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TGS 2007: Arkanoid DS, Space Invaders Extreme, and a sweet paddle peripheral photo

I miss many things about 80s arcades -- the sticky floors, the crowds, and most importantly, the cabinets themselves. While I've gotten used to shoulder buttons and analog sticks, there's something to be said for the feel of a good arcade stick. Which is why it pleases me so that Taito are resurrecting that old dinosaur, known as "the paddle."

As a peripheral for the Nintendo DS, this little controller significantly changes the feel of games like Taito's upcoming Space Invaders Extreme and Arkanoid DS. While both titles can be played without the paddle controller (both touch screen and d-pad options are available as well), after playing both titles with one, I can't imagine going without.

Holding the DS in my left hand and spinning the paddle with my right, both games -- despite the simple, familiar nature of the games -- felt amazingly different from other, similar experiences. The paddle has weight, and there's that slightly resistance you can feel when it's spun (a full 360 degrees). For arcade-playing dinosaurs like myself, this could induce frightening 80s flashbacks -- as small as it is, this feels like "the real thing."

So even if the idea of updated versions of these classics doesn't float your boat, the peripheral is the star here. No word on whether these games will make their way to North America with the periphral in tow, but Japanese gamers should be seeing it on shelves by year's end.

LAUNCH GALLERY (14 IMAGES)
Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo









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12 comments | showing # 1 to 12
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jerrt's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2007 20:22
jerrt
i am so ready for this to drop. i want to play arkanoid on my ds with the paddle!!!
boxhound's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2007 20:24
boxhound
These games look pretty hawt! And that little paddle add on is interesting. I only hope this Space Invaders is better than the previous one that was on the DS.
vexed alex's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2007 20:28
vexed alex
This won't fit in my Levis skinny jeans! How can I be trendy and still be up to date with latest games? How!?
A New Challenger's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2007 20:36
A New Challenger
Joel Johnson reported on BoingBoing that the paddle is not coming here :(

Now I'll never have a decent way to play Arkanoid, Gyruss, Tempest, Forgotten Worlds, Sinistar, Pong, or Warlords.
Nick Chester's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2007 20:42
Nick Chester
@ A New Challenger:

That is disappointing. There were issues speaking with Japanese Taito reps, so I wasn't able to get that information, unfortunately. The games will likely make it to the states, sans peripheral, and I'd imagine you can import one on the cheap (you can purchase it separately).
A New Challenger's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2007 20:51
A New Challenger
@ Nick:

Oh, yeah, I probably will import one since I don't own any version of Arkanoid. Hope they leave support for the controller in and don't pull what Namco did with Mr. Driller DS where for some reason they removed a whole game mode and single card multiplayer. No matter how cheap I see that game going for I hold off, thinking one day I'll remember to import it.
Gameboi's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2007 20:53
Gameboi
I miss the arcades too, Nick. The last of them around these parts disappeared just last year. It was a shell of its former self, so it wasn't much of a loss. Still...

In other news, that paddle is sexy. Brings me back to the 2600 days :-)
DO WANT!
Bob Muir's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2007 20:58
Bob Muir
That paddle looks great, I'd love for this to get a US release.
Aaron Mxy Yost's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2007 22:25
Aaron Mxy Yost
Now we just need a trackball peripheral for some DS Missile Command and Crystal Castles.
Dutch's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/22/2007 23:33
Dutch
This sounds like a kick ass peripheral for those games. sux if we have to import one tho. I'll still fork out a few bucks for one!
grrza's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/23/2007 11:02
grrza
DO WANT
deanhatescoffee's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/23/2007 11:49
deanhatescoffee
Hell. Yes.
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