Alex Herbert from the U.K. is the guy programming
more commercial Vectrex games than most other game developers at
present. The magnificant Protector was released early in 2003 and
the follow up games YASI was released in November 2003. Herbert's
games really push the Vectrex to it's limits and this faithful
Space Invaders clone is no exception.
Arcade Space Invaders was originally released by Taito in
Japan and was programmed by Toshiro Nishikado in 1978. Space
Invaders was the game which was instrumental in creating the
videogame industry as we know it today. It involves manouvering a
laser base left or right and shooting alien invaders, which
congregate in rows, and utilising protective bunkers to aid you
against enemy fire. But you allready knew that.
If you have received your copy of YASI in the mail from Mark
Shaker you will know that the cartridge not only includes the
re-released Protector but the packaging and cover art is up to
scratch with, and even surpasses, the presentation of many other
modern console games. Manu Parssinen, the cover artist, has
really gone all out and his use of Photoshop in presenting a
customized Vectrex console with Space Invaders artwork adds
significantly to the games appeal.
YASI is about as close to Space Invaders as you can get and
the invader who steals the 'C' from 'CCOIN' in the original also
replaces the upside down 'Y' from 'YASI' in the games
introduction screen is also present. YASI goes into my top 5
favourite Vectrex games. Keep up the good work Alex.
Score 9/10
**Space Invaders caused a huge yen
shortage in Japan in the early 80's.
Review written by Daniel Foot
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