Space Invaders Anniversary

Space Invaders Anniversary is a PlayStation 2 compilation developed by Taito to mark the 25th anniversary of the 1978 arcade original and Taito's 50th anniversary. It reached Japan in 2003 under Taito, while Empire Interactive handled the European PS2 release in 2004. Rather than a new campaign, it is a preservation-minded package centered on the fixed-shooter format that made the series famous.

The collection contains nine playable variants. Four reproduce the original Space Invaders in monochrome, cellophane-overlay, color, and upright-cabinet presentations, reflecting different early arcade display and cabinet treatments. Space Invaders Part II is also included, with a vertical-display option; its color presentation, added attract-mode material, and other refinements distinguish it from the first game.

Across the archival games, the player moves a laser base horizontally and fires upward at a descending formation. Protective bunkers wear away under enemy and player fire, the formation accelerates as its numbers fall, and a wave ends when every invader is destroyed. Letting the invaders descend too far, or losing all available bases to their shots, ends the run.

The scoring structure rewards both steady clearing and risky timing. The invader rows carry different point values, while the passing mystery UFO can award a bonus. Part II adds its own twists, including more elaborate presentation between stages, so the compilation makes it easy to compare how a small set of mechanical and audiovisual changes altered the arcade experience.

Three new modes provide the PS2 collection's main departures from the historical versions. Doubles lets two players defend together on the same screen. Versus puts the players at opposite ends of the playfield: clearing the central invaders opens a line of fire toward the opponent. These modes turn a game normally built around alternating turns and high-score competition into simultaneous local play.

Space Invaders 3D redraws the familiar battle with wireframe-like graphics and selectable viewpoints, including a first-person view. It retains the basic rhythm of moving, shooting, sheltering behind bunkers, and surviving waves, but uses mystery ships for power-ups such as speed, double shots, and a one-hit shield instead of ordinary score bonuses. Its later levels also change the defensive situation by removing the bunkers.

Presentation options emphasize the compilation's museum-like angle. The original variants can show cabinet surrounds, adjust the apparent viewing distance, and angle the display to evoke arcade hardware; the sound track can be switched from the invader effects to music associated with other Taito games. Space Invaders Anniversary is consequently less a survey of every sequel than a focused comparison of the original era and a handful of early-2000s reinterpretations.