Gaplus
Gaplus is a 1984 fixed shooter video game developed and published by Namco, a pioneering company in the arcade video game industry. The game was distributed by Bally Midway, a notable North American video game manufacturer, and is the third installment in the famed Galaxian series. It serves as a direct sequel to the arcade classic, Galaga, from 1981.
Gameplay
In Gaplus, players assume control of a spaceship tasked with destroying endless waves of insect-like enemies across different levels known as "Parsecs". The objective is to score as many points as possible by defeating these adversaries. The gameplay mechanics are fundamentally similar to those in Galaga, where enemies fly onto the screen in formation and then proceed to attack the player's ship with kamikaze-style dives.
Gaplus introduced several innovations to the classic Galaga formula. One of the notable gameplay features is the inclusion of bonus "Challenging Stages", where instead of merely defeating a predetermined number of enemies, players are challenged to juggle enemies by shooting them multiple times for extra points. Each successful hit in this stage grants a dot, represented by a bee, in a word or phrase, with additional hits contributing to lines above and below the word.
Development and Release
Released at the height of the golden age of arcade video games, Gaplus was well-received, especially in Japan where it was listed as the most successful table arcade unit of May 1984 by Game Machine. The game later found its way to mobile platforms, showcasing the enduring appeal of its design.
In North America, Gaplus was modified at one point to be known as "Galaga 3", a change likely intended to highlight its place as the third in the series. This name change was part of a modification kit distributed by Bally Midway.
Legacy
Gaplus is remembered for its contributions to the arcade shooter genre and has been included in various Namco compilations, such as the Namco Museum collections, ensuring its continued availability to new generations of players. The game's influence can be seen in later entries in the series, such as Galaga Legions.
Its unique gameplay dynamics, including the juggling mechanic, have been praised for their creativity and challenge, adding depth to the already popular Galaga formula.