Super Space Invaders

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Master System
  • Game Gear

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SuperSpaceInvaders GG Title.png

Super Space Invaders
System(s): Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Domark
Developer:
Distributor:
Sega Game Gear
Tengen (US)
Licensor: Taito
Original system(s): Arcade boards
Developer(s) of original games: Taito
Peripherals supported:
Sega Game Gear
Gear-to-Gear Cable
Genre: Shooting[1]

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Master System
EU
MK 27023-50
Sega Master System
UK
£29.9929.99[3][4] MK 27023-50
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Game Gear
US
$37.9537.95[6] T-48078
Sega Game Gear
EU
T-88028-50
Sega Game Gear
PT
GG88028
Sega Game Gear
UK
£27.9927.99[8][9] T-88028-50
Non-Sega versions

Super Space Invaders is an update to Space Invaders, released for a variety of consoles and computers including the Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear. It is based off of the arcade sequel Super Space Invaders '91, known as Majestic Twelve: The Space Invaders Part IV in Japan and in the USA.

Story

In the year 2034, Earth has been invaded by hostile aliens. The Maverick 6 is the last surviving unit of Earth's defense forces. It is mankind's last hope of repelling the invasion.

Gameplay

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage Select.png

Round select

The game is a fixed shooter game. Rounds take place on a single screen with no scrolling. Most rounds consists of three waves of alien invaders (except the last round, which only has two waves), which arrange themselves in formations and move in predictable patterns. Aliens occasionally shoot projectiles at the player's ship. New to the series are colorful backdrops and boss fights against larger, stronger aliens. The player controls a starship that can only move horizontally. The ship has a cannon that can shoot down the alien invaders, and the player must shoot down all aliens before they can reach the bottom of the screen and invade Earth. The last aliens in the wave move much faster than the rest, requiring careful timing to eliminate.

The game can be played by one player alone or by two players simultaneously, with a second control pad on the Master System or with a Gear-to-Gear Cable on the Game Gear.

The player's ship moves with Left and Right. It fires its standard weapon with 1, which has unlimited ammunition and shoots directly upwards. This weapon can destroy enemies and also neutralizes enemy projectiles. Shooting down UFOs that fly across the top of the screen drops power-ups, which can equip the ship with powerful secondary weapons or provide other bonuses. Secondary weapons are fired with 2. When a secondary weapon is acquired, the ship's "Power" meter charges up, then begins to discharge. Using a secondary weapon drains the meter some amount, depending on the weapon, and the weapon is unequipped when the meter is emptied.

The ship starts with three hit points (but can gain as many as four). It loses a hit point when it collides with an enemy or an enemy projectile. When the ship loses all of its hit points, the next hit it takes destroys it; if the player has an extra life left, the ship respawns from where it was destroyed and the round is continued. The player also loses an extra life if an alien makes it all the way to the bottom of the screen; if the player has an extra life left, the player replays the last part of the round again. The game ends if the player runs out of lives but can be continued from the start of the current round if the player has credits left.

There are three difficulty levels (Easy, Normal, and Hard) and two game types (Normal, which features branching paths, and Advanced, where the player plays every round).

Items

UFOs occasionally move quickly across the top of the screen and can be shot down to drop an item. The appearance of the UFOs changes on each round. If an item falls to the bottom of the screen, it rests there for a time to be picked up.

Super Space Invaders SMS, Items.png
Temporarily powers up the ship's weapon so that it can fire more quickly.
Super Space Invaders SMS, Items.png
Restores one hit point to the ship's shield, up to a maximum of 4.
Super Space Invaders SMS, Items.png
Summons a giant butterfly that flies around the screen and temporarily freezes all enemies and enemy projectiles in place.
Super Space Invaders SMS, Items.png
Summons three defensive bunkers that can absorb multiple hits from enemies before they are destroyed. Shooting at a bunker pushes it up. This item mimics the bunkers from the original Space Invaders.
Super Space Invaders SMS, Items.png
Equips the ship's secondary weapon with a laser that can spans the full length of the screen and penetrate entire columns in one shot.
Super Space Invaders SMS, Items.png
Equips the ship's secondary weapon with a horizontal energy wave that blasts all enemies in a row. This weapon can be used up to 2 times.
Super Space Invaders SMS, Items.png
Equips the ship's secondary weapon with a large circular blast that destroys everything in its radius. This weapon can be used up to 1 time.
Super Space Invaders SMS, Items.png
Equips the ship's secondary weapon with a volley of three shots that ricochet around the screen. This weapon can be used up to 3 times.

Rounds

In the Normal game mode, the player can choose which round to play; the previously completed round affects which rounds are available to select next. The player plays 5 rounds total.

In the Advanced game mode, all 12 rounds are played in the order below.

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 1A-1.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 1A-2.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 1A-3.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 1A-1.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 1A-2.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 1A-3.png

Round 1A

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Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 1B-3.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 1B-1.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 1B-2.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 1B-3.png

Round 1B

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2A-1.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2A-2.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2A-3.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2A-4.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2A-1.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2A-2.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2A-3.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2A-4.png

Round 2A
Boss:
Alien ZT532 Octo

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2B-1.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2B-2.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2B-3.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2B-4.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2B-1.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2B-2.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2B-3.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2B-4.png

Round 2B
Boss:
Alien JK604 Mother

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2C-1.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2C-2.png

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Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2C-4.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2C-1.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2C-2.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2C-3.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 2C-4.png

Round 2C
Boss:
Alien MR745 Scicle

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Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3A-2.png

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  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3A-1.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3A-2.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3A-3.png

Round 3A

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3B-1.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3B-2.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3B-3.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3B-1.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3B-2.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3B-3.png

Round 3B

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3C-1.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3C-2.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3C-3.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3C-1.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3C-2.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3C-3.png

Round 3C

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3D-1.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3D-2.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3D-3.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3D-1.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3D-2.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 3D-3.png

Round 3D

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 4A-1.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 4A-2.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 4A-3.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 4A-4.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 4A-1.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 4A-2.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 4A-3.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 4A-4.png

Round 4A
Boss:
Alien ZT532 Octo

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 4B-1.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 4B-2.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 4B-3.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 4B-4.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 4B-1.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 4B-2.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 4B-3.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 4B-4.png

Round 4B
Boss:
Alien JK604 Mother

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 5-1.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 5-2.png

Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 5-3.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 5-1.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 5-2.png

  • Super Space Invaders SMS, Stage 5-3.png

Round 5
Boss:
Alien MR745 Armer

Bonus round

Super Space Invaders SMS, Bonus Stage.png

Bonus round

The "Cattle Mutilation Round" is played after the first and third rounds in the Normal game mode; it is not played in the Advanced game mode. In it, the player must protect a herd of cattle from being abducted by a fleet of fast-moving flying saucers. There are six cows.

If a cow is about to be abducted, it starts to shuffle left and right. If a saucer succeeds in snatching a cow, the player must shoot the saucer to free it but must be careful not to shoot the cow itself. Bonus points are awarded for saving the cow, with more points rewarded the higher the saucer takes the cow before it is shot down.

The round ends when the enemy saucers have all been destroyed or when the player has lost too many cows. The player receives bonus points for shooting down saucers and saving cows. The ship cannot be harmed in a bonus round.

Production credits

Master System version

  • Written by: Andrew Taylor
  • Graphics by: Jo Myers
  • Music and SFX by: Andrew Taylor
  • Developed by: The Kremlin
  • Produced by: Domark Software
  • On Behalf of: Sega
Source:
In-game credits
Super Space Invaders SMS credits.pdf
[10]

Game Gear version

Source:
In-game credits
Super Space Invaders GG credits.pdf
[11]


Magazine articles

Main article: Super Space Invaders/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

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Print advert in VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) #47: "December 1992" (1992-1x-xx)
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Logo-pdf.svg
Master System print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #125: "April 1992" (1992-03-15)
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Master System print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #130: "September 1992" (1992-08-15)
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Print advert in Mean Machines Sega (UK) #5: "February 1993" (1993-01-28)
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Game Gear print advert in Consoles + (FR) #17: "Février 1993" (1993-0x-xx)
also published in:
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Game Gear print advert in Mega Force (ES) #12: "Abril 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
also published in:
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Physical scans

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
67
[14]
Console XS (UK) PAL
82
[15]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
82
[16]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
50
[17]
Joypad (FR)
60
[18]
Joystick (FR)
54
[19]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
82
[20]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
82
[21]
Player One (FR)
80
[22]
Power Up! (UK)
91
[23]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
90
[24]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
84
[25]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
82
[26]
Sega Force (SE)
60
[27]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
87
[28]
Video Games (DE)
65
[29]
Sega Master System
75
Based on
16 reviews

Super Space Invaders

Master System, EU
SuperSpaceInvaders SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
SuperSpaceInvaders SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU
Super Space Invaders SMS AU Cover.jpg
Cover
Super Space Invaders SMS AU Cart Top.jpg
Super Space Invaders SMS AU Cart Back.jpgSuper Space Invaders SMS AU Cart Front.jpg
Cart
Super Space Invaders SMS AU Manual.pdf
Manual

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
83
[30]
Bad Influence! (UK) PAL
50
[31]
Consoles + (FR)
78
[32]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
87
[8]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
92
[33]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
73
[34]
Game Power (IT) PAL
81
[35]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
55
[36]
Joypad (FR)
65
[37]
Megablast (DE)
63
[38]
Mega Force (FR)
65
[39]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
87
[40]
Player One (FR)
83
[41]
Power Up! (UK)
68
[42]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
82
[43]
Sega Force (SE)
83
[44]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
72
[45]
Supersonic (FR)
82
[46]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
80
[6]
Video Games (DE)
65
[47]
Sega Game Gear
75
Based on
20 reviews

Super Space Invaders

Game Gear, US
SuperSpaceInvaders GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngSuperSpaceInvaders GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
SuperSpaceInvaders GG US cart.jpg
Cart
Super Space Invaders GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
SuperSpaceInvaders GG EU Box Back.jpgSuper SpaceInvaders GG EU BoxSpine.jpgSuperSpaceInvaders GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
SuperSpaceInvaders GG EU cart.jpg
Cart
Super SpaceInvaders GG EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Game Gear, PT

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 1d6244ee
MD5 f36e9758390ed2b781e9a8a7a958e7e3
SHA-1 b28d2a9c0fe597892e21fb2611798765f5435885
256kB Cartridge (EU)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 dfe38e24
MD5 6367666402c51229d283ac0cf5bf3ffb
SHA-1 3864c399f76e67ae4ff40d32a60c36ad16578988
256kB Cartridge (US/EU)

References

  1. File:SuperSpaceInvaders GG EU Box Back.jpg
  2. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-06-22), page 15
  3. Sega Force, "Februrary 1992" (UK; 1992-01-23), page 27
  4. Sega Power, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-02), page 21
  5. GamePro, "December 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 106
  6. 6.0 6.1 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "February 1993" (US; 1993-0x-xx), page 91
  7. 7.0 7.1 GamesMaster, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-18), page 16
  8. 8.0 8.1 Computer & Video Games, "February 1993 (Go! Issue 16)" (UK; 1993-01-15), page 22
  9. Sega Zone, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-28), page 8
  10. File:Super Space Invaders SMS credits.pdf
  11. File:Super Space Invaders GG credits.pdf
  12. Consoles +, "Mars 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 85
  13. Hobby Consolas, "Abril 1993" (ES; 1993-xx-xx), page 10
  14. Aktueller Software Markt, "November 1992" (DE; 1992-10-09), page 151
  15. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 145
  16. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 159
  17. Hobby Consolas, "Septiembre 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 104
  18. Joypad, "Août/Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-07-1x), page 74
  19. Joystick, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 184
  20. Mean Machines, "December 1991" (UK; 1991-11-28), page 150
  21. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 136
  22. Player One, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-12-10), page 134
  23. Power Up!, "Saturday, July 04, 1992" (UK; 1992-07-04), page 1
  24. Sega Power, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-02), page 20
  25. Sega Pro, "Christmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 69
  26. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  27. Sega Force, "1/92" (SE; 1992-xx-xx), page 21
  28. Sega Force, "Februrary 1992" (UK; 1992-01-23), page 26
  29. Video Games, "7/92" (DE; 1992-06-24), page 50
  30. Aktueller Software Markt, "Juli 1993" (DE; 1993-06-14), page 128
  31. Bad Influence!, "xxxx 1993" (UK; 1993-0x-xx), page 42
  32. Consoles +, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 132
  33. Electronic Games (1992-1995), "February 1993" (US; 1993-01-12), page 114
  34. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 171
  35. Game Power, "Luigio/Agosto 1993" (IT; 1993-0x-xx), page 95
  36. GamesMaster, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-03), page 84
  37. Joypad, "Avril 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 102
  38. Megablast, "4/93" (DE; 1993-09-29), page 98
  39. Mega Force, "Avril 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 92
  40. Mean Machines Sega, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-28), page 98
  41. Player One, "Avril/Mai 1993" (FR; 1993-04-10), page 106
  42. Power Up!, "Saturday, February 27, 1993" (UK; 1993-02-27), page 1
  43. Sega Zone, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-xx), page 42
  44. Sega Force, "1/93" (SE; 1993-01-14), page 21
  45. Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 86
  46. Supersonic, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 26
  47. Video Games, "1/93" (DE; 1992-12-16), page 120


Super Space Invaders

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