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GoNintendo 'End of day' thoughts - Taito updates a pair of classics

by rawmeatcowboy
20 June 2008
GN 1.0 / 2.0

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This weekend’s schedule is a busy one outside of the site. That means that we have to record our podcast today! If you are looking to catch the live-stream, visit the site around 6 PM EST. We should be starting it up sometime within that hour. Of course, the rest of the day (before and after) will be business as usual. This week has been killer…way too much news going on! I am so happy the weekend is just about here. I need some sleep to prepare for the day, so I’ll catch you guys in a few hours. One more day until we get to rest!

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Since I am a long-time gamer, I have a place in my heart for the classics from the first days of gaming. Nestled in-between Pac-Man and Pong are Space Invaders and Arkanoid. I’ve been a fan of these two titles for years on end. There have been countless remakes and re-releases over the years, all with varying levels of success. Somtimes, it seemed like companies were just putting out ‘new’ versions of these games to make a quick buck off the license. That’s the thing though…no matter how many poor quality rehashes and knock-offs come out, gamers still have fond memories of the original titles. If the first games out weren’t good, there would be no reason to make new versions!

This time, Taito themselves have stepped up to the plate with their own re-imagining of the classic series’. Space Invaders Extreme and Arkanoid DS just released in North America this week, and I picked up both titles. I’ve been following both games closely, and just yesterday, I finally had a chance to crack the games open. I got to spend under and hour with both games, but that’s more than enough time to give some impressions. So far, I am pleased with both titles.

Space Invaders Extreme is definitely the better game of the pair. This is truly the next-step in a long-running series. I had no idea where any developer could take the Space Invaders series to evolve it, without ruining it. Taito is working on Space Invaders Get Even for WiiWare, but that is an extremely radical take on the series. Space Invaders Extreme is more along the lines of a true entry in the series, but it does so much in the way of new gameplay that the license really feels fresh once again.

The core gameplay remains the same. Shoot down ships, avoid being shot. It’s all the other details that make Extreme worthy of its title. First off, the weapon power-ups are my favorite new addition. Switching from your measly gun to a giant laser beam of destruction definitely helps to spice up the action. Also interesting are the new enemy attack patterns. It’s not just left to right anymore. They fly up, down, and all around. There are even new colors of enemies, which play into the power-ups you receive. Mix all of this in with a dance/techno soundtrack and trippy visuals, and the Space Invaders series has been rejuvenated for the gamers of today.

Arkanoid DS isn’t a bad game by any means, but it really doesn’t do much to innovate within the series. YOu have a ball, you have a paddle, and there are bricks to be broken. That’s about all there is to it! The same paddle power-ups exist, such as laser and paddle extend…but we’ve seen that all before. The actual gameplay isn’t bad though, and the music gives the same kind of vibe that Space Invaders Extreme does. I have always been a fan of Arkanoid, so I can say that I’m pleased with this version. The thing is, if you have a Wii, you can get an Arkanoid clone via WiiWare for a lot cheaper. Block Breaker Deluxe actually has a lot more in the way of interesting power-ups, and the block patters are more fun as well. If you are looking for classic Arkanoid on the go, then the new DS version is definitely your best bet.

Overall, I am really happy with both purchases. Space Invaders Extreme and Arkanoid DS are great titles for pick-up-and-play situations. You can jump into these games for an hour, or play one or two rounds and turn the system off. These type of games are always fun to have around when you are looking for a time-filler. I need to spend more time with both games, but as of right now, I give the nod to Extreme over Arkanoid.

Did you guys pick up either of these games? What do you think? Was Taito justified in bringing back these series’ for new iterations?