Tomopop Review: Space Invaders 30th Anniversary Commemorative Toro Plushes

10:33 AM on 12.07.2008   |   Topher Cantler

Because why the hell not. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Space Invaders, the original arcade classic that took the world by storm with its then-unique scenario and gameplay. To mark this occasion, Sony has joined forces with Taito to release a set of commemorative plushies, featuring SCEJ's mascot cat Toro, who's proudly rocking some special 30th Anniversary Space Invaders hoodies.

I defy you to find a more awesome idea for a plushie than that. So to brighten your slow news day Sunday, I thought I'd share some photos and impressions of my number one homeboy, Toro, in his stylish and fuzzy form. Hit the jump for my full review. 

God, I love this guy. As you can very plainly see, there are two variations in the hoody color and graphic, and two different faces: happy Toro, and really happy Toro.

We'll start with the black one, simply because it's my favorite of the two. Sony's Japanese mascot has never looked cooler, and while there are countless variations of Toro Inoue plushes out there, in countless costumes and getups, nothing quite tops a black Space Invaders hoody. Our little man looks like a badass here, and that classic wiseguy smile of his pretty much demands that you smile back at him.

And of course, the hoody. Maybe it's my own affinity for wearing these that makes me love it so much, but even if hooded sweatshirts aren't your style, you have to admit it's awful cute. Toro's hood is obviously not big enough to fit over his gargantuan head, but he pimps it all the same. Let's get a better look at the commemorative graphic that's hiding underneath. 

Pretty classy indeed. You'll find this same logo on all the other Space Invaders merch that Taito has been pushing this year, most of which is filled with nostalgic awesome. The graphic on the front of Toro's hoody is just as cool, if not moreso. 

Pure retro sweetness. 

He's every bit as fuzzy and soft as he looks, and the materials and craftsmanship are all of good quality. No stray threads or loose seams in sight, and everything's been embroidered and sewn with care and attention to detail. Probably by a big, cold machine in a Chinese factory, but hey, it still goes to show that mass production doesn't always denote carelessness when it comes to quality. 

The red one is just as great, and aside from the obvious variations in facial expression and sweatshirt, is identical to the other. As a side note, it's scary to think that I'm every bit as old as that cartridge in the photo ...

Blasting aliens isn't a bad way to spend three decades. Cheers to Taito for keeping this series alive for so long, and for its recent revival with Space Invaders Extreme. 

The front graphic on the red one is just plain awesome. 

I keep this guy parked on the shelf next to my PS3, and I often chuckle to myself at how he always looks absolutely thrilled to be there.

Both plushies are tagged with this deliciously camp Space Invaders image from way back when. Growing up, the arcade where I used to play the game (7-11 in fact) had similar imagery painted on its cabinet, and even as a toddler I wondered what the hell the artist was thinking. Classic.

The other side of the tag marks the plushes as an official part of the DokoDemo Issho Fun Collection.

As does this one on Toro's butt. It's also compounded by all the appropriate corporate nonsensery:

You can see from this one that these are intended for UFO catchers. In your face, Japan.

Toro's pal R. Suzuki explains the finer points of plush craftsmanship. 

Space Invaders: serious business.

Admittedly, I don't own much plush, so the fact that these fellas even made their way into my collection should say something right off the bat. They're great little plushies overall, and there's no cuter way to celebrate thirty years of Space Invaders. If Toro's BFF and rival, Kuro, is more your feline cup of tea, you'll be happy to know that the wry black cat is also available with these hoodies. He's not pictured here because, well, I don't have him. Yet. 

If you dig both DokoDemo Issho and Space Invaders as much as I do, these are still available from HobbyLink Japan for around 1,000 Yen. Snatch yourself some before 2009 gets here.