Few arcade games hold the same legendary status as Galaga, and at its core is the player’s ship—the nimble, iconic fighter that has defended against endless waves of enemy bugs for decades. But what happens when we redesign this ship for a modern era?

In Assignment 3, students were tasked with reimagining the Gyaraga, the signature spacecraft of Galaga, while staying true to its legacy. The results? A collection of striking new interpretations, each influenced by unique inspirations—ranging from fighter jets and race cars to deep-sea submersibles and rogue ships. Let’s take a look at how the students brought their vision of the Gyaraga to life.

Speed Meets Style: The INDYCAR Gyaraga

🚀 Designer: Sophie Sala
🏎 Inspiration: INDYCAR racing, aerodynamics, sponsorship culture

Sophie’s design takes Galaga to the fast lane, merging the high-speed aesthetics of modern INDYCAR vehicles with the streamlined aggression of the original fighter. With sponsor decals and aerodynamic enhancements, this version of the Gyaraga isn’t just battling enemies—it’s competing in a galaxy-wide interstellar racing circuit.

Classic Roots with a Star Wars Edge

🚀 Designer: Rana Barua
✈️ Inspiration: Original Galaga, WW-era fighter planes, Star Wars

Rana’s Gyaraga redesign remains loyal to the original—sticking with the classic shape and color scheme that Galaga fans know and love. But with an added touch of Star Wars aesthetics and WWII fighter plane elements, this ship feels battle-hardened, rugged, and ready for a modern war among the stars.

Upgrade and Adapt: The Modular Fighter Jet

🚀 Designer: Grace Doeller
🛠 Inspiration: Classic Galaga, modern fighter jets, upgradeable mechanics

Grace envisions the Gyaraga not just as a ship, but as an evolving weapon. This iteration takes cues from fighter jets, with a design built for player customization. The ship serves as the player’s primary defense and transportation, with modular upgrades allowing it to adapt over time.

From Rogue to Hero: A Ship Reclaimed

🚀 Designer: KC Tovera
🦗 Inspiration: Insect-like Galagan ships, rogue ships, Galaga: The Rebellion

KC’s ship tells a narrative—it was once a rogue’s vessel, but has now defected to fight alongside the heroes. The ship still carries the insect-like design of Galagan crafts but is now proudly painted in the white, red, and blue of the original Gyaraga. Its contrails and logo serve as a callback to its legacy while embracing its newfound cause.

Galaga: The Depths – A Harpoon Fighter for Deep Space

🚀 Designer: Zora Troupe
🌊 Inspiration: Deep-sea submersibles, space shuttles, harpoon mechanics

What if the battle against the Galaga took place in the farthest reaches of space? Zora’s Gyaraga is built to withstand extreme conditions, drawing inspiration from deep-sea submersibles and space shuttles. This ship isn’t just about lasers—it utilizes a laser targeting harpoon system to tag enemies before striking with devastating precision.

A Fighter Jet with a Toy-Like Twist

🚀 Designer: Rachel Liu
🔫 Inspiration: Fighter jets, toy laser blasters

Rachel took a different approach—while still recognizable to Galaga fans, her Gyaraga is more detailed, sleek, and visually dynamic. By incorporating elements from fighter jets and toy blasters, the design balances the intimidation of military tech with a sense of arcade-style fun and nostalgia.

A New Take on Galaga's Evolutionary Enemies

🚀 Designer: Cierra
🐛 Inspiration: Galaga alien ships, biological swarm warfare

Cierra expanded the Galaga universe beyond just the Gyaraga, designing a full-scale alien fleet. The work introduces a carrier ship for the Galaga forces, alongside a fighter equivalent to challenge players. The Galaga creatures evolve from larvae into fully combat-ready enemies, making for a more dynamic and immersive battlefield.

Scarlet Fox’s Speed-Based Starfighter

🚀 Designer: Krow Zhang
⚡ Inspiration: Speed-focused playstyles, holographic combat, classic Galaga mechanics

For players who favor speed and precision, Krow’s Scarlet Fox ship is designed for fast maneuvering and strategic upgrades. A standout feature is its ability to recreate the classic “Dual Fighter” mechanic—this time using a holographic projection, allowing skilled players to double their firepower in style.

The Fallen Gyaraga: A Motorcycle of War

🚀 Designer: Bea Parlade
🏍 Inspiration: Post-apocalyptic salvage, repurposed war machines

What if the battle shifted to land? In Galaga: The Fallen, Bea’s protagonist doesn’t fly a ship—they ride a motorcycle built from the wreckage of the Gyaraga. This gritty, post-apocalyptic take sees players scavenging old Gyaraga weapons to fight against mutated alien threats, making for a unique and grounded twist on the franchise.

Galaga: Online – Nostalgia Meets Modern Design

🚀 Designer: Bee Lawhorn
🎨 Inspiration: Classic Galaga, sleek modern aesthetics, vibrant colors

Bee’s design focuses on capturing nostalgia for longtime fans while drawing in new players with a visually sleek and modernized ship. By blending the recognizable look of the original Gyaraga with vibrant colors and clean, futuristic lines, this version of the fighter serves as a perfect bridge between the past and the future of Galaga.

Reimagining an Iconic Legacy

With Assignment 3, these students have successfully breathed new life into the legendary Gyaraga. Whether it’s through speed-focused racers, deep-space harpoon fighters, rogue ships, or post-apocalyptic motorcycles, their work showcases the versatility and creativity behind reinterpreting classic game design.

As Galaga continues to evolve, one thing is sure—no matter the era, the Gyaraga will always stand as a symbol of resistance against the endless alien swarm.

Reimagining Galaga’s Iconic Gyaraga Fighter