About the game
Space Invaders is the game that started the shooter genre. You control a laser cannon at the bottom of the screen and fire upward at rows of descending aliens. The aliens march side-to-side, dropping lower with each pass. If they reach the bottom, the game is over. You have four shield bunkers that degrade when hit by alien fire.
Created by Tomohiro Nishikado and released by Taito in 1978, Space Invaders literally caused a coin shortage in Japan. The genius of the design is the accelerating difficulty: as you destroy aliens, the remaining ones move faster, creating a natural tension curve that peaks as the last few scramble across the screen.
How to play
- Move your cannon left and right along the bottom of the screen.
- Press Fire to shoot a laser upward. Only one bullet can be on screen at a time.
- Destroy all aliens in the wave to advance. Each wave adds more aliens that move faster.
- Don't let the aliens reach the bottom or destroy all four bunkers — that ends the game.
Controls
| Move cannon | ← / → arrow keys |
| Fire | Space |
| Touch screens | Tap left/right sides to move, centre to fire |
Five beginner tips
1. One bullet, one target
You can only have one bullet on screen. Make every shot count — missing wastes precious time.
2. Shoot the bottom row
The bottom aliens are closest and easiest to hit. Clearing them also earns the most time before the next drop.
3. Don't panic-fire
When aliens are close, it is tempting to spam shots. Take a breath, aim, and fire deliberately.
4. Protect your bunkers
Alien fire degrades bunkers permanently. Avoid standing directly behind a bunker when aliens are above it.
5. The last alien is the fastest
The final alien in each wave zooms across the screen. Don't chase it — wait for it to come to you.
Why you'll like it
Space Invaders is the granddaddy of all shooters, and it still holds up. The escalating tension of faster aliens, degrading shields, and one-bullet-at-a-time precision creates a gameplay loop that is impossible to put down.
Frequently asked questions
How many waves are there?
The game loops through waves indefinitely, each one harder than the last.
What are the bunkers for?
The four shield bunkers protect your cannon from alien fire. They degrade when hit and never regenerate.
Does it work on phones?
Yes. Tap the left/right sides of the screen to move and the centre to fire.
Game credit: Open-source Space Invaders implementation. MIT licence by dwmkerr.