Everybody’s favourite alien destroying game is back on the Nintendo DS, with the release of Space Invaders Extreme 2.

Not much has changed since the last Invaders game, but who really cares? The formula was a winning success for gamers and it doesn’t look like wearing off any time soon.

Last years release was a great addition to the old 90s franchise, and while the new one does not move on in leaps and bounds to it, it still possesses all the qualities of a good game.

It has explosive visuals and sound effects with some gripping shooting action, and has challenging waves of enemies capitulating into regular showdowns with main ‘bad guys’.

In case you have no idea about what I’m talking about when I say Space Invaders, the game begins with you controlling a space fighter jet.

You proceed further into the game, by assaulted aliens that fire all manner of projectiles at you and defend themselves with reflective shields.

The aliens are smart too, they descend and detonate for area damage, teleport short distances, and heaps of other cool maneuvers.

There are a few additions and tweaks to last years release, they include the fact you no longer need to worry about particular enemy shapes in order to activate bonus rounds.

A more noticeable change is the addition of the bingo system, which presents you with a three by three grid of dual-colored tiles on the top screen.

If you complete a bonus round and its ensuing fever mode, the tile corresponding to the two colors you used to launch said bonus round will fill in. If you get there in a row, you enter an even bigger bonus stage.

If you are after a huge improvement on the previous release, stay away from Space Invaders Extreme 2, but if you just want more of the goodness, then make sure you buy this new version.

7/10