Hamster has announced that Space Cyclone, the often-overlooked 1980 follow-up to Space Invaders, will be reissued on modern platforms as part of its Arcade Archives and Arcade Archives 2 series.
Originally developed by Taito and designed by Space Invaders creator Tomohiro Nishikado, Space Cyclone will arrive on Thursday, June 18, 2026 for Nintendo Switch, the hardware listed as Switch 2 in Hamster's announcement, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Background and release details
Space Cyclone launched in arcades in 1980, two years after the original Space Invaders (1978), and was built on the same board as its predecessor.
Hamster is bringing that arcade ROM to current consoles through its long-running Arcade Archives re-release program.
The reissue will be priced at $7.99 for the Arcade Archives edition on Nintendo Switch and PS4, and $9.99 for the Arcade Archives 2 release on PS5, Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S.
Hamster will also offer a $2.99 upgrade option to transfer purchases between Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and between PS4 and PS5.
Gameplay and historical context
Like Space Invaders, Space Cyclone places the player in control of a ship that strafes left and right along the bottom of the screen, firing upward at approaching enemies.
Where Space Cyclone departs from the formula is its setting and enemy behavior: the action takes place on a planet's surface, and the antagonists — described by Hamster as insect-like cyborgs known as BEMS — ride clouds and dive toward the ground instead of descending in strict rows and columns.
Allowing enemies to land contributes to the construction of a robot on the left side of the screen, which will then launch and attack with powerful Cyclone Shots.
Previous re-releases
Space Cyclone has seen limited reissue historically; it was previously included in the Space Invaders Invincible Collection for Nintendo Switch but has otherwise been rarely reissued.
Hamster's Arcade Archives entries make the game available as a standalone purchase on current platforms, preserving the original arcade code for modern players and collectors.
Hamster's announcement keeps Space Cyclone visible to retro enthusiasts and highlights the company's ongoing efforts to archive and monetize classic arcade titles across Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store and Microsoft storefronts.
Originally developed by Taito and designed by Space Invaders creator Tomohiro Nishikado, Space Cyclone will arrive on Thursday, June 18, 2026 for Nintendo Switch, the hardware listed as Switch 2 in Hamster's announcement, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Background and release details
Space Cyclone launched in arcades in 1980, two years after the original Space Invaders (1978), and was built on the same board as its predecessor.
Hamster is bringing that arcade ROM to current consoles through its long-running Arcade Archives re-release program.
The reissue will be priced at $7.99 for the Arcade Archives edition on Nintendo Switch and PS4, and $9.99 for the Arcade Archives 2 release on PS5, Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S.
Hamster will also offer a $2.99 upgrade option to transfer purchases between Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and between PS4 and PS5.
Gameplay and historical context
Like Space Invaders, Space Cyclone places the player in control of a ship that strafes left and right along the bottom of the screen, firing upward at approaching enemies.
Where Space Cyclone departs from the formula is its setting and enemy behavior: the action takes place on a planet's surface, and the antagonists — described by Hamster as insect-like cyborgs known as BEMS — ride clouds and dive toward the ground instead of descending in strict rows and columns.
Allowing enemies to land contributes to the construction of a robot on the left side of the screen, which will then launch and attack with powerful Cyclone Shots.
Previous re-releases
Space Cyclone has seen limited reissue historically; it was previously included in the Space Invaders Invincible Collection for Nintendo Switch but has otherwise been rarely reissued.
Hamster's Arcade Archives entries make the game available as a standalone purchase on current platforms, preserving the original arcade code for modern players and collectors.
Hamster's announcement keeps Space Cyclone visible to retro enthusiasts and highlights the company's ongoing efforts to archive and monetize classic arcade titles across Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store and Microsoft storefronts.