Topic: Square Enix to Release Arkanoid DS and Space Invaders Extreme in Europe

[NWR_Neal]

The two games bust and shoot their way onto DS in Summer 2008.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15630

 SPACE INVADERS EXTREME AND ARKANOID DS    

Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces that ARKANOID™ DS for the Nintendo DS™ handheld system and SPACE INVADERS EXTREME™ for the Nintendo DS™ handheld system and the PSP™ (PlayStation® Portable) system will be available across Europe in Summer 2008.    

30 years after the original SPACE INVADERS™ ignited an entire entertainment medium and founded a gaming generation; players can now prepare to play the most extreme embodiment of the game ever created.    

SPACE INVADERS EXTREME combines the captivating essence of the original game with a stunning alliance of futuristic graphic design and cutting-edge audio. The gameplay experience has been developed to maximise on the consoles’ abilities, offering players a whole new range of amazing features including a vast array of new power-ups, DS Wireless Communications and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.    

ARKANOID DS updates the classic block-busting gameplay of the 1986 original, with the Vaus vessel, balls and bricks all still intact. Different modes of play provide unique challenges including Clear with 140 levels to complete and Quest mode that sets different rules for clearing each round. Points won in the game can be used to customize the game further, with new backgrounds, blocks and sound effects waiting to be unlocked.    

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, "Both ARKANOID and SPACE INVADERS transcend different generations and gaming abilities, they are as loved for the gameplay experience as they are for their iconic status. With the launch of SPACE INVADERS EXTREME and ARKANOID DS we can offer existing fans the chance to enjoy the next level of gameplay, while offering a new audience the chance to experience these classics in a contemporary way."    

SPACE INVADERS EXTREME features    

-Futuristic, techno-inspired graphic design takes SPACE INVADERS to new heights  
-Interactive, totally immersive sound scheme where sound effects are synchronised to match the beats of the music  
-Wide range of amazing new power-ups    

Additional Nintendo DS version features    

-Play a friend with Nintendo DS Wireless Play
-Challenge other players with Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection  
-High-Score table supported by Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection  
-Share the multiplayer fun from a single cart with DS Download Play    

ARKANOID DS features    

-Over 140 levels to complete in Clear Mode, Quest mode adds extra challenge with different rules for each level  
-Customize your game by exchanging points earned for new design features such as new backgrounds, Vaus vessels, blocks and sound effects  
-Power-up items carefully selected from the ARKANOID series plus exciting new Power-up items: Barriers, Warp and Vanish  
-Compete against friends with 2 and 4-player DS Wireless Communications  
-Share the multiplayer fun from a single cart with DS Download Play  
-High-Score table supported by Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection  
-Optional Paddle Controller gives analogue control just like the coin-op

[NWR_Neal]

I there might be some kind of intrigue with this press release. Supposedly the "Optional Paddle Controller gives analogue control just like the coin-op" was cut off of the press release soon after it was released.
Could Europe be getting effed in the peripherals biz?

[Ian Sane]

It's really weird to see "Square Enix to release Arkanoid and Space Invaders".  I understand Square Enix bought them but I still associate those classics with Taito and it looks wrong otherwise.  The huge historic significance of Space Invaders makes it seem all the worse.  Imagine Pac-Man without Namco or Super Mario Bros. without Nintendo.  Taito isn't even mentioned in the press release.  It has that same overly-corporate vibe that relocated sports teams have.

The company that made Space Invaders no longer exists.  Neither does the company that made Pong.  Arguably the two most important videogames in history are merely the intellectually property of companies that had nothing to do with their creation and probably didn't even exist at the time.  Now videogames are a business and this is all the effect of good and bad business deals.  But when you have a passion for a pasttime being reminded of how corporate and money-driven it is is always a bummer.

Plus "Space Invaders Extreme" sounds like a corn chip flavour from 1991.  At least they didn't spell it "Xtreme".

[NWR_Neal]

Yea, Taito's responsible for developing it, but I guess they don't have the power they had because they need Square Enix to bring their games everywhere.
I did a doubletake when I saw Square Enix related to Arkanoid and Space Invaders.

[Kairon]

I'm tempted to buy it just for the paddle...

[NWR_Neal]

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17957

Just saw this interview. Looks like Taito doesn't have the power to release games in the West and thus they have to rely on Square Enix and Majesco.

[KDR_11k]

I read a review that said SIE is a good game...

[UncleBob]

Okay, question:

Since S-E hates the US and Europe and isn't releasing the awesome Arkanoid Paddle Controller here or there, I'm left getting one from Japan.

Now, I know Arkanoid isn't a text heavy game, so importing the game from Japan wouldn't be a big deal, but I'd much rather have the English version of the game.  With that, I can order the paddle controller by itself or bundled with the Japanese game for $30 more.

So... my question is, can I use the paddle controller with the US release of Arkanoid, or did they remove that option from the game?

[Kairon]

That's a good question UB. I mean, DS games aren't region coded.... but did Square take that extra step? hrrm

[animecyberrat]

Ian, that is the silliest argument ever.


Would you say Pizza Hut doesn't exist anymore because they are now a subsidiary of a branch of Pepsi? Atari or Taito even may not be owned by their original shareholders or founders but that doesn't meant hey don't exist anymore. Sometimes selling to a larger company is the only way to survive. Look at Sears and K-Mart, both companies were on the brink of disaster, but teaming up has made them stronger than ever before.

[Infernal Monkey]

I imported both these (PSP version of Space Invaders though) and they're absolutely incredible. <3 It's especially amazing considering nearing everything Tatio has tried to previously update on the DS and PSP has been a disaster. Space Invaders Extreme is the trippiest game I've played since Rez. "FEVER TIME!"

Arkanoid DS even has a full vocal DDR-ish song in one of the levels, it was so weird (but rad). Nice to see Square-Enix finally help Taito out considering they bloody own the company.

[vudu]

So... my question is, can I use the paddle controller with the US release of Arkanoid, or did they remove that option from the game?

Yes, the US release includes paddle support.

[animecyberrat]

I would get this game in a heart beat if it was for Wii instead of DS. I haven't gotten a game for my DS since NEW Super Mario Bros. Please do not read too much into that...

[Ian Sane]

"Would you say Pizza Hut doesn't exist anymore because they are now a subsidiary of a branch of Pepsi? Atari or Taito even may not be owned by their original shareholders or founders but that doesn't meant hey don't exist anymore."

From the corporate perspective they may still exist but not artistically.  Videogame companies are a creative outlet.  Like a band they had a certain style and identity.  The "Atari" of today is so far removed from the Atari that created Pong, Tank or Asteroids that really the name is all they have in common.  The current "Atari" was founded as GT Interactive in 1993.  They were acquired by Infogrames who later renamed them Atari Inc. It's a brand name but has no true association with the original company.

Let's say Pizza Hut was bought out by Dominos and had it's menu changed so that it was identical to Dominos, the only difference being that Dominos was the "take out/delivery" place and Pizza Hut was the sit down restaurant.  At that point Pizza Hut, despite having the same name, would no longer exist.  Atari is like a band with none of the original members still in it.

I can't say for certain how much of the real Taito still exists but then I don't consider Sammy Sega to be the REAL Sega so I'm fairly picky about this stuff.  The name is of little consquence.  It is the identity of the developer that truly matters.  Hell this goes for game franchises too.  Perfect Dark is truly the sequel to Goldeneye, even if other James Bond games have been made.  Rock Band is truly the sequel to Guitar Hero II even though Guitar Hero III exists.

[animecyberrat]

But the SEGA that released the Genesis wasn't even the original SEGA that first came out.

Atari I can maybe give you except that isn't 100% accurate. They still own the rights to a lot of the original stuff and Back in the 80's Atari was split into two companies, Midway, or their parent company Williams rather, owns the other half of that company. So the original Atari does still exist but not the same as the company with the Atari name attached to it.


EDIT: Besides Taito was the one who made the arcade release BUT each home console had a different publisher anyways and always has.

[GoldenPhoenix]

Bioware proves that you can still keep your identity and be owned by a larger company, maybe even EXPAND their creativity (Like the Sonic RPG).