Quick Summary
The Space Invaders: My Play Watch is a simple smartwatch with one big trick.
It lets you play retro games on your wrist, and it's crowdfunding right now.
As team-ups go, this wasn't one we saw coming – retro gaming giant Taito, the originator of Space Invaders decades ago, has teamed up with a small design studio to create a unique smartwatch.
The Space Invaders: My Play Watch is crowdfunding through Kickstarter now, starting from just $60/£45 for a watch, but it's not quite as simple as that price point might suggest. While you could think this is just a low-cost smartwatch with some Space Invaders branding, you'd be wrong.
The watch, in fact, actually hosts a specially designed version of Space Invaders that you can play right there on your wrist, using either the watch's touch screen or the little dial on one of its sides (one of a few Apple Watch-like touches). This makes it perhaps one of the smallest retro game consoles we've ever encountered.
With a few different colours of watch available to pick from, and each coming with a pair of themed straps, it's certainly not a very stealthy option. That said, it's also a celebration of one of the most famous games ever, so who cares?
Aside from its gaming chops, the watch is interestingly disconnected – it does have a 1.68-inch screen and looks for all the world like an Apple Watch, but it won't connect to your phone and therefore isn't one for notifications or being able to reply to messages or anything like that.
Rather, it'll collect some health data that you can review only on the watch itself, making for a really minimalistic approach compared to most other wearables at the moment, which tend to pack in as many features as possible. Of course, this could also be about keeping costs down to ensure that the price being asked isn't too off-putting.
That early bird price doesn't last much longer, though, and will hop up to $75/£57 once the first 48 hours of crowdfunding are over. It's already surged past its funding goal, though, meaning there's clearly enough of an audience to see it hit full production.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
Max is a freelance writer with years of experience in tech and entertainment. He's also a gaming expert, both with the games themselves and in testing accessories and consoles, having flexed that expertise at Pocket-lint as a features editor. He has tested all manner of tech too, from headphones and speakers to apps and software.
-
KitchenAid KF8 bean-to-cup espresso maker review: a top performing automatic coffee machine for well-heeled loafers
If you can afford the high price, the new KitchenAid KF8 takes automated coffee making to a whole new level of sophistication
By Derek Adams Published
-
KEF debuts the ultimate upgrade to its award-winning Q Series speakers
KEF's award-winning Q Series come with their very own black holes to remove unwanted resonance
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
The SNES is about to die all over again
Nintendo's ending repairs again
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Amazon gives Garmin’s toughest adventure watch a (very) healthy discount
It’s only on for a limited time though, so be quick!
By Bryony Firth-Bernard Published
-
How to watch the PlayStation State of Play showcase today – 20+ new games for PS5 and PS5 Pro
Here's everything you need to know about the latest PS5 presentation
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Next PlayStation online presentation coming soon – could we get more on PS5 Pro?
It's time for more details
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
PS5 Pro is causing the PlayStation Disc Drive to sell out everywhere – get yours early
Who could have seen this coming?
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
All Amazon Prime members get one of the best shooters of all time for free
It's a big month for Prime Gaming
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
There's an update on Nintendo Switch 2 that'll please existing Switch owners
Your massive Switch games library will not go to waste
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Amazfit T-Rex 3 smartwatch leaks – rugged, long-lasting and with tiny hands (probably)
Amazfit is bringing things back
By Max Freeman-Mills Published