Space Invaders Extreme

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Space Invaders Extreme
North American DS version box art
Developer(s)	Taito
Publisher(s)	^JP Taito ^{NA / EU} Square Enix
Series	Space Invaders
Platform(s)	Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable
Release date	DS ^JP February 21, 2008 ^NA June 17, 2008 ^EU July 4, 2008^[1] PSP ^JP February 21, 2008 ^NA June 17, 2008 ^EU July 4, 2008
Genre(s)	Shooter
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer
Rating(s)	CERO: A ESRB: Everyone OFLC: PG PEGI: 3+
Media	512 Mbit (DS version)

Space Invaders Extreme is a re-vamped incarnation of the classic arcade game Space Invaders. It has been released to mark the 30th anniversary of Space Invaders which saw its original arcade release in 1978. Due to the use of the same 'invaders' graphics as the 1978 original the game is recognisable as Space Invaders, but here the similarity all but ends. While the game sometimes uses similar invaders formations to the original, there also also a great many other variations alongside invaders that 'dive bomb' the player, new missiles and lasers (both for the invaders and the player), 'boss' invaders, multiple stages, WiFi play and Internet play against one other player. The game is played at a fast pace with an electronic soundtrack and sound effects - there is also an animated background (which can be switched off).

1 Gameplay
- 1.1 Single player
- 1.2 Multiplayer
2 Music and sound effects
3 Differences between versions
4 External links
5 References

[edit] Gameplay

A boss fight from the DS version.

[edit] Single player

The player controls a laser base at the bottom of the display - this can move left, right and fire (it's also possible to use the paddle controller that was released for the game Arkanoid DS). To the top of the display formations of invaders appear - these must be shot for points and to avoid them destroying the players' laser base. Sometimes a flying saucer will traverse the very top of the display from left to right (or right to left). This is the same basic design as Space Invaders from 1978, but the formation of the aliens differs greatly, changing from level to level. Sometimes there are only a handful of invaders in a tight formation, sometimes individual invaders advance rapidly down the screen separately from the main formation, and sometimes a 'boss' level will be encountered, often consisting of a very large invader and various 'guards'. Bonuses for higher scores can be obtained by doing as 'instructed' by words that flash up on the background, such as hitting invaders of a particular colour or particular type. Extra bonus levels can also be accessed by shooting aliens in the requested order, as can power and 'level ups' which increase the fire power of the players laser base.

[edit] Multiplayer

On the Nintendo DS, two players can compete against each other 'locally' via the DS's built-in WiFi connection or against each other via the Internet - the top screen is used to display the remote player's progress; there is also an online ranking system and the addition of Download Play allows a multiplayer game to be played from a single game cartridge. The Sony PSP version only allows local competitive play.

[edit] Music and sound effects

The game uses a techno soundtrack with the sound effects keyed to it, so integrating with the music and enhancing it. The soundtrack is also available to purchase on (Japanese) CD.

[edit] Differences between versions

A screenshot from the PSP version.

Multiple player options already mentioned above, but in gameplay terms both versions are the same, sharing the same levels, attack formations, similar graphics and music, power-ups, etc. The obvious main difference between the two is the use of the second screen on the DS version - this is used to make certain levels vertically larger - when not used for this it contains assorted information on the game currently in play. The Nintendo DS version can also use the Nintendo DS Paddle Controller which was originally designed for Arkanoid on the DS, or the DS Rumble Pack, adding force feedback to the game's music.