PSP/DS: Space Invaders Extreme
In conjunction with the 30th anniversary of SPACE INVADERS, Taito released a new updated version in Japan recently entitled SPACE INVADERS EXTREME for both the DS and PSP.
Now, I'm old enough to remember the original arcade machines of SPACE INVADERS... and I've played the game in retro packs ever since. One thing I think I Realized is that the game itself... kind of sucks. Like a lot of early arcade games, the graphics are a joke, the SFX are at a minimum, and the overall experience for a modern gamer isn't all that great.
BUT!
I got a chance to play the import versions of SIE and I have to say I don't think I've ever had fun with SI before this game. Believe it or not, it's sort of like Space Invaders mixed with LUMINES (somewhat trippy visuals with electro/trace-type music) mixed with... hell... WARIOWARE. Quick levels, power-ups, triggers for mini-challenge stages, boss battles... Lots of fun all around.
PSPupdates listed today this news:
In GameStop's website, they have released information that both versions of the game for the PSP and the DS will be shipped on June 17, 2008 with the price of US$ 19.99.
Surprisingly enough, it's set to be published by Squeenix in the US.
Here's a LINK to the demo for the PSP. Check it out!
EDIT:
I prefer the PSP version, mostly because the screen is BIGGER. It was definitely easier to hit what I wanted to hit that with the DS version.
Still, the DS version allows you to use THIS--
so what the hell. Wish I could find one of those...
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oh, here's the trailer for the DS version:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/28587.html
And some footage of the PSP version [edit-- shorter video]:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZZNL9-RyXw&feature=related
As you can see, just about everything is already in English.
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Throw it on XBLA!
MaxShrek .. looks like Jake.. drives like Elwood.
I saw this game on Play-asia the other day. Looks great but I'd like to get more impressions before putting any money down on it.
That and I have no idea which version I'd like. I'm gonna check out that PSP demo soon.
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Okay, I gotta say, I wasn't interested in this at all. But after playing that demo, I think I will get it.
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Wow, the demo was really fun. I beat the demo without taking a single hit so I don't know what that's about. I'll definitely consider this as long as I can turn off the crazy background images.
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Younger "Let's drop some acid!" Dead-Head Aaron would be so disappointed in present-day "Uptight" Aaron 'cause I couldn't decide if I was going to have a seizure or hurl when playing the SIE demo on PSP!
This game looks awful.
If you want to see a proper example of an old game updated to be fun by today's standards, check out Space Invaders for GBA. I've been waiting for a DS version of that, but apparently, none can match it.
I passed the GBA version many times, which is a rarity in itself.
Shelter 1-minute atmospheric teaser.
I have to say that I honestly can't remember noticing the backgrounds that much when I was playing. Not enough to distract from the gameplay, anyway.
p.s. I love me some blue beam of death.
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So since the game is releasing this week, I decided to re-download the demo on PSP and give it another whirl.
This time it clicked in a big way. SIE reminds me a lot of Pac-Man: Championship Edition in that it keeps the same core gameplay mechanics, but updates it just enough to make it seem fresh and relevant while simultaneously keeping it grounded in its roots.
The game speed and presentation is a lot more frantic than the original and the trippy graphics and sound really boarder on overload (in a good way). Maybe I was tired the first time I played it, but this time the presentation was aces in my book, reminding me a lot of Lumines.
At a $20 discount price, I'm now seeing Space Invaders Extreme as a great budget title with a ton of heart. I'm definitely looking forward to picking it up (PSP) at launch.
EDIT:
Also, if you're playing the demo, when the spaceship that flies over the top of the screen is flashing several colors, hit it to bounce into a separate bonus round. Each has random rules and beating the challenge powers up your ship unbelievably for several rounds back in the normal game.
Okay, my copy of SIE PSP arrived in the mail today and I've spent a solid few hours with the retail copy, and at this point I'm completely smitten with it.
My initial impressions from the demo remain the same. Anyone who can appreciate the leap that Pac-Man: Championship Edition made over the original, while remaining grounded in its core mechanics, should give a serious look at Space Invaders Extreme. Quite simply, the two updates on the classic formula are just as sublime.
SIE keeps the left, right, shoot formula intact yet somehow manages to add enough bells and whistles to make the experience fresh and engaging. The presentation is off the hook (yeah, I know the lingo) and the pumped-up visuals & soundtrack really help to elevate the simple mechanics of the source material up to current-day standards of gaming. Beyond that, the rules have been given a radical makeover with the addition of a variety of enemy types, weapon multipliers, bonus stages, bosses and more.
In spite of all the additions, the basic gameplay mechanics remain the same. This is where the updated version really shines. Many retro-gaming classics have been treated with a complete overhaul...aka taking Pac-Man and putting him in a 3D adventure that could have been any random character, save the Pac-Man skins overlayed. Space Invaders Extreme succeeds because it holds to the delicate balance of retaining the core gameplay while adding just enough "new stuff" to make it new, fresh addictive and engaging.
Bringing up Pac-Man: Championship edition one last time, I remember idly playing countless spin-off's and never feeling the spark or connection to the source material. Not until Championship Edition came along. It was the first time since Ms. Pac-Man that I felt like I was playing a true sequel to the franchise. That's a spread of over 25 years. Space Invaders Extreme feels the exact same way. It's akin to wrapping yourself in a familiar old comfortable blanket from your youth, just one that's been cleaned, and stitched in an EXTREME manner!
The $20 price of entry makes the title an easy recommendation. Anyone with a panache for the classics owes it to themselves to look further into Space Invaders Extreme.
Does anyone know if the paddle works with the North America versions of Space Invaders and Arkanoid?
I know they aren't selling them here but I wondered if they left the functionality in the game.
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Yup. Looks like you're all set (you damn, dirty DS gamer!
)
http://www.dsfanboy.com/tag/paddle (scroll down)
And no, I am most certainly not jealous of the DS Paddle.
Nope.
Not a bit.
Yes, it works.
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BTW, Arkanoid is apparently a horrible piece of crap.
I reiterate my original statement about SPACE INVADERS EXTREME, though... for $20, you can't go wrong.
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Any updated impressions from the retail version of SIE, Matt?
Not yet. I've got a pretty big backlog of stuff to finish first.
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I'm going to pick this up on the weekend but I've been debating between PSP and DS. I'm learning towards PSP though just because those animated backgrounds look cool.
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IGN says the DS version is better:
Personally, the PSP's bigger screen and better graphics are worth more to me than the other stuff.
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GameTrailers put up a nice video review of the game.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35305.html
Both version look very nice. It's too bad that they didn't elaborate on the differences between the two versions. It sucks that the PSP version doesn't have an online ranking system since that was the version I wanted.
No, you don't.
XBL / Art / Blog (09/20) / Buy! (10/07)
This is how I understand it.
DS/PSP
-online multiplayer
-1 on 1 multiplayer (same location)
DS
-online leaderboards
-single cart 1 on 1 multiplayer
PSP
-superior visuals
-superior audio
While it would be nice to have leaderboards for the PSP version, I'm a bit of a presentation whore myself so going with the PSP version was a no-brainer for me (the DS footage from the review looked pretty crappy compared with the time I've spent with the PSP version). The multiplayer is a wash for me as it holds little interest and I've yet to play a single handheld title online.
In the end though, it seems as though you can't go wrong with either version.
Seems like it.
BTW, is amazon.com completely borked or something?
Really? Why weren't they mentioned anywhere?
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The game is actually developed by Taito and published by Square Enix (they own Taito).
And yeah, Amazon.com was giving me big hassles yesterday.
If you look at the ORIGINAL POST...
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Yeah, I guess I missed that. Okay. YOU DON'T HAVE TO YELL.
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Can you buy the paddle separately?
Quote from a conversation about the Flagship forum closure:
LobersterMobster: Official forums are closing today.
Farscry: Holy crap, what?!
LobesterMobster: OFFICIAL FORUMS ARE CLOSING TODAY!
you can try buying one through an import site... I think they're somewhat hard to come by.
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Well at least the game isn't region encoded like the full console older brothers.
Quote from a conversation about the Flagship forum closure:
LobersterMobster: Official forums are closing today.
Farscry: Holy crap, what?!
LobesterMobster: OFFICIAL FORUMS ARE CLOSING TODAY!
play-asia is out of stock on all the paddles, but you can still buy the Arkanoid + paddle bundle for $50.
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I picked up the PSP version. FYI, it requires firmware 3.95 or higher. Be sure to update your PSPs.
Now I have to go find the latest cfw.
EDIT:
Wow. Looks like I'm out of luck. There isn't a DAX custom firmware higher than 3.90 M33. @#$%.
Double EDIT:
Hey, guess what? Apparently, I don't need to upgrade. 3.90 M33-3 runs this game just fine from the memory stick. So yeah, I got through Stage 1 and I still have my cfw.
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