Space Invaders
Defend Earth from alien invaders by shooting them down while avoiding their attacks.
Space Invaders
Use arrow keys to move and space to shoot.
Destroy all the aliens to complete the level.
About Space Invaders
Space Invaders is one of the most iconic arcade games of all time, first released in 1978 by Taito in Japan. Created by Tomohiro Nishikado, it was one of the earliest shooting games and helped expand the video game industry from a novelty to a global industry.
The game features a shooter that the player moves horizontally across the bottom of the screen, firing at descending aliens. The aliens move horizontally back and forth across the screen as a group, dropping down a level and changing direction when they reach the screen's edge. The player's goal is to eliminate all aliens before they reach the bottom of the screen.
Benefits of Playing Space Invaders
Playing Space Invaders offers several cognitive benefits:
- Hand-eye coordination: Timing your shots and movements requires precise coordination between what you see and how you respond.
- Reaction time: The game helps improve your reflexes as you need to quickly respond to enemy movements and attacks.
- Strategic thinking: Deciding which aliens to target first and when to move develops strategic thinking.
- Focus and attention: Maintaining awareness of multiple moving elements enhances concentration skills.
Tips for Success
- Eliminate the edge aliens first: This slows down the group's descent as they have to travel less distance to reach the edge.
- Use the barriers strategically: Take cover behind barriers when needed, but remember they can be destroyed.
- Watch for patterns: Enemy shooting isn't completely random - learn to anticipate their attacks.
- Stay calm under pressure: As aliens get closer and faster, maintaining composure is key to success.
History of Space Invaders
Space Invaders was released in 1978 and became an instant phenomenon in Japan, causing a shortage of 100-yen coins. When it was released in the United States by Midway Games, it was equally successful, grossing over $2 billion (equivalent to over $8 billion today) by 1982.
The game's success stemmed from its simple yet addictive gameplay, distinctive sound effects, and increasing difficulty. It was one of the first games to save high scores, creating competition among players. The aliens' movement, which speeds up as their numbers decrease, created a tension that was revolutionary for its time.
Space Invaders has been ported to nearly every video game console and computer system, and has inspired countless games, films, and other media. It remains one of the most recognizable video games in history.
More Games to Enjoy
If you enjoyed playing Space Invaders, check out these other games on our site:
- Snake - Guide the snake to eat food and grow without hitting the walls or itself.
- Breakout - Control the paddle to bounce the ball and break all the bricks.
- Tetris - Arrange falling blocks to create complete lines.
- Asteroids - Navigate a spaceship and destroy asteroids while avoiding collisions.
- Memory Match - Test your memory by matching pairs of cards.