14 Phenomenal Facts About Space Invaders

If you’re an older gamer who was a child during the golden age of full-sized arcade games, then you probably remember Space Invaders, the first shoot ‘em up game, created by Tomohiro Nishikado. While it doesn’t seem like anything special today, early gamers will remember it for some of its elements that actually set a standard for games today as we know them. Whether or not you are old enough to remember the game, you’ve probably seen something from the game somewhere out there, and we’ve compiled a bunch of amazing facts for you! We’re sure there’s at least one you didn’t know about already!

1. The game had numerous inspirations, including Breakout, Star Wars, and The World of the Wars

You can definitely see some of the connections within the game if you are already familiar with these franchises.

2. Early Designs Had No Lasers or Aliens

The aliens were originally supposed to be human soldiers. Tomohiro Nishikado decided to change this because he didn’t want children who were playing the game to get the idea that it was okay to hurt other people, so he decided to go with aliens instead. The alien pixel is now a major pop culture gaming icon.

3. It was the first game to implement high scores and the save feature

Seriously, can you imagine a world where you couldn’t save your greatest accomplishments in gaming?

4. There are actually no levels in the game, making it not possible to “beat” it

Don’t forget, you’re here forever.

5. It was sold by two different companies in Japan and the United States, respectively

The game was distributed by Taito in Japan and Midway in the United States and in Europe.

6. Mr. Nishiako originally did not have plans to enter the gaming industry

He graduated from Tokyo Denki University (電気, denki, meaning electricity in Japanese) in 1967 with a degree in engineering with a focus in television circuits. In 1968 he landed a job at Taito.

Imagine how he would have reacted if you told him at his graduation that he would become an influential icon in the world of arcade games.

7. He also remained anonymous for a while following the games debut and success.

While the game did not initially take off so fast, Nishiako would still choose to not reveal himself as the creator of the popular game for decades due to a contract he had with Taito. However, that would change in 2013 when he was finally given credit publicly as the creator of the world-famous video game.

8. Mr. Nishiako was actually never any good at his own game

In fact, he never was able to complete the first screen.

9. Over the last 4 decades, it has grossed over a grand total of $500,000,000

One can only imagine what they would do with that much pocket money.

10. There have been numerous sequels and ports released to date

Including by not limited to Space Invaders Part 2 (1979), The Return of the Space Invaders (1985), Space Invaders ’91 (1991), Space Invaders DX (1995), Space Invaders ’95 (1995), and Space Invaders Gigamax (2017).

11. Long before the modern world of esports, Atari created The National Space Invaders Championship in 1980. Rebecca Ann Heineman, formerly known as Bill Heineman, became the official champion of the game, essentially making her the very first e-sports champion of all time.

What a groundbreaking achievement!

12. A 12-year-old boy reserved his spot in the Guinness World Records for playing the game for 38 hours and 30 minutes

In 1980, Eric Fuller, a boy from Canada, made his way into the books by playing the game for 1 day and 14 hours and 30 minutes, with only stopping for trips to the restroom.

13. It was the introduction to video games for many big-name people in the industry

Shigeru Miyamoto (Mario, Donkey Kong, and The Legend of Zelda), Satoshi Tajiri (Pokémon),  John Romero and John Carmack (Doom), and Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear) have all professed that Space Invaders was their introduction to video games.

14. Space Invaders has appeared on the big screen several times.

The 2015 Pixels served as a homage to old-school video games. It also made its way into Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Are there any other cool facts that we missed out on this super awesome full-sized arcade game? Feel free to share some of your own knowledge with us, if you so please!

Works Cited

Ten fun facts about space invaders – fun and interesting facts. 10 facts about. (n.d.). Retrieved December 17, 2021, from https://www.10-facts-about.com/space-invaders/id/1438 

Space invaders facts. Math. (n.d.). Retrieved December 17, 2021, from https://www.softschools.com/facts/games/space_invaders_facts/3276/ 

Gamer, O. S., & Posts), O. S. G. (612. (2021, January 11). Space invaders: 10 things you never knew – old School Gamer Magazine. Old School Gamer Magazine – Dedicated to you…the old school/retro gamer from the arcades to your home! Retrieved December 17, 2021, from https://www.oldschoolgamermagazine.com/space-invaders-10-things-you-never-knew/Guinness World Records