The main advantage of the Nintendo DS version of Space Invaders Extreme is that you can play through the levels to register your score on the global ranking servers. If you're playing the PSP version, sure, you've got much better graphics and sound, but your bragging rights will be strictly local. Either way, this is an old-school game about getting a high score. Like a good pinball table, you're going to get a lot more out of it if you know what's going on. After the jump, read ten tips guaranteed to boost your Space Invaders Extreme score and make you more popular with the ladies...

...who are impressed by high Space Invaders Extreme scores.

1) For pete's sake, read the manual. Yeah, I know, you never thought you'd hear that about a Space Invaders game. But I guarantee you that if you're just jumping in and shooting things, you suck at Space Invaders Extreme.

2) Have you read the manual yet?

3) In case you haven't figured it out now, your shots will destroy enemy shots. This is a staple of the original Space Invaders: your offensive power can also be used defensively. So don't be shy about moving underneath enemy shots.

4) While working through the arcade mode, which you'll need to do to unlock levels, it's all about the number of lives you've got. So go to the options screen and give yourself five lives. See how much easier it is?

5) What, five lives isn't enough? Of course it isn't. There are two ways to get extra lives as you're playing. You can get lucky and win one during the roulette sequence that follows shooting down a yellow UFO. But the only sure-fire way to win lives – and arguably to get through all the levels – is to light up all the background indicators, or "lamps". These mostly reward you for shooting the aliens in a single row or column within a certain time limit, without hitting anything else.

6) Take your time. This isn't a race; it's an endurance match. Lighting the lamps is the key to having the lives you'll need to go the distance, so while the aliens aren't an impending threat, take the time to set up your kills. That said, remember that keeping your attacks chained is the key to increasing your score modifier and ultimately getting the x10 break bonus.

7) Learn to regularly pause your power-up attacks. These weapons are extremely effective, but they're constantly depeleting. So get in the habit of holding down one of the shoulder buttons when you're not firing, or when you're just picking off the last couple of aliens.

8) In bonus rounds, you can't die. However, don't let this make you sloppy. Whenever you're hit, you incur a time penalty, which makes it harder to meet the objective. As long as you stay cool and avoid incoming attacks, most of the rounds are relatively easy to complete.

9) Once you're really hardcore, you're going to have to learn how to set up the super jackpot UFOs. The first step in this is to watch your rate. As it's filling up at x5, set up your feature panel so you can fill it just as you hit "break". Then, assuming you tag the rainbow UFO and accomplish the round, your fever mode will last 50% longer, which means you'll last long enough for that eighth UFO: your super jackpot UFO.

10) If you haven't read the manual, I'm surprised you made it down this far. I can't imagine any of that made much sense to you. So go read the manual already.