Defender 2000

Defender 2000 is a scrolling shooter game that offers three modes to choose from: "Classic Defender", "Defender Plus", and "Defender 2000". 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.

Defender 2000 is an update of Eugene Jarvis' arcade game Defender (1981). In 1994, Atari Corporation and Williams Entertainment announced a joint venture to remake popular arcade games on the Atari Jaguar and PC, including Defender, Joust, and Robotron, with Atari responsible for the Jaguar versions. It is part of Atari's 2000 series of arcade game revivals, a strategy initiated by producer John Skruch after the release of Tempest 2000. It was programmed by Jeff Minter, founder of Llamasoft, who previously updated Dave Theurer's Tempest as Tempest 2000.

The project came about when Minter approached Atari and suggested converting Defender, one of his favorite arcade games, to Jaguar. Atari assigned the project to Minter, who decided to join the company and move to Sunnyvale to facilitate his work.

Defender 2000 received mixed reception from critics. The "Classic Defender" mode stood out as its biggest draw. The Electric Playground's Victor Lucas said that Classic mode was better than the original Defender (1981), while Atari World's Iain Laskey considered it a near-perfect replica of the arcade original. Computer and Video Games' Tom Guise wrote that it was a faithful port, while Game Players' Mike Salmon felt Classic mode was strong enough to make it one of best titles on Atari Jaguar.

Next Generation contended that Defender was only significant because of its originality and that the gameplay had not aged well. Edge criticized Classic mode for being a lame copy, while ST Format's Stuart Campbell labelled it as a poor arcade conversion.