Space Invaders

"One of the most addicting games of all time is also one of the oldest..."

Sure, we have all played Space Invaders at one time or another. Perhaps on the SNES ot the Game Boy, or even a graphing calculator. However, it was originally produced on the Atari 2600 game console. Space Invaders is without a doubt one of my favorite Atari games.

I am going to introduce this review with a little quote from The Simpsons.

''...I have crippling arthritis in my index fingers. I got it in 1979 from Space Invaders.''-Groundskeeper Willie

''Yeah, that was a pretty addictive video game.''-Chief Wiggum

''Video game?''-Groundskeeper Willie

Graphics
This game probably has some of the best graphics of any other Atari 2600 game. They aren't that detailed, really. Most of the enemy spaceships look about the same. But they still look real enough so that you can tell that they are supposed to be spaceships. There isn't really a background to speak of. The only terrain that you have to interface with is the ground, which is just a giant green block. But the point is that the graphics are simple and well-done. That is different from most other Atari 2600 games, in which the graphics are just...simple. Graphics: 10/10

Sound
As with most older Atari 2600 games, there is really no in-game music. The most noise you will here is the sounds of lasers firing and the ships blowing up. They don't sound too realistic, but it gets the point across. So there really isn't anything to be impressed with over here, but the sound isn't bad by any means, like other Atari 2600 games. Sound: 10/10

Controls
Space Invaders makes excellent use of the joystick controller. The controls are very responsive, something that other Atari games can lack. The controls pretty much consist of move left or right, then shoot your laser. Can't get too terribly much easier than that, huh? Controls: 10/10

Replay
You would think that an old Atari 2600 game couldn't provide much replay value, or challenge for that matter. Be prepared to eat your words when you play Space Invaders. It is one of the hardest games on the Atari 2600, and you will enjoy playing this game again and again until you beat it. Assuming you can, of course... Replay: 10/10

Challenge: High

You can probably find this game on eBay or various other auction sites for around $2. This is a fun game, and I suggest spending around $5. If you really want this game, go ahead and spend $10, but before you spend 10 bucks of your hard-earned money, I suggest you hit the local garage sale.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/28/01, Updated 02/24/01