Defender

Defender is a side-view, horizontally scrolling shooter in which the player pilots a spacecraft above the surface of an alien world. The landscape wraps continuously in both directions, allowing the ship to circle the planet and approach threats from either side. In the arcade version, separate controls govern vertical movement, thrust, reversing direction, firing, smart bombs, and hyperspace. The ship retains its momentum when turning, while a radar display shows the positions of enemies and humanoids across the entire world.

Each wave requires the player to destroy the invading aliens while protecting ten humanoids scattered across the surface. Landers descend toward them, carry them into the air, and attempt to reach the top of the playfield. If a Lander succeeds, it merges with its captive and transforms into a fast, aggressive Mutant.