Return of the Invaders.(video game industry and Space Invaders Extreme)

2008 marks the 30th anniversary of Space Invaders--an impressive landmark for the industry. Invaders' iconic, cephalopod-like alien attackers are a cultural mainstay that show up everywhere, from Futurama to angry political artwork to the pages of EGM. The arcade classic marked Japan's debut as a creative juggernaut of game design, too.

Invaders' publisher, Taito, has marked the occasion in fine style. The company's ubiquitous Japanese arcades sport a bold new look that emphasizes white-on-maroon Invader characters; even in the neon glare of Tokyo, they're an eye-catching sight. The series' slick new portable entry, Space Invaders Extreme, has netted universal acclaim, hailing it as a fresh reinvention of an aging …