1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die–Game #6–Space Invaders

Space Invaders
Platform: Arcade


Classic!

If you don't recognize this game in some fashion, you probably have zero old school in your body.  If that is the case, please play this game immediately. 

Now don't get me wrong, I'll never call this game a "masterpiece."  Mostly because I'm terrible at it, but that's beside the point.  I still respect this game.  It was a trendsetter (both here and internationally), and the iconic "invader" can still be seen in nerd gear and pop culture even today.  Respect!

BONUS:  Human Space Invaders from Wild and Crazy Kids!!!!!  ZOMG!!!!

Wild and Crazy Kids, FTW!!!!

Stupid shields need to be reinforced!

No lie, this game is all about reflexes (therefore, by the transitive property, have terrible reflexes).  As you shoot more of the invaders, the lines start to zig zag down to the bottom of the screen faster and faster (firing at you at the same time, mind you).

Pew Pew Pew!

Also, a UFO flies across the top of the screen and can give you some points.  Of course, I've hit that thing almost never.  Again, terrible reflexes.

Old School Space Invaders

Game over, indeed.

All that being said, it is still a fun game.  I'm never going to get an "immense" high score on the game, but I don't care.  It was and is one of the foundations of all video games to come along, and for what it is, a pretty solid game.  Cheers to you, zig-zagging invaders of doom!

1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die–Game #5–Combat

Combat
Platform: Atari


Tanks, planes, and jets battle it out, OLD SKOOL style...yo.
Another game that I was only vaguely familiar with (though is it sad that it really reminded me a bit of Battletanx for the N64?).  Nothing better than shooting bullets (aka cubes) at one another through a variety of "landscapes" and types of vehicles.  
The game did claim to have 27 different games, albeit the different "games" were just variations of the same game.

Planes? Planes.
However, it does have a simple charm to it.  Plus (in the right situation) I could see how the multiplayer action could really heat up.  No matter the graphics, the base gameplay is kill or be killed.

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds? Nah.
Another bonus with this game?  The sweet sweet sound effects.  For a 1977 Atari game, the sounds aren't too shabby.

1977–Combat for Atari

Overall, I'd definitely say that this game is worth a play.  If nothing else, you get a taste of one of the early seeds of multiplayer gaming.