When I first saw this I thought here we go, another attempt to cash in on one of legendary video games franchises from the history of this wonderful medium.
After playing this collection of 3 games I'm both surprised and a little disappointed with what is on offer here on the Nintendo Switch version of Space Invaders Forever.
My thoughts going into this were around hoping that it wasn't just a cash in on the Space Invaders name and I was also hoping that what was on offer included some kind of fan service in terms of original artwork or some history behind the franchise as it's essentially a kind of best of for Space Invaders.
Unfortunately, the fan service is missing but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed two of the games and was a little let down by one of the games but probably more because I didn't have 3 other mates to play with during this lockdown in the UK.
The best way to approach this review is to break the package down into its three components as there are 3 games on the download.
1. Space Invaders Extreme is Space Invaders on steroids with amazing visuals and a thumping beat to clear apace aliens from your screen to. The Switch version comes with improved graphics and interactive sound to deliver a new experience from the original version and has lovely huge boss fights to sink your laser shots into.
2. In Space Invaders Gigamax 4 SE you'll get an arcade experience of the arcade original complete with using the switch controls to add credits much like you are using an Emulator on your switch. You can actually enjoy couch-multiplayer with up to 4 players to pummel the invaders and clear the stages as fast as you possibly can and this version has new music written by TAITO's sound team 'ZUNTATA'.
3. In Arkanoid vs. Space Invaders you get to combine elements from both Arkanoid and Space Invaders to bat away the Invader attacks and clear the screen within the time limit which turns out to be the star of the show in this package.
Extreme and Arkanoid are definitely the stand out games in this package for me as both are heaps of fun to play and really keep you coming back for more.
Gigamax felt like a bit of an afterthought as it was essentially an emulated version of the 4 player arcade game and the gameplay is a bit hit and miss and much duller than the other two games on the compilation.
It feels like ININ games have partially hit the target with this package and it feels like it could have been better with a bit more consideration for how it was released on the Switch.
I would have liked to have seen some additional extras in the form of original artwork or maybe some arcade flyers etc, that would have really set this apart as a bit of a homage to Space Invaders.
There's also an interesting design choice in terms of how Arkanoid Vs Space Invaders is played as it cant be played in docked mode and therefore exposes itself as a mobile game that has been dropped onto the Switch which is a shame as I would have loved to have played it docked on a nice big screen as it's probably my favourite game of the three.
Overall for £24.99, it does feel on the expensive side for a £5 mobile game (Space Invaders vs Arkanoid) and a game that came out on Steam two years ago (Space Invaders Extreme) that has been coupled with a game I've never heard of and is actually quite mediocre (Gigamax)
Therefore I have mixed feelings about this one and don't think the sum of its parts warrant the price tag.
I'd say wait for it to be on sale (which I'm sure it will at some point) and then get hips deep into Extreme & Arkanoid.
Right, I'm off to use my Switch like a mobile phone and deflect laser beams back those pesky invaders!
6/10
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