Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Celebrate 30 years of Space Invaders with snuggle pillows]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/01/celebrate-30-years-of-space-invaders-with-snuggle-pillows/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/01/celebrate-30-years-of-space-invaders-with-snuggle-pillows/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/01/celebrate-30-years-of-space-invaders-with-snuggle-pillows/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Has it already been 30 years since Space Invaders first conquered the hearts of gamers everywhere? It seems like such a long time ago. We're happy though, make no mistake. We want to get in on the celebration, and one way that we can is with these Space Invader pillows.

These little 45 cm pillows are priced at $29.90 each at NCSX. They should be available by mid-late July; that's probably right in line with Europe's summer release of Space Invaders Extreme.

[Via DS Fanboy]

JoystiqCelebrate 30 years of Space Invaders with snuggle pillows originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>space-invadersspace-invaders-extremespaceinvaderstaitoTue, 01 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Space Invaders Extreme hits Europe this summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/27/space-invaders-extreme-hits-europe-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/27/space-invaders-extreme-hits-europe-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/27/space-invaders-extreme-hits-europe-this-summer/#commentsFiled under:

Aliens from outer space are set to invade Europe sometime this Summer. Well, not real aliens, but Space Invaders Extreme aliens. So don't worry folks, there's no need to flee for your lives in War of the Worlds-like fashion. This is good news; it means one more delightfully entertaining game for that good old PSP of yours.

Space Invaders Extreme on the PSP is a re-vamped, wide screen version of the classic arcade shooter. Does it live up to the classic of yesteryears? Give this previously posted demo a go and see for yourself.

[Via press release]

JoystiqSpace Invaders Extreme hits Europe this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>space-invadersspace-invaders-extremespaceinvaderstaitoThu, 27 Mar 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[2008's Biggest Blips: Space Invaders Extreme]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/2008s-biggest-blips-space-invaders-extreme/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/2008s-biggest-blips-space-invaders-extreme/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/2008s-biggest-blips-space-invaders-extreme/#commentsFiled under:

Developer: Taito
Publisher: Taito
Release: February 21 (Japan)

You know, Space Invaders Extreme looks like an amazing title. Seriously, in both providing a kind of Pac-Man Championship Edition kind of overhaul to the original game and implementing music in brilliant fashion, it has totally blown our minds. We're absolutely certain that this will be the go-to title for instant fun, ideal for train rides and training you for the impending alien invasion to come.

But, why is it such an important game if it's just the same old Space Invaders with a facelift? Because it's not. Bridging the old-school arcade shooter with visually stunning new titles like Geometry Wars: Galaxies and Rez, Space Invaders Extreme is a new experience that is anything but the same-old, same-old. And, from what we've seen, the gameplay looks so engaging, we're sure we'll do all kinds of things like neglect to feed our pets and put pants on before we go to the bank (it doesn't matter how great a deposit you are making, they're just not cool with it). Seriously, this doesn't just look like any old port of a very old game, it looks like the meth-addicted grandchild of what we once knew to be Space Invaders.


This is not what you should expect.

As one might assume from everything we've bombarded you with, this is all just too good to be true. It should be noted that only those in Japan should expect the title to be readily available, as this one isn't due for release outside of the region yet. So this is purely an importer's choice. But, the accessible gameplay and focus on giving us things to enjoy other than line after line of Japanese text to read make it universally adoptable to all. And, if you're feeling like you need a bit more in the way of old-school revivals, the included paddle controller with Arkanoid DS works with this game.

Don't discount this title in the face of so many other high-profile games, as Space Invaders Extreme will probably be one of the best casual titles this year, if not the best rhythm-based-space-combat-simulation for the DS.


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Joystiq2008's Biggest Blips: Space Invaders Extreme originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>08blipsshmupspace-invaders-extremespaceinvaderstaitoMon, 28 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Space Invaders Extreme preorder gift shows impeccable logic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/space-invaders-extreme-preorder-gift-shows-impeccable-logic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/space-invaders-extreme-preorder-gift-shows-impeccable-logic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/space-invaders-extreme-preorder-gift-shows-impeccable-logic/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If there's one adjective we would apply to Space Invaders Extreme, that adjective would be ... intense. Just watching footage of Taito's stylishly remade shmup is enough to make us draw breath at the game's frenetic pace. When we do get to try it out for ourselves, there's a good chance that the sheer intensity of the experience will cause us to perspire wildly, as we carve our way through wave after wave of psychedelically colored extra-terrestrial intruders.

In which case, this Space Invaders Extreme towel would be just the ticket for wiping our fevered, moist brows. Not only is it extremely stylish (it's the kind of desirable item that would encourage us to visit the beach again, forchrissakes), but it's available for free. If you preorder Space Invaders Extreme. In Japan. Damn.

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqSpace Invaders Extreme preorder gift shows impeccable logic originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanpreorderremakeshmupshooterspace-invaders-extremespaceinvadersswagtaitotowelFri, 18 Jan 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chic scarf features Space Invaders, hidden messages]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/chic-scarf-features-space-invaders-hidden-messages/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/chic-scarf-features-space-invaders-hidden-messages/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/chic-scarf-features-space-invaders-hidden-messages/#commentsFiled under: , ,


WOW. We've posted about Space Invaders scarves before, but this one definitely takes the cake as the classiest , most fashionable implementation of Taito's classic shooter we've ever seen. Designed by Lendorff.Kaywa, the Space Invaders scarf features a "QR-code", which when read by special mobile phone software can be decoded to reveal a hidden message.

Of course, so much spiffyness doesn't come cheap. The scarf costs £32.50 GBP (approximately $65 USD). If you're going to get one for that special someone in your life, better act fast, too: the scarf is a limited run of 500, although more Space Invaders designs are promised in the future.

[Via DS Fanboy]

JoystiqChic scarf features Space Invaders, hidden messages originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clothingholidaysscarvesspaceinvaderstaitoFri, 21 Dec 2007 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's most trance-inducing video: Space Invaders Extreme]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/29/todays-most-trance-inducing-video-space-invaders-extreme/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/29/todays-most-trance-inducing-video-space-invaders-extreme/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/29/todays-most-trance-inducing-video-space-invaders-extreme/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Don't let the name fool you: Space Invaders Extreme is more than just a gatorade-guzzling, visual upgrade to Taito's classic formula. Instead, Extreme is looking to entirely reinvent the wheel, by re-examining the pacing and structure of the original title, while infusing the game with a pulsing soundtrack and gameplay quirks clearly inspired by Tetsuya Mizuguchi's Rez.

We admit that based on the above video, the game looks very... busy. We're hoping the game doesn't pull a Space Giraffe with the sheer amount of on-screen clutter, but we're most definitely looking forward to blasting retro-styled aliens to the beat of hypnotic techno. The game's due out in Japan in February 2008. No U.S. release has been confirmed, but it's only a matter of time.

JoystiqToday's most trance-inducing video: Space Invaders Extreme originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Nov 2007 01:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DShottest-videohottestvideospace-invadersspace-invaders-extremespaceinvaderstaitovotdThu, 29 Nov 2007 01:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Space Invaders streamed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/space-invaders-streamed/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/space-invaders-streamed/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/space-invaders-streamed/#commentsFiled under: ,


We've been hyping Space Invaders Extreme relentlessly since we saw the first screens. And now that Ruliweb has made a gameplay video available, we're going to have to up our efforts. The screens and description do nothing to convey the brilliance of this game, which not only speeds up the pace of Space Invaders significantly, but adds power-ups and quickly shifting challenges, all set to a thumping soundtrack (which, to some DS Fanboy ears, evokes Genesis's "Invisible Touch") and flashy visuals.

Space Invaders Extreme, in imitation of Rez, seems to time the collisions between bullets and enemies to the music, such that every explosion sets off an appropriate sound effect in time to the music. It worked to give Rez a rhythm-game feel without actually making it a rhythm game. Along with, of course, the cyber-psychedelic visuals and the optional Trance Vibrator, the musical integration just helped to make the whole experience more hypnotic. We knew that Space Invaders would probably feature something like that, but seeing it in action really shows how effective the technique is. We have watched this video at least five times already, and we're going to keep watching.

JoystiqSpace Invaders streamed originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>musicremakeretroshmupshooterspace-invaders-extremespaceinvaderstaitoTue, 27 Nov 2007 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Space Invaders Extreme screens describe our feelings toward them]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/space-invaders-extreme-screens-describe-our-feelings-toward-them/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/space-invaders-extreme-screens-describe-our-feelings-toward-them/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/space-invaders-extreme-screens-describe-our-feelings-toward-them/#commentsFiled under: ,

The screenshot speaks the truth: we've got Space Invaders Extreme fever. When we first heard about the game, we couldn't possibly have rolled our eyes any harder without hitting our desk; then the first screens came out of what appeared to be a somewhat rhythm-based 2D Rez-alike and we perked up; then when effusive TGS impressions of both the game and the DS paddle controller started coming in, our turn was complete. Space Invaders Extreme went from a footnote on Taito's TGS lineup to one of our most anticipated DS games.

We are pretty sure this game is going to be extremely awesome and usher in a new age of fixed-screen shooters (well, maybe not that far). We love the idea of scoring extra based on shooting complete color, row, and column combinations; we love the variety of enemy patterns, and the idea of powerups in a Space Invaders game. More than anything, we love the idea of playing a shooter with that paddle controller. It'll be like playing Arkanoid with the "laser" powerup all the time.

Hey, we're a fanboy site-- we're allowed to have hyperenthusiastic fanboy reactions every now and then.

JoystiqSpace Invaders Extreme screens describe our feelings toward them originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>shooterspace-invadersspace-invaders-extremespaceinvaderstaitoWed, 26 Sep 2007 13:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Space Invaders Extreme gets a techno-fabulous makeover]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/17/space-invaders-extreme-gets-a-techno-fabulous-makeover/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/17/space-invaders-extreme-gets-a-techno-fabulous-makeover/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/17/space-invaders-extreme-gets-a-techno-fabulous-makeover/#commentsFiled under: ,

What's the Extreme part of Space Invaders Extreme? We believe it's an extreme visual similarity to Q Entertainment's stylish puzzle games like Lumines, Every Extend Extra, and Gunpey. Or, to make a more direct connection between shooter and shooter, Space Invaders Extreme looks a lot like Rez. And you will never hear us say that's a bad thing.

In fact, Extreme looks pretty cool, and not just in its presentation. The movement of the Invaders is now tied into the game soundtrack (another nod to Rez), adding a new element to the already-hypnotic Invaders experience. And, yes, the Arkanoid DS paddle controller works.

JoystiqSpace Invaders Extreme gets a techno-fabulous makeover originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arkanoidshmupspace-invadersspaceinvaderstaitoMon, 17 Sep 2007 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Space invading fashion hoodies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/space-invading-fashion-hoodies/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/space-invading-fashion-hoodies/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/space-invading-fashion-hoodies/#commentsFiled under: ,


It took them over 25 years, but the Space Invaders are finally invading. The most recent example is a clothing line featuring the pesky aliens. The three designs from the right side above are reminiscent of Liz Claiborne's '80s power collection, which helped establish modern pattern design in fashion (OK, we totally made that up -- maybe).

Anyway, those Space Invaders have already made it onto high-end footwear, Barcelona stores, Christian rap, wall pasties, and if we were faster we could have snapped a picture of one we saw spraypainted on a Los Angeles bridge during E3. We're very curious to see where the simple Space Invader iconography will show up next. Maybe this was their master plan all along.

[Thanks John]

JoystiqSpace invading fashion hoodies originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fashionhoodieslizclaibornespaceinvadersWed, 25 Jul 2007 19:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Stranglehold cover system is a lot like Space Invaders]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/30/stranglehold-cover-system-is-a-lot-like-space-invaders/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/30/stranglehold-cover-system-is-a-lot-like-space-invaders/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/30/stranglehold-cover-system-is-a-lot-like-space-invaders/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The latest post in the development blog for John Woo's Stranglehold explains the action game's cover system with a rather ingenious analogy: Space Invaders.

More specifically, Senior designer Patrick Curry is describing medium-sized objects (e.g. couches, concrete columns) that you can use for cover and are destructible. "As your cover shrinks Tequila will automatically crouch down to use whatever cover's left," he said, "but in Stranglehold no cover lasts forever." It was lead designer Neill Glancy who came up with the analogy, which explains how gunfire will slowly whittle down cover that either you or your opponents may be using.

We know what you're thinking: will you have the cojones to blast through your own cover, just like in Space Invaders? Real-world application of retro gaming skills embedded after the break.

Continue reading Stranglehold cover system is a lot like Space Invaders

JoystiqStranglehold cover system is a lot like Space Invaders originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 May 2007 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chow yun fatChowYunFatfuturamajohn wooJohnWoomid wayMidWayPCPS3space invadersSpaceInvadersstrangle holdStrangleHoldXbox-360Wed, 30 May 2007 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Taito gets in on the old-school resurgence]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/15/taito-gets-in-on-the-old-school-resurgence/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/15/taito-gets-in-on-the-old-school-resurgence/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/15/taito-gets-in-on-the-old-school-resurgence/#commentsFiled under:

Taito gets in on the old-school resurgence
It seems like Sega Genesis Collection, EA Replay and Metal Slug Anthology have been getting all the attention lately. However, some of you may not know that Taito is throwing their hat in the ring with Taito Legends.

Legends packs in 25 classic Taito games ranging from Space Invaders to The Legend of Kage. And although the game won't feature multi-player support, players can share up to 21 games wirelessly with other console owners via the PSP's game-sharing function. Also, Cameltry, Crazy Balloon, Balloon Bomb, and The Legend of Kage have each received graphical upgrades along with being adapted to the PSP's widescreen.

Gamespot, who just recently previewed the game, said "It's also a shame to see that little effort has been made to expand Taito Legends beyond including emulated versions of classic games. It's good to see that the PlayStation Portable's features have been used to allow wireless game sharing, but aside from the games themselves, there's little to keep you going for a long time."

It looks like the retro compilations are starting to pour in, but I think companies will have to do more than stuff a bunch of their old games onto a UMD and send it out the door for them to be successful.

JoystiqTaito gets in on the old-school resurgence originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 15 Oct 2006 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classicea replayEaReplaylegend of kateLegendOfKatemetal slug anthologyMetalSlugAnthologynostalgiaold schoolold-schoolOldSchoolretrosega genesis collectionSegaGenesisCollectionspace invadersSpaceInvaderstaito legendsTaitoLegendsSun, 15 Oct 2006 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Scenes from Barcelona: Space Invaders invade clothes shop]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/26/scenes-from-barcelona-space-invaders-invade-clothes-shop/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/26/scenes-from-barcelona-space-invaders-invade-clothes-shop/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/26/scenes-from-barcelona-space-invaders-invade-clothes-shop/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



I ran into these blocky Space Invaders-inspired aliens near the escalator at a clothing shop in Barcelona's Las Ramblas shopping district. Why anyone thought these would complement the haute couture surrounding them is beyond me, but I still enjoyed the unexpected gaming reference. Continue reading for another shot of the wall monsters.

Continue reading Scenes from Barcelona: Space Invaders invade clothes shop

JoystiqScenes from Barcelona: Space Invaders invade clothes shop originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Sep 2006 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Barcelonaspace invadersspaceinvaderSpaceInvadersX06Tue, 26 Sep 2006 19:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Save penguins, fight aliens & change fonts in new 2.80 homebrew]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/17/save-penguins-fight-aliens-and-change-fonts-in-new-2-80-homebrew/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/17/save-penguins-fight-aliens-and-change-fonts-in-new-2-80-homebrew/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/17/save-penguins-fight-aliens-and-change-fonts-in-new-2-80-homebrew/#commentsFiled under: ,


We've been reporting on new homebrew on a nearly daily basis ever since the libtiff exploit was discovered. There are two more games to report about today. First is Penguin Scramble, which has you saving penguins Al Gore style. As with all of these TIFF games, it should be fairly simple to play.

Another addition to the ever-growing collection of TIFF games is Space Invaders. This classic arcade game has you fighting off an incoming alien invasion, and as an episode of Futurama has shown us: the skills you learn from this game can be life-saving.

Finally, we have an application to present to you: Font Hack Installer, which lets you change the fonts used on the XMB screen [screenshot]. While not revolutionary, it's nice to see more inventive ideas coming for users with 2.80 firmware. As always, save the appropriate files to your PSP's PHOTO folder to launch these applications.

See also:
Tetris
Pong
Snake

[Thanks steve!]

JoystiqSave penguins, fight aliens & change fonts in new 2.80 homebrew originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 17 Sep 2006 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fontfont hackFontHackfuturamalibtiffpenguinpenguin scramblePenguinScramblespace invadersSpaceInvaderstiffxmbSun, 17 Sep 2006 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock these Space Invaders sneakers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/25/rock-these-space-invaders-sneakers/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/25/rock-these-space-invaders-sneakers/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/25/rock-these-space-invaders-sneakers/#commentsFiled under: ,


These are the Steve Madden Joggers, a sneaker with a "unique design exclusive to Steve Madden." Of course by unique to Steve Madden, they mean unique to Steve Madden and classic arcade title, Space Invaders...and everything else that features the ubiquitous, pattern-loving invaders.

"Drop down! Increase Speed! Reverse Direction!"

If you grab a pair of these and that Asteroids-themed Burton jacket, you'd be a huge nerd all set for E3.

[Via Resident Gamer]

JoystiqRock these Space Invaders sneakers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Apr 2006 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ClothessneakersSpace InvadersSpaceInvadersTue, 25 Apr 2006 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Space Invaders wall decals invade your living space]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/24/space-invaders-wall-decals-invade-your-living-space/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/24/space-invaders-wall-decals-invade-your-living-space/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/24/space-invaders-wall-decals-invade-your-living-space/#commentsFiled under: ,


blik surface graphics is selling these 13" blick INVADERS for your walls. They come in packs of 8 for an unreasonably steep $45, leading us to ponder who their intended market is.

What would one do with these? If they're just decoration, a simple stencil and some cheap paint seems like a far more economical solution; however, since they're decals, it follows that you're supposed to move them around. Every morning, right after feeding the pets and watering the plants, you could remove some of the invaders and drop the rest down a line.

[Via Boing Boing]

JoystiqSpace Invaders wall decals invade your living space originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Feb 2006 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Space InvadersSpaceInvadersFri, 24 Feb 2006 23:00:00 EST