S.I. vs. S.I.

[Cybergoth]

Hi there!

 

I don't get it.

 

According to the AA shop charts, There's more "Space Invader Arcade" hacks sold than "Space Instigators" homebrews.

 

I don't get it.

 

People buying "Space Invader Arcade" basically get the same game once more which they already have in their collection, the original Space Invaders. Rob did an awesome job to make it feel more close to the arcade than Ataris effort, but in it's core it is 100% the same.

 

I don't get it.

 

People buying "Space Instigators" get a brand new game written from scratch, being the most faithful 2600 port of Space Invaders possible, it's just perfect.

 

I don't get it.

 

Please, someone tell me why on earth there's more copies sold of the hack

 

I don't get it. (Did I say that already?)

 

Greetings,

Manuel

[landsmarra]

Hey goth,

 

I agree with you that Space Instigators is a great port...worlds better than the original (is that blasphemous to say?)

 

However, I believe I have seen one version that incorporates more columns of invaders.

 

Kudos to Chris Tumber for a great port.

[ubersaurus]

The actual space invaders game has a more manageable UFO speed ;p

 

 

Also a perfect SI port would've kept all those quirks in the game such as shot counting and the bottom level for the invaders being a "no fire zone".

[ZylonBane]

People buying "Space Instigators" get ... the most faithful 2600 port of Space Invaders possible, it's just perfect.

Don't be so free with the hyperbole. Space Instigators is good, and an impressive technical achievement, but it's far from a perfect port.

[oesii]

I haven't bought either yet, but there is a $10 price difference. When I buy a few carts and want to throw a last one in $15 is better than $25

 

But I do want to eventually get Instigators, I think it looks good but the fast UFO's really make me enjoy the game less.

[Greg Zumwalt]

Same here...

bad health, high medical bills, out of business...

I have to opt for quantity over quality, so cheaper gets the sale.

Of course, if I could, I'd have 2 of everything ever made for the 2600.

One for show and the other for play

[Cybergoth]

Hi there!

 

Don't be so free with the hyperbole. Space Instigators is good, and an impressive technical achievement, but it's far from a perfect port.

 

So, attempting to interpret your vague answer in relation to the matter I wanted to discuss in this case, you are saying that there's more people buying the hack, because it is closer to a perfect arcade port than Space Instigators?

 

Greetings,

Manuel

[+5-11under]

Cybergoth,

I'm curious how many of each have been sold?

Thanks,

5-11under

[+johnnywc]

My two cents:

 

I think both are great, and Space Instigators certainly gives more of the "feel" of the arcade coin-op. The one thing stopping me from buying it is the extremely fast UFO - it ridiculously challenging to the point where it's not fun (IMO). My vote would be to have the UFO move at a more normal speed and have the 'A' switch make it faster.

 

Either way, it is certainly an awesome achievement.

 

Thanks,

[Cybergoth]

Hi Greg!

 

Same here...

bad health, high medical bills, out of business...

I have to opt for quantity over quality, so cheaper gets the sale.

Of course, if I could, I'd have 2 of everything ever made for the 2600.

One for show and the other for play

 

Uhm... but when money really is an issue, then why spend $15 on (basically) just Space Invaders? You'd get it CIB for $0.50 on every second flea-market, right?

 

Greetings,

Manuel

[Cybergoth]

Hi there!

 

I'm curious how many of each have been sold?

 

I'm sorry, I'm not one of the ones knowing the figures. I just see the ranking in the shopping charts.

 

Greetings,

Manuel

[NE146]

I still think my original "Arcade Space Invaders" hack has better closer to arcade graphics than any of the other hacks out there including Space Instigators I think it's more to do with that pesky bottom invader...

 

But I DO agree that Space Instigators is an awesome version of Space Invaders which of course is one of my favorite arcade games of all time. So what's a guy to do? Well.. I just took Space Instigators and put in my graphics from 'arcade space invaders'. (probably one of the first 2600 space invader hacks around by the way). Now it looks great! ..Thank god for the Cuttle cart.

 

[oesii]

 

Uhm... but when money really is an issue, then why spend $15 on (basically) just Space Invaders? You'd get it CIB for $0.50 on every second flea-market, right?

 

Greetings,

    Manuel

 

 

I think there's a lot of people that grew up on the 2600 version of Space Invaders and we still enjoy that version. So the SI:Arcade hack cleans up the graphics and makes the background more like the arcade. This hack is very playable in my opinion, Instigators is a great technical achievement but it doesn't make me want to play it any more than the SI hack (mainly because of the fast UFO's for me).

[SS]

I own both and both are very nicely done. However, I do tend to play "Space Invaders Arcade" a bit more often than "Space Instigators". Perhaps it's because "Space Instigators" moves at a pretty fast clip (especially the top mother ship) but I suspect it's simply because I'm much better at the original Atari port.

[ZylonBane]

So, attempting to interpret your vague answer in relation to the matter I wanted to discuss in this case, you are saying that there's more people buying the hack, because it is closer to a perfect arcade port than Space Instigators?

No, I'm saying the part that you quoted. If any of my words or phrases were confusing, I'd be happy to explain them.

[sku_u]

Having just played Space Invaders Arcade and Space Instigators, I think I like Space Invaders Arcade more. Gameplay is more awkward on Space Instigators.

[MegaManFan]

After reading all these posts, I might just get SI Arcade myself. Space Instigators does an awesome job of cramming 11 invaders into a line (truly remarkable) and looks fantastic, but I said it even back when I first bought it - that UFO speed just drives me nuts.

[Paul Slocum]

I actually like the challenge of the fast UFO. I'm to the point where I can hit it almost every time.

 

-Paul

[MegaManFan]

Not that it's bad (it is a challenge) I just wish it had been adjustable or at least offered "arcade mode" and "challenge mode." I know there was no space left in the code for it though!

[Godzilla]

ive got space instigators, and my original atari space invaders, and for me the original SI wins. I love double fire, what can I say.

[NE146]

I love double fire, what can I say.

 

Me too .. Now if only we could get double fire on something else BESIDES game variation 1. Personally I'd lie to use them in the fast missiles variation (game 5?). Since that's the next logical variation that makes sense to play once you get really good at 2600 S.I.

[Nukey Shay]

Beast Invaders does (thanx Jeff)

 

Hacking the game, you can change byte $760 from $10 to $00 (simply erase the X if you are using 2600gfx)

si.zip

si_hack2.zip

[ElectricTroy]

(1) I like the Atari Space Invaders better than the arcade.

 

 

(2) How did the Space Instigators programmer get 8 invaders across the screen??? I thought the limit for sprite repetition was 6?

 

 

(3) My Atari is dead. Can I purchase the ROM instead?

[NE146]

Beast Invaders does (thanx Jeff)

 

Hacking the game, you can change byte $760 from $10 to $00 (simply erase the X if you are using 2600gfx)

 

Wow! Thanks Nukey

[Nukey Shay]

I've always thought that should have been the difficulty. The wide base in "A" boils down to luck in high levels