Space Invaders DX

Arcade Video game published 30 years ago by Taito Corp.

Listed in MAME

Info

Space Invaders DX © 1994 Taito Corp.

A modern and fitting tribute to Taito's 1978 seminal shoot-em-up, "Space Invaders".

There are now 3 different game modes to choose from. These include a faithful recreation of the legendary original - available in both upright and cocktail versions - and replete with a simulation of the infamous "coloured plastic overlay" that was used to add the impression of full colour graphics to the original game.

The 2 remaining game modes are 'Versus', with simultaneous split-screen 2-player action, and "Parody", which features characters and graphics from other well-known Taito games, such as "The New Zealand Story", "Bubble Bobble" and "Liquid Kids". Despite the graphical changes, the Parody version plays identically to the original game, and all modes retain the original, legendary sound effects.

TECHNICAL

This game was available in 3 different cabinet models : the single-control upright model with one control panel that 2 players must share, the dual-control upright, where the players have their own control, and stand next to one another, and the head-to-head cocktail, where the players sit on opposite sides of the cabinet and the screen flips its orientation for each player's turn.

The 'Versus' game mode is available on the dual-control upright model only.

Taito B System hardware
Prom Stickers : D89

Main CPU : Motorola 68000 (@ 12 Mhz), Zilog Z80 (@ 4 Mhz)
Sound Chips : Yamaha YM2610 (@ 8 Mhz)

Players : 4
Control : 8-way joystick
Buttons : 3

TRIVIA

Space Invaders DX was released in September 1994.

This game runs originally on the Taito B System hardware, but there is also an alternate version of this game released on Taito F3 System hardware (Game ID : D93).

In ''Parody Game Mode'', a LOT of characters taken from early Taito games appear at each level, here is the list :
Level 1 - Characters from "The New Zealand Story".
Level 2 - Characters from "The Fairyland Story".
Level 3 - Characters from "Bubble Bobble".
Level 4 - Characters from "Rainbow Islands - The Story of Bubble Bobble 2".
Level 5 - Characters from "Mizubaku Adventure".
Level 6 - Characters from "Arkanoid".
Level 7 - Characters from "KiKiKaiKai".
Level 8 - Characters from "Darius".
Level 9 - Characters from "Don Doko Don".

UPDATES

Revision 1 :
* Software version : 2.0.
* Japanese release only.

Revision 2 :
* Software version : 2.1.
* Japanese and American release (The US version has the "Winners Don't Use Drugs" and "Recycle It, Don't Trash It" screens).
* Added 'Configuration' menu and 'Factory setting' option in the operator menu.

Revision 3 :
* Taito F3 System hardware.
* Software version : 2.6.
* Japanese release only.

SCORING

Bottom two rows	10 pts
Middle two rows	20 pts
Top row	30 pts
Saucer	Mystery

SERIES

1. Space Invaders (1978, ARC)
2. Space Invaders Part II (1979, ARC)
3. Return of the Invaders (1985, ARC)
4. Majestic Twelve - The Space Invaders Part IV (1990, ARC)
5. Space Invaders DX (1994, ARC)
6. Akkanvader (1995, ARC)
7. Space Invaders Virtual Collection (1995, Virtual Boy)
8. Space Invaders X (2000, PS)
9. Space Invaders Anniversary (2003, ARC)
10. Space Invaders DS (2005, DS)
11. Space Invaders - Galaxy Beat (2005, PSP)
12. Space Invaders Extreme (2008, DS/PSP)
13. Space Invaders Extreme 2 (2009, DS)
14. Space Invaders Frenzy (2017, ARC)

PORTS

CONSOLES:
japan Nintendo Super Famicom (mar.25, 1994) "Space Invaders - The Original Game [Model SHVC-IC]"
Nintendo Super NES australia (1997) "Space Invaders - The Original Game [Model SNSP-IC-AUS]"
Nintendo Super NES europe (1997) "Space Invaders - The Original Game [Model SNSP-IC-EUR]"
Nintendo Super NES usa (nov.1997) "Space Invaders - The Original Game [Model SNS-IC-USA]"
Nuon usa (june.1, 2000) "Space Invaders XL [Model 11109]"
japan NEC PC-Engine CD (jul.28, 2005) "Space Invaders - The Original Game [Model NAPR-1050]"
japan Sony PS2 (jul.28, 2005) "Taito Memories Joukan [Model SLPM-66057]"
Sony PlayStation 2 australia (mar.30, 2006) "Taito Legends 2 [Model SLES-53852]"
japan Sega Saturn (dec.13, 1996) "Space Invaders [Model T-1107G]"
europe Microsoft XBOX (mar.31, 2006) "Taito Legends 2"
europe Sony PS2 (mar.31, 2006) "Taito Legends 2 [Model SLES-53852]"
usa Sony PS2 (may.16, 2007) "Taito Legends 2 [Model SLUS-21349]"

COMPUTERS:
europe PC [MS Windows, CD-ROM] (mar.31, 2006) "Taito Legends 2"
usa PC [MS Windows, CD-ROM] (jul.10, 2007) "Taito Legends 2"

SOURCES

Game's ROMs.
Game's screenshots.