Spacewar! similar games & best alternatives

Spacewar!

PDP-11, PDP-1 • 1962

Should you play it?

Spacewar! is one of the earliest digital computer video games. It is a two-player game, with each player taking control of a starship and attempting to destroy the other. A star in the center of the screen pulls on both ships and requires maneuvering to avoid falling into it. In 1971 it was unofficially ported into a coin-operated PDP-11 machine and renamed Galaxy Game. As an arcade machine it was installed at the Tresidder Union at Stanford University in September, 1971, two months before the official release of Computer Space, the first mass-produced video game. Only one unit was built initially, although the game later included several consoles allowing users to play against each other.

What works

  • Innovative physics-based space combat
  • Balanced and skillful gameplay
  • Engaging two-player competition
  • Historical significance and legacy
  • Simple yet deep mechanics

Things to keep in mind

  • No single-player mode or ai
  • Limited graphics and customization
  • Short play sessions due to hardware constraints
  • No cooperative or social features
  • Steep learning curve for new players

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

Less dominating

Game that feel like Spacewar! but with less domination over others · 18 games

Less competitive

Game that feel like Spacewar! but with less competition against others · 10 games

More social

Game that feel like Spacewar! but with more teamwork and cooperation · 5 games

Less violent

Game that feel like Spacewar! but with less combat and destruction · 4 games

Others

Other games that might remind you of Spacewar! · 4 games

Choose your own criteria ->

Last update: 02/11/2026