Game Boy Advance · Shoot 'em Up / Racing
Defender
| System | Game Boy Advance |
|---|---|
| Released | 2002 (originally 1981) |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Racing |
| Developer | OutLook Entertainment, Inc. |
| Publisher | Midway |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Defender |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 5 |
Released for the Game Boy Advance in 2002, Defender is a shoot 'em up developed by OutLook Entertainment, Inc. and published by Midway. This GBA release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1981. It blends shoot 'em up and racing elements.
It came out in the GBA's second year on the market. Other notable GBA releases from 2002 include Sonic Advance 2, Metroid Fusion and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords. Among the 25 GBA shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #3 by legacy score.
It is part of the Defender series; on the GBA you can also try Defender: For All Mankind. The series also appears on other systems with Defender 2000 (Jaguar).
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 GBA games today
The GBA is one of the best-value retro libraries around, with deep RPGs and tactics games that suit portable play. A growing selection is on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, and Rec0m88 supports GBA if you own the games.
Defender FAQ
When did Defender come out on the GBA?
Defender was released for the Game Boy Advance in 2002; the original game dates back to 1981.
Who made Defender?
It was developed by OutLook Entertainment, Inc. and published by Midway.
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.