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Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Atari 5200 and Commodore 64 Defender Review

Similar to other games released by Atari for home computers, the Apple II, Atari 8-bit and Commodore 64 versions of Defender have a lot in common. However, the challenge of a game like Defender with its swarms of aliens and screen-filling explosions, and the differences in the hardware of the computers tasked with recreating that game, ensure each version isn't too similar to the others. In the end, all three systems get to show off an advantage over their competitors, thanks to Defender.

The aliens of the Commodore 64 port resemble their arcade counterparts most closely among the three releases. This version of the game also makes good use of the Commodore's sound hardware. The sound effects aren't exact reproductions of the arcade game's, but they are more than enough to recreate the spacey atmosphere of the original, while further giving each type of alien its own personality. Less impressive are the fireworks that erupt from destroyed aliens and Defenders, consigned to small bursts instead of wide spews of debris.

In the version for Atari hardware, the alien graphics are a little more "off" than the Commodore's, though still quite decent. Shooting those aliens is definitely more rewarding here thanks to bigger, better explosions. Sound is also good, if not spectacular, but the game does suffer from frequent slow-downs, especially in the higher levels during heavy fighting.

The Apple release actually looks very similar to its Atari cohort, only with more abstract aliens. Despite its less-endowed hardware, the Apple actually experiences fewer slow-downs than the Atari, though they do still occur. Where the Apple version really excels though, is in the game's difficulty. Even on the "Easy" setting, aliens are everywhere, and getting any kind of worthy score is hard, arguably as hard as on the arcade game. But also like the arcade game, it never feels like a completely unfair difficulty, and you just may find yourself hitting the button a lot for a new game.

Among these ports, and maybe even among all home releases of Defender, I would say the Commodore 64 is the best all-around adaptation. Even so, if you loved the insane difficulty of the arcade game, try out the Apple II release, and if you like lots of big explosions and other eye candy, give the Atari 8-bit or Atari 5200 version a shot.

(Note: The Atari 5200 and the Atari 8-bit computers have very similar hardware, and games were often published with the same code for both. On the 5200, smart bombs are unleashed with the joystick's second fire button, and the keypad is used for hyperspace. Otherwise Defender plays the same on both platforms.)

Apple II grade: B

Atari 8-bit and Atari 5200 grade: B

Commodore 64 grade: B+