Whereas the original Space Invaders from 1978 was a black & white game that used cellophane overlays to imbue the invaders with color, Space Invaders Extreme is a kaleidoscope of color and visual effects that explode on the screen. Original music from club scene artists are used to energize the levels and the Space Invaders not only march in regimented lines as they always have but some levels have them flying in like.... Galaxians.

Game modes include the default Arcade Mode, a Stage Mode, and the Versus Mode. In addition to standard shots from the player's cannon, new school cutting lasers and the use of powerful bomb shots are available to kick up the action another notch. Extra kinetic visual flair (some may call it a severe distraction) comes from the background movies that play while the shooting action takes place in the foreground.

Jan Code: 4988611207260

View the back cover and screenshots on the main NCSX website.

» The other selections in the OPTIONs menu are:

STOCK: Select the number of cannons you start with (3,4,5)
SCREEN SETTINGS: Toggle movies, adjust BG brightness and Screen Gap
NAME ENTRY: Enter your moniker on the six spaces allocated
CLEAR DATA: Return all settings to the factory default

» The Bomb Shot power-up has a napalm effect when it hits invaders because it will sizzle a bit and cause collateral damage. In some instances if you're able to shoot a bomb into the midst of a group of invaders, all of them will be destroyed by the sizzling napalm effect.

» The invaders themselves have special shots including tri-shots and bombs which also sizzle with napalm-like tenacity. Some invaders carry little shields beneath them which provide a layer of protection against your shots.

» The shots of invaders can be shot. That is, if you line up the cannon just right, you'll be able to vaporize an incoming laser shot.

» UFOs travel on the top of the screen as well as the middle of the screen. Some UFOs will shoot purple-colored lasers that last for about two seconds. When a UFO is charging up and preparing to shoot, it cannot be destroyed unless you shoot at its fringes. Edit: You can actually destroy the blue UFOs with a center shot when they're charging up as long as you hit it before the purple laser is fired.

» The game is broken up into stages and the end of each stage is governed by a megalithic boss who's surrounded by little Space Invaders underlings.

» In addition to regulation issue normal-size Space Invaders, there are micro invaders that are a fraction of the size of a standard invader. As such, they're more difficult to hit. Special invaders that split in two when shot also appear in later stages. Kamikaze invaders that bum rush the bottom of the screen will destroy the cannon if they're allowed to hit the surface.

» The maintenance of an ongoing chain is important because of the aforementioned multiplier effect. For example, when there is no chain in effect, a UFO that's shot is worth 500 points. However, if you're in the midst of a multiple chain that's ongoing, you can earn up to 10,000 points per UFO. The current multiplier that you're operating under may be viewed by checking the "RATE" located on the left side of the screen.

» Shooting a red UFO opens up a special shooting challenge with a specific objective that is listed on screen. Shooting a yellow UFO ignites a Roulette where a targeted invader must be shot (you only have 1 chance) in order to earn an extra cannon or some other bonus.

» Summary of power-ups that may be grabbed:

Red Cube - Bomb Shot
Blue Cube - Laser Shot
Green Cube - Broad Shot
Grey Cube - Shields

» Destroying invaders in sequential columns will garner the following bonuses:

First Column - 100 pts
Second Column - 250 pts
Third Column - 1000 pts
Fourth Column - 7500 pts
Fifth Column - 10000 pts

This document is ©NCSX 2008. All rights reserved. No reproduction in whole or in part of this document may be made without express written consent of National Console Support, Inc.