Retail Radar: Arkanoid and Space Invaders Extreme
By
Brendan Sinclair, Senior Editor
GameStop lists recently revamped versions of Taito arcade classics, with Square Enix set to publish.
While the gaming industry is generally focused on the next big thing, there will always be a market for older games and nostalgia-laden trips down memory lane if the Wii Virtual Console and Xbox Live Arcade offerings like Discs of Tron and Tempest are any indication. The online store of retailer GameStop might be offering a heads up on the next big retro gaming releases, as the Web site is hosting product pages for Arkanoid on the DS and Space Invaders Extreme on the PlayStation Portable and DS.
Originally released in Japan last year, Arkanoid on the DS stays true to the block-breaking gameplay of its predecessors, but with several tweaks to the action. Players could control the game using the system's D pad, touch screen, or a special paddle attachment that plugged into the DS's Game Boy Advance cartridge port. The GameStop listing doesn't mention whether or not the paddle attachment would be included with a US release of the game, but the $19.99 price would be unusually cheap for a software-and-hardware combo.
Already released in Japan, Space Invaders Extreme remixes the arcade classic shooter with boss battles, a new score multiplayer mechanic, and presentation elements reminiscent of recently popular rhythm games. The game was developed to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the original 1978 arcade game's release, and the Japanese DS version was compatible with the aforementioned Arkanoid paddle controller attachment.
Both games are listed on GameStop's site as being published by Square Enix. A representative with the company had not returned GameSpot's request for comment as of press time.
Please note, while retailer listings frequently jump the gun on publishers' product announcements, they should not be taken as final confirmation of a game's release date or existence; nor should the absence of a listing be considered as proof that a game isn't coming to a given platform.
By
Brendan Sinclair, Senior Editor
Brendan Sinclair has been a games journalist since 1999. His tastes are eclectic, though he has a definite affinity for games with arcade roots. He's Canadian, but has also been at home in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco.
Just tried the demo through the Nintendo Channel...very cool!
BBBLLLLLLEEEEEHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just saw the screenshots for the new Arkanoid. Why can't they include the original, unf***** with version? The ROMS of that version take up only a few hundred kb. Bonus points if they use both screens (the original was a vertical screen, so this would work perfectly).
If anybody wants to play Space Invaders, go to pspdemocenter.com and download the demo.
I had arkanoid and it's sequel for the Amiga 1000 when all the other kids were playing oregon trail on their apple IIe's, lol : ) Thinking about getting an Amiga 1200 new from europe, they're still popular over there...awesome
Finally, the ability to play Arkanoid with a paddle! No other option has worked so far - not mice, keyboards, controllers, or analog controllers. I just hope they don't mess with it too much - that picture they showed looks kind of cramped. Less space, less blocks, less fun.
Those kinds of games are perfect for the handheld market. Easy to pick up and play, immediately rewarding, and never boring. It's the kind of thing you can pop in and not mind playing for 5 minutes or 2 hours depending on how long your holdover at the airport is.
The demo of space invaders xtreme is really cool, more than i was hoping when i download the demo.
I want that paddle sounds really cool.
Man, I was so close to importing Arkanoid the other week, but now that they are coming to the states, hoorah! Can't wait for one of the truly classic arcade video games of the 70's-80's.
A paddle attachment, if of an appropriate size for portability, would be awesome for Arkanoid. Haven't seen one of those in a long time.
Arkanoid was awesome, and props too Space Invaders as well. They are both arcade classics, but have been redone many times over. I don't think this warrants yet another purchase.
Ah, Square Enix. This means they'll probably get a larger print run than if it was somebody like Atlus.
This is good news, even if we don't get the paddle attachement. Love Arkanoid.
I saw the demo for the Space Invaders game and it looks awesome. If you like those colorful music flavor games, you'll love this. Here is the demo: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/26874.html
i got the demo of space invaders extreme, it's awesome. Definitely check it out. go here: http://demos.pspfanboy.com/
never played either... but they sound lame...
Hot Stories
Newsmakers
-
Reckoning staff unpaid since May 1, health care runs out - Report
Source says 38 Studios employees miss payroll this month, now without health care; company CEO and SVP jump ship; Kingdoms of Amalur outperforms projections, selling 1.2 million. Full Story
- Posted May 24, 2012 6:22 am PT
Featured Stories
-
New Star Wars game coming to E3
LucasArts to offer first look at new project May 31 on Spike, with gameplay debut slated for June 4 during annual Los Angeles tradeshow. Full Story
- Posted May 25, 2012 1:14 pm PT
-
Reckoning dev lays off entire staff - Report
[UPDATE]: Source says beleaguered 38 Studios and Big Huge Games sent out pink slips to all employees, believed to number close to 400. Rhode Island governor calls Kingdoms of Amalur a "failure." Full Story
- Posted May 24, 2012 1:59 pm PT
-
Skyrim adds mounted combat
Update now live for PC version of latest Elder Scrolls title that allows players to do melee and ranged damage while on a horse; console release TBA. Full Story
- Posted May 25, 2012 7:04 am PT
-
Diablo III servers not hacked - Blizzard
Dev says number of reported potential account compromises "extremely small," real money auction house delayed again; working "around the clock" to address issues. Full Story
- Posted May 24, 2012 1:30 pm PT
-
Xbox 360 should be banned in US, says judge
[UPDATE] ITC judge recommends US import ban on 4GB and 250GB Xbox 360 slim consoles amid ongoing patent dispute with Motorola; Microsoft confident board will rule in its favor. Full Story
- Posted May 23, 2012 7:17 am PT
Submit News
Related Game
Arkanoid DS
Follow for the latest news, videos, & tips from experts & insiders
- Publisher(s): Square Enix
- Developer(s): Taito Corporation
- Genre: Action
- Release: Jun 17, 2008 (US) »
- ESRB: E
Related Games
Recent News
-
LucasArts unveils Star Wars 1313
New third-person action adventure franchise set in the Star Wars universe; players to control bounty hunter in criminal underworld beneath Coruscant; no...
