Space Invaders Revolution (DS Review) by Leroy S.

Space Invaders Revolution
Publisher: Mastiff
Developer: Taito Corporation
System: Nintendo DS
Release: November 20, 2005

February 27, 2011, by Leroy S. - Space Invaders Revolution is a retread of the 1978 original Space Invaders, made by Taito Corporation. It was released in North America on November 20, 2005, and was developed by Taito Corporation while the publishing rights went to Mastiff. The game features only two modes of play: the classic arcade original and the special "New Age" version, which places the Invaders in various places across the Earth. The game's creator, Tomohiro Nishikado, oversaw the development of the DS title.

The classic arcade original is relatively unchanged, with only the slight addiction of touch control of your spacecraft. It doesn't do much for the game, as it won't replicate the snap control of a D-Pad or joystick. Of course, the usual fare is that invaders have landed on the Earth and you are tasked with defeating them.

You'll face up to six rows of enemies at the same time, with the strength of the enemy increasing as you march up the line. You are also given cover barriers that you can shelter the craft with, but they do take damage from enemy attacks. There is no set difficulty option, but the enemies are fairly challenging if you know how to bob and weave from their attacks, and use the cover barriers wisely. This is an endless mode, so this is strictly for nostalgia purposes only.

The New Age version is a supposedly revamped version of the original, placing the Invaders in various landmarks and places around the world, from Los Angeles to Italy and even Antartica. It's safe to say that this is a fairly disappointing mode. The 3D opening with the spacecraft taking off for combat makes the player excited for an apparent 3D adventure, but instead, it's just a souped-up version of the original plastered over backgrounds.

The spacecraft does have a few new perks with a special HUD on the touch screen. They add special power-ups like a cover barrier, support from allies and also the power to stop the invaders from moving side to side. While all of these sound fun, it isn't really as great as it's cut out to be. Spending an hour with this, it does have some sort of fun behind it, but after I was done with it, there was nothing more to do.

There were absolutely no form of unlockables/extras, unless you count the endless classic game as a bonus from the start. There are many missions in the New Age mode but after that, there was abosultely nothing else to do with the game. No form of multiplayer was even included. The purpose of the game was pretty much a one-shot title, play it one time and that's pretty much it.

The Verdict

Sound
9/15 - The New Age version has a few good tunes to hum to, while others will just assault your ears and leave behind a bad sense in your brain.

Graphics
10/20 - Space Invaders' graphical style is pretty basic. Other than a few good backgrounds in the New Age version, and that overplayed 3D sequence at the mission beginnings, it's nothing special.

Appeal
11/25 - Space Invaders thrives mainly on the nostalgia factor. While that may fly for retro buffs, it won't work out for people searching for a good, long-lasting title. No multiplayer or extras seriously cuts the lasting appeal factor very thin.

Gameplay
15/40 - The gameplay is standard Space Invaders fare, shoot down the Invaders or they'll shoot you. It'll be fun to dodge enemy attacks and use cover well, but it gets old very quick.

Overall
45/100 - Space Invaders Revolution purely coasts on the nostagia factor in order to get a good standing, but not even the famous classic would stoop to such a low level. The New Age version is an okay addition but with no kind of lasting appeal whatsoever, this game just won't do. I appeal to you as a gamer to get Space Invaders Extreme instead, if you want a proper Invader fix. This revolution wasn't even televised.