133. Majestic Twelve: The Space Invaders Part IV (Taito, Arcade (PS2), 1990)

As the title implies, Majestic Twelve is the fourth game in the Space Invaders series, following 2 sequels in 1979 and 1985. Gameplay has the same basics as the original Space Invaders: you move a ship left and right and fire upwards at aliens that are slowly moving down towards you and firing. This being a game 12 years after the original, Majestic Twelve is not content to rest on its laurels, as it tweaks and adjusts the formula that made Space Invaders the first arcade mega-hit.

In addition to the standard gameplay, you also have the ability to shoot down UFOs at the top of the screen for powerups, which range from enemy-wiping lasers or bombs, to a series of barriers that you can move by shooting them, or even a giant butterfly that stops time, they are all game-changingly powerful. You also have a barrier shield that allows you to take a single hit before you die, and when you do, your ship explodes and damages nearby enemies. It kind of feels like an early Space Invaders Extreme (though pales in comparison).

Enemy patterns start out pretty basic but get interesting after the first few levels. Some enemies will multiply when shot, while others might stretch out and take more shots to fell. The levels are laid out in a series of branching paths, and each level is made up of 3 waves. In between levels there is a great minigame called "Cattle Mutilation" where you are defending a herd of cows from saucers trying to abduct them. Through the 5 stages you also face 3 bosses, which were generally fun and not too difficult, at last for someone who plays a fair amount of scrolling shooters.

4/5, a fun update of the Space Invaders formula with lots of fun ideas