Return of the Invaders

Space Invaders

Company type	Video game franchise
Industry	Video games
Founded	1978
Founder	Tomohiro Nishikado
Products	Fixed shooter video games
Owner	Taito
Website	www.taito.co.jp

Space Invaders is a fixed shooter video game launched in 1978 by Taito, created by Tomohiro Nishikado. Drawing inspiration from titles like Breakout and cultural phenomena such as Star Wars, it significantly contributed to the expansion of the video game industry on a global scale. Originally released as an arcade game, it was subsequently adapted for numerous platforms, featuring enhancements including mobile defense barriers, zigzag firing patterns, invisible alien adversaries, and two-player gameplay modes. Space Invaders stands among the top-grossing video game franchises.

Taito produced a variety of sequels and spin-offs, frequently aligned with milestone anniversaries. The earliest follow-ups concentrated on arcade releases; later installments targeted handheld devices, introducing new gameplay elements such as power-ups, three-dimensional environments, boss battles, and rhythm-based mechanics. While many entries were distributed internationally, some remained exclusive to specific regions. The Atari 2600 adaptation became recognized as the industry's first "killer app", although certain sequels garnered mixed critical reception. Numerous arcade sequels are included within Taito's compilation releases.

By the early 1980s, the franchise had inspired over one hundred clones, including titles like Super Invader and TI Invaders. It also served as an influence for other series such as the Galaxian franchise.

Arcade games

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Portable and handheld games

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Other titles

Title	Details
Space Invaders × Pac-Man Original release date(s): September 1, 2005	Release years by system: 2005 – Mobile phone
	Notes: A crossover mobile game merging characters from Taito's Space Invaders and Namco's Pac-Man. Available for a limited time through NTT DoCoMo's i-mode service. Celebrated Namco’s 50th anniversary alongside Pac-Man's 25th.
Yawaraka Sensha vs Space Invaders Original release date(s): November 2006	Release years by system: 2006 – Mobile phone
	Notes: Mobile title developed using Adobe Flash combining Space Invaders with the Livedoor animation series Yawaraka Sensha. Created by Taito specifically for mobile platforms.
Space Invaders Pinball Original release date(s): 2007	Release years by system: 2007 – Mobile phone
	Notes: Pinball-themed video game based on Space Invaders, developed for mobile devices by Taito.
Minna de Invaders Original release date(s): 2007–2008	Release years by system: 2007 – Mobile phone
	Notes: Translated as "Invaders for Everyone". A compilation of mini-games featuring aliens from Space Invaders, released in installments over two years.
Space Invaders World War Original release date(s): April 2008	Release years by system: 2008 – Web browser
	Notes: Flash-based massively multiplayer online experience tracking player scores across 193 countries. Operated from April 18, 2008, until September 30, 2009. Partnered with Italian clothing brand 55DSL to launch themed apparel.
Arkanoid vs. Space Invaders Original release date(s): May 17, 2017	Release years by system: 2017 – Android, iOS 2020 – Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4
	Notes: The inaugural official crossover between Arkanoid and Space Invaders series. Initially released as a free-to-play title on the LINE platform. Includes appearances by other Taito characters serving as power-ups. Featured in collections such as Space Invaders Invincible Collection and Space Invaders Forever; Switch version is limited to handheld mode.
Space Invaders Gigamax Original release date(s): January 12, 2018	Release years by system: 2018 – Event 2020 – Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 2024 – Arcade
	Notes: The first entry in the series to support up to ten players simultaneously; originally launched at a special event celebrating the franchise’s 40th anniversary. Distributed by Live Interactive Works; known as Gigamax 20 at Huis Ten Bosch theme park with capacity for twenty players. Later reissued as Gigamax 4 SE for Switch and PS4 with four-player support; arcade version Gigamax R accommodates six players.

See also

• Galaxian, a successful shooting title inspired by Space Invaders, released by Namco in 1979.
• Galaga, the direct sequel to Galaxian.
• Defender, an influential shooting game impacted by Space Invaders, launched by Williams Electronics in 1980.

External links

• Taito Official Website
• Archive of Taito’s Space Invaders Game Catalog via archive.org