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Space Invaders Ports


Mr SQL

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PlaySpaceInvaders.JPG.581ec22cb8d408a6e2182842f5fb4b5b.JPG

There are so many fantastic Space invaders ports for the Atari 2600.

Here is a list of SI ports in the Space Invaders folder on my Flashcart:

SpaceInvaders
Threshold
Communist Muants from Space
Gyrus
Condor Attack
Galaxian
INV21
INV60904
Megamania
Pigs in Space
SIA V0.1
Spider Fighter
SuperCharger SpaceInvaders for Girls
Laser Blast
Moon Patrol

I like playing them back to back to enjoy the nuances between them.

What are your favorite ports in your Space Invaders folder and cart collection? 

ATARI FLASHBACK BASIC! Make games for the AFP with awesome  graphics, animation and a built in tracker/sequencer! Compatible with all Atari consoles! The IDE is already installed on your PC! Atari Flashback BASIC is cross compatible with the SuperCharger too! :)

AFB games can be recompiled with no changes using the SuperCharger BASIC compiler, available at Relationalframework.com/vwBASIC

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1 hour ago, RickR said:

Don't forget about "Gorf", which has a Space Invaders level first thing. 

 

1 hour ago, RickR said:

And the hacks, like "Pepsi Invaders". 

 

Two more awesome ports! I'm adding both to the genre folder. 

ATARI FLASHBACK BASIC! Make games for the AFP with awesome  graphics, animation and a built in tracker/sequencer! Compatible with all Atari consoles! The IDE is already installed on your PC! Atari Flashback BASIC is cross compatible with the SuperCharger too! :)

AFB games can be recompiled with no changes using the SuperCharger BASIC compiler, available at Relationalframework.com/vwBASIC

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Found a few more Space Invaders! Pleiades proto which has a space invaders first stage.

Pheonix and another paddle game Guardian, and Encounter at L5.

Also found a very close space invaders port with a scrolling large planet in the background with continents visible. I can't remember the name and can't seem to find it again the sea of ROM's I found it in. 

ATARI FLASHBACK BASIC! Make games for the AFP with awesome  graphics, animation and a built in tracker/sequencer! Compatible with all Atari consoles! The IDE is already installed on your PC! Atari Flashback BASIC is cross compatible with the SuperCharger too! :)

AFB games can be recompiled with no changes using the SuperCharger BASIC compiler, available at Relationalframework.com/vwBASIC

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Alright the updated list is now:

SpaceInvaders
Threshold
Communist Mutants from Space
Gyrus
Condor Attack
Galaxian
INV21
INV60904
Megamania
Pigs in Space
SIA V0.1
Spider Fighter
SuperCharger SpaceInvaders for Girls
Laser Blast
Moon Patrol
Gorf
Pepsi Invaders
Pleiades proto
Guardian
Encounter at L5
Demon Attack
Pheonix
Space Instigators

And this classic port I can't remember the name of but found a screenshot here:
cant_remember_the_name_of_this_SI_port.JPG.fd7e455597cc91f0d3fc69fc5ec3e695.JPG

 

 

 

ATARI FLASHBACK BASIC! Make games for the AFP with awesome  graphics, animation and a built in tracker/sequencer! Compatible with all Atari consoles! The IDE is already installed on your PC! Atari Flashback BASIC is cross compatible with the SuperCharger too! :)

AFB games can be recompiled with no changes using the SuperCharger BASIC compiler, available at Relationalframework.com/vwBASIC

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That's Spacechase.

There's dozens of derivative Space Invaders ports for just the VCS alone (Deadly Duck, Beamrider, Juno First are a few others).  SwordQuest FireWorld (the Fire-Breathing Dragons mini-game) and the 2nd screen in Gremlins are 2 more.  Same in the arcade - countless knockoffs and variations of that same theme.  Any game that restricts the player to movement in only one axis while shooting at enemies/targets covers a lot of games, such as Carnival, Shooting Gallery, Space Jockey, Wabbit, etc.  Galaxian (and it's sequel Galaga) was a variation of Space Invaders and basically could be considered a separate category, where the 'invaders' would split off from the main formation and drop down to attack you, which of course spawned its own knockoffs (Condor Attack, Demon Attack, etc).  Centipede and Millipede are essentially Space Invaders and Galaxian, that allow for a little movement beyond simply one axis (Spacechase and Time Warp are 2 more).  Moon Patrol is another sub-genre that offers shooting in 2 different directions, and includes games like James Bond 007, Mission Survive, Space Cavern, etc.  Games like Scramble (and its sequel, Super Cobra) are an 'evolution' of that same premise and allowed the player to move anywhere on the screen while shooting AND bombing enemies, so with those you get variations like Fantastic Voyage, Name This Game, Xevious, etc.  Vanguard came out later in the same year as Scramble allowed for shooting in 4 directions, and Space Tunnel (re-released as Cosmic Corridor) is a very basic version of that.

As you can see, there's a LOT of games that sprung from Space Invaders 🙂 So, if you're looking to make a list of all the Space Invaders-type games, you need to specify to which degree as to which games are included.

Edited by Scott Stilphen
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On 3/18/2023 at 10:41 AM, Scott Stilphen said:

That's Spacechase.

There's dozens of derivative Space Invaders ports for just the VCS alone (Deadly Duck, Beamrider, Juno First are a few others).  SwordQuest FireWorld (the Fire-Breathing Dragons mini-game) and the 2nd screen in Gremlins are 2 more.  Same in the arcade - countless knockoffs and variations of that same theme.  Any game that restricts the player to movement in only one axis while shooting at enemies/targets covers a lot of games, such as Carnival, Shooting Gallery, Space Jockey, Wabbit, etc.  Galaxian (and it's sequel Galaga) was a variation of Space Invaders and basically could be considered a separate category, where the 'invaders' would split off from the main formation and drop down to attack you, which of course spawned its own knockoffs (Condor Attack, Demon Attack, etc).  Centipede and Millipede are essentially Space Invaders and Galaxian, that allow for a little movement beyond simply one axis (Spacechase and Time Warp are 2 more).  Moon Patrol is another sub-genre that offers shooting in 2 different directions, and includes games like Gas Hog, James Bond 007, Mission Survive, Space Cavern, etc.  Games like Scramble (and its sequel, Super Cobra) are an 'evolution' of that same premise and allowed the player to move anywhere on the screen while shooting AND bombing enemies, so with those you get variations like Fantastic Voyage, Name This Game, Xevious, etc.  Vanguard came out later in the same year as Scramble allowed for shooting in 4 directions, and Space Tunnel (re-released as Cosmic Corridor) is a very basic version of that.

As you can see, there's a LOT of games that sprung from Space Invaders 🙂 So, if you're looking to make a list of all the Space Invaders-type games, you need to specify to which degree as to which games are included.

Thank you Scott! 🙂 I tried a few rounds last night Spacechase is excellent!

I never thought of Millipede or Centipede as an SI port but you are right, they really take the genre to the next level like Arkanoid with Breakout.

I think to qualify for an SI port the player must be able to shoot incoming Invaders.

I tried Space Cavern too, another interesting SI port. Also tried Mission Survive but only have the PAL version, it looks very cool I will try to find it for NTSC.

Agree on 007 but not Gas Hog because you cannot shoot the invaders (or I don't know how, it does look like you have a Turret on top of the Car).

I think sideways Space Invaders like SpaceWar also qualify for being similar to Astroblast.

In Fantastic Voyage, Zevious, Super Cobra and Vanguard you are the Invader so I don't think these qualify or could be reverse SI ports.

 

ATARI FLASHBACK BASIC! Make games for the AFP with awesome  graphics, animation and a built in tracker/sequencer! Compatible with all Atari consoles! The IDE is already installed on your PC! Atari Flashback BASIC is cross compatible with the SuperCharger too! :)

AFB games can be recompiled with no changes using the SuperCharger BASIC compiler, available at Relationalframework.com/vwBASIC

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On 3/21/2023 at 5:37 AM, Scott Stilphen said:

The manual for Gas Hog is on my site: https://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/manuals/vcs/vcs_manuals.html

You can only shoot left or right, not up.

Thanks I read the Gas Hog manual, interesting the screenshot within is sepia monotone making it look like a ZX-80 game instead of the colorful Atari 2600. Awesome Atari resource site btw, I have bookmarked it!

 

ATARI FLASHBACK BASIC! Make games for the AFP with awesome  graphics, animation and a built in tracker/sequencer! Compatible with all Atari consoles! The IDE is already installed on your PC! Atari Flashback BASIC is cross compatible with the SuperCharger too! :)

AFB games can be recompiled with no changes using the SuperCharger BASIC compiler, available at Relationalframework.com/vwBASIC

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19 hours ago, Scott Stilphen said:

You're right, Gas Hog doesn't belong in that sub-list.  I forgot you couldn't shoot up (and I even have the WR for the game :/)

Scott I've been reading an incredibly good Atari book I found on your site, the ABC to the Atari VCS:

book_abc_to_the_vcs.pdf (ataricompendium.com)

The author has logically divided the book into genre categories and makes a good argument for listing by genre over going alphabetically. This book was written in the 80's and is fantastic. I found more Space Invaders there to add to the list, he also describes reverse Space Invaders in some instances. This is a great read! 🙂 

ATARI FLASHBACK BASIC! Make games for the AFP with awesome  graphics, animation and a built in tracker/sequencer! Compatible with all Atari consoles! The IDE is already installed on your PC! Atari Flashback BASIC is cross compatible with the SuperCharger too! :)

AFB games can be recompiled with no changes using the SuperCharger BASIC compiler, available at Relationalframework.com/vwBASIC

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