Start the round
Look at the Missile Defense game above. If you see a start, play, or new game button, press it first.
Classic Arcade
Missile Defense
Defend your cities from incoming missiles! Click to launch counter-missiles and create explosions.
MISSILE DEFENSE
Defend your cities!
Click/tap to fire counter-missiles
Create explosions to destroy incoming threats
High Score: 0
Games Played: 0
Press ENTER to start
Controls
Click/Tap: Fire counter-missile
ESC: Pause/Resume
1/2/3: Select missile base
ENTER: Start/Continue
About Missile Defense
Missile Defense is one of the most iconic arcade games ever created, originally released by Atari in 1980. The game puts you in command of three anti-ballistic missile batteries, tasked with defending six cities from waves of incoming intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Our browser version captures the intense action of the original while adding modern enhancements. Face increasingly difficult waves of enemy missiles, including smart missiles that move faster and MIRVs that split into multiple warheads when destroyed.
The game was notably designed during the Cold War era and reflects the nuclear anxiety of that time. Today, it remains a masterpiece of arcade game design, testing your strategic thinking and quick reflexes.
How to Play Missile Defense
1
Target Incoming Missiles
Click or tap where you want your counter-missile to explode. Time it so the explosion intercepts incoming missiles.
2
Create Chain Reactions
Explosions expand and then contract. Multiple missiles caught in one explosion is the key to high scores.
3
Manage Your Resources
Each base has limited ammo. Use missiles wisely - unused ammo earns bonus points at wave end.
4
Protect Your Cities
Surviving cities earn 100 bonus points per wave. Lose all cities and the game is over!
Frequently Asked Questions
Missile Defense is a classic 1980 Atari arcade game where you defend six cities from waves of incoming ballistic missiles. You control three anti-ballistic missile bases and must intercept enemy missiles before they destroy your cities.
Click or tap anywhere on the screen to launch a counter-missile to that location. The nearest missile base with ammo will fire. The missile will travel to the clicked point and create an expanding explosion that destroys any enemy missiles it touches.
Red missiles are standard enemy missiles. Yellow missiles are 'smart' missiles that move faster and appear in wave 3+. Purple missiles are MIRVs (Multiple Independently-targetable Reentry Vehicles) that split into 3 missiles when destroyed, appearing in wave 5+.
Normal missiles: 25 points. Smart missiles: 50 points. MIRV missiles: 100 points. Enemy planes: 200 points. At the end of each wave, you earn 100 bonus points per surviving city plus 5 points per unused missile.
When a missile hits a city, it's destroyed and cannot be recovered during that game. The game ends when all six cities are destroyed. Protect your cities strategically!
You have three missile bases with 10 missiles each. Each base can be destroyed by enemy missiles. Ammo is replenished at the start of each wave for surviving bases. Position your clicks strategically to use ammo efficiently.
Starting from wave 4, enemy planes may appear flying across the screen. They drop bombs on your cities. Shooting planes is worth 200 points.
Yes! This browser version of Missile Defense is completely free to play. No downloads or accounts required.
Absolutely! The game is optimized for touch controls. Simply tap where you want your counter-missiles to explode.
Press the Escape key or tap the Pause button to pause during gameplay.
Tips & Strategies
- •Aim ahead of missiles - lead your shots to intercept them before they reach cities
- •Save ammo in the center base - it can reach all areas of the screen effectively
- •Target clusters of missiles with single explosions for maximum efficiency
- •Prioritize MIRVs (purple) - destroy them high up before they split
- •Watch for enemy planes in later waves - they drop surprise bombs
- •Don't panic - methodical, well-placed shots beat rapid random firing
Why Play Missile Defense?
Classic Gaming
Experience arcade history
Strategic Thinking
Plan your defense wisely
Quick Reflexes
Test your reaction time
Endless Waves
How far can you go?
Related Games
If you enjoy Missile Defense, try these other classic arcade games: