 |
| Title: |
Space Invaders
Game Boy Color Version |
| Publisher: |
Activision |
| Features: |
For All GB Systems
1 Player Only
Password |
| Format: |
Arcade |
| Reviewer: |
Jason |
|
 |
|
Introduction
Well, if you don't know the concept for this game, you're either too young
or you have never heard of video games.
Space Invaders for GBC follows the
same premise as the original: the armada of invaders slowly advances toward
Earth, while firing unrelenting rounds of missiles at your canon in an attempt to thwart your efforts to destroy
the extra-terrestrial army. Occasionally, a flying saucer will zip by offering you bonus points and items if destroyed.
Game Play
The GBC version of Space Invaders offers a few new challenges which really spice up otherwise monotonous gameplay.
The addition of bosses every 15 levels and unique invaders with special attacks breathe new life into this old
shooter.
Special power-up items and abilities, such as shields, dashing-escape and invincibility, to name only a few, add
to the fun. The ability to chose between 3 different types of cannon is also an interesting feature.
Gameplay starts off relatively slow...the invaders drop like flies without much of a fight. As you progress, however,
prepare to tear your hair out. The game gets quite difficult, especially when the unique invaders start joining
the force. Some of the more aggressive creatures will drop exploding missiles, become invisible or just go berserk.
Luckily, you won't be confused by the controls which are simply left, right and fire. Control is responsive and
clean, so no gripes in that department.
One thing that really irritated me is the password system in this game. Shame on you, Activision! It's got to be
the worst I have ever seen.
Not only are the passwords huge lines of nonsense characters...(and I mean
huge...) but they also save how many lives and credits you have. Come on,
folks! How do expect us to beat 100+ levels on 2 or 3 credits with 3 ships
each? It's an insult to those of us who can really only enjoy gaming
part-time.
The worst thing is that the box taunts you by saying that the "classic version is hidden in the game."
Hidden? Try "Beat all 100 levels first, THEN you can play." And, even after all that, they give you another
monster password that you must enter each time you want to play the classic version, which is: CLSS1281999DBM.
At least the classic version is very well done, aside from the very inaccurate sound-effects. Two words: battery
backup.
Graphics, Control & Sound
Graphically, this rendition of Space Invaders is exceptional. The graphics
are some of the most colorful and well animated I've seen recently.
The variety of invaders and UFO's is astonishing. The small screen format of
the GBC lends itself perfectly to this type of game.
Also, the boss levels are a lot of fun, my favorite being the asteroid invasion which resembles the old Intellivision
game "Astrosmash."
The sound effects are mediocre, but the music is very well done. If you really can't stand the sounds, however,
they can be turned on or off in the options menu.
Final Comments
Well, if you were a child of the 80's like myself, then this is absolutely for you. It is a very satisfying, rich
shooter with all kinds of new surprises, yet it still retains that original SI feel.
If you're being introduced to SI for the first time, I still think you'll enjoy this one, though it might get pushed
to the side after a couple of months.
Consumer Note
There are 2 versions currently available for the Game Boy.
One of them is for GameBoy Color (By Activision and Taito) and the other is for the Classic GB. They both work
on all GB systems, but the older one (By
Nintendo and Taito) is the classic SI only in black and white.
However, the old version has the Super Nintendo SI included for use on Super GameBoy which is a PERFECT arcade
port. Be sure you buy the right one! Heck, if you're a big SI fan, get them both! |
