I remember the first time I played this in the arcade. It was late spring or early summer. I must have been 13 year old. The feelings I get seeing it now are that same I had that first time... feelings of freedom and of a carefree life, and that the long summer vacation ahead was going to be awesome. Wow, good times.
The original arcade version doesn't have color everything was white. Most of the versions in the US used a mirror that would reflect the white to appear to be on a planet backdrop. There were some versions that included a color overlay that would give the illusion of color based on the area of the screen the image was rendering an enemy. the color variations did not come into existence until it was re-released in 1985.
No. I distinctly remember playing space invaders part 1 on cocktail cabs that had color screens. No overlays. proper colour. This was when i was in school, and i left in 1982
Another great "Let's Compare" video - thanks for sharing and all the research put into this! I'm a BBC Micro owner since 1986 and I didn't know of the version that you included in your montage. The one I knew was called Super Invaders. Graphically, it looked most similar to the Colocovision and MSX versions that you used here.
It did not have a full compliment of ships, but nothing will ever subtract from the memories that one recalls when they hear the 2600 version of Space Invaders thump across the screen. In my opinion the best conversion ever made.
Thanks for the upload, sometimes wish we were back in the 80's, we seemed to except what there was and enjoyed it the more so, these days nothing is 'good' enough and we always expect more.. 1983-1990- nothing comes close for me concerning CHARACTER in gaming.
i was going to do this one but there are just so many versions of it i decided not to,your a brave man tackling this one,you could have taken the super space invaders 91 versions out cos technically they are different games,but then again it depends on how you want to categorise space invaders,nice video man you put allot of work into this one.
no. I didn't forget it. I even tried to get the N64 version as well but there was multiple problems with the emulation & recording. It did not want to cooperate. But if You are curious to what it looked like the GBA is similar in game play, graphics & sound. ( similar ... Not the same ) ;) Just covering My bases. lol
The best Space invaders port console in my opinion are: 1. Space invaders 91 Sega genesis, 2. Space invaders snes, 3.Dragon 32/64, 4. Arcade, 5. Atari 800 xe, 6. Atari 5200, 7. Intellivsion, 8. Bally Astrocade, 9. Amiga, 10. Gameboy color, 11. Atari ST, 12. Gameboy Advance, and 13. Nintendo DS.
Thank you. I added other ports such as super space invaders & 91 for the sake of comparing hardware capabilities. They are pretty much the same game no matter how one would slice it.
Ah this is one of those old lists without date. I would have loved to see the year of release compared. Heh i remember a version of the game inside a game in the spectrum, i was awed by that, how advanced computers were in the 80s compared to the 70s! XD
I worked on this one for almost a year off & on. But about 2 weeks ago I realized how close to the finish line I was so I buckled down on it to get it done. :)
There is a trick you can pull off in the arcade version in order to make sure the bonus saucer gives you 300 points every time you shoot it, a trick that is dependant on how many shots you fire before it appears. The SNES version of Space Invaders is so accurate to the arcade version that it will actually allow you to pull off this trick! 😀 It makes me wonder if the arcade game is actually being emulated on that system rather than having been ported. It wouldn't surprise me. There's even a function that allows you to insert coins to start.
Nice job with this. The PlayStation 2 also had Space Invaders Anniversary Edition with a very cool 3D version as well as all of the various arcade versions.
There was a fairly faithful, PD (as far as I know) port called Amoeba Invaders. The nice thing was that it multitasked, so you could play it while downloading or running other stuff in the background.
The Amstrad, Amiga, Sega Master System, and Game Gear ports were all based off the 4th game in the Space Invaders series, Super Space Invaders '91. The Shockwave port had the same graphics and sounds from that game, but was not a direct port.
I noticed. I made various attempts to get a more accurate recording but no matter witch version of Mame I went with it was always the same. I encountered this same issue with spy hunter as well.
The Atari 2600 version doesn't resemble the original arcade game closely at all, but the gameplay is good enough that it became the monster hit that made the 2600 (VCS) a top seller, and is what I imprinted on as the true Space Invaders.
Vic 20 version was my fave back then. It came on a cartridge, rather than tape. Loved Jelly Monsters (Pac Man) too! I don't think that either of them were official conversions. I certainly remember Jelly Monsters being banned!
Space Destroyers APF M1000: Space Destroyers Gameplay on APF M-1000 Space Destroyers APF Imagination Machine Loading Screen: Space Destroyers on APF Imagination Machine - www.retrogaming.8k.com Space Destroyers APF Imagination Machine Gameplay: Space Destroyers on APF Imagination Machine - www.retrogaming.8k.com
I really enjoyed TI Invaders. Technically it's a clone and not actually Space Invaders, but it was both really close to the arcade version in gameplay and graphics while still having a few cool enhancements.
In my opinion the best version is still the 2600 version. Yeah it might not have the full compliment of invaders, but it was awesome back in the day, and is still highly playable today.
Space Invaders Extreme is perhaps the best versions on the DS,PSP and XBOX. I like the Gamegear version which is similar to the Master System but zoomed in and plays faster
I remember bally astrocade. it actually was the first game with an ending I believe, since after so many waves, they started on the ground and the game ended
So if we ever are invaded by aliens we can expect them to just march together in a group pattern back and fourth while we pick them off one at a time. No problem!
Apparently even Taito's old arcade games, whose graphics can fit well in a ZX Spectrum due to their ZX Spectrum-level palettes, can still be butchered in their ZX Spectrum ports.
The RCA Studio II version is missing the beep. The Amiga computer sure was advanced. You forgot to place a text in the video explaining that the 7800 version is home-brew. Is the Famicom version a disc or a cartridge? How it's the classic mode on the DS?
27:24 *cough* Sheild... It is quite bad for eyes to watch Dragon version at night and scary to hear apple II version. I find design of Spectrum Raiders' objects interesting. Amiga's intro is amazing! Dunno why but I find TI-99 special spaceship sound funny.
Hey, just an update for you, Space Invaders Collection for the Coleco has been made freely-available as a rom image. Same was done for Pac-Man Collection.
Hey, do you ever include plug n’ play consoles like the Jakks Pacific games, etc. in these comparisons? I’d like to know how the games on those compare to arcade versions too.
Gaming History Source LOL! I see a few on eBay for around $15 or so. Sorry I can’t donate one. I just bought one for my daughter and I to play with. That’s all I have. 😁
The largest project I've done to date. But believe it or not.. this isn't all of them if You consider some of the ports I couldn't get & the clones. 0_0 insane how popular this simple game was.
Can definitely understand about not getting all of the ports, sequels etc.. I enjoyed Space Invaders Extreme on both the Xbox 360 and PSP and Space Invaders Infinity Gene was a trip too!
The video is wrong. If you want to show the arcade version you need to also put the backdrop (which is different on USA\midway and Japan\taito). No one played Space Invaders back then like that, we had a colorful panel with a planet, stars and galaxies on the background.
Thanks ! :) Glad You enjoyed the video. Indeed ! The partnership was an unexpected surprise. I joined initially because I wanted thumbnails & a few other features. Ohh by the way ! Check out My new banner :D I think it turned out better than expected !
Arcade - 8/10 - Nostalgic / RCA Studio 2 - 2/10 - The heck is that? / Chip 8 - 2/10 - I'm still giving it credit because I find it actually relaxing. / Dragon 32/64 - 0/10 - Why is the freaking background white? / Apple 2 - 5/10 - What? Apple Invaders? / Amstrad - 6/10 - That looks nothing like Space Invaders. / ZX Spectrum - 6/10 - Pretty good bullet frame rate. But wait? Space Intruders? What's with the alternate titles? / Oric - 4/10 - No Description / BBC Micro -
You didn't give TI invaders for the Texas Instruments 99 computer enough credit, it had way more different aliens than the original Space Invaders instead of the same dull 3 aliens, you could have shown some of the later levels.
There is a cheat for the Atari 2600 version where you would hold the reset switch down before turning on the power. While the reset switch held down turn on the Atari 2600 and release the reset switch. You will get a double shot instead of a single shot.
I remember the first time I played this in the arcade. It was late spring or early summer. I must have been 13 year old. The feelings I get seeing it now are that same I had that first time... feelings of freedom and of a carefree life, and that the long summer vacation ahead was going to be awesome. Wow, good times.
The RCA Studio (whatever that is) version looks like an ugly Christmas sweater!
ztoxtube don’t insult ugly Christmas sweaters
It looks like you're playing Alphabet Attack more so lol
Space Invaders is a legend! There are so many great versions of it. This is really gaming history. Thanks for the video.
This one was a very time consuming one to produce. >_
The original arcade version doesn't have color everything was white. Most of the versions in the US used a mirror that would reflect the white to appear to be on a planet backdrop. There were some versions that included a color overlay that would give the illusion of color based on the area of the screen the image was rendering an enemy. the color variations did not come into existence until it was re-released in 1985.
1980 actually (Space Invaders Part 2, which had that gaudy green, blue, purple and red screen overlay)
No. I distinctly remember playing space invaders part 1 on cocktail cabs that had color screens. No overlays. proper colour. This was when i was in school, and i left in 1982
liar
tbb033
Being a liar and being ignorant are NOT the same thing
Thanks for putting in the effort to make this video. Was awesome to see all those different versions of this classic game =)
Thank You ! I'm glad You enjoyed it.
DAT chip 8 version tho
You know about the kind of work that goes into videos like this as well. I always enjoy Your videos. :D
We all appreciate what you do for video games as a historical medium.
AHH !! I remember that now !! I forgot all about it. Thanks for reminding me ! :D
When the nostalgia REALLY kicks in. Really good video
Space invaders is what got me hooked on video games since 1979.
The Chip 8 version seems like a (very) poor man's attempt.
Its not a poor attempt if you consider Chip 8 was around before space invaders and is a very limited spec to run on many different machines.
You bring up a good point.
Apparently it's an interpreted language designed to allow platform portable programs.
Another great "Let's Compare" video - thanks for sharing and all the research put into this! I'm a BBC Micro owner since 1986 and I didn't know of the version that you included in your montage. The one I knew was called Super Invaders. Graphically, it looked most similar to the Colocovision and MSX versions that you used here.
I remember the color overlay one. I always thought that was so cool.
This is awesome. I could use this just was a loop playing somewhere like art on the wall. Thanks for doing this. You earned a sub! :o
Glad you enjoyed it ! & thanks for the sub ! :)
It did not have a full compliment of ships, but nothing will ever subtract from the memories that one recalls when they hear the 2600 version of Space Invaders thump across the screen. In my opinion the best conversion ever made.
Thanks for the upload, sometimes wish we were back in the 80's, we seemed to except what there was and enjoyed it the more so, these days nothing is 'good' enough and we always expect more..
1983-1990- nothing comes close for me concerning CHARACTER in gaming.
Chip 8 is the best one
Why
i was going to do this one but there are just so many versions of it i decided not to,your a brave man tackling this one,you could have taken the super space invaders 91 versions out cos technically they are different games,but then again it depends on how you want to categorise space invaders,nice video man you put allot of work into this one.
no. I didn't forget it. I even tried to get the N64 version as well but there was multiple problems with the emulation & recording. It did not want to cooperate. But if You are curious to what it looked like the GBA is similar in game play, graphics & sound. ( similar ... Not the same ) ;) Just covering My bases. lol
The best Space invaders port console in my opinion are: 1. Space invaders 91 Sega genesis, 2. Space invaders snes, 3.Dragon 32/64, 4. Arcade, 5. Atari 800 xe, 6. Atari 5200, 7. Intellivsion, 8. Bally Astrocade, 9. Amiga, 10. Gameboy color, 11. Atari ST, 12. Gameboy Advance, and 13. Nintendo DS.
Mein Lob für diese interessante Zusammenstellung.
Thank you. I added other ports such as super space invaders & 91 for the sake of comparing hardware capabilities. They are pretty much the same game no matter how one would slice it.
Chip 8 but.....
Amazing a lot of these systems Id not heard of.
Ah this is one of those old lists without date. I would have loved to see the year of release compared.
Heh i remember a version of the game inside a game in the spectrum, i was awed by that, how advanced computers were in the 80s compared to the 70s! XD
I worked on this one for almost a year off & on. But about 2 weeks ago I realized how close to the finish line I was so I buckled down on it to get it done. :)
There is a trick you can pull off in the arcade version in order to make sure the bonus saucer gives you 300 points every time you shoot it, a trick that is dependant on how many shots you fire before it appears. The SNES version of Space Invaders is so accurate to the arcade version that it will actually allow you to pull off this trick! 😀 It makes me wonder if the arcade game is actually being emulated on that system rather than having been ported. It wouldn't surprise me. There's even a function that allows you to insert coins to start.
TI-99 Is my most favorite because it has very good view on it. Plus it even has it's name.
*TI Invaders.*
arcade 1up release in 2 days. Can't wait to have that awesome looking cabinet at home
Nice job with this.
The PlayStation 2 also had Space Invaders Anniversary Edition with a very cool 3D version as well as all of the various arcade versions.
There was a fairly faithful, PD (as far as I know) port called Amoeba Invaders. The nice thing was that it multitasked, so you could play it while downloading or running other stuff in the background.
Space Invaders + my iPod classic + Beer = Good Times
goddamn I can't stand those 90's "remakes" of classic arcade games that tried way too hard if you get me
Jaekoff you don't know how long they have worked on those remakes tho
Agreed, but I still think the Nintendo GBA version is the exception.
With the ToTaLlY aWeSoMe sampled sounds and background images
5:07 to 6:00 This version of Apple II made me have a Deja vu.
The Amstrad, Amiga, Sega Master System, and Game Gear ports were all based off the 4th game in the Space Invaders series, Super Space Invaders '91. The Shockwave port had the same graphics and sounds from that game, but was not a direct port.
thanks for your job in this video
yw :)
The Atari 7800 looks awesome and amazing
Glad You enjoyed it.
I noticed. I made various attempts to get a more accurate recording but no matter witch version of Mame I went with it was always the same. I encountered this same issue with spy hunter as well.
My personal favorites: 3. arcade, 2. TI-99/4A, 1. Atari 2600. The Vic 20 version looks very impressive for the machine.
The 2600? The original was so much better. The 2600 version was fun until you mastered it, which didn't take long.
BBC Micro puts in a good showing.
Man was the Commodore 64 a good computer. I still love that ol' guy!
The Atari 2600 version doesn't resemble the original arcade game closely at all, but the gameplay is good enough that it became the monster hit that made the 2600 (VCS) a top seller, and is what I imprinted on as the true Space Invaders.
2:39 What the?!
2:53 Ok the space thingy came back but a bit of a block?!?
Vic 20 version was my fave back then. It came on a cartridge, rather than tape. Loved Jelly Monsters (Pac Man) too! I don't think that either of them were official conversions. I certainly remember Jelly Monsters being banned!
Didn't think that there was a version that could be worse than the ZX Spectrum... until i saw the Amstrad version.
Best strategy is to eliminate the enemys in columns then in rows when they get close.
Much of these resemble Space Invaders Part II "arcade" since that introduced color.
I don't remember the arcade version being like this even though I'm 13 I love retro games like this I grew up on retro games
I was hoping space invaders would show up in smash as an assist trophy.
As you can see, I appreciate this game.
What about the APF M1000?
Space Destroyers APF M1000: Space Destroyers Gameplay on APF M-1000
Space Destroyers APF Imagination Machine Loading Screen: Space Destroyers on APF Imagination Machine - www.retrogaming.8k.com
Space Destroyers APF Imagination Machine Gameplay: Space Destroyers on APF Imagination Machine - www.retrogaming.8k.com
The 2600 version is what they based Rescue from Space Invaders for PC on.
I really enjoyed TI Invaders. Technically it's a clone and not actually Space Invaders, but it was both really close to the arcade version in gameplay and graphics while still having a few cool enhancements.
In my opinion the best version is still the 2600 version. Yeah it might not have the full compliment of invaders, but it was awesome back in the day, and is still highly playable today.
Also the Modes like Two Player at the same time, is really funny.
WOW! The Amiga version is very impressive!
Glen Tindal; It is just like the arcade version of Super Space Invaders '91!
Space Invaders Extreme is perhaps the best versions on the DS,PSP and XBOX. I like the Gamegear version which is similar to the Master System but zoomed in and plays faster
Rui Castro; You might need to edit that comment, since Space Invaders Extreme is coming to PC in February 2018!
25:16 those are fart samples. Real mature, guys.
I remember bally astrocade. it actually was the first game with an ending I believe, since after so many waves, they started on the ground and the game ended
So if we ever are invaded by aliens we can expect them to just march together in a group pattern back and fourth while we pick them off one at a time. No problem!
Until the last one gets to the surface and we all die lol
I can totally feel your pain!
Apparently even Taito's old arcade games, whose graphics can fit well in a ZX Spectrum due to their ZX Spectrum-level palettes, can still be butchered in their ZX Spectrum ports.
42:41 This looks like the music of a movie.
Isn’t it just me or do the aliens in the intellivison port look adorable?
The RCA Studio II version is missing the beep.
The Amiga computer sure was advanced.
You forgot to place a text in the video explaining that the 7800 version is home-brew.
Is the Famicom version a disc or a cartridge?
How it's the classic mode on the DS?
ATARI 5200 is the best. Does Atari have that version out on any other platform? Like a flashback or retro for another system?
this is the comparsion i seen that has the most ports
Atari Versions Of This Game
11:00
12:00
13:00
BBC micro had a great version by Acornsoft called Super Invaders, Z left X right RETURN to fire. Happy days.
Why does the sounds in Space Invaders for the Apple II sound like.....FARTS?
Yeah, and ZX Spectrum!
27:24 *cough* Sheild...
It is quite bad for eyes to watch Dragon version at night and scary to hear apple II version.
I find design of Spectrum Raiders' objects interesting.
Amiga's intro is amazing!
Dunno why but I find TI-99 special spaceship sound funny.
Thanks, great video
the apple II version sounds like someone's trying to squeeze the last bit out of a squeeze bottle
"Space Intruders"
XD
Hey, just an update for you, Space Invaders Collection for the Coleco has been made freely-available as a rom image. Same was done for Pac-Man Collection.
Theres also multiple variations of the arcade game (as emulated on the snes version). Otherwise you've left no space rock unturned as usual.
Hey, do you ever include plug n’ play consoles like the Jakks Pacific games, etc. in these comparisons?
I’d like to know how the games on those compare to arcade versions too.
I didn't have it for this video. But I'll take donations. lol
Gaming History Source
LOL! I see a few on eBay for around $15 or so.
Sorry I can’t donate one. I just bought one for my daughter and I to play with. That’s all I have. 😁
The super GAMEBOY version had a feature that allowed for the SNES. version to be played in full 16 bit on an 8 bit cart. Odd.
The largest project I've done to date. But believe it or not.. this isn't all of them if You consider some of the ports I couldn't get & the clones. 0_0 insane how popular this simple game was.
Can definitely understand about not getting all of the ports, sequels etc.. I enjoyed Space Invaders Extreme on both the Xbox 360 and PSP and Space Invaders Infinity Gene was a trip too!
this game made it onto the Virtual boy? daaaaaang i know that platform was poor but i'm still shocked it made it on there
Wow this one must have kept you busy. some systems here I've never heard of.
the ATARI 5200 is basically the ATARI 800 XL with better graphics
I saw the apple 2 and thought WOW then I heard it and skipped past sounded like the missus dropping her guts after a night on the curry and cider.
The video is wrong. If you want to show the arcade version you need to also put the backdrop (which is different on USA\midway and Japan\taito). No one played Space Invaders back then like that, we had a colorful panel with a planet, stars and galaxies on the background.
Am I the only one who liked the Amiga version the best?
is strange, but the super gameboy has a "snes" version hidden in the rom, only need emulate for seeing this version
7800 Homebrew (Arcade graphics with the 2600 gametypes). Not even close IMO.
24:06 This sounds like music from some cartoon theme.
ITS PINKY AND DA BRAIN
Thanks ! :) Glad You enjoyed the video. Indeed ! The partnership was an unexpected surprise. I joined initially because I wanted thumbnails & a few other features. Ohh by the way ! Check out My new banner :D I think it turned out better than expected !
Thank You. :)
Arcade - 8/10 - Nostalgic / RCA Studio 2 - 2/10 - The heck is that? / Chip 8 - 2/10 - I'm still giving it credit because I find it actually relaxing. / Dragon 32/64 - 0/10 - Why is the freaking background white? / Apple 2 - 5/10 - What? Apple Invaders? / Amstrad - 6/10 - That looks nothing like Space Invaders. / ZX Spectrum - 6/10 - Pretty good bullet frame rate. But wait? Space Intruders? What's with the alternate titles? / Oric - 4/10 - No Description / BBC Micro -
I'll finish it later.
Haydn Leo Productions The Amstrad version is actually Super Space Invaders '91.
Did you have a filter on when you played the Apple 2 version
Should have included YASI for the Vectrex
You didn't give TI invaders for the Texas Instruments 99 computer enough credit, it had way more different aliens than the original Space Invaders instead of the same dull 3 aliens, you could have shown some of the later levels.
Still my favorite system as a kid... Colecovision.
There is a cheat for the Atari 2600 version where you would hold the reset switch down before turning on the power. While the reset switch held down turn on the Atari 2600 and release the reset switch. You will get a double shot instead of a single shot.
Gaming History Source what about this one: Space Invaders PS1 Longplay