Defender 2000

Top: Classic Defender mode Middle: Defender Plus mode Bottom: Defender 2000 mode Classic mode is a recreation of the original arcade game Defender , offering similar graphics and gameplay. Plus mode is similar to Classic mode but with modernized visuals and minor gameplay additions. 2000 mode modifies and builds upon the original gameplay, introducing power-ups , more sophisticated enemy types, enhanced visuals, and bonus rounds . The plot takes place in a future where the Alpha Promixian empire attack mining settlements on distant resource planets.

In all three game modes, the player acts as part of the System Defense Team commanding the Threshold ship and the main objective is to defeat waves of invading aliens while protecting humans. The player controls the ship that flies from left to right with a radar at the top of the screen. The radar shows incoming enemies and humans across the playfield in different colors. Landers pick up humans and attempt carrying them to the top of the screen to become mutants.

The player must shoot down the landers to rescue the human before it falls to its death. The player's ship has a standard laser fire and bombs capable of obliterating enemies caught within its blast radius. Failing to protect the humans causes the planet to explode and the level becomes populated with mutants. In 2000 mode, power-up items appear in each level and are collected to obtain upgrades such as AI droids, a shield that protects the player from two hits, lightning laser, and rapid fire.

Rescuing and catching humans will also grant extra firepower to the player's ship. If a human is abducted by a lander, they not only turn into mutants but also leave a falling tombstone capable of damaging the player's ship. Once the ship is fully powered up, collecting four warp tokens grants access to three-dimensional bonus rounds and the player skips five levels if they are successfully completed. The game features over 100 increasingly difficult levels and two difficulty modes: Tikka Masala and Vindaloo.

Vindaloo mode is unlocked after completing the game in Tikka Masala mode. Entering specific names on the high score table enables two easter eggs : "Plasma Pong" and "Flossie Defender. Plasma Pong is a graphically revised version of Pong (1972), while Flossie Defender replaces the ship and humans in Plus mode with a sheep and llamas respectively. The game features support for the ProController .

In addition, the game also has a two-player option which allows two players to play by alternating turns.