PD Ultraman Invaders

PD Ultraman Invaders starts with the clean, instantly familiar pressure of Space Invaders: enemies creep downward, your shots have to count, and the defensive posts buy only so much time. The Ultraman license turns that old formula into a playful character showcase, with super-deformed heroes and villains rather than anonymous alien rows.

The hook is simple but legitimate. Swapping between characters changes the special attack at your disposal, while the choice of a standard overhead view or a pseudo-3D angle behind Ultraman gives this remake more personality than a straight port. It remains a deliberately old-school shooter, though, and its included original Space Invaders makes that lineage impossible to miss.

Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The first few minutes put you right back in that classic Space Invaders panic. A formation advances little by little, shots come down the screen, and you sit at the bottom trying to clear lanes before the enemy reaches you. The defense posts create brief pockets of safety, but they are not a solution; as the pressure builds, you have to decide when to stay protected and when to take the shot you need.

What separates PD Ultraman Invaders from a simple costume swap is the character selection. Ultraman, Ultra Seven, Ultraman Ace, Ultraman Taro, and the wider cast bring different special attacks, so changing character has an effect beyond picking a favorite hero. That gives the familiar wave-clearing routine a welcome reason to experiment, especially if one special attack better suits the way you handle a crowded screen.

You can also play from the expected top-down viewpoint or switch to a pseudo-3D camera behind Ultraman. The overhead angle is the natural fit for reading the formation and tracking incoming fire, while the behind-the-back view is a novelty that makes the same basic battle feel more like an Ultraman game. At its core, though, this is still intentionally close to Space Invaders. If you need elaborate stages or a constantly expanding move set, repetition will set in quickly. If you enjoy mastering a narrow arcade loop, its directness is the point.

Graphics

The heroes and villains are drawn in a cartoony super-deformed style, turning Ultraman’s giant-scale cast into squat, playful arcade figures. The two camera options make the action look distinctly different: the top-down view keeps the enemy rows clear, while the pseudo-3D view places Ultraman in front of you and makes the advancing formation feel more personal.

Story

This is a crossover showcase, not a story-heavy Ultraman adventure. Its narrative pull comes from seeing familiar heroes and villains from across the television series gathered inside an old arcade setup.

That light touch fits the game’s purpose. You pick a character, face advancing waves, and let the license provide the flavor rather than waiting for plot developments to carry you forward.

Ultraman fans will get the most from the roster’s range, from the original Ultraman through Ultra Seven, Ace, and Taro. Anyone without that attachment can still enjoy the shooter, but the crossover charm is a major part of why this remake exists.

Overall Experience

PD Ultraman Invaders is a cheerful, focused remix of one of arcade gaming’s most durable ideas. It understands that Space Invaders works because its rules are immediately legible and its pressure rises naturally, then adds character-specific specials and a pair of viewpoints without burying that foundation.

The compromise is equally clear: the game remains tied to the deliberately repetitive rhythm of its source. The included original Space Invaders is a neat bonus and also a reminder that this remake is built around refinement, variation, and fandom rather than reinvention.

Give it a chance if you like compact arcade shooters or have affection for Ultraman’s long-running cast. The payoff is not a radically new take on the genre; it is the pleasure of a sturdy classic loop dressed up with enough character choice and crossover energy to make another run feel worth taking.