IPM Invader
 
 
 
 
The purpose of this site is to document as much information on the little known Space Invaders rip off, IPM Invader. For those who are not aware of IPM Invader, it is the game that has a 'coffee break' after every 3 waves of invaders. This has always fascinated me and I enjoyed reaching the 'coffee break' when I was young.
 
Manufacturer
Year
Type
Players / Control
Monitor Information
IPM* / IREM
1978-79˜
Shooter/Space
2 Alternating / 2 way joystick

Raster. Vertical.
screen aspect: 3 x 4.
resolution x: 224 pixels.
resolution y: 240 pixels.
colors used: 8.

 
 
 

In this section I will be documenting all the technical data available to me on IPM Invader. Pin outs, schematics, manuals, pcb revision numbers, pcb sound boards, pcb cpu/rom boards and pcb pictures.

I have managed to track down some pinouts thanks to a friend of mine. Thanks Geoff.

IPM Invader Pinouts
       
Solder Side
    Parts Side
-------------------------------------------------------
Ground
     Ground
(+) 5 Volts
     (+) 5 Volts
(+) 5 Volts
     (+) 5 Volts
Coin 1
     Test Switch / Coin?
N\C
     N\C
N\C
     N\C
N\C
     Video Blue
Video Green
     Video Red
N\C
     N\C
Speaker (+)
     N\C
(+) 12 Volts
     (+) 12 Volt
(+) 12 Volts
     (+) 12 Volt
Video Sync
     Video Sync
Speaker (+)
     N\C
P1 Start
     P2 Start
P2 Fire
     P1 Fire
P2 Right
     P1 Right
P2 Left
     P1 Left
N\C
     N\C
(-) 5 Volts
     (-) 5 Volts
Ground
    Ground
Ground
     Ground

To download the pinouts click here

 

Thanks go to Carmel Morris for supplying me with photos of an original IPM Invader cocktail control panel.

IPM Invader Control Panel

Click on images for larger view


Here are some pictures of a working IPM Invader board set.

Click on images for larger view


I have recently translated the Japanese writing that is located on the board connectors, and it roughly translates as 'Sky Shu-uo-tar'. I would think that it was a Sky Chuter. Numbers on this board set are:

  • Top board (sound) = M-10S-E
  • Bottom board (cpu/rom) = M-10L-E

This pcb is now happily running IPM Invader.

 

Another board set that is not working is pictured below.
Click on images for larger view

Numbers on this board set are:

  • Top board (sound) = M-10S-H
  • Bottom board (cpu/rom) = M-10L-C

 

 

Here are another 2 different board sets from another friend.

1st set
2nd set
Click on images for larger view

Numbers on the 1st board set are:

  • Top Board (sound) = unknown
  • Bottom board (cpu/rom) = M-10-L

Number on the 2nd board set are:

  • Top Board (sound) = M-10S-E
  • Bottom board (cpu/rom) = M-10L-E

 

 

Finally I have a board set which is not working and it's a weird revision too.
Click on images for larger view

Numbers on my board set are:

  • Top board (sound) = M-11S
  • Bottom board (cpu/rom) = M-11L

 

 

As you can see, there clearly were several hardware revisions when Irem was manufacturing these pcb's.

 

Will have manuals and schematics up shortly. I hope.

 

IPM Invader ROMS have been dumped for the mame project but due to the Irem skychut.c driver not being the best it could be, the game play is average at best in mame. I hope the skychut.c driver is improved in the future.

 
 
 
 
 
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