Although Defender was quite difficult, it is/was extremely addictive. The sound effects and visuals of the smart bomb obliterations was incredible. My favourite arcade game of all time. Robotron was just as addictive. Jarvis, you are a legend.

Back in '81 I had a job making change and keeping the guests happy at an arcade on the Boardwalk in AC, NJ. Defender was "my" game when I wasn't playing pinball. Thanks for the memories. ps that guy is good.

Thank you Tim and thank you Joe! Great tips!! I was much better at Defender as a younger kid than I am now. I used to be able to do multiple attack waves before going hyper space. Not so good now. It's one of the few games I used to be ok at but not so good now. Most games I kept my ability. Defender seemed to get tougher. I have a few friends that are so good at this game it's crazy.

Great video, I really loved Defender back in the day, the sights and especially the incredible sounds absolutely mesmerised an 11 year old me, I was eventually pretty damn good at it but my word Joe is incredible, best player I've ever seen anyway, thanks for the memories. 👌

Defender - my favorite arcade game of all time.

That’s how I played back in 80-82 while in uni. I always felt the quick reverse and knowing how to group for a smart bomb kill are key. Now in my 60s I plan on building a Defender and have been collecting the bits so I have a great retirement project :-). Thanks for this. Brings back so many great memories.

Excellent video! He showed a lot of helpful tips and he’s very knowledgeable

Watching this man make that Defender ship dance was truly a treat!

Oh my really appreciate this video I was like 12 year's old when I 1st played Defender in 1980 , 1981 . Game kicked my butt . But after a couple hundred dollars in quarters. I was able play for over 15 minutes or more on one quarter. This game taught me how to overcome losing with a lot of practice. I have not played DEFENDER since like ,1987 . My friend just text me l last week , that they got a DEFENDER cabinet in a restaurant in Boston. we he works . Really appreciate this video!

Picked up a nice condition all original Defender last summer. Just needed some monitor work. Now I need to get gud. :)

Great video! Defender was one of those games I always sucked at, but it was fun watching people who knew what they were doing.

I play world class Defender. He’s spot on with everything. Great video💪💪

I had a paperback book about arcade tips for Defender in the mid 80's . One day , while riding the school bus , I started hole punching that book from cover to cover midway from the edge of the free paper . Eventually , I was able to secure my school combination lock to it , preventing a few other kids from trying to read it .

Still holds its own in piloting skills against the modern shoot-em-up titles from CAVE, PSIKYO, RAIZING. Stargate slightly easier. Remember one player who deliberately lost his humanoids and went to outer space having to clear at least 10 levels before returning to normal land stages. Racked up a lot of lives before going to space stages.

My favourite arcade game.

Great video gentleman. I will incorporate your tips in my game.

Some helpful tips! I am too young to have been hanging around in arcades in the early 80s, but I did play it on home systems such as Atari 2600. And once in a while I play the arcade version emulated these days. I wouldn't mind improving my game, so thank you!

Great vid tim. I really enjoyed that. I'll see if I can put those tips to good use.👍

Defender and Joust, Arcades were the Bomb in the 80s - what a time to be alife as a kid!

Defender - Bane of my Arcade existence 😂

Been too long since I played this game. Great video!

Awesome video! Great Content!

Ah! My Cerritos High classmate! Joe!

outstanding thanks

Steve Davis used play this game during his intervals playing snooker he had them shipped in for him…. I wonder if he has an original machine or two…. I wonder if he was any good at playing it?

Looks like Joe can go on for ever.

Great video, Thanks! I only collect Williams games and Defender was my first. Almost have them all..

One of my favourite games really hard to play I wish I could find this game to play today I would travel miles…..

super - does anyone know if there is a source documented that describes the algorithms for example the baiter AI seeking and intercepting (et al), enemy explosion algorithms (et al) and warp-in algorithms. I have seen some good attempts at recreating but not quite as good...

Never could be good at this

Did anyone manage to clock it? I did once in 1981/82, cant rem the exact year.

Great vid, filled with tips. One q for you- the scanner. Yours seems to have extra lines, and is a different shape from the usual- why is that? thx

I gotta get one of those Defender 1ups

Great video i was always pants at this game 🎮

Have to play Zeppelin in the background for full effect

Defender is a game best learned on freeplay. A lot of fun, but you can get (and will) get BTFO'd a lot.

Holly!!!!

Best 2D side scroller ever . We need a defender 3 or stargate 2 to put in our old machines! Strike force was no bueno sequel to the defender saga. Does Eugene Jarvis have some grand kids that can help ?Im tempted to borrow from the original roms like they did with mrs pac man to make a proper sequel . Anyone have any ideas?The software probably should load into a jrok multi Williams like tie die robotron etc.

Nobody, and I mean NOBODY beats me at Defender. My right pinky is permanently crooked from Kickin' Major Mutant ASS!

Not that good if you gotta smart bomb everything. Space is the best part of this game, it's where you get your skills.

I kill all the humans except one then i hover around him.