Galaga (1981)
Atari 2600 · 1981
About this game
Galaga is a vertical arcade shooter from Namco.
You control a space fighter at the bottom of the screen, scrolling left and right in order to avoid oncoming bombs and kamikaze attacks from alien invaders--and to fire your own missiles to fight back! There are an infinite number of stages to progress through.
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Every third level is a "challenge stage" in which you have a free chance to shoot as many aliens as possible and rack up bonus points.
Certain aliens have tractor beams they can use to capture one of your ships.
If that wasn't your last "life," you can try to shoot that alien down and recapture your ship, giving you two ships at once and doubling your firepower.
A summary screen appears when the game is over, giving you both your final score and your final "hit ratio"--the number of missiles fired, enemies destroyed, and the percentage of targets hit.
About Atari 2600
The Atari 2600 (1977) was the console that first proved interchangeable game cartridges could sustain a mass-market business, effectively founding the home console industry as we know it. Most common 2600 titles are inexpensive today given how many units and copies were sold, but a small number of extremely rare releases — including several from Atari's own late-era prototype and licensed titles — are among the most valuable cartridges in retro collecting.
Gamevaro tracks Galaga (1981) for Atari 2600 with separate market values for loose, complete-in-box (CIB) and factory-sealed copies, sourced from real eBay sales. Prices also vary by region — PAL, NTSC-U and NTSC-J releases of the same game often sell for different amounts due to print run sizes and regional collector demand.
Adding Galaga (1981) to a Gamevaro collection takes seconds — search by title or scan the box barcode, and the app fills in cover art, release details and current pricing automatically. This A2600 release dates back to 1981.
Market values by condition
PAL
NTSC-U
Recent sales
| Date | Type | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-15 | Loose / Item only | NTSC-U | €16.66 |
| 2026-07-15 | Loose / Item only | PAL | €16.95 |
Market insights
Rarity & condition
Only a handful of market sales have been tracked for Galaga (1981), suggesting it doesn't trade hands very often — a sign of relative scarcity compared to more common Atari 2600 titles.
Complete-in-box (CIB) copies typically command a premium over loose cartridges/discs because the original box and manual are more fragile and get discarded or damaged over time — fewer complete sets survive.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Galaga (1981) worth?
Galaga (1981) for Atari 2600 is currently worth €16.95 loose. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.
Is Galaga (1981) rare?
Galaga (1981) has only a handful of tracked market sales, suggesting relative scarcity compared to more common Atari 2600 titles.
What's the difference between loose, CIB and sealed for Galaga (1981)?
Loose means cartridge or disc only, CIB (complete in box) includes the original box and manual, and sealed means factory-sealed and never opened. These are tracked as separate market values because the price gap between them can be significant, especially for older releases.
Is Galaga (1981) worth more in PAL or NTSC?
The PAL version of Galaga (1981) is currently worth €16.95 loose, versus €16.66 for NTSC-U. Regional price differences usually come down to print run size and regional collector demand.
Ratings & Reviews
Also on other platforms
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