| Space Invaders Extreme | |
| |
| Developer(s) | Taito |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Square Enix |
| Release date(s) |  February 21, 2008 June 17, 2008 July 4, 2008
|
| Genre(s) | Shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB:  EveryonePEGI: 7+ |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo DS |
| Media | 512 Mbit |
| Preceded by | Space Invaders |
| Followed by | Space Invaders Get Even |
Space Invaders Extreme is the 30th anniversary edition of Space Invaders for the Nintendo DS. It was developed by Taito and published by Square Enix (in America and Europe - In Japan it was published by Tatio).
Gameplay[]
The game plays similarly to the original arcade classic, though has been dramatically updated. The game is separated into a multitude of levels that consists of hordes of enemies. Once you defeat a set of enemies, another set will appear in a different pattern. Each set will consist of different types of enemies - whether they're more durable to your fire or have better shooting capabilities. At the end of each level is a boss that the player will have to defeat in order to successfully complete the stages. In between each stage are bonus games that'll give you special power-ups if completed successfully.
Enemies will sometimes drop power-ups once defeated. In all there are four different power-ups, distinguished by their unique colors. Each power up will only last for a limited amount of time, though the player can preserve it by pressing either the L or R button, and then use it at a more drastic moment. The power-ups in the game include:
- Laser (Blue) - Will shoot a devastating blue laser that you can shoot continuously until its power runs out. Is great at dispatching enemies quickly, though won't fair well against shields.
- Bomb (Red) - This item will cause each shot from the player to launch a power explosive that'll not only kill the target, though many of the enemies around him.
- Broad Shot (Green) - This effective item will cause the player to shoot five bullets next each other, greatly improving the range.
- Shield (Black) - Will block all the attacks of enemies for quite some time.
Music[]
Because there was no music present in the arcade original, the music of Space Invaders Extreme had to be composed from the ground up. Interestingly, the way you play influences the music of the game - the primary tune will sound through the speakers when you shoot a missile (another example of this would be the battles in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker for the GameCube). Each stage features mildly different music, though they all have the same techo feel to it. If the player has a DS Rumble Pak in the GBA cartridge slot, then it will rumble along with the music.
Reception[]
Currently on Game Rankings, a gaming website that collects various different reviews for all games, Space Invaders Extreme is the 18th best rated Nintendo DS video game with an average rating of 85%/100%. Impressive grades for the game include 90% from IGN, Gametrailers, and 1up, an 87% from EGM, and an 82% from Official Nintendo Magazine in Europe.