Key Highlights
- The Arcade Archives series achieved a significant milestone, releasing its 500th title, Space Invaders, on December 25, 2025.
- Launched in 2014, the series has consistently delivered classic arcade games across various platforms for 11 years.
- This initiative underscores the importance of preserving video games as a vital part of cultural heritage.
The Arcade Archives series stands out for its dedication to preserving classic arcade games by bringing them to modern gaming platforms.
A significant achievement for the series was the release of its 500th title, Arcade Archives 2 Space Invaders, which became available on December 25, 2025. This particular title is a recreation of Taito’s iconic 1978 release.
Since its inception in 2014, the Arcade Archives series has been active for 11 years, offering games from 24 different publishers across various platforms. Its consistent weekly releases have even earned it a Guinness World Records title for being the longest-running series to continuously launch new games.
The development of the series involves a deep commitment to preserving video games as cultural heritage for future generations, going beyond mere re-releases of classic titles.
Satoshi Hamada, Producer and CEO, highlights two core aspects of Arcade Archives: its consistent weekly release schedule and the wide variety of games offered. The series aims to bring excitement to players every week, acknowledging that nostalgia for games is highly personal. Therefore, the collection includes both widely recognized classics and more obscure titles making their modern debut.
The selection of Space Invaders for the 500th milestone was deliberate. Hamada noted that the game’s 1978 release by Taito in Japan sparked a massive cultural phenomenon, even leading to a rumored coin shortage. He believes Space Invaders‘ immense success significantly propelled the growth of the gaming industry. Hamada also shared that Space Invaders was the first video game he ever played, making it a personally and historically fitting choice for the 500th commemoration.
While Space Invaders was an ideal choice for the milestone, its status as an iconic game means it has seen numerous ports. The distinguishing factor for Arcade Archives 2 Space Invaders lies in its significantly improved playability.
A hallmark of the Arcade Archives series is its meticulous screen settings, crafted to replicate the authentic experience of playing on an old arcade monitor, thereby rekindling the excitement of original play sessions. Tetsu Masuda, the Director, states that the goal is to bring players as close as possible to that initial sensation.
Masuda further detailed the inclusion of “Caravan Mode,” a new feature allowing players to compete for high scores within a five-minute time limit, introducing a fresh gameplay dynamic not present in earlier versions of Space Invaders.
Achieving accurate sound reproduction presented another challenge. The development team sourced multiple original arcade boards to directly record their authentic sounds. Extensive efforts were also made to minimize input lag and enhance responsiveness, with the aim of creating the most playable version of Space Invaders to date.
Consequently, Arcade Archives 2 Space Invaders stands as a faithful and thoughtfully developed preservation of the original, with each option and mode designed to immerse players in the classic arcade experience.
Satoshi Hamada views the Arcade Archives initiative as crucial for preserving gaming culture. Many original arcade games ran on physical boards, and with some titles now over 40 years old, fewer working boards remain. Preserving these classics by making them playable on modern hardware is considered highly significant, ensuring they can be shared with current and future generations.
On Xbox, the Arcade Archives series is particularly recognized for its ACA NEOGEO lineup, which includes acclaimed series such as Metal Slug and The King of Fighters. Following the announcement of Arcade Archives 2 last year, new titles from the series continue to be released weekly on Xbox.
The series aims to continue releasing a wide array of titles on Xbox, with more to come.
Arcade Archives 2 SPACE INVADERS
SPACE INVADERS, originally released by TAITO in 1978, is a shooting game that captivated Japan. This classic masterpiece is now available through Arcade Archives, offering both black-and-white and color versions with meticulously reproduced original sounds. Players can relive this timeless legend.
The Arcade Archives series focuses on faithfully reproducing classic arcade games, incorporating features like adjustable difficulty, screen settings, rewind, rapid-fire, and multiple save slots. Global online rankings allow players to compete for high scores. Arcade Archives 2 introduces a new “TIME ATTACK MODE” alongside “ORIGINAL MODE,” “HI SCORE MODE,” and “CARAVAN MODE,” where the objective is to clear the game as quickly as possible. Additionally, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) support has been added for an even more authentic arcade experience.
These iconic arcade games, which defined an era, are brought to life through the Arcade Archives series. The options menu and manual are available in Japanese, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
