Space Invaders Part II has now been added to the record-breaking Arcade Archives series, which seems somewhat inevitable after last week’s addition of Space Invaders (which I honestly thought had already been added!)
Originally released by Taito in 1979, Space Invaders Part II wasn’t just a lazy follow-up. It took the simple, hypnotic formula of the original and quietly made things nastier. The invaders don’t just march and descend — they split, they regroup, and UFOs can actively reinforce the enemy ranks. It’s subtle, but it changes the rhythm of the game in a way that keeps experienced players on their toes.
A secret Rainbow Bonus
This version also introduced the Rainbow Bonus, giving score chasers something extra to aim for. It’s a small addition, but one that helped cement the sequel’s reputation among arcade regulars who already had the original game down to muscle memory.
As with other Arcade Archives releases, this is a faithful reproduction of the arcade original. You get adjustable difficulty settings, display options designed to mimic the look of original cabinets, and online leaderboards so you can see just how badly (or impressively) you stack up against players worldwide. It’s very much the standard Arcade Archives package — which, at this point, is exactly what you want.
What’s interesting is how Space Invaders Part II sits today. The original game has been re-released, reworked, remixed, and modernised countless times, yet this sequel has always felt slightly overlooked. Less iconic, perhaps, but arguably more interesting once you really dig into it.
It’s an important piece of arcade history in its own right, and based on the number of units out there and the shelf-life of the original, this is arguably the game many people remember from the late 70s and early 80s.
You can find the official listing on the Arcade Archives site, which provides localised store links for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
