Play Space Invaders / Space Invaders M Online

Space Invaders, originally released by Taito in 1978, is one of those games that feels right at home on MAME. Emulating the arcade cabinet experience, it captures the raw simplicity and tension of early gaming. There’s no fluff, just you and a grid of aliens slowly creeping downward. The black and white visuals, the steady thrum of the soundtrack; it all pulls you right back to the arcade era.

You control a small laser cannon at the bottom of the screen, moving left and right to shoot rows of pixelated aliens before they reach the ground. Your main goal is to clear each wave while avoiding their bombs and the occasional mysterious flying saucer that zips across the top. The aliens gradually speed up as you eliminate more of them, tightening the pressure with every shot. Barriers offer temporary protection but crumble under fire, forcing careful aim and positioning. It’s a game of rhythm and urgency, where one mistake can cascade into a quick defeat. Playing it feels like walking a tightrope with a laser beam.