Psychedelic yellow pizza

[P.P.A.]

Wrong thread, P.P.A.

Whoops, my mistake. Unless they make a Pac-Man strategy game. Spoiler: Blinky dies.

[Green Gibbon!]

I only played the demo for Invaders Extreme (PSP version), and it was not bad, but not nearly as clever or engaging as Pac-Man CE. I think the problem Taito always has with Space Invaders is that the series' only distinguishing characteristic is its archaic simplicity. It's hard to translate that into anything more than a novelty while still retaining the "Space Invaders" identity. There are just much better shooters out there.

Is one version of Invaders Extreme superior to the other?

[G.Silver]

How long is the demo?

I think Space Invaders Extreme really has to be approached from the perspective that it's half puzzler half shooter to really appreciate it. There might be "better" shooters, but the appeal of the game is completely different. I find trying to maintain a constant state of being powered up is really exciting, and as you get into the harder stages picking your targets carefully (but you can't really slow down, either) becomes critical and you even have to get choosy about what power ups you go for because the invaders take on so many different properties that certain weapons are better against. I really liked the game right off the bat, but I don't think you see much of the complexity early in the game. Even just progressing through the hard stages (the course through the game branches Outrun-style, but only if you meet certain score requirements), it almost feels like a different game.

I the impression that the DS version is considered superior, but I have no idea why that would be (it is the version I have, though). I haven't played part 2, but I can't imagine they changed much.

[Green Gibbon!]

The orientation of the dual screens seems more suited to the game, but the PSP's screen is higher quality. I don't know, any other thoughts? I want to get one if it's really all that, but I want to get the right one.

[P.P.A.]

Wasn't it also announced for XBLA?

[G.Silver]

Found a rundown on both versions.

http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2008/07/23/ ... ds-vs-psp/

Sounds like DS is the way to go, but I'm already biased in that direction because that's the version I play. Based on what I've heard of the PSP version's sound I wouldn't want to switch over.

[Ngangbius]

G.Silver, the PSP demo consists of the first level. I actually played the demo first, and I was so hooked on it that I kept it in my PSP until it was released here. Ultimately, I chose the DS version anyway due to the extra multiplayer features, and that I prefered Zuntata's music to whatever band that was hired for the PSP version when I saw the DS version in action.

Silver is also right that there are some strategy-like elements in the game such as enemies being immune to certain power-ups or have a defense that could turn your weapon against you. The demo is just a little a slice of what the game is since it is the first level after all and the invaders aren't as complex as they are in the later levels.

[P.P.A.]

Ultimately, I chose the DS version anyway due to the extra multiplayer features, and that I prefered Zuntata's music to whatever band that was hired for the PSP version when I saw the DS version in action.

Waitwaitwaitwaitwait. The DS version has got music by Zuntata and the PSP one doesn't? Good thing I didn't close my head too soon ending up buying the latter yet then! That feature alone is enough to make me get the DS one with closed eyes.

[Yami CJMErl]

Also, I'm pretty sure the DS is the only one that's getting the sequel.

[Ngangbius]

^Indeed.

[Green Gibbon!]

It's occured to me that I will not be able to find this game new.

I hate buying used with every fiber of my being. God dammit, I knew I should've bought this a year ago when I almost did.

[CM August]

No mint copies on Ebay? I've seen that from time to time with other games. (why no, I haven't been following the conversation, why do you ask?)

[Senbei]

Amazon, too. Though I don't know what the equivalent is in Japan. I assume it is Amazon Japan.

[Protodude]

Aren't most used games in Japan in really good condition though? Like, they put them into these little bags and stuff? Basically a far cry from plastering stickers on the case, or not even having the case at all.

[Green Gibbon!]

Yeah, the used stuff here is amazingly immaculate right down to the packaging materials. But it's still sloppy seconds.

[Segaholic2]

Yeah, the used stuff here is amazingly immaculate right down to the packaging materials. But it's still sloppy seconds.

I don't complain about your mom, so you can quit complaining about your games.

[Green Gibbon!]

Man, I knew somebody was going to turn that into a mom joke. I almost did it myself when I realized the potential immediately after typing it, but I decided it was too easy.

Some of us, you see, are professionals.

[Oompa Star]

Yeah, the used stuff here is amazingly immaculate right down to the packaging materials. But it's still sloppy seconds.

See now that is the one aspect of Japanese morality that the U.S. should adopt. Even most American based online sellers don't always take care of the games that they end up selling.

[Crowbar]

Never mind the sellers, alot of westerners don't even take care of the games they own, apparently. I have never, ever understood how people can leave games (and movies) out of their CASES. Just NAKED DISCS sitting around amongst all their detritus and garbage! It makes me sick.

I once bought a manga only to find it had some sort of thick barcode sticker ON ONE OF THE PAGES. It wasn't one of the easy-to-remove ones either, it was physically impossible to get it off without tearing the page. I was pretty annoyed, but it at least turned out to be a shitty manga so I didn't bother complaining to the bookstore or anything (I shouldn've known better than to buy from a high-street store anyway). Actually, stickers I can't take off cleanly are one of my pet hates, that took the cake, though.

I'm living in the U.K. so it's not an exclusively American thing or anything. I wonder if any European countries are anything like as fastidious about this sort of thing as the japanese are. Probably not.

[Baba O'Riley]

Some of us, you see, are professionals.

Like your mother.

[Green Gibbon!]

You're fired. From life.

[FlashTHD]

You're fired. From life.

Cool, more time for him and your mom.

[Green Gibbon!]

ｷﾀ━━━━(ﾟ∀ﾟ)━━━━ !!!!!

I found it brand spanking new for like 3000 yen at a tiny game/hobby shop that's hidden away on the second floor of a beauty supply shop. I didn't expect to find it there even used. They've also got those Wander and the Colossus one coin figures which I have seen nowhere else.

I see that Invaders Extreme supports the Arkanoid paddle controller. Does it make a difference? And incidentally, how is Arkadnoid DS? Is it anything special, or is just, like, Arkanoid... on DS?

[Yami CJMErl]

Nintendo Wii Fanboy (now Joystiq [Nintendo]) says that it (and Arkanoid DS) are more fun with the Arkanoid controller extension. I don't remember the exact link, though, it was a while ago...

[G.Silver]

The controller allows for analog movement, you move as fast as you turn the dial, so my understanding is that you can move faster than you can with the D-pad. I've never felt that kind of variable speed was something I wanted in a 2D shooter, but there it is.