Space Invaders on the Sony PS1
For those of you who are not in the know, a bit of video gaming history...
Space Invaders is an arcade video game designed by Tomohiro Nishikado, and released in 1978. It was originally manufactured and sold by Taito in Japan, and was later licensed for production in the United States by the Midway division of Bally. Space Invaders is one of the earliest shooting games and the aim is to defeat waves of aliens with a laser cannon to earn as many points as possible. In designing the game, Nishikado drew inspiration from popular media: Breakout, The War of the Worlds, and Star Wars. To complete it, he had to design custom hardware and development tools.
Space Invaders is an arcade video game designed by Tomohiro Nishikado, and released in 1978. It was originally manufactured and sold by Taito in Japan, and was later licensed for production in the United States by the Midway division of Bally. Space Invaders is one of the earliest shooting games and the aim is to defeat waves of aliens with a laser cannon to earn as many points as possible. In designing the game, Nishikado drew inspiration from popular media: Breakout, The War of the Worlds, and Star Wars. To complete it, he had to design custom hardware and development tools.
It was one of the forerunners of modern video gaming and helped expand the
video game industry from a novelty to a global industry (see golden age of
video arcade games). When first released, Space Invaders was very successful
and popular. Following its release, the game caused a temporary shortage of
100-yen coins in Japan, grossed US$2 billion in quarters by 1982, and by 2007
had earned Taito over $500 million in profits. Guinness World Records ranks it
the top arcade game.
The game has been the inspiration for other video games, re-released on
numerous platforms, and led to several sequels. The 1980 Atari 2600 version
quadrupled the system's sales and became the first "killer app" for video game
consoles. Space Invaders has been referenced and parodied in multiple
television shows, and been a part of several video game and cultural
exhibitions. The pixelated enemy alien has become a pop culture icon, often
used as a synecdoche representing video games as a whole.
Space Invaders was created by Tomohiro Nishikado, who spent a year designing the game and developing the necessary hardware to produce it. The game's inspiration is reported to have come from varying sources, including an adaptation of the mechanical game Space Monsters released by Taito in 1972, and a dream about Japanese school children who are waiting for Santa Claus and are attacked by invading aliens. However, Nishikado has cited Atari's arcade game Breakout as his inspiration. He aimed to create a shooting game that featured the same sense of achievement from completing stages and destroying targets, but with more complex graphics. Nishikado used a similar layout to that of Breakout, but altered the game mechanics. Rather than bounce a ball to attack static objects, players are given the ability to fire projectiles at their own discretion to attack moving enemies.
Space Invaders was created by Tomohiro Nishikado, who spent a year designing the game and developing the necessary hardware to produce it. The game's inspiration is reported to have come from varying sources, including an adaptation of the mechanical game Space Monsters released by Taito in 1972, and a dream about Japanese school children who are waiting for Santa Claus and are attacked by invading aliens. However, Nishikado has cited Atari's arcade game Breakout as his inspiration. He aimed to create a shooting game that featured the same sense of achievement from completing stages and destroying targets, but with more complex graphics. Nishikado used a similar layout to that of Breakout, but altered the game mechanics. Rather than bounce a ball to attack static objects, players are given the ability to fire projectiles at their own discretion to attack moving enemies.
The release of Taito's 1978 arcade smash Space Invaders was arguably
one of the most important pivotal points in the popularisation of video
gaming.
Demand was high for gamers to have home gaming platforms so that their arcade favourites could be played in the comfort of their own home and from this point on, almost every gaming computer and game console has had some version of Space Invaders available to play on it.
But... who would want to play an old 8-bit arcade classic on a 32-bit game console?
Well, where there's gamers, there's retro-gamers and Space Invaders is the 'Numero One' when it comes to absolute retro classics.
Throw in one of the most popular game consoles ever and you get two absolute classics for the price of one.
Demand was high for gamers to have home gaming platforms so that their arcade favourites could be played in the comfort of their own home and from this point on, almost every gaming computer and game console has had some version of Space Invaders available to play on it.
But... who would want to play an old 8-bit arcade classic on a 32-bit game console?
Well, where there's gamers, there's retro-gamers and Space Invaders is the 'Numero One' when it comes to absolute retro classics.
Throw in one of the most popular game consoles ever and you get two absolute classics for the price of one.
The Question
Can I play arcade original Space Invaders on my Sony PlayStation ?
The Answer
Well yes. Yes you can actually. If I had a penny for every time I've been
asked this... ( 1p, and that was me asking myself ).
This post is a review of all of your options when it comes to playing the retro arcade classic Space Invaders on your Sony PlayStation which include:
This post is a review of all of your options when it comes to playing the retro arcade classic Space Invaders on your Sony PlayStation which include:
- Official Releases
- Unlockable extras
- Homebrew for modded consoles
OFFICIAL RELEASES
SPACE INVADERS - SLPS 00940 - NTSC-J
Release: Taito Corporation - 31 July 1997
Badly Translated Manufacturers Description: The origin of the shooting caused a big boom in Japan, "Space Invaders" appeared to PS. Original mode with all recorded at the time there were four types of upright black color cellophane, you can play the VS Battle mode, two modes of reversal from the addition of a thrilling sense of speed and play style incorporating can.
Our first official release is the imaginatively and aptly named Space Invaders.
This was an NTSC-J region only release and is a completely different release from the PAL and NTSC-U regions release of the same name, which was renamed Space Invaders X in NTSC-J regions to avoid confusion.
This release is essentially a port of the 1994 arcade game Space Invaders DX, but without the Space Invaders DX parody mode.
Badly Translated Manufacturers Description: The origin of the shooting caused a big boom in Japan, "Space Invaders" appeared to PS. Original mode with all recorded at the time there were four types of upright black color cellophane, you can play the VS Battle mode, two modes of reversal from the addition of a thrilling sense of speed and play style incorporating can.
Our first official release is the imaginatively and aptly named Space Invaders.
This was an NTSC-J region only release and is a completely different release from the PAL and NTSC-U regions release of the same name, which was renamed Space Invaders X in NTSC-J regions to avoid confusion.
This release is essentially a port of the 1994 arcade game Space Invaders DX, but without the Space Invaders DX parody mode.
Space Invaders - Front Cover
Space Invaders - Front Cover Translated
Space Invaders - Rear Cover
Space Invaders - Rear Cover Translated
Space Invaders - CD
Contained on this release are four slightly different flavours of arcade
original Space Invaders:
- Table Top Cabinet, Monochrome Graphics
- Table Top Cabinet, Monochrome Graphics with Cellophane Overlay (Back in the day, this was the first mod for Space Invaders to give it some colour)
- Upright Cabinet, Green and Red Graphics with moon backdrop
- Table Top Cabinet, Colour Graphics (The first proper colour graphics version of the game)
Also included is the two player VS-Battle Mode from later versions of
Space Invaders DX, allowing you to pit your wits against a second human
player or to play against the massive strategic intellect of the Sony
PlayStation.
And as an added bonus, video adverts for Puzzle Bobble 2, Ray Storm and Psychic Force are squeezed onto the remaining disc space.
How much would you have been expected to pay for all of this arcade wonderfulness? 2800 Yen or around £20.
Note: The Space Invaders upright cabinet game differs slightly from the Space Invaders DX upright cabinet game in that the Space Invaders DX game has monochrome graphics whereas the Sony PlayStation game has the red and green tint style graphics, even though the game select screen shows it with monochrome graphics.
And as an added bonus, video adverts for Puzzle Bobble 2, Ray Storm and Psychic Force are squeezed onto the remaining disc space.
How much would you have been expected to pay for all of this arcade wonderfulness? 2800 Yen or around £20.
Note: The Space Invaders upright cabinet game differs slightly from the Space Invaders DX upright cabinet game in that the Space Invaders DX game has monochrome graphics whereas the Sony PlayStation game has the red and green tint style graphics, even though the game select screen shows it with monochrome graphics.
Space Invaders - Start Screen
(The graphics resemble some of the backdrops used
in early arcade incarnations of Space Invaders but there
isn't an Invader or a Flying Saucer in sight!)
Space Invaders - Main Menu Screen
Translation:
Top - "Original"
Middle - "Battle or Fighting Game"
Bottom - "Option"
Space Invaders - Game Selector Screen
Translation:
Top - "Please Select A Screen Type"
Top Left - "Monochrome"
Top Right - "Cellophane"
Bottom Left - "Upright"
Bottom Right - "Colour"
Space Invaders - VS Battle Mode Menu
Translation:
Top - "Battle Settings"
Middle Top - "Select Opponent"
Middle - "Number of Matches"
Middle Bottom - "Bonus On / Off"
Bottom - "Back to Title"
Space Invaders - Options Menu
Translation:
"Option"
"Stock" (Number of Lives) - 3
"Extend" (Score for Bonus Life) - 1500
"Starting Round" - 1
"Score Display" (Number of Digits in Score) - 0000pts
"Sound" - Mono or Stereo
"Background Music Volume"
"Game Effects Volume"
"Load Data"
"Save Data"
"Information" (Video Adverts for Other Games)
"Back to Title"
Space Invaders - In Game Options Menu
Translation:
"Paused"
Start - "Return To Game"
Select - "Insert Coin"
Circle - "Adjust Screen Position"
Square - "Reset Screen Position"
Triangle - "Switch to Horizontal Display"
Cross - "Display Size"
L1 R1 Start Select - "Back to Title"
Space Invaders - Space Invaders Monochrome In Game Screen
Space Invaders - Space Invaders Cellophane In Game Screen
Space Invaders - Space Invaders Upright Cabinet In Game Screen
The Graphics on this version are not in monochrome as they
are in its arcade counterpart Space Invaders DX or as the
Game Selector Screen above would suggest. Instead, the in
game screen simulates monochrome graphic output with a
green and red gel monitor overlay.
Space Invaders - Space Invaders Colour In Game Screen
Space Invaders - Battle VS Mode In Game Screen
SPACE INVADERS 2000 - SLPM 86153 - NTSC-J
Release: Taito Corporation - 03 December 1998
Badly Translated Manufacturers Description: The origin of the shooting caused a big boom in Japan, "Space Invaders" appeared to PS. Original mode with all recorded at the time there were four types of upright black color cellophane, you can play the VS Battle mode, two modes of reversal from the addition of a thrilling sense of speed and play style incorporating can.
Our next official release is once again an NTSC-J region only budget release of the original Space Invaders compilation reviewed above.
The 2000 in the name doesn't refer to the year of release or the turn of the Millennium in general, but instead was related to the price; 2000 Yen or around 11 of your earth pounds.
Badly Translated Manufacturers Description: The origin of the shooting caused a big boom in Japan, "Space Invaders" appeared to PS. Original mode with all recorded at the time there were four types of upright black color cellophane, you can play the VS Battle mode, two modes of reversal from the addition of a thrilling sense of speed and play style incorporating can.
Our next official release is once again an NTSC-J region only budget release of the original Space Invaders compilation reviewed above.
The 2000 in the name doesn't refer to the year of release or the turn of the Millennium in general, but instead was related to the price; 2000 Yen or around 11 of your earth pounds.
Space Invaders 2000 - Front Cover
Space Invaders 2000 - Front Cover Translated
Space Invaders 2000 - Rear Cover
Space Invaders 2000 - Rear Cover Translated
Space Invaders 2000 - CD
Included in this release are the same four variants of the original arcade
Space Invaders and the same VS-Battle Mode as were included in
the previously reviewed release.
But just because its a budget release, it doesn't mean that something new hasn't been thrown in. A new mode has been added: Time Attack Mode.
And squeezed onto the remaining CD space are playable demos of G.Darius and Densha De Go! 2 as well as video adverts for the two aforementioned games and Side by Side Special.
The screenshots shown below only show screens that differ from or aren't included in the previously reviewed release.
But just because its a budget release, it doesn't mean that something new hasn't been thrown in. A new mode has been added: Time Attack Mode.
And squeezed onto the remaining CD space are playable demos of G.Darius and Densha De Go! 2 as well as video adverts for the two aforementioned games and Side by Side Special.
The screenshots shown below only show screens that differ from or aren't included in the previously reviewed release.
Space Invaders 2000 - Start Screen
( I love this start screen. It is so kitsch! It may be my favourite part of this whole NTSC-J release. )
Space Invaders 2000 - Main Menu
Translation:
"Original"
"Battle Game"
"Timed Attack"
"Bonus"
"Option"
Space Invaders 2000 - Options Menu
Translation:
"Option"
"Stock" (Number of Lives) - 3
"Extend" (Score for Bonus Life) - 1500
"Starting Round" - 1
"Score Display" (Number of Digits in Score) - 0000pts
"Sound" - Mono or Stereo
"Background Music Volume"
"Game Effects Volume"
"Load Data"
"Save Data"
"Vibration Strength"
"Back to Title"
Space Invaders 2000 - Timed Attack Menu
( Again another great screen! Really encapsulates
a 50's American Sci-Fi alien invasion movie ).
Translation:
"Game Start"
"Watch the Record" (View the Best Times)
"Back to Menu"
Space Invaders 2000 - Timed Attack In Game Screen
Space Invaders 2000 - Demo Menu
SIMPLE 1500 SERIES VOLUME 73 - SPACE INVADERS 1500 - THE INVADER - SLPM 86900 - NTSC-J
Release: D3 Publisher - 27 September 2001
Badly Translated Manufacturers Description: Shooting eternal classic "Space Invaders" Did you back up power. Arcade modes to choose from four types of screens, time attack mode five times to compete clearing all stages, 3D version of the powerful 3D graphics mode incarnation, is equipped with four modes of play to enjoy two play modes.
The third official release is once again an NTSC-J only budget re-release of the previous two releases reviewed, with the same four original games and the same VS-Battle Mode and Time Attack Mode included.
Badly Translated Manufacturers Description: Shooting eternal classic "Space Invaders" Did you back up power. Arcade modes to choose from four types of screens, time attack mode five times to compete clearing all stages, 3D version of the powerful 3D graphics mode incarnation, is equipped with four modes of play to enjoy two play modes.
The third official release is once again an NTSC-J only budget re-release of the previous two releases reviewed, with the same four original games and the same VS-Battle Mode and Time Attack Mode included.
Simple 1500 Series Volume 73 - Space Invaders 1500
The Invader - Front Cover
Simple 1500 Series Volume 73 - Space Invaders 1500
The Invader - Front Cover - Translated
Simple 1500 Series Volume 73 - Space Invaders 1500
The Invader - Rear Cover
Simple 1500 Series Volume 73 - Space Invaders 1500
The Invader - Rear Cover - Translated
Simple 1500 Series Volume 73 - Space Invaders 1500
The Invader - CD
Simple 1500 Series Volume 73 - Space Invaders 1500
The Invader - CD Translated
Once again, a new mode has been squeezed in. This time its
Space Invaders 3D.
And all for the princely sum of 1500 Yen or around 8 of your Earth Pounds.
The screenshots below only show screens that differ from or aren't included in the previous two releases.
And all for the princely sum of 1500 Yen or around 8 of your Earth Pounds.
The screenshots below only show screens that differ from or aren't included in the previous two releases.
Simple 1500 Series Volume 73 - Space Invaders 1500
The Invader - Start Screen
Translation:
"Simple 1500 Series Vol. 73"
"The Invader"
"Space Invaders 1500"
Simple 1500 Series Volume 73 - Space Invaders 1500
The Invader - Main Menu
( Again, another great kitsch start screen! )
Translation:
"Original"
"3D Version"
"Battle/Fighting Game"
"Timed Attack"
"Option"
Simple 1500 Series Volume 73 - Space Invaders 1500
The Invader - Space Invaders 3D Start Screen
Simple 1500 Series Volume 73 - Space Invaders 1500
The Invader - Space Invaders 3D In Game Screen
I cannot help but wonder if this release was influenced by the Taito release
Space Invaders Virtual Collection for the Nintendo Virtual Boy.
Firstly there is the predominant red colour of the start screen and then there is a Space Invaders 3D included.
Have a look at the screen shots below, and see what you think...
Firstly there is the predominant red colour of the start screen and then there is a Space Invaders 3D included.
Have a look at the screen shots below, and see what you think...
Nintendo Virtual Boy
Space Invaders Virtual Collection
Start_Screen
Nintendo Virtual Boy
Space Invaders Virtual Collection
3D In-Game Screen
UNLOCKABLES
PD ULTRAMAN INVADER - SLPS 00195 - NTSC-J
Release: Bandai - 22 December 1995
Badly Translated Manufacturers Description: Shooting "Space Invaders" masterpiece is back to PS predominate on their character of "Ultraman" very popular. 55 body 15 and the popular monster Ultra family appeared in the 3D graphics, the clash of powerful large on the big screen. The mode and recording that reproduces the original Space Invaders, and battle mode where you can enjoy two people.
A mish-mash of Ultraman and Space Invaders to make a rehash / re-envisioning of the Taito classic arcade game.
Also included is "Classic Mode" which is once again a port of the '94 arcade game Space Invaders DX but minus the Parody mode.
Badly Translated Manufacturers Description: Shooting "Space Invaders" masterpiece is back to PS predominate on their character of "Ultraman" very popular. 55 body 15 and the popular monster Ultra family appeared in the 3D graphics, the clash of powerful large on the big screen. The mode and recording that reproduces the original Space Invaders, and battle mode where you can enjoy two people.
A mish-mash of Ultraman and Space Invaders to make a rehash / re-envisioning of the Taito classic arcade game.
Also included is "Classic Mode" which is once again a port of the '94 arcade game Space Invaders DX but minus the Parody mode.
PD Ultraman Invader - Front Cover
PD Ultraman Invader - Front Cover Translated
PD Ultraman Invader - Rear Cover
PD Ultraman Invader - Rear Cover Translated
PD Ultraman Invader - CD
The VS-Battle Mode from the previous releases reviewed is also included
in this release, however the Time Attack Mode or 3D Mode are not
included.
PD Ultraman Invader - Main Menu
Translation:
"PD"
"Ultraman Invader"
"Ultraman Mode"
"Original Mode"
PD Ultraman Invader - Original Mode Menu
Translation:
"Original Mode"
"VS Mode"
"Option"
PD Ultraman Invader - Original Mode Option Menu
Translation:
"Player Stock" (Number of Lives)
"Extend" (Score for Extra Life)
"Sound" (Mono or Stereo)
"Memory Card"
PD Ultraman Invader - Original Mode Game Select Menu
Translation:
"Please Select a Game"
"Upright"
"TT Black and White"
"TT Cellophane"
"TT Colour"
"Return To Select Screen"
PD Ultraman Invader - VS Mode Game Select Menu
Translation:
"Please Select a Game"
"1 Round Battle"
"3 Round Battle"
"5 Round Battle"
"Return To Select Screen"
PD Ultraman Invader - VS Mode Game Select Menu Two
Translation:
"Level" (Normal or Difficult)
"Stock" (Number of Lives)
SPACE INVADERS / SPACE INVADERS X - SLES 02144 / SLUS 00928 / SLPM 86419
Release: Activision - 24 February 1999
Manufacturers Description: Battle squadron after squadron of alien forces as they pulse down through the menacing sky. No time to stop! You can't look away! The pressure's on: You've got a galaxy to save. Stop the alien invasion!
The Space Invaders rehash / remake (Space Invaders X in NTSC-J areas) has the original arcade Space Invaders as an unlockable.
Manufacturers Description: Battle squadron after squadron of alien forces as they pulse down through the menacing sky. No time to stop! You can't look away! The pressure's on: You've got a galaxy to save. Stop the alien invasion!
The Space Invaders rehash / remake (Space Invaders X in NTSC-J areas) has the original arcade Space Invaders as an unlockable.
Space Invaders / Space Invaders X - Front Cover
Space Invaders / Space Invaders X - Rear Cover
Space Invaders / Space Invaders X - CD
Beat the game on normal difficulty (around two hours of work/gaming) and then
in the main menu on the "Players" option, a "Classic" option has been
added.
This will allow you to play classic monochrome Space Invaders.
This will allow you to play classic monochrome Space Invaders.
Space Invaders / Space Invaders X - Main Menu
The "Players" Option on The Menu Now Has "Classic" Added
Space Invaders / Space Invaders X
In Game Screen - Attract Mode
Space Invaders / Space Invaders X - In Game Screen
HOMEBREW
SPACE INVADERS PROJECT - RETROCODER
Note: The Retrocoder Arcade Collection .cue/.bin when burnt to CD-R
will run on a PS1 with a mod chip and the ISO will run on a PS1 emulator but
it won't run on a PS2 using POPStarter or on PS2's with certain mod chips for
reasons that are beyond me. I may try re-authoring the CD image using modern
tools to see if I can make a more reliable image.
Edit: I have re-authored the .cue/.bin file using mkpsxiso and also found a syntax error in the 'SYSTEM.CNF' file and corrected it, however this image still won't run from a USB stick or HDD using POPStarter on a PS2. The burnt CD-R will boot up on a modded or swaptrick PlayStation and PSOne and also a modded or swaptrick PlayStation 2 and PSTwo and this image also runs on PS1 emulators.
Anthony Ball aka Retrocoder of Deluxe Pixel Ltd (previously known as Double Dutch Designs and Sinistersoft) wrote an excellent Space Invaders arcade board emulator for the PS1 that, when combined with an original arcade rom set, can be used to play a number of Intel 8080 based arcade games, including several variants of Space Invaders.
Edit: I have re-authored the .cue/.bin file using mkpsxiso and also found a syntax error in the 'SYSTEM.CNF' file and corrected it, however this image still won't run from a USB stick or HDD using POPStarter on a PS2. The burnt CD-R will boot up on a modded or swaptrick PlayStation and PSOne and also a modded or swaptrick PlayStation 2 and PSTwo and this image also runs on PS1 emulators.
Anthony Ball aka Retrocoder of Deluxe Pixel Ltd (previously known as Double Dutch Designs and Sinistersoft) wrote an excellent Space Invaders arcade board emulator for the PS1 that, when combined with an original arcade rom set, can be used to play a number of Intel 8080 based arcade games, including several variants of Space Invaders.
Retrocoder Collection 1 - Main Menu
Retrocoder Collection 1 - Game Select Menu
Retrocoder Collection 1 - Space Invaders Colour
Retrocoder Collection 1 - Space Invaders Upright
Retrocoder Collection 1 - Space Invaders Part II
Retrocoder Collection 1 - Super Earth Invasion
WHAT'S THE EASIEST WAY TO PLAY THESE GAMES ?
Well firstly there's emulation. There are numerous Sony PlayStation emulators
floating around for a number of different platforms, and just as numerous are
the Sony PlayStation game rom repositories so this will be bay far the
cheapest and easiest option.
If you want to play it on the original hardware then picking up a Sony PlayStation and a copy of one of the games mentioned above is not cheap but still a viable option.
Alternatively you could do a bit of both of the above and use a soft modded PS2 and USB stick or Hard Drive to play PS1 game ISOs on a PS2. I'm not going to go into masses of detail on how to do this as there are numerous guides that explain it thoroughly available, but a very simple way to play PS1 ISO's on a PS2 using a USB stick is using the following:
If you want to play it on the original hardware then picking up a Sony PlayStation and a copy of one of the games mentioned above is not cheap but still a viable option.
Alternatively you could do a bit of both of the above and use a soft modded PS2 and USB stick or Hard Drive to play PS1 game ISOs on a PS2. I'm not going to go into masses of detail on how to do this as there are numerous guides that explain it thoroughly available, but a very simple way to play PS1 ISO's on a PS2 using a USB stick is using the following:
- Sony PS2
- PS2 Memory Card
- A USB 2.0 memory stick of 32 GB capacity or less (Formatted to FAT32)
- Free Memory Card Boot - A program that installs to the PS2 memory card and adds functionality to the PS2 OS to run Homebrew Apps.
- POPStarter - A set of PS2 files that allow PS1 ISOs to be run from USB stick.
- Cue2POPS - A PC program that converts .cue/.bin CD images to .VCD POPStarter Images.
There is already a huge amount of information on how to use the tools listed
above so I don't need to repeat it. Try googling "how to run ps1 games on a
ps2 from a USB stick".
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THIS INFORMATION...
1. If you have a PS1 or PS2 and one of the games above then why not have a
nostalgic afternoon blatting away at wave after wave of retro alien rage.
2. How about building a replica Space Invaders arcade cabinet or table, powered using a Sony PlayStation or PlayStation 2?
3. Ignore the information here and continue living a happy life.
2. How about building a replica Space Invaders arcade cabinet or table, powered using a Sony PlayStation or PlayStation 2?
3. Ignore the information here and continue living a happy life.
AND FINALLY...
Have I missed a Sony PlayStation Space Invaders game? Probably... If I
have, leave me a comment and I'll add it to the list.
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