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Alien Sector is a 1985 arcade game developed and published by Namco. In the United States, it was released under the name “Baraduke” by Atari Games. It belongs to the platform shooter genre and is notable for being one of the earlier titles to feature a female protagonist, although her gender was not apparent in the game at first glance.

Key Features of Alien Sector (Baraduke):

1. Gameplay:
• The player controls a character named Kissy (or Toby Masuyo), who is tasked with eliminating alien creatures in a multi-level structure, advancing by descending further into the alien base.
• Armed with a laser gun and a force shield, the player must eliminate enemies called “Octy” and progress through 8 worlds, each with several stages.
• Each level contains floating power-ups and capsules to help the player gain abilities, such as extra firepower or shields.
2. Graphics & Visuals:
• The game has a distinctly futuristic, space-themed aesthetic with a variety of alien designs.
• Enemies explode in a “puffed-up” manner when defeated, which became a signature look in the game.
3. Influences:
• It has been compared to a mix of Metroid and Defender, combining exploration with shooting mechanics.
• The gameplay structure, though simple, became influential in early arcade shooters.
4. Multiplayer:
• The game supports two-player mode, allowing both players to cooperatively take on alien forces in the alien stronghold.

Legacy:

Although Alien Sector (or Baraduke) didn’t gain widespread attention like other arcade titles, it was appreciated for its innovative mechanics, particularly for its inclusion of a female lead and engaging action. Kissy, the protagonist, later became part of the larger Namco universe, making appearances in other games like the Mr. Driller series, which connects her to the character Susumu Hori.

Released: July 1985
Machine type: Arcade
Original System: Arcade
Developer by: Namco Limited
Published by: Namco Limited
Genre: Action / Shooter
Setting: Sci-fi / futuristic
Artist Designer: Yukio Takahashi
Programmer: Yoshihiro Kishimoto
Japanese spelling: バラデューク

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#retrogaming
#oldschool