Space Invaders is a Japanese shooting video game released in 1978 by Taito. It was developed by Tomohiro Nishikado, who was inspired by other media: Breakout, The War of the Worlds, and Star Wars.[1] It is one of the forerunners of modern video gaming and helped expand the video game industry from a novelty to a global industry.[2][3] It was first released as an arcade game and later remade on different platforms; re-releases include ported and updated versions. Ported versions generally feature different graphics and additional gameplay options, including moving defense bunkers, zigzag shots, invisible aliens, and two-player modes.[4] Space Invaders is one of the highest-grossing video game franchises of all time.
Taito released numerous sequels and spin-offs, many of which have also been remade on multiple platforms, including home consoles and handheld devices. Follow up titles are typically released in celebration of the original's anniversary. The first sequels were primarily released in arcades, while later titles were released on portable devices. Sequels often added power-ups and incorporated new gameplay mechanics—like three-dimensional playing fields, bosses, and rhythm-action—to the original's design.[5] Most titles were released internationally, though some are exclusive to select regions. The games have received different receptions: the Atari 2600 port of the original became the video game industry's first "killer app", while some sequels were regarded as insignificant updates.[4][6] Space Invaders and several of its arcade sequels are often included in video game compilations released by Taito.
It inspired numerous other games.[7] Many companies created clones that copied its gameplay, with more than a hundred Space Invaders clones released for various platforms (such as Super Invader and TI Invaders).[8] Others built upon the original's gameplay (such as the Galaxian franchise).
- ^ "Classic GI: Space Invaders". Game Informer. No. 177. Cathy Preston. January 2008. pp. 108–109.
- ^ Richards, Giles (2005-07-24). "A life through video games". The Observer. London: Guardian Media Group. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
- ^ "The 30 Defining Moments in Gaming". Edge. Future plc. 2007-08-13. Archived from the original on 2011-10-29. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
- ^ a b "The Definitive Space Invaders". Retro Gamer (41). Imagine Publishing: 24–33. September 2007.
- ^ Edwards, Benj (2007-06-19). "Platform Agnostics: The Most Whored-Out Games from 1UP.com". 1UP.com. p. 3. Archived from the original on 2011-05-22. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
RG-42was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Essential 50: Space Invaders". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-18. Retrieved 2011-03-26.
- ^ Grace, Lindsay (June 19, 2018). "The Original 'Space Invaders' Is a Meditation on 1970s America's Deepest Fears". Smithsonian Magazine. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021.