Games likeTetris 99andPac-Man99have brought classic arcade games to the battle royale genre, and it should not stop there. WhileTetrisandPac-Manmay be some of the most iconic retro titles,Space Invadersis still one of the biggest names in arcade gaming. Players have spent hours in the arcade shooting alien spaceships as they attempt to get the high score, and the thrill of its gameplay loop has made it one of the highest-grossing arcade video games of all time.
Space Invadersis fondly remembered as a part of the early golden age of arcade video games that shot arcade cabinets into popular culture and made them one of the primary channels for new titles. It has since been re-released multiple times across different platforms, and hundreds ofSpace Invadersclones have also hit store shelves. The pixelated aliens have become a major part of video game pop culture, and the game continues to be pretty popular with arcade players. It seems like a shoo-in to get theTetris 99treatment, and it could be anotherfun addition to the Nintendo Switch Online catalog.
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Retro Battle Royales On Switch Are A Lot of Fun
Tetris 99was the first retro battle royalereleased on the Nintendo Switch, and it was included with a Nintendo Switch Online membership. 99 players compete against each other by playing their own games ofTetris. As players clear lines in their own game, they can send lines to an opponent which can be a bit of a nuisance. Players continue clearing their ownTetriswhile also trying to prevent their board from filling up with these new lines. It was a unique version of the classic game, and it provided a decent amount of fast-paced fun.
During the 35th anniversary ofSuper Mario Bros.,Nintendo addedSuper Mario Bros. 35to the Nintendo Switch Online catalog. The game brought the retro battle royale style to the originalSuper Mario Bros.and had 35 players compete against each other across the original levels. In 2021, Nintendo addedPac-Man 99to the catalog and further expanded the retro battle royale genre. Just like the two games before it,Pac-Man 99had 99 players compete in simultaneousPac-Mangames until there was only one left playing. Both titles were refreshing takes on some of gaming’s most iconic titles, and the series should not stop there.
Space Invaders Could Fit the Retro Battle Royale Genre Well
While these retro battle royales have put fun spins on a couple of classics, one of the most popular arcade games has still not gotten this treatment.Space Invadersis a staple of arcade gaming, and its gameplay has been pulling players in for years. Having to fly across the screen shooting down aliens that are slowly descending upon the player is a lot of fun, and it can get pretty stressful as the difficulty ramps up. If a developer added 98 other players to the mix then it would become both more stressful and more fun.
Having 99 players playSpace Invaderssimultaneously seems like the next obvious step forthe retro battle royale series. Each alien someone killed could be sent to an opposing player’s game, and the slowest players would soon have an armada to deal with. It could very quickly get overwhelming with only the fastest players able to make it to the end. The developer could throw in some new enemy types and power-ups, and it could become one of the wildest retro battle royales to date.
Nintendo Switch Onlinehas added a retro battle royale to its catalog every year since 2019, but there has not been one in 2022 yet. The end of 2022 is fast approaching and there has been no news of another title likeTetris99, but it is a subgenre of battle royale that should be expanded upon with even more classic arcade games. If the concept can work forPac-ManandTetristhen the possibles are almost endless, andSpace Invaderscould be the perfect next step.
