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Space Invaders Extreme Z invades Japan's DSiWare

by JC Fletcher { Nov 4th 2009 at 11:45AM }

Taito surprised us with a last-minute addition to the Japanese DSi Shop, and a rather awesome one at that: a modified downloadable version of Space Invaders Extreme 2! Space Invaders Extreme Z features three "courses" of increasing difficulty based on SIE2's levels, playable in "score attack" and "time attack" modes.

Space Invaders Extreme Z is available on DSiWare now (in Japan only) for 500 DSi Points. It's the first DSiWare game from Taito, who has released several WiiWare titles including Space Invaders Get Even, Bubble Bobble Plus, Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure! and Arkanoid Plus -- all of which were released in North America.

TGS 2009: Body-on: Project Natal (with Space Invaders Extreme!)

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Sep 25th 2009 at 10:01AM }

Explaining Project Natal's mantra of fun and accessibility can't be the easiest task in the world, especially since it has to be done while ricocheting about in front of a motion-detecting camera. And despite that, creative director Kudo Tsunoda makes it look easy, calmly elaborating on Natal's goals and features while he dances about in a room full of journalists.

We've heard it before: Natal is Microsoft's sledgehammer, swung straight into the walls that years of button pressing and circle strafing have slowly erected around traditional gaming. We've seen similar attacks from Nintendo's Wii, as well as from the massive genre of the Instrument Protagonist, but Microsoft is hoping for much more than a dent. In the wall. Do you get it? It's like a metaphor and stuff.

The bizarre problem with Natal in its early state is that it, um, works. The technology is clearly functional -- heck, it's vaguely magical -- which makes the absence of truly compelling software almost immediately disappointing. Anyone can simply hop in front of the camera, which never seems to stop and ask, "Who are you and where did you come from -- and why are you so fat compared to the last person?" You're recognized within seconds and can start playing a moment later. And then you slap flying balls.

It's a bit of an unfair demand considering the product's not due until 2010, but the impatience is testament to the convincing nature of the technology itself. In the meantime, Microsoft is exploring Natal's tricks in two existing games: Beautiful Katamari and Space Invaders Extreme.

Gallery: Space Invaders Extreme (XBLA)

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Space Invaders, Bust-a-Move headed to Blackberry

by Xav de Matos { Aug 30th 2009 at 1:30PM }

We won't feign ignorance to the fact that the iPhone isn't the only mobile device on the market with a growing game library. Taito seems to agree, refusing to leave Blackberry users in the dark for new gaming content. The classic game dev has revealed two of its prized licenses -- Space Invaders and Bust-a-Move -- are now available for the working man/woman's mobile device. Each title is available for $4.99 and features two control schemes: Touch screen control and using the device's keys. So, the next time you spot a frustrated business person in public eyeballing a Blackberry, just assume they're trying to beat a high score and not doing real work.

iPhone It In: Space Invaders Infinity Gene

by JC Fletcher { Aug 4th 2009 at 8:30PM }

Space Invaders Infinity Gene sounds like a complete retread of Space Invaders Extreme: a new shooter made by mixing retro-style graphics with techno music and brightly-colored, swirling visuals.

But Infinity Gene, ported to iPhone from Japanese mobile platforms, is a very different game, with little relation to either Space Invaders Extreme or the original game outside of a few visual shoutouts. And as such, Extreme's brilliance doesn't make this new reimagining redundant.

Gallery: Space Invaders Infinity Gene (iPhone/iPod Touch)

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Space Invaders Infinity Gene propagates to iPhone today

by JC Fletcher { Jul 28th 2009 at 11:30PM }

The latest evolution of Taito's prehistoric Space Invaders franchise, Space Invaders Infinity Gene, has moved from Japanese mobile phones to the iPhone/iPod Touch App Store as of today. At first glance, Infinity Gene seems to be the same kind of flashy techno Invaders found in Space Invaders Extreme, but the new game takes a different route that offers a customizable experience.

Starting out as classic Invaders, Infinity Gene changes over time, adding new graphics, abilities, levels, and gameplay to an "evolutionary tree." The game even allows players to move up and down on the scrolling screen. Infinity Gene also generates levels from songs stored on the iPhone or iPod. It's the freshest idea to hit Space Invaders since, well, Extreme, and it's available now for $5. We're just a little excited. See the trailer after the break.

[Via Touch Arcade]

Space Invaders Infinity Gene (Taito, $4.99):

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Ms. Pac-Man shoes, Space Invaders soap, not news

by Richard Mitchell { May 23rd 2009 at 12:15AM }

When video games collide with do-it-yourself know-how and just a little bit of magic, wonderful things happen. Case in point, just look at those Ms. Pac-Man shoes and Space Invaders soaps (which we have arranged in a single image for dramatic effect). With shoes like that, just walking becomes a game -- which it normally isn't, despite what Nintendo tells you -- as Pinky and Ms. Pac-Man engage in a cat-and-mouse chase all day long.

And then, when the long day is done and it's time to get clean, you'll have to defend yourself from a squadron of soapy space invaders. What better way to stave off the glycerine-infused hordes than to slowly melt them away until you have to snuff them out in the shower drain? Such is the fate of all soaps, but especially invading soaps from space.

Incidentally, if you want a pair of Ms. Pac-Man shoes of your own, the creators, Em & Sprout, have a few left in stock. There are a handful of Space Invaders soaps left too -- from the same company that brought us these -- so get a move on if you want some. Otherwise you'll have to hope they get restocked, or we suppose you could live without them.

[Via Wonderland]

Source: Em & Sprout - Ms Pac-Man Mary Janes
Source: Digital Soaps - Space Invaders soap set

Space Invaders father Nishikado calls today's games improved, recycled

by Jason Dobson { May 8th 2009 at 8:45AM }

Games have come a long way since joystick jockeys first spent hours dropping quarters into Space Invaders. Now on the heels of Space Invaders Extreme's XBLA debut, series' creator Tomohiro Nishikado has spoken out on the state of games today, observing that originality has suffered despite advances in technology.

"I think the focus on unique concepts and gameplay has waned with the evolution of technology," commented Nishikado in a recent interview. While the iconic game designer praised new tech for allowing developers to create most anything they can imagine, he called out the industry for churning out "replicated gameplay formats and concepts," adding that "people are growing tired of playing the same thing." We'd be hard pressed to argue the point, though with games like Noby Noby Boy and Rhythm Heaven (a game Nishikado calls "excellent"), we still think there is a spark of originality out there. What about you?

This Wednesday: Zombie Wranglers, Arkanoid and Space Invaders

by Richard Mitchell { May 4th 2009 at 12:01PM }

XBLA is up for another threefer this week, with Zombie Wranglers (no, really), Arkanoid Live and Space Invaders Extreme all hitting the service. Arkanoid Live and Space Invaders Extreme are both remakes of arcade classics, while Zombie Wranglers is a co-op game that tasks players with -- you guessed it -- wrangling zombies. All three games will be available this Wednesday for 800

($10) each.

If you'd rather nab Zombie Wranglers for free, developer Frozen Codebase is giving away five download codes on the official Zombie Wranglers Facebook page. Just leave a zombie survival tip on the wall to enter.

Gallery: Arkanoid Live (XBLA)

Gallery: Space Invaders Extreme (XBLA)

Gallery: Zombie Wranglers (XBLA)

College project combines exercise with Space Invaders

by David Hinkle { Apr 27th 2009 at 7:00PM }

When we think of exercise and gaming (exergaming), we think Wii Fit, much like most of you, we imagine. Thankfully, a trio of gents have come up with a more inspired way to get your sweat on: Space Invaders. As their final EE316 (Computer Engineering) project, Matt, Doug, and Allen combined a Bluetooth heart rate sensor with an Axis network camera (and some code) to make one of the best ways to get your heart pumping this side of running from the police. Check out video of it in action in the source link below.

[Via Engadget]

VC/WiiWare Tuesday: Majora's Mask arrives in another region

by JC Fletcher { Apr 7th 2009 at 9:30AM }

On one extreme, this week Japan's Virtual Console offers one of the most technologically advanced games the service can support, on one of the first systems the Virtual Console emulated: The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask on N64. On the other extreme, it offers a game that happens to be ancient for the brand new Virtual Console Arcade service.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (Nintendo 64, 1 player, 1,200 Wii Points)
Space Invaders (Virtual Console Arcade, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)

As if Majora's Mask weren't enough, WiiWare is loaded with stuff, not all of which is Evasive Space! In fact, two welcome retro revivals make their debuts, hopefully hastening their arrival outside of Japan.

Evasive Space (1-4 players, 1,000 Wii Points)
Adventure Island: The Beginning (1-2 players, 1,000 Wii Points)
Puzzle Bobble Wii (1-2 players, 800 Wii Points)
Minna de Puzzle Taisen Shanghai Wii (1-4 players, 800 Wii Points)

Majora's Mask, Phantasy Star on Japanese Virtual Console in April

by JC Fletcher { Mar 27th 2009 at 1:00PM }

Wow! This has been a really great week to be a Nintendo fan. It's been a really great week to be a Virtual Console fan in particular -- when was the last time we could say something like that? The week has just gotten a lot better with the release of the list of upcoming Virtual Console releases for Japan.

Why? Two reasons. First: The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. Like Ocarina of Time, it costs a painful 1,200 Wii Points -- and like Ocarina of Time, it will probably drop to the usual 1,000 in North America. Second, and possibly even more exciting: Phantasy Star! The Sega Master System RPG masterpiece is also coming to the Virtual Console. Maybe it's not a big deal to those of you with Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, but personally, it's awesome news.

We fully expect to see both of these games in North America soon. Neither SMS games nor N64 games seem to take long to make it overseas. Also of interest: Hudson's PC Engine port of the NES Ninja Gaiden. And the arcade version of Space Invaders, which marks the third time the "original" Space Invaders has been released on VC.

The full list is after the break.

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GDC09: Space Invaders Extreme (XBLA) hands-on

by Kevin Kelly { Mar 27th 2009 at 9:30AM }

I keep telling people I played Space Invaders Extreme at GDC, and they all say the same thing: "Dude, that's been out for a while." But, A-HA! It hasn't. The kicker is that the DS and PSP versions have been out for so long that the DS version already has a sequel out (in Japan), but the XBLA version is brand new and comes out at the end of April. "Yeah," you're saying, "but it's a downloadable Space Invaders title. What do I care?" Well, if you like having fun, then you'll care aplenty.

The game scored 84 and 85 on the PSP and DS respectively on Metacritic, and the XBLA version just improves on those versions. We spent some hands-on time with the game at GDC, and you can see what we thought after the break. Peep the new video above, the gallery below, and blast your way on in.

Gallery: Space Invaders Extreme (XBLA)

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Space Invaders are happy up there in Royksopp's new music vid

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Mar 4th 2009 at 5:57PM }

You should probably avoid the music video we've embedded after the break. "Happy Up Here," the latest single from Norwegian electronic (and possibly electronic Norwegian) group Röyksopp, concocts an inoffensive, lighthearted and worst of all, catchy, sequence of bleeps and bloops. It's exactly the sort of thing that wafts out of someone's cubicle and ends up infecting every brain in the office, generating impromptu humming and arming those whistling, morning people with yet another way to annoy the rest of us.

But it also features cute invaders ... from space! We think that's from a video game.

[Thanks, V]

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Space Invaders Extreme and Yosumin Live! XBLA videos leaked

by Richard Mitchell { Mar 3rd 2009 at 4:00PM }

Gamerbytes reports that someone with access to Microsoft's Partnernet (essentially Xbox Live for game developers and journalists) has captured video of Space Invaders Extreme and Yosumin Live!. Space Invaders Extreme, which was revealed for XBLA at last year's TGS, is a revamped version of the original classic. Yosumin Live! is a Square Enix puzzle game that was confirmed for XBLA earlier this year.

Neither game is terribly exciting to watch, but something about the illicit nature of the videos makes it hard to look away. Find them both after the break.

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VC/WiiWare Tuesday: Rainbow Islands!

by JC Fletcher { Mar 3rd 2009 at 10:00AM }

Wow! Just a few weeks after the release of Bubble Bobble Wii, Taito just sneaked out a WiiWare version of its sequel, Rainbow Islands! As with Bubble Bobble, we knew that it was coming at some point, but we had yet to see any screens or gameplay information. Now it's out, and it appears to feature timed ascents up huge, vertical stages. Also out this week: a WiiWare version of The Game of Life.

Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure (1-2 players, 800 Wii Points)
Madsecta (Onslaught) (1-4 players, 1,000 Wii Points)
Jinsei Game (1-4 players, 1,000 Wii Points)

In other Taito news, today marks the release of the second version of Space Invaders: The Original Game on the Japanese Virtual Console. This time, the PC Engine version of the ancient shooter is being released -- at exactly the same cost as the Super Famicom/SNES version, making the decision between the two basically a matter of platform preference. Unless silly anime-girl backgrounds make a big difference, in which case it's PC Engine all the way.