Play Space Invaders [t1] Online

Space Invaders came out for the Atari 2600 in 1978, published by Atari, Inc. It was one of those games that really defined the early home console experience, simple in concept but completely absorbing once you started playing.

You control a small laser cannon that moves left and right along the bottom of the screen, firing upward at rows of descending aliens. Your goal is to destroy every invader before they reach the bottom or you run out of lives. The aliens move slowly at first, but as you eliminate more of them, the survivors gradually speed up, raising the tension with every shot. You can also take cover behind destructible barriers, though your own shots and enemy fire chip away at them over time. The pacing starts methodical but quickly becomes frantic; it feels urgent and focused, especially with that persistent, rhythmic soundtrack ticking away in the background.