Stargate is a side-scrolling shooter game developed by Williams Electronics and released in arcades in 1981. It is the sequel to the popular game Defender, and builds upon the gameplay mechanics of the original game. The Atari 2600 port was initially sold under the name Stargate, but it was later re-released and renamed to Defender II for legal reasons.
In Stargate, also known as Defender II, players control a spaceship tasked with defending humanoids from various alien invaders. The game introduces new enemy ships, such as Firebombers, Yllabian Space Guppies, Dynamos, Phreds, Big Reds, Munchies, and Space Hums, adding more variety and challenge to the gameplay experience.
The player’s spaceship is now equipped with an Inviso cloaking device, which makes the ship invulnerable for a short period when activated, but it has a limited charge. A Stargate feature is also introduced, allowing the player to teleport to any humanoid in danger, which adds a strategic element to the gameplay.
Stargate, or Defender II, carries forward the legacy of the original Defender game while introducing new features and challenges, making it an enjoyable experience for fans of the original game and new players alike.