# This Arcade Replica is Badass - Numskull Space Invaders! **Source:** RetroRalph **Type:** video **Published:** 2023-11-26 **Duration:** 6m 3s **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QGoqMMytXc --- ## Analysis RetroRalph reviews Numskull's quarter-scale Space Invaders arcade replica, praising its meticulous attention to detail including accurate control panel, coin door, metal brackets, and notably the Pepper's Ghost visual effect replica using an LCD panel, acrylic, cardboard, and black light. The replica uses original arcade ROMs and micro-switch controls for authentic gameplay feel, though at a premium price point. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] The Numskull Space Invaders replica perfectly replicates the Pepper's Ghost depth effect from the original arcade machine, using an LCD panel mounted at the bottom, acrylic moon piece, cardboard space background, and black light — _Reviewer demonstrated technical breakdown comparing Numskull replica to original machine, showing identical construction techniques_ - [HIGH] The replica uses original arcade ROMs rather than console ROMs for authentic gameplay — _Jon stated during gameplay segment: 'they're using the original arcade ROMs, so they're not using a console ROM'_ - [HIGH] The control panel matches the original arcade machine including button shape and color — _Jon examined and compared control panel during review_ - [HIGH] The replica comes in multiple variants including coin edition, signed edition, and edition with mini stool — _Jon explicitly listed variant options available from Numskull_ - [HIGH] Space Invaders was released in 1978 — _Jon mentioned approximate release date: 'Space Invaders came out in I think 78'_ ### Notable Quotes > "When you purchase a collectible item like this you expect every detail to be perfect and Numskull delivered." > — **Jon (RetroRalph)**, ~0:15 > _Sets overall positive tone for the review, emphasizing Numskull's commitment to quality_ > "They really, really did a good job with this. It completely looks like the arcade machine, like the real arcade machine." > — **Jon (RetroRalph)**, ~2:30 > _Reinforces the quality of the Pepper's Ghost effect replication, the standout technical achievement_ > "If you're an arcade nerd for them going the extra mile...they really did a good job just recreating the overall experience of the game." > — **Jon (RetroRalph)**, ~5:45 > _Appeals to arcade enthusiast audience, positioning replica as worthy collectible_ > "I know this product is not cheap, but they also didn't cut any corners to try to replicate the original experience." > — **Jon (RetroRalph)**, ~3:00 > _Acknowledges premium pricing while justifying it through quality execution_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Numskull | company | Manufacturer of quarter-scale arcade replicas, creator of the Space Invaders replica reviewed | | Jon | person | RetroRalph channel host, reviewer of the Numskull Space Invaders replica | | Space Invaders | game | Classic 1978 arcade game, subject of Numskull replica, created entire game genre | | Pepper's Ghost effect | product | Optical illusion technique replicated in the Numskull cabinet using LCD, acrylic, cardboard, and black light to create depth perception | ### Topics - **Primary:** Arcade replica quality and manufacturing, Attention to historical detail in collectibles, Pepper's Ghost optical effect replication - **Secondary:** Authentic arcade gameplay and controls, Collectible arcade memorabilia variants ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.92) — Reviewer is thoroughly impressed with the product, praising execution, attention to detail, and respect for original design. Only minor criticism is implicit acknowledgment of premium pricing, but this is contextualized as justified by quality. ### Signals - **[product_strategy]** Numskull's Space Invaders replica includes DIP switch settings accessible on startup that the reviewer believes include new features not available on original machine (confidence: medium) — Jon noted: 'Some of these are new I believe as I don't remember all of these being available on the original machine' - **[technology_signal]** Use of LCD panel paired with optical Pepper's Ghost effect to replicate original CRT + optical display technique in modern collectible replica (confidence: high) — Technical breakdown showing LCD mounted at bottom of cabinet with acrylic moon and cardboard background, black light, recreating original arcade construction --- ## Transcript Hey guys, welcome back to the channel. In this episode we're gonna check out the Space Invaders quarter scale replica by Numskull. When you purchase a collectible item like this you expect every detail to be perfect and Numskull delivered. Starting with the box. The artwork is perfect so take your time opening it up. Don't be tearing into this like some little kid on Christmas morning. The cabinet itself is gorgeous and the artwork is near indistinguishable from the original arcade machine. The numskull version is modeled after the Japanese release of the arcade cabinet. The product comes in a few different variants. The one numskull sent me for review is the coin edition. It comes with a really cool collectible coin. There's a version also signed by the creator and one that comes with a mini stool and a few other variants as well. I'll have a link to the website in the video description so you can check them all out. The control panel on it perfectly matches the original arcade machine, including everything down to the buttons' shape and color. The coin door is also a near-perfect replica of the original machine. This kind of attention to detail is really awesome to see in a product this small. It just goes to show the time and effort that went into making sure this paid full respect to the original game. Speaking of little details, the original had these metal brackets on top of the cabinet and they even included those too The front bezel of the machine looks awesome but what shocked me the most was the fact that they completely replicated the depth effect of the original arcade machine. It's referred to as the Pepper's Ghost effect. Let's take a closer look because this is going to blow your mind. Alright guys, check this out. So as you go down in here, you can see behind the bezel they actually mounted the LCD panel at the bottom. And when I move the camera like this you'll see you can completely see the depth effect there now the moon there or the planet that's actually a piece of acrylic in the original arcade machine and then the thing behind it that kind of looks like space that's actually just a piece of cardboard on the original machine and then there's also behind the planet on the original machine there is a black light and they even replicated that too if you look up you can see the black light right there So, I mean, they really, really did a good job with this. It completely looks like the arcade machine, like the real arcade machine. So, you know, I know this product is not cheap, but they also didn't cut any corners to try to replicate the original experience. Let's do a quick comparison to my original machine. So when you take off the back panel, you can see this piece, the piece that looks like space is just simply a piece of cardboard. And then you can see down there, that's the acrylic moon. And then behind it this one actually doesn have the right bulb That actually a normal fluorescent tube but it would be a black light tube And if you pay attention closely the moon is reflecting off a mirrored surface and the CRT is actually mounted at the bottom just like they did on the numbskull with an LCD So it's really clever that they did this, and if you've seen the original, you have a major appreciation if you're an arcade nerd for them going the extra mile. Before we get into some quick gameplay, I wanted to mention upon boot up, if you hold player 1 and player 2 buttons, you get a set of dip switch settings. Some of these are new I believe as I don't remember all of these being available on the original machine. Here's a quick look at the settings that you can adjust. Alright let's check out some quick gameplay. I'm playing behind a camera so I'm not going to be very good. But I will let you know, the gameplay is awesome because they're using the original arcade ROMs, so they're not using a console ROM or anything like that. So if you're used to playing the real game, it's going to look and feel exactly the way you expect it to, the sounds, everything about it. And the other thing that's cool is the controls use micro switches, so they're going to get that tactile feel to you, and it'll make it feel authentic. So they really did a good job just recreating the overall experience of the game. Now I was born in 1979 and Space Invaders came out in I think 78 so I wouldn't even have been born when this game came out. I have a deep appreciation for it because it definitely created an entire genre of games But you know like I said I didn grow up with it But anyways it really fun If you someone that an arcade nerd this would be a really cool gift item or something like that, or even just something to add to your collection if you like collecting these, you know, smaller arcade games. I'm totally screwed, by the way. Well, maybe not. Let's see. Oh, man, I wasn't even paying attention to this row right here. Awwww. Anyway, hopefully you enjoyed the quick gameplay. I'll wrap things up and then give you some final thoughts. I gotta say, I was really impressed at how well they recreated this Space Invaders cabinet. Every detail is covered and it's just awesome seeing a company give these iconic games from the past the proper treatment they deserve. After all, these games started it all so seeing them live on in any form for a new generation enjoy is simply awesome. If you're interested in this product, I will have all the links in the video description. Thanks again to Numskull for sending this out to me. I really appreciate the support. Be on the lookout for more awesome Numskull recreations coming soon. And if you enjoyed this video, please consider subscribing and we will see you on the next one! you _(Acquisition: youtube_groq_whisper, Enrichment: v3)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 032bee28-4c31-4b18-97ac-0b6f03f8e7b1*