The End

The End is a video game in the action genre developed by Konami Industry Co. Ltd. and published by Konami Industry Co. Ltd. originally released in 1980. It is currently playable on Arcade.

The End is a 1980 arcade action title that places the player in command of a compact starfighter stationed to halt a spreading catastrophe at the edge of inhabited space. The action unfolds on a dense, starry backdrop where a central, palely glowing citadel serves as the mission’s focal point. Objectives unfold in a linear progression: prevent enemy fleets from breaching the citadel’s perimeter, collect occasional power-ups to extend your weaponry, and endure wave after wave of attackers until a dramatic, branded end-of-stage sequence signals the completion of a run. The game rewards precision, patience, and quick reflexes, with escalating difficulty calibrated to reward skilled play.

Control is handled with a standard two-axis joystick for full freedom of movement, enabling the fighter to maneuver in all directions within a defined playfield. A single fire button provides continuous laser fire, while a secondary function engages a short-lived protective shield or a charged secondary blast, depending on the weapon configuration reached through on-screen upgrades. Enemies arrive in disciplined formations and individual scouts churn through the frame at varying speeds, converging toward the citadel from multiple vectors. Brief pauses between waves allow a moment to reposition, while occasional terrain-like debris acts as improvised cover and creates tactical choice in the heat of combat. Points accrue from destroying foes, with larger rewards for clearing a full screen of adversaries or eliminating mid-boss units that appear at set intervals.

Visual presentation emphasizes clarity and snap while maintaining a futuristic aesthetic. The sprites are compact and brightly colored against a deep black field, with enemy designs ranging from winged drones to armored gunships. Explosions register as crisp blooms of color, followed by brief screen flash to emphasize impact. The citadel glows with a steadier light, its panels occasionally respawning to imply a reactor core still pulsing with life. The overall composition favors legible indicators of hit points, weapon status, and score, ensuring that the player can quickly assess threat level as the screen fills with motion.

Audio consists of clipped, high-pitched blips and buzzing tones that rise in tempo with incoming danger. Laser fire rings with a clean tone, while enemy counters contribute a percussion-like cadence to the battlefield. When a wave is cleared, a short, proud jingle underscores achievement before the next onslaught commences. The mix is deliberately economical, designed to keep audio cues tightly bound to gameplay so that the player’s timing and positioning remain paramount.

The End delivers a tightly paced, arcade-grade experience in which skillful navigation, precise shooting, and strategic use of upgrades determine success. The cabinet presents a straightforward configuration with a prominent monitor and a compact control panel, inviting rapid entry into the field. Coin-drop rhythm aligns with escalating challenge, and the alternating two-player mode preserves the arcades’ social tempo while preserving each player’s focus on the mission’s dwindling clock.

It is possible that we have multiple downloads available when different versions exist.