DS and PSP Retro Classics Working their Way West

Square Enix today announced that ARKANOID DS and SPACE INVADERS EXTREME for the Nintendo DS and the PSP will be available in Europe sometime this summer. The games have found tremendous fan support in Japan and are scheduled to make waves in the European market. As of yet there has been no announcement for a North American release, but with the language support all ironed out in Europe it shouldn’t take long. Both games have been reworked and gussied up for the handheld systems.

Arkanoid DS originally shipped in Japan under the Taito brand and included a neat dial peripheral that plugged into the GBA slot. There is no mention of this awesome add-on in the press release though.

SPACE INVADERS EXTREME will play differently on the DS and PSP as it has system specific content. We’ve included the most important details from the press releases of both games below:

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 maximize 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.

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.

SPACE INVADERS EXTREME features:

• Futuristic, techno-inspired graphic design takes SPACE INVADERS to new heights.
• Interactive, totally immersive sound scheme where sound effects are synchronized 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.

Additional PSP version features:

• Play against another player via ad hoc mode.
• Widescreen 16×9 support.
• Soundtrack provided by critically acclaimed musicians and DJ’s including SUGIURUMN, WALL FIVE, DJ Aki, ATOM & MASAKI SAKAMOTO, and ALTZ.