Galaxian: 6 Open Source Clones Compared
Galaxian500 is a transcode of the original Z80 arcade code into 68K assembly for Amiga and Neo Geo, bundling assets extracted directly from the arcade ROM; it's playable with sound on both platforms, though the Neo Geo version still has known display-masking and sound-glitch issues. Kanixian is a separate, from-scratch browser shooter built with the Pyxel engine, themed around a crab rather than a spaceship, and its own README notes it lacks the original's formation-flying enemy behavior and capture-beam mechanic.
Comparison table
Availability
- Status
- Unplayable
- Platforms
- Windows
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Halted
- Last updated
- 15y ago
- Stars
- 11
- Contributors
- 1
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Multiplayer
- —
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Amiga
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Sporadic
- Last updated
- 4mo ago
- Stars
- 5
- Contributors
- 2
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- NoAssets are extracted from the original arcade ROM and included.
- Multiplayer
- Two-player
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Web
- Play in browser
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Halted
- Last updated
- 2y ago
- Stars
- 4
- Contributors
- 1
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Multiplayer
- —
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Linux
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Not tracked
- Last updated
- Not tracked
- Stars
- Not tracked
- Contributors
- Not tracked
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Multiplayer
- —
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- NES
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Not tracked
- Last updated
- Not tracked
- Stars
- Not tracked
- Contributors
- Not tracked
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Multiplayer
- —
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- TI calculator
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Not tracked
- Last updated
- Not tracked
- Stars
- Not tracked
- Contributors
- Not tracked
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Multiplayer
- —
| Title | galaxian | Galaxian500 | Kanixian | Aliens | Galaxian (NES) Disassembly | Galaxian (TI-82) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Unplayable | Playable | Playable | Playable | Playable | Playable |
| Platforms | Windows | Amiga | Web | Linux | NES | TI calculator |
| Play in browser | No | No | No | No | No | |
| Mobile | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Project health | ||||||
| Development status | Halted | Sporadic | Halted | Not tracked | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Last updated | 15y ago | 4mo ago | 2y ago | Not tracked | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Stars | 11 | 5 | 4 | Not tracked | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Contributors | 1 | 2 | 1 | Not tracked | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Compatibility | ||||||
| Requires original assets | — | NoAssets are extracted from the original arcade ROM and included. | — | — | — | — |
| Multiplayer | — | Two-player | — | — | — | — |
| Preview | | | | |
Known limitations
- graphics: Neo Geo version has incomplete display masking at top and bottom.
- audio: Neo Geo version has partial sound with glitches; TBD for full implementation.
- gameplay: Enemy formations do not engage in formation flying.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Galaxian clones on this page open source?
Yes — every clone catalogued here is an open-source project. Availability, license, and development-status details for each one are listed in the comparison table above.
Do I need to own the original Galaxian to play these clones?
Galaxian500 runs standalone, no original files needed.
Can I play any of these Galaxian clones directly in a browser?
Yes — Kanixian has a browser-playable build linked in the comparison table above, no install required.
See the full write-up for each clone, or go back to Galaxian.