A sign of a good game is one that you keep wanting to come back to and Galgon provides that for me. It's not easy, but I keep wanting to return to it and get past my previous best which is stage 12. Very addictive.
William Kendrick on 06/08/2020 10:30pm
While not quite as perfect as the NES and (obviously) emulated arcade versions (e.g. NAMCO Museum), in my opinion this surpasses the official 7800 version, and has some interesting options not found elsewhere. Another amazing achievement on the 2600 (and frustratingly, another game I've always wanted on the Atari 8-bit, that the 2600 got first :-) )
Ekbert Jameson on 05/12/2020 08:33pm
Very good game, but not understandable why there is still no digital download-version buyable??? Why should, for example, Harmony users buy a real cartridge and then all the time switch between this cartridge and the Harmony cart, when they instead could use a rom of Galagon in their Harmony. But half a year after game release still no possibility to buy only the rom. When it's such a problem to sell roms directly over the Atari-Age Shop, why not making it over "itch.io" or something similar. This was the way, alot of new C64 games was sold as digital-downloads (roms) in last 10 years.
Steve Webber on 04/06/2020 07:08am
Everything about this exciting release is absolute quality and is another fantastic achievement by Champ Games. I never expected to be able to play this on the humble Atari 2600. Galaga is one of my earliest memories when I was about 3 at sport centres and fish and chip shops when I pretended I was playing the arcade while the demo was running or looked over the shoulder of someone playing. The closest I had at home was Astro Wars tabletop (which was cool at the time) Now this fantastic version can be played at home. It has the trademark Champ Games attention to detail with the graphics, the music and even the artwork. It just brings great nostalgic memories and is a lot of fun to play. Champ Games have added a lot of extra features that give this game great re-playability. This is an essential purchase and would take pride of place in anyone%u2019s collection. Do not miss out on this one!!
Steven Ramirez on 02/11/2020 06:10pm
This is it folks, the best home version of Galaga. Everything moves on screen with an amazing amount of speed and fluidity. The visuals and sounds take you back to the arcade. The box, manual and label art are magnificent and there's even a poster included with the CIB. With Novice, Standard and Advanced modes, there is a game for everyone's skill level. There's even a separate Challenge mode and one or two player support, including two player co-op (this is lots of fun). Given all of gameplay that's packed into this cart, it almost feels like a multi-cart and is certainly well worth the money.
Brian Jones on 01/11/2020 10:28pm
This is the game I have been hoping and waiting for on the 2600 since I was a kid, playing on my original console. And thought probably wasn't possible.

It is as close as you can get to the arcade on the 2600. The graphics and sound are both great and true to the arcade. Both are better than you would expect on a 2600.

It comes in professional, quality packaging with beautiful artwork.

If you are a Galaga fan, this is a MUST get. Even if you aren't, this is probably a must get just for the quality of it.

One of the best games for the 2600.
save2600 on 01/02/2020 04:54pm
Amazing port of a game that is as timeless as the Atari VCS itself. While Galaga has never been one of my personal top favorites, I can really appreciate what's gone into this conversion. Beautiful graphics, colors, animation, sound effects, background sounds, bonus stages, animated star field, double-fighter, frantic gameplay, etc. It's all basically here.

If you're not bothered by the enemies' spacing (a true limitation of the VCS that can't be helped) than yes - Galagon is damn near arcade 'perfect'. Another top notch production from Champ Games and one of the very few VCS games that actually tires out my thumb while playing! Time to dust off the Starplex controller. :-)
David Sherwin on 12/29/2019 01:56pm
They're beautiful.they're deadly.they're on the 2600! Totally unbelievable game that has to be played to be appreciated. I kept telling random strangers at PRGE "Galaga has been ported to the 2600! The 2600!" And then ran back to the AA booth for more rounds. The artwork and poster (both sides) are just great, too.
William Kebler on 12/08/2019 04:38pm
What more can I say, it's basically an arcade perfect game! Its really amazing and the challenge levels option is a lot of fun. The box and cart are amazing quality and there's a quality bonus poster as well. Your collection is incomplete without this amazing and iconic title! Get it!

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