Return of the Invaders

Return of the Invaders arrived in arcades in 1985 as a full-color update to Taito’s classic Space Invaders series. Two players can team up to defend against waves of descending aliens using a two-way joystick and a single button for firing. Unlike its predecessors, this installment features challenge stages and alien formations that circle the playfield, adding new tactical considerations. While it offered a fresh look at the familiar gameplay, many consider Return of the Invaders to be eclipsed by the later release, Super Space Invaders '91. Developed by UPL in collaboration with Comix, the game utilizes Z80 and Motorola processors alongside Texas Instruments sound chips for its audio. The development was initially known internally as "Space Invaders Part 3," reflecting its place within the franchise’s lineage. Though UPL's involvement wasn't formally recognized in the final product, their contribution highlights a notable opportunity for smaller firms to participate in well-known video game series. The game has since been ported to various platforms including Xbox, PlayStation 2, and PSP as part of compilation releases such as Taito Legends and Taito Memories II Joukan.