Numskull Designs has recently revealed their latest Quarter Arcade cabinets based on the first two Space Invaders arcade games from Taito, originally released in the 1970s. This release will also include a limited edition of the cabinets in commemoration of the franchise's 45th anniversary.The Quarter Arcade line of arcade cabinets from Numskull are recreations of classic arcade cabinets but remade to be a quarter of the size. Numskull had previously been known for creating licensed merchandise such as statues and plushes based on games such as Destiny 2 and the Yakuza series. Given that the original Space Invaders was a landmark title of the golden age of arcade games, it should come as no surprise that it would become part of the Quarter Arcade line.Numskull has opened pre-orders for their Space Invaders Quarter Arcade cabinets which faithfully recreate the original arcade cabinets of the classic Space Invaders and Space Invaders Part II. This release will be accompanied by a limited edition version of the cabinets signed by series creator Tomohiro Nishikado as a celebration of the series' 45th anniversary. The signed cabinets will be released exclusively through the Just Geek online store.
Pre-orders placed through Just Geek will also come with an exclusive Space Invaders stool, also remade to be a quarter of its original size, to complement the cabinet. These cabinets follow a similar vein to that of arcade cabinet company Arcade1Up which notably gave classic arcade games new life through their arcade cabinet renditions of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 as well as Ms. Pac-Man.
Multiple retro games have managed to maintain their relevancy and popularity and successfully permeate into pop culture, particularly titles from the 1980s. Consoles such as the NES and arcade games such as the original Pac-Man were instrumental in bringing games to a wider audience and made companies like Nintendo into household names that would define the trajectory of gaming in the coming years.
Perhaps the best indicator that there still exists a lot of love for these eras of gaming would be that retro-style games, both new and old, continue to do well in the modern gaming market, such as the recent release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection which was preceded by the critically lauded game Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge. When it comes to the continued popularity of retro games, the market for nostalgia will continue to be fed by rereleases, new titles done in an older style, or merchandise that calls back to the past.
The Space Invaders Quarter Arcade cabinets are now available for pre-order.