Space Invaders Arcade vs. Port

[classicgamer74]

In today's episode I compare and contrast Space Invaders with its various ports.  I also discuss several Atari 2600 hacks of this game.  Which version is your favorite?  When was the first time you played Space Invaders?  

 

[Keatah]

First time I did SpaceInvaders was either a clone-like game similar in style on the Apple II or Atari's VCS version. They were all in the same year, or same season. But Atari's version was/is so much more memorable.

 

The VCS version is superior to the arcade for a number of reasons. The number of variations. The more eye-pleasing colors. The 2-shot trick. It's free at home once you bought the cartridge. It's even easier for a kid. Or can be made more tricky and interesting.

 

The high level of difficulty of many arcade games were a significant turn-off and curtailed how much money I spent (in them). It even changed the reason I went to arcades in the first place - now to enjoy the graphics and ambiance. The sounds. The music. Picking up big-hair girls. To even study the gameplay and various social behaviors on display. But to compete against hi-scores, leaderboards, not anymore.

 

And it still holds true today. VCS version is #1.