Space Invaders II (Midway, cocktail)

Space Invaders II arrived in American arcades in 1980 as a unique entry in the classic shooter series, exclusively released in cocktail table form. Players take on the familiar task of defending against descending waves of invaders, utilizing a two-way joystick to aim and fire. This iteration introduces a competitive element: up to two players can simultaneously battle both the alien forces and each other, with the ability to steal ships from an opponent's depleted fleet – either human or computer controlled. The game builds on earlier Space Invaders titles through its expanded gameplay and distinctive audio features. Each player experiences slightly different sound effects; Player 2’s sounds have a higher pitch and altered explosion noises compared to Player 1’s, adding a subtle layer of auditory distinction. Mystery ships occasionally appear during play, dropping additional invaders upon destruction, with two such ships appearing when playing cooperatively or competitively. A modified Intel 8080A processor powers the game's action, and while replicating the original Space Invaders experience, Space Invaders II offers a fresh twist on the formula with its dual-player functionality and distinctive sonic landscape.