Commando Classic
ColecoVision · Shoot 'em Up
Defender
Certified classic
| System | ColecoVision |
|---|---|
| Released | 1983 (originally 1981) |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up |
| Developer | Williams |
| Publisher | Atari |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 7 |
Released for the ColecoVision in 1983, Defender is a shoot 'em up developed by Williams and published by Atari. This ColecoVision release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1981.
It came out in the ColecoVision's second year on the market. Other notable ColecoVision releases from 1983 include Rocky Super Action Boxing and War Room. Among the 18 ColecoVision shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #2 by legacy score.
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
- you want to experience one of the ColecoVision's defining games
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 ColecoVision games today
The ColecoVision's library is small but rich in faithful coin-op conversions, and homebrew developers still release new cartridges for it today.
Defender FAQ
When did Defender come out on the ColecoVision?
Defender was released for the ColecoVision in 1983; 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.