Shoot 1UP may have just launched on Xbox Live two weeks ago, but it looks like another shoot-em-up is due this week as well. This time it’s Namco Bandai’s Galaga Legions DX, the latest game in the venerable Galaga series.

In Galaga Legions DX, players must pilot a single ship accompanied that always points up, just like the original game. But now massive hordes of enemies come from all sides, making for a much more frantic experience. Thankfully a neon line shows the path they’ll take before they come on screen, giving players a moment to prepare for the onslaught. The hero’s ship also has two smaller satellite ships that can point in different directions – it will be interesting to learn how we’ll direct them on the touch screen.

Galaga Legions DX consists of 10 levels, each with multiple waves of alien invaders to blast. A clock constantly ticks down, encouraging you to clear the waves as quickly as possible in order to go for higher scores. Each level can also be played on Hard for a greater challenge (and an Achievement worth a whopping 70 GamerScore). Rounding out the package is a Time Attack mode, also with its own Achievement.

Retro chic

This installment shares little in common with the original Galaga, a game I wish had been ported to Windows Phone 7 at some point. But it does have that great neon look that all the kids love these days. Plus you can select from a variety of ‘skins’ for the game’s ships, including the original arcade Galaga sprites.

Brace your wallet

Like last year’s Pac-Man Championship Edition DX, Galaga Legions DX is a Windows Phone-exclusive port of the Xbox Live Arcade game of the same name. That’s good! However, it also clocks in at the same steep price: $6.99. Will it justify the price tag? We'll find out when Galaga Legions DX launches on Wednesday, September 5.

Update: As it turns out, the Windows Phone version of Galaga Legions DX has only three levels and a Championship mode. The other levels and Time Trial were cut from this version.