Space Invaders DX (Game)

Space Invaders DX

GAME » on 1993

Arcade (Platform)Game Boy (Platform)NUON (Platform)PC (Platform)PlayStation (Platform)Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Platform)TurboGrafx-CD (Platform)Wii Shop (Platform)WonderSwan (Platform)

The classic 1978 arcade game, recreated for modern hardware while adding multiple display options and a bonus versus multiplayer mode. It received numerous home conversions throughout the 1990's, each adding their own unique flavor to the game.

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Overview

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Space Invaders DX, also known as Space Invaders: Space Invaders DX, is a single-screen shoot-'em-up developed and released by Taito for arcades (using both their B System and F3 System boards) in 1993.

Released to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the 1978 game Space Invaders (Game), Space Invaders DX features an accurate recreation of the original game (with multiple "screen types" based on the original game's different configurations and a bonus "Parody" mode based on several other classic Taito games) along with an original two-player versus variant in which players must fend off their formations of enemies while sending additional enemies and obstacles.

It was used as the base for several home conversions throughout the 1990's, removing the "Parody" mode and revamping the Vs. mode while adding new game modes and features.

Home Conversions

The arcade release was used as the base for several home conversions, including:

Space Invaders: The Original Game, released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Platform) in Japan on March 25, 1994, with a North American release (as Space Invaders) on November 1997 and a Japanese Nintendo Power (Concept) release on December 1997. This version was later digitally released as a Virtual Console (Concept) title, both for the Wii (Platform) (in Japan on September 16, 2008, in North America on November 17, 2008, and in Europe on November 28, 2008) and Wii U (Platform) (only in Japan on October 12, 2016).
Space Invaders, released for the Game Boy (Platform) in North America and Europe in 1994. This version only includes the monochrome screen type, but includes linked multiplayer and special functionality with the Super Game Boy (which not only adds the Cellophane and Color screen types, but adds an optional mode that injects the Original mode of the SNES version into system for play as Space Invaders: The Arcade Game).
Space Invaders: The Original Game - PC-Engine Version, released for the PC Engine Super CD-ROM² exclusively in Japan on July 28, 1995. This version was later digitally released as a Virtual Console (Concept) title for the Wii (Platform) in Japan on March 3, 2009.
Space Invaders: The Original Game, released for Windows PCs exclusively in Japan by GameBank sometime in 1994.
Space Invaders for the Sega Saturn, released exclusively in Japan on December 13, 1996.
Space Invaders for the Sony PlayStation, released exclusively in Japan on June 31, 1997.
Space Invaders 2000 for the Sony PlayStation, released exclusively in Japan on December 3, 1998 in tandem with Taito's 45th anniversary. This version features a bonus "Time Attack" mode and bonus demos for G-Darius and Densha de Go! 2.
Space Invaders for the WonderSwan (Platform), released exclusively in Japan on May 13, 1999.
Space Invaders XL for the NUON (Platform), released exclusively in North America on June 1, 2000, ported by Matahari Studios (Company). This version is based on Space Invaders 2000, with some differences.
Simple 1500 Series Vol. 73: The Invaders - Space Invaders 1500 for the PlayStation, released exclusively in Japan on September 27, 2001. Although considered a budget release of Space Invaders 2000 (sans demos) for D3 Publisher's Simple Series, this version features a bonus Space Invaders 3D mode.

Game Modes

Original / Space Invaders

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An accurate recreation of the original 1978 Space Invaders (Game), with four display options:

Upright Cabinet Screen / Upright / Deflector - Based on the upright cabinet, with a reflected physical backdrop.
Black & White / T.T Monochrome / Monochrome / Classic - Based on the cocktail cabinet, with no overlay.
B&W With Cellophane / T.T Cellophane / Cellophane / Overlay - Based on the cocktail cabinet, with a multi-colored cellophane overlay.
Color / T.T Color - Based on the cocktail cabinet, with an electronic color overlay.

The PCE-CD version of the game adds a "Bonus" mode which is similar to the Upright display option, but with the background alternating between different pictures (sometimes changing the sprite color based on the picture).

VS / Battle

Disabled in the Arcade version when used in a cocktail cabinet.

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A two-player versus mode where each player plays on half a playfield, with each player (blue for P1 and yellow for P2) having a single shield and a smaller formation of enemies. Both players have infinite lives (which can be disabled in Home versions), and fight to prevent an enemy from reaching the bottom of their playfield. By default, the game is best-of-seven.

Each player can choose three difficulty options prior to starting the match, which determines where each player's enemy formation starts (13 for Easy, 12 for Normal, 11 for Hard).

Certain enemies cycle between different colors, and destroying them has one of the following effects:

Blue - Lowers P2's formation by half a row.
Pink - Clears the row the enemy was in.
Yellow - Lowers P1's formation by half a row.
Green - Clears the row the enemy was in.
Orange - Lowers both players' formations by a full row.

Clearing a row lowers the opponent's formation by a full row, while adds a row of enemies to the top, then lowers it by an additional row. Destroying the UFO swaps both players' formations.

PCE-CD Version

The PCE-CD version adds a bonus "Cosmic VS" mode with a new cutesy CG theme and updated power-ups. with the following effects:

Blue - Lowers the opponent's formation by half a row.
Green -
Orange -
Red - Halts the movement of the player's formation for eight seconds.
Yellow -
Pink -

PS1 Version

The PS1 version adds the option to play against a computer opponent while removing the shield and adding an optional "Bonus" option.

In addition, adding rows of enemies no longer lowers the formation if it replaces an empty row. It also changes the cycle to Blue -> Yellow -> Green -> White (which does nothing) -> Red.

Saturn Version

The Saturn version revamps the graphics, makes the playfield (and formation) larger, removes the shield, and has players able to shoot each-other (with both playfields wrapped around from the top). The power-up cycle is also changed:

Green - Clears the row the enemy was in.
Red - Lowers both players' formations by a full row.
Yellow - Lowers the opponent's formation by half a row.

Parody

Arcade version only.

Identical to the original Space Invaders mode, but updates the graphics based on Taito's other franchises, with modern 2D sprites and backgrounds. Each level cycles between nine themes:

Time Attack

Added in the PS1 "2000" and "The Invaders" versions, along with the Nuon version.

Similar to the standard Space Invaders mode, but with updated sprites, pre-rendered 3D backgrounds, new graphical effects, a new soundtrack, and updated goal. Rather than surviving on a single credit, players are tasked with clearing five levels (each with different formations) as fast as they can, with infinite lives.

The game includes a high score list that shows the ten fastest times, along with their shot accuracy (how many of their shots hit).

The Nuon version includes a different set of graphics and soundtrack.

Space Invaders 3D

Added in the PS1 "The Invaders" versions.

Similar to the standard Space Invaders mode, but with 3D voxel-style graphics on a unique 3D perspective closer to the playfield, with the camera focused behind the player's ship.

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