In Atari 2600’s Malagai, you play as Commander Harrington “Harry” Crag aboard the starship “Endless Search.” While at a Malagai base for repairs, the Malagai seize your ship, demanding access to your advanced technology.
To escape, you must unlock three airlock doors per starbase using the correct keys, each held by one of three Malagai. The order of the key-holding Malagai is indicated by images above the starbase. If you stray too far from your designated area for an extended period, as shown by the on-screen line, the Malagai become hostile, forcing you to return to your compartment to pacify them. Acquiring the right key from a Malagai will prompt an attack and cause the airlock to flash in most game variations. After unlocking the third door, you progress to the next starbase.
Upon completing the third (blue) starbase, you gain an extra life.
Game Variations:
- Distinct shapes and colors for each Malagai.
- Identical shapes but different colors for all Malagai.
- Uniform shape and color for all Malagai, with airlocks not blinking upon obtaining the right key.
Scoring:
- Touching a friendly Malagai: 100 points (additional 50 points if holding the correct key).
- Opening airlocks one or two: 100 points.
- Opening the third airlock to exit orange or teal starbases: 150 points.
- Opening the third airlock to exit blue starbases: 250 points.
Difficulty Settings:
- “B” setting: 10 seconds before Malagai attack when away from compartment.
- “A” setting: 15 seconds before Malagai attack when away from compartment.