Atari 5200 · Shoot 'em Up / Action
Defender
| System | Atari 5200 |
|---|---|
| Released | 1982 (originally 1981) |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Action |
| Developer | Williams |
| Publisher | Atari |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 7 |
Defender is a shoot 'em up released in 1982 for the Atari 5200, developed by Williams and published by Atari. This 5200 release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1981. It blends shoot 'em up and action elements.
It belongs to the 5200's earliest wave of games. Other notable 5200 releases from 1982 include Countermeasure. Among the 17 5200 shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #4 by legacy score.
Williams also made Joust and Robotron: 2084 for the 5200.
Defender supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you have a friend to play against
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
What playing Defender is like
Shoot 'em ups (shmups) put you in a ship facing waves of enemies and bullets. Runs are short and intense, and the goal is to survive, collect power-ups and push your high score.
Tip for newcomers: Focus on your ship's small hitbox rather than the flood of bullets, and learn which power-ups suit each stage. Most shmups are designed to be replayed many times.
Defender walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Defender.
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Playing 5200 games today
The 5200 library is small and arcade-focused, so it suits players who enjoy classic coin-op ports. The original non-centering joysticks are famously fragile, which is why many collectors use refurbished or modern replacement controllers.
Defender FAQ
When did Defender come out on the 5200?
Defender was released for the Atari 5200 in 1982; the original game dates back to 1981.
Who made Defender?
It was developed by Williams and published by Atari.
Is Defender multiplayer?
Yes. Defender supports up to 2 players.
How long does Defender take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Defender typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Defender on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.