Space Invader clones that are worth a look?

[OdiousTrident]

Recently played Ika Blade and it got me wondering what else is out there when it comes to the slightly obscure. Always loved Battlantis as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zowgVksf8_8

[Ruldra]

Satan's Hollow

[Teufel_in_Blau]

Space Invaders: Invasion Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdznSMK1e9s

But you can't use your stick because it only supports analog controls. I think it's ok for what it is. I bought it for a few bucks for the PS2.

[BulletMagnet]

The "Decimation X" games on XBLIG are basically bullet-hell riffs on Space Invaders - not sure if that'd kill the point for you but I found what I played of them fun.

[BrianC]

Space Invaders: Invasion Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdznSMK1e9s

But you can't use your stick because it only supports analog controls. I think it's ok for what it is. I bought it for a few bucks for the PS2.

aka Space Raiders. Only the GameCube version came to the US, though.

Galaga '88 is one of my favorite SI styled games and a nice update of the original Galaga.

[Obiwanshinobi]

(Obsolete post.)

[Obiwanshinobi]

I enjoyed Chicken Invaders back in the day (before I thought of "shmups" as a genre), but blimey, could it use auto-fire.

Space Invaders: Invasion Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdznSMK1e9s

But you can't use your stick because it only supports analog controls. I think it's ok for what it is. I bought it for a few bucks for the PS2.

Does the PAL PS2 version output 60 Hz?

[ACSeraph]

Shouldn't this go in shmups chat?

I rather like Sasuke vs. Commander. Not really a clone, but the gameplay is invader style.

I think it was SNK's first game actually.

[Pretas]

I rather like Sasuke vs. Commander. Not really a clone, but the gameplay is invader style.

I think it was SNK's first game actually.

It was the second game distributed by SNK and the first developed by TOSE. SNK's first game was 1979's Ozma Wars, which is also a Space Invaders clone, but nowhere near as playable.

[BPzeBanshee]

Genetos!

[Sly Cherry Chunks]

Am I the only person who remembers Better Dead Than Alien?

[ACSeraph]

It was the second game distributed by SNK and the first developed by TOSE. SNK's first game was 1979's Ozma Wars, which is also a Space Invaders clone, but nowhere near as playable.

Interesting, I'll have to check that out too sometime for a history lesson.

[GSK]

Space Invaders Extreme 2 reigns supreme.

I never did try Galaga Legions/DX, how's that one?

[Krooze L-Roy]

Galaga '90 for the Turbografx is really good. Not sure how it compares to '88.

Space Invaders Extreme 2 reigns supreme.

I never did try Galaga Legions/DX, how's that one?

Very different than the typical shmup. Good in it's own right, but it doesn't feel at all similar to Galaga in the way that Pac-man CE feels like Pac-man. More of a puzzle game actually.

[BrianC]

Galaga '90 for the Turbografx is really good. Not sure how it compares to '88.

It is '88, just renamed for the US. I guess they renamed it to align to the US release date, but the arcade version kept its original name for the US.

[Krooze L-Roy]

It is '88, just renamed for the US.

Well that's kind of shabby. Different time zones, I suppose.

[TransatlanticFoe]

Space Tactics is a fairly neat combination of Space Invaders and Missile Command.

http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detai ... me_id=9683

It had a ridiculous cabinet design where your input moved the monitor around a crosshair, rather than the other way around. In spite of this fairly unique physical dependency it's quite well emulated and I'd be surprised if there are many working cabs left by now.

[OdiousTrident]

Thanks for the input guys. Two more favorites of mine are They Came From Verminest '83 (which allows some vert movement) and Extreme 2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0bE-JoQtME

[BrianC]

Space Tactics is a fairly neat combination of Space Invaders and Missile Command.

http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detai ... me_id=9683

It had a ridiculous cabinet design where your input moved the monitor around a crosshair, rather than the other way around. In spite of this fairly unique physical dependency it's quite well emulated and I'd be surprised if there are many working cabs left by now.

I can't believe I forgot about that game. I played it at Hershey Park and it was a lot of fun.

[D]

Space Invaders: Invasion Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdznSMK1e9s

But you can't use your stick because it only supports analog controls. I think it's ok for what it is. I bought it for a few bucks for the PS2.

Does the PAL PS2 version output 60 Hz?

No 60hz apparently, deal breaker! http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/915821-play ... splay-list
Apparently there's a 60hz converted pal hack floating around the inter galactic space webs
what happens when you play with a digital ps1 controller? I'll find out later

[professor ganson]

Really love Space Invaders '95. Not sure, but it could be my favorite in the series.

Btw, I almost didn't notice this very nice topic because it's not where it belongs: On Topic.

[D]

-Micro mini review of Space Raiders-

Finally gave the game a spin today. Space Raiders is an underrated arcade gem. It has many flaws and bugs, but I really like it. Glad that it's such a departure from Space Invaders.
It's kind of like a cross between the bonus rounds in the original Shinobi (arcade, master system) and Cannon Spike.

Flaws:
-Unlimited continues in the main game.
-The Survival mode is really only just like the main game with only one continue. Not a worthy mode at all.
-Option does not even have a controller redefine. The control set up is very awkward. Only analog left and right. The secondary weapons mapped to 'square' and 'triangle' only work when you release the main shot.
-The main shot seems like autofire, but you can fire faster with just tapping, which will destroy your hand. It's mapped to 'O' on the dual shock controller by the way. An ideal controller for this game might be a flight stick if it has a autofire mode built in.
-The foot steps of the female character Ashley in the cinematics are louder than gun shots, tap shoes, perhaps?
-loading doesn't take that long, but takes the pace out of the game a bit

Pros
-That said, the graphics look pretty good and remind me of light gun games graphics like Vampire Night.
-playability (besides the awkward set up) and hit detection are good
-Characters are different enough to add some diversity
-There's a pretty cool dodge move by pressing the L1 or R1 button
-Would love to try out the 2p mode with a friend "you take the right side, I'll stay on the left!"
-It's a unique game. There's nothing to compare it to. Seems like it was supposed to be released as an arcade game at some point. NAMCO SYSTEM 246 perhaps?
-Good music

All in all not a bad game, I wouldn't pay too much for it though. This should be had for a few bucks considering it's bad rep. Seems like the wrong people have played this.
If you like the following games, give this game a shot:
-bonus rounds in the original Shinobi (arcade, master system)
-Cannon Spike
-any top-down run and gun like: Commando, Mercs, Smash tv, Shock Troopers, etc

Here's the wiki entry:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Raiders_(video_game)

[Teufel_in_Blau]

Does the PAL PS2 version output 60 Hz?

No 60hz apparently, deal breaker! http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/915821-play ... splay-list

And it has some nice pal bars for the special euro feeling~

All in all not a bad game, I wouldn't pay too much for it though. This should be had for a few bucks considering it's bad rep. Seems like the wrong people have played this.

One reason might be the fact that going by the cover art/backside of the game, it looks like a Resident Evil/ Parasite Eve kind of game. If it wasn't for the Space Invaders title, I would have guessed so at least.

[Ed Oscuro]

-Micro mini review of Space Raiders

Thanks for this. I always wondered if people were being too harsh on it, and I always liked the idea behind it. No need for cinematic cutscenes and David Duchovny as in the completely forgettable Alien 51 reboot (and then the reboot after that, more blah).

Are there remarkable differences between the Wii and PS2 versions?

[Doctor Butler]

Verminest is very similar to Galaga and RetroGrade (for 360) is like a modern re-imagining of Galaga.

[Stormwatch]

I was never much into single-screeners, but Space Invaders 91 is an interesting variation of the formula.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

If you like Centipede, XBLIG's Bad Caterpillar is well worth a dollar (same musician who worked on Score Rush & Decimation X.

Also Crossfire is another left-right moving shooter and IIRC Puppy Game's Titan Attacks, I can't recommend either as I've never played them though.