If you have a Vectrex, this is a must-own game. The opening
and credit screens are worth the $11.50 price tag. The
music and animation are incredible.
For most people Protector will be the
star of the show. The game features flicker free graphics
and very fast game play. It follows the Defender
tradition by using a button on the controller to reverse
directions rather than left and right on the joystick.
While I'm a bit ham handed and find this difficult, I
respect the design choice and will just need to practice
a bit. One thing that helps is the ability to configure
buttons. I prefer the second button option rather than
the default.
The sounds come eerily close to the original as well.
I was also impressed with the good use of shading to make
the display very workable.
YASI (Yet Another Space Invaders)
is something of a sideshow, but it is a seriously impressive
sideshow. First, the graphics of Space Invaders
is emulated nearly perfectly, including solid invaders,
shields, and shading. I have absolutely no idea how the
designer managed this on a Vectrex. Sounds are spot on
as well.
This is actually one of the more playable, challenging
Space Invader clones I've played. The
sizes and speeds are such that you really have to work
at it to succeed. You'll find yourself firing this game
up more than once or twice as a curiosity.
One final cool feature, this cartridge has a high score
memory in it. It comes in a videocassette style box with
a color cover and photocopied B&W instructions.
2008 ben langberg, all rights reserved.