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Taito responds to 'unauthorized' Space Invaders 9/11 exhibit
Taito has released a very official-sounding statement, charging Mr. Stanley and the exhibitors of the controversial Space Invaders art installation, featuring a simulated attack on the World Trade Center, with unauthorized use of its intellectual property: "Taito Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Co., Ltd., today stated unequivocally that the 'Invaders!' installation by Douglas Edric Stanley and displayed at the Games Convention held in Leipzig, Germany was produced entirely without Taito's knowledge and that the use of the world-famous Space Invaders content was wholly unauthorized. The 'Space Invaders: Die Jubiläumsshow!' ('Space Invaders: the Anniversary Show') exhibition of the Computer Game Museum Berlin hosting the installation was likewise planned and presented without Taito's knowledge and authorization. "Taito is seriously considering all available options -- including legal actions against the infringer and, if necessary, the Games Convention exhibitor involved -- in order to end this unauthorized and impermissible misuse of the Space Invaders content and to protect Taito's intellectual properties."
Space Invaders/Sept. 11 art exhibit stirs controversy [update]
An art installation that features Space Invaders aliens attacking an image of the World Trade Center is beginning to draw ire from the mainstream media. Kotaku was the first site to call attention to the exhibit, which was part of a larger tribute to the classic game's 30th anniversary at the Leipzig Games Convention. A Games Convention press release calls the installation an "an articulated and critical commentary about the current war strategy" and "a social tale that can be related to historical tales without losing its poetic power." The New York Daily News ran with a decidedly different take, though, calling the exhibit a "disgrace" in one headline and featuring outraged reactions from families of 9/11 attack victims, who called the game "distasteful" and "disgusting."The story has been slowly leaking into the mainstream from there. News wire UPI basically echoed the Post piece, while Fox News posted a surprisingly balanced take on the controversy. International wire AFP's story, meanwhile, doesn't seem to see anything wrong with the exhibit at all. So is this piece a triumph or a travesty? Watch the video and decide for yourself.Update: Taito just dropped a very serious statement into our inbox. Read it here.
Space Invaders Get a European release date
Square Enix just announced that Space Invaders Get Even, the novel take on Taito's evergreen Space Invaders series in which players control a UFO who sends Invaders to destroy Earth, will be released "across Europe" this October. Or, at least they believe Nintendo will allow it to come out in October. They released a few new screens along with the announcement, as well as the totally amazing promotional artwork seen above, which is available in a higher resolution in our gallery.We expect that an announcement from Square Enix for the US can't be far off, but this week is Europe's time to shine. %Gallery-25384%
The DS Life: Light the Way
Despite the title, this post has nothing to do with Prism: Light the Way, one of the DS's most interesting but overlooked puzzlers. Circuit City has the game on sale for $9.99 this week, though, so you should totally look into picking it up anyway! For this week's edition of The DS Life, we'll look at several images taken from photographer Patrick Brosset's collection of light painting shots, long-exposure photos taken with streaks of light drawn over the scene. What does this creative technique have to do with the Nintendo DS or gaming? Join us past the break to find out!
Space Invaders Get Even with iTunes
On the 20th of this month, the Japanese iTunes Music Store will be invaded by the Space Invaders Get Even soundtrack. The album, which costs 1,500 yen, contains new orchestrated and electronic music from Taito's house band Zuntata. Some of the songs on the album apparently won't be featured in the game, which to us suggests remixes.While it's not terribly likely we'll see this album in the U.S. -- although Square Enix, Taito's parent company, makes some soundtracks available on the American iTunes store -- it's still great news for us (provided we even get Space Invaders Get Even over here). It means that we'll get a full soundtrack of Zuntata Invaders music in the new game, at least, which should excite any Space Invaders Extreme player.%Gallery-25384%
Space Invaders Get Even cheaper, more nostalgic
We thought we had already hit optimum levels of yaaaayness over Space Invaders Get Even with the announcement that the game would be heading to WiiWare, but it just gets better. Fresh scans from the innards of Famitsu have revealed that the title will be as cheap as a WiiWare game can possibly be: a measly 500 Wii Points. To put that in perspective, that's the same as half of Cruis'n USA or SPOGS Racing.That cost could escalate slightly, for Famitsu confirms that there will be downloadable stages (Square Enix is no stranger to DLC on WiiWare), but 500 Wii Points for the barebones package is still outstanding value. Oh, and there's even the odd Taito tribute thrown in for good measure, such as the ability to play as ships from company classics Darius and RayStorm. Want, want, want.%Gallery-25384%
Eating Space Invaders
Talented video game baker Hello Naomi is at it again, this time using our favorite theme to make delicious cupcakes -- Space Invaders, of course. We really wish we could eat these tasty treats, but only so that we could help save the world from an alien invasion. Not because they look incredibly yummy or anything, really. To see more pictures of the cupcakes in question, just head on over to Hello Naomi's Flickr set.[Via Technabob]
Space Invaders Get Videos, Website
Because the game Space Invaders has been a part of our lives for as long as we can remember, we've grown quite fond of the iconic alienoids. That's why we're completely ready to blow up the world with them in Space Invaders Get Even, which is headed to WiiWare this year (in Japan).Now the game has its own official website, and it's definitely worth a visit. Aside from the teaser trailer posted above, there are also four videos of gameplay foootage to examine under your watchful eyes. So long, Eiffel Tower. To see the other videos, just go to the site and click on "Get Even," then "Game System"%Gallery-25384%[Thanks, supa_s!]
Space Invaders Extreme: DS vs. PSP
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Space_Invaders_Extreme_DS_vs_PSP'; Space Invaders Extreme has been out in the U.S. and Europe for about a month now, so if you haven't bought this gem yet (and according to certain chartz, most of you haven't), we can only assume it's because you're still deciding which version to pick up.As you probably know, the game released for both the DS and the PSP. One of the reasons that certain bloggers (namely, this one) were so excited for the U.S. release of Space Invaders Extreme in the first place was because its downloadable demo for the PSP was nothing short of awesome. You can imagine, then, how torn we were when it came to choosing between the DS and PSP versions of the game. We only figured that some of our readers were going through the same dilemma, and thus we ended up trying out both just so that you don't have to.If you want to see how Space Invaders Extreme DS and PSP stack up against each other, just click on past the break for a pretty chart and in-depth category breakdowns. %Gallery-14613%
Sleeping with Space Invaders
It's times like these that we wish we had $250 to burn on a quilt.Even if we can't buy this, though, we can sure admire it (along with many other Space Invaders themed items). The quilt might not have the same explosive color as Space Invaders Extreme, but it sure makes the classic icons look all warm and cozy. Who wouldn't want to snuggle with these alienoids?Made by Emily from the Etsy shop CarolinaPatchworks (who you might remember as the craftster behind this 8-bit Zelda quilt), you can buy this blanket if you have some extra green lying around. You also might want to check out her other gaming items -- she even takes recommendations.[Via Technabob]
Cool hoodie, Space Invaders -- what more do you need?
Why are some guys so much more popular with the ladies than others? They have the sense and money to wear righteous clothing, a luxury many of us simply can't be bothered with afford. Well, picking up this rad hoodie from Thrifty Beatnik's store is sure to attract plenty of people -- until they realize it's covered with Space Invaders.Which is rad -- or at least, we think so. Are friends really your friends if they don't like Space Invaders? Maybe, but you'd better educate them in the ways of video gaming history quicksmart. In fact, start them off right here, then move along to the way of the future. That hoodie will cement your place in stardom for years to come -- until Space Invaders becomes uncool. Which is probably never going to happen.%Gallery-14613%[Via Technabob]
Accessorize your gamer with retro badges and a purse
Have a desire to wear your love for space invaders on your sleeve (or that moldy merit badge sash), or cram your eye shadow and lip gloss into a a zippered little purse? Fear no more, 'Stiqeteers, for you can have both. Handmade to boot! I Don't Like Mondays has some Emma Ferguson hand-stitched and embroidered retro designs, including these two gaming throwbacks and a Mac Bomb. Can a man carry a purse and maintain some dignity? It hardly seems fair, because women can wear merit badges without catcalls and cries of "NIce manbag!" Maybe we can cram it down into our tough-looking computer bags and carry pencils in it.[Thanks Colin!]
DS Fanboy Review: Space Invaders Extreme
Anticipating a game can be a very dangerous diversion. If you have high hopes for a title, it's easier to find yourself disappointed than satisfied. This is what I was afraid of with Space Invaders Extreme; after drooling over the renovated Taito classic for months on end, I was worried that my expectations would set the bar too high. Basically, if it didn't completely blow my mind, the game was going to be a letdown.Consider my mind blown.%Gallery-14613%
McCain campaign releases facebook game: Pork Invaders
While most of our time on popular social networking site Facebook is spent trying to impress our cohorts with our favorite bands and films or attempting to propel porpoises into the far reaches of the spiral galaxy, we recently took notice of a new application added by Republican presidential hopeful John McCain's campaign staff: a simple flash game titled Pork Invaders, an obvious parody of the similarly titled arcade classic.Don't mistake the game's title to mean the Arizona senator harbors any disdain for unkosher meats -- rather, the act of firing vetoes at familiar patterns of descending pigs symbolizes the candidate's contempt for pork barrel spending -- the earmarking of funds for seemingly unnecessary projects. It's not a particularly good game, though it is worth noting when the U.S.'s prospective new leaders enter the intimidating world of game development. We hope for a swift response from the presumptive Democratic candidate's campaign -- Obomberman, perhaps?[Via GamePolitics]
Space Invaders on your neck, ears, and ... waist
We're always on the hunt for Space Invaders gear, especially now that Space Invaders Extreme is out and it's awesome. We're so obsessed that if given the choice and proper funds, we might just have everything we own decked out in little alienoid designs.Today, we bring you three steps closer to doing just that. First, you can get yourself a geektastic tie or boxer shorts, which come to $40 and $22 respectively. If those don't do anything for you, you can also check out the super slick Invaders headphones shown above. Aside from them just looking cool, they only cost $20 from NCSX. We're most tempted by the headphones, but if the tie cost a little less, that would be one hot gift for yourself or the man geek in your life.[Boxers and tie via Technabob]Source: Space Invaders silk tieSource: Space Invaders boxersSource: Space Invaders headphones
Virtually Overlooked: Space Invaders '95: The Attack of Lunar Loonies
This year, is the 30th anniversary of Space Invaders' original Japanese release, and Taito has marked it with the release of Space Invaders Extreme on the DS and PSP, a significant upgrade to the original game with new powerups, music, and a beautiful new techno-rave sheen. It's not the first time Taito has departed from the base Invaders formula. In 1995 (the less auspicious 17th anniversary of Space Invaders), Taito put out an arcade sequel to the primordial shmup that is every bit as visually divergent as Extreme, but in a totally different direction. Whereas the new handheld game goes for (and achieves) cool, Space Invaders '95 (known in Japan as Akkanvader) went in the wacky direction.
Space Invaders invade through the ears with new headphones
There are already so many Space Invader Extreme products out there and now we're getting some Space Invader headphones. No doubt to coincide with the release of the new game (out now) and the 30th year anniversary, this headphone set is really pimping out the little alien creatures that sway side to side. Offered by online retailer NCSX, the headphones go for about $20. Worth it? Maybe -- if you don't already have a pair, or just a really huge Space Invaders fan.[Via Kotaku]
Space Invaders Get Even Better: It's WiiWare!
Space Invaders Get Even, Taito's flip on the Invaders concept in which players control an alien mothership firing pixelly Invaders at Earth's cities, is on track for a summer release in Japan. The good news is that there's a fairly low barrier to quick localization, because Taito has just revealed that it's a WiiWare game! Square Enix (who owns Taito) has been hesitant about Taito properties in the past (Majesco picked up Cooking Mama, for example, and SE has passed on the paddle controller made for Arkanoid DS and Space Invaders Extreme), but their WiiWare Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles game has gone well for them. Plus, there's the fact that Space Invaders Get Even will be way cheaper as a download than as a disc.Our gallery has been attacked by an invading force of screens, showing not only invasion gameplay, but plenty of shots outlining the hu-mans' pitiful defenses.%Gallery-25384%
Metareview: Space Invaders Extreme
For us, the release of Space Invaders Extreme carries the same weight as a world-altering event. Mainly because our own world has been altered to include such an inspired recreation of the original Space Invaders, which we never could have imagined possible. It's like finding an extra $20 in that jacket you have in the back of the closet, only that bill somehow managed to reproduce asexually and gave way to a whole colony of legal tender. Oh, and the money also talks and calls you "God." That's how blessed we feel just knowing such a game exists.How do the critics feel? Well, let's dive in, shall we? 1UP (A-) says "Space Invaders was never intended to be a graphical powerhouse, and with its solid, pick-up-and-play action and an easily digestible $20 price point, Extreme makes for a perfect summer gaming distraction." IGN (90/100) found the DS game to be better than the PSP version: "Space Invaders Extreme is a certified hit and easily the company's best effort in contemporizing its classic property. The game's an absolute steal at 20 bucks on either the Nintendo DS or the PlayStation Portable, but if you want the definitive version of this fantastic classic revisit, the Nintendo DS version is it." GamesRadar (80/100) thinks it's a solid title: "[...] for quick-to-play, compelling arcade action - complete with a two-player head to head mode - it's hard to imagine a better package. Don't miss this one." Game Informer (83/100) said it's almost a stroke of genius: "It takes some clever thinking to take something this old and make it feel new again. Square Enix has done exactly that by maintaining the core "shoot the aliens" gameplay while dramatically expanding the strategy and skill required to succeed in the endeavor." [July 2008, p.95] %Gallery-14613%
Remember Mario? He's back -- in button form!
What are these perfect for? Making a fabric-based stop-motion Mario animation, that's what. This latest batch of buttons from Etsy craftsman Spooon features easily movable characters and items, each faithfully recreated from original NES sprites. Why, nab a set of these handy control buttons, and you'll have hours of fun manually moving our plucky hero through all kinds of pinning adventures.Better yet, Spooon also whipped up a bunch of magnets featuring Space Invaders and Pac-man characters, so there's no real need to ever leave your kitchen. Sit by the fridge and enjoy! The sets are available in button ($8) or magnet ($10) form, so the choice of creating a retro fridge or bag is entirely up to you. The store is open for business, so take a crafty trip down nostalgia street.[Via technabob]
