# 10 Masterpiece '80s Arcade Games Better Than Galaga

> Galaga's arcade rivals: 10 games that outshone the classic shooter.
- Title: 10 Masterpiece '80s Arcade Games Better Than Galaga · CBR
- Summary: Galaga's arcade rivals: 10 games that outshone the classic shooter. Galaga's arcade rivals include Galaxian, Space Invaders, Gorf, Space Wars, Asteroids…
- Keywords: galaga, galaxian, space invaders, gorf, space wars, asteroids, mario bros, donkey kong, frogger, paperboy, pac-man, arcade games
- Source: CBR — https://cbr.com/masterpiece-80s-arcade-games-better-than-galaga
- Author: Sage Negron
- Published: 2026-10-23T02:15:14+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: galaga, galaxian, space invaders, gorf, space wars, asteroids, mario bros, donkey kong, frogger, paperboy, pac-man, arcade games
## Galaga's arcade rivals
Galaga is the classic arcade shooter most people think of when asked about space shooters.
## Galaxian came first
Galaxian was the pioneering fixed shooter for arcades in the 1970s, before Galaga.
## Space Invaders competition
Space Invaders was the first fixed shooter that helped start the arcade shooter genre.
## Gorf's complex gameplay
Gorf offers multiple missions and wormholes for players to complete.
## Space Wars multiplayer focus
Space Wars was designed for two players with different ships and weapons.
## Asteroids space challenges
Asteroids uses giant asteroids as the primary enemy in space gameplay.
## Mario Bros platforming
Mario Bros features plumber brothers chasing turtles in New York sewers.
## Donkey Kong rescue mission
Donkey Kong has Mario rescuing Pauline from giant barrels.
## Frogger highway challenge
Frogger requires players to guide a frog across a busy highway.
## Paperboy delivery challenges
Paperboy tasks players with delivering newspapers without breaking windows.
## Pac-Man maze challenge
Pac-Man requires players to eat pellets without getting caught by ghosts.
## Key takeaway

Galaga's arcade rivals include Galaxian, Space Invaders, Gorf, Space Wars, Asteroids, Mario Bros, Donkey Kong, Frogger, Paperboy, and Pac-Man, all iconic games from the 1970s and 1980s.