ColecoVision Space Invaders now in beta....

[opcode]

Hi,

I am happy to announce that "Space Invaders Collection Pack" has entered beta testing. :D
For all of you don't know about it yet, "Space Invaders Collection Pack" includes the two originals Taito's Space Invaders games, namely Space Invaders and Space Invaders Part II (aka Deluxe).
The game is now expected to show in cart format soon (24KB), including manual and box.
Since it is just a hobby project, I am planning to build just a few cart format units (probably no more than 50). I will include a "reservation" form in my web site soon, so I would be able to estimate the "interest". :roll:

Thanks,

Eduardo Mello

[Arcade Antics]

*raises hand*

Ooh! Ooh! Me! Me! I'm interested! Must buy that cart!!

[Tony Uniopolis]

Count me in on that one!!! :D
A new Coleco game!! ....oboy...oboy...oboy..... :wink:

[deadtech]

Please be sure to post a link in this thread, or make a new Post when the Pre-order link is up on your site. I will order one most certainly. :)

-deadtech

[Zaxxon]

Didn't John Donzilla already make these games for CV?

[kainemaxwell]

Now this is a cool hobby project! I'd love to see screenshots and this in action!

[Arcade Antics]

Didn't John Donzilla already make these games for CV?

Welcome back, Zaxxon!

No - John made groovy new versions of the Space Invaders variety.

What Eduardo is doing is making coin-op perfect versions of the two SI games, jam packed into one fabulous cart. He has more info at his website (which escapes me at the moment but you should be able to find by searching his old posts) including a demo and screenshots. It looks fantastic.

[opcode]

Hi,

I would like to thank everyone here for all the support I have received. I have surely made some good friends while programming this port, have met many interesting peoples and have received many encouragement messages. I thank all of you.
I must admit my work style isn't the most sociable thing. Aside a few announcements, I haven't kept good communication most the time, contrary to the norm in this hobby (or in any other, to be sure.). Please, excuse me if sometimes I look indifferent and distant. I am a very focused person, so it was my way to deal with this project (maybe the real reason would be my bad English :) ). I am sure that after it is completed, I will have time again to enjoy my passion for classic video games with all of you. Special thanks go to Daniel Bienvenu and all Digital Press staff for supporting and encouraging so much new ColecoVision projects.
I would like to use this message board to answer two frequently asked questions about the SI project. Firstly, I must agree John Dondzilla has already made an excellent clone of Space Invaders, “Space Invasion”, which I would recommend everyone to give a try. Also I think John is very gifted programmer and I am sorry he isn't currently making Coleco games anymore. But my objective with Space Invaders Collection Pack was a bit different. I have always thought about the ColecoVision as the first home machine for realistic arcade conversions, so when I started thinking about a game for start programming, my first idea was Space Invaders. That game was a very successful arcade game and since it was released earlier than most arcades, it looked easy to convert (I was wrong about this last assertion :) ). Later I found ever a good port of Space Invaders would be too little for a machine released in 82. Space Invaders Part II was then included.
So, while Dondzilla's Space Invasion is surely a great clone, my objective was to produce a port as perfect as possible. It brings to the second question: Isn't Space Invaders a Taito trademark? For sure it is. Here my argument is a little more subjective; it was never my intention violate Taito's right. I have never started this project to make money using someone else property. In fact, I think I will lose money producing this game. I bought an EPROM burner a few months ago. I waste more than a year programming. Do you think selling a few units will bring this investment back? It was a labor of love, a fan tribute for classic gaming. Anyway, I don't think it gives me the rights to use Taito property, but likely do the Star Wars fans have the rights to create and distribute material based on Star Wars universe?? I really hope Taito would see my work as homage, not as abusive.
Finally about “reservation”, don’t worry: I will post here when I have a definite date. Next is testing and package production. I want a terrific package for this game!

Thank you again! :D
My website is www.geocities.com/vgbelloq
I will update it soon with more screenshots etc...

Eduardo

[kainemaxwell]

Wow, very impressive! Looks like the collection cart will be a hit for classic gamers for sure! Once it's done I should dig up my old CV emulator to play a few runs of this!

BTW, in your posted link, might want to remove the . from the link tag.

[newcoleco]

Let's go! Eduardo! Let's go! :D