Return of the Invaders

Space Invaders
Logo utilized in the original Space Invaders.
Genres	Shoot 'em up
Developers	Taito Square Enix
Publishers	Taito Midway Square Enix
Creators	Tomohiro Nishikado
Platforms	Arcade, Atari 2600, Atari 400, Atari 800, Atari 5200, Handheld electronic game, ColecoVision, MSX, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Nintendo Entertainment System, Mobile phone, iOS, Android, Game Boy, Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System, Sinclair ZX Spectrum, TurboGrafx-16, Virtual Boy, PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, Microsoft Windows
Platform of origin	Arcade
First release	Space Invaders June, 1978
Latest release	Space Invaders Infinity Gene July 27, 2009
Spin-offs	Groove Coaster

Space Invaders is a Japanese shooting video game released in 1978 by Taito. It was developed by Tomohiro Nishikado, who was inspired by other media: Breakout, The War of the Worlds, and Star Wars. Though simplistic by contemporary standards, it was one of the forerunners of modern video gaming and helped expand the video game industry from a novelty to a global industry. It was first released as an arcade game and later remade on different platforms; re-releases include ported and updated versions. Ported versions generally feature different graphics and additional gameplay options, including moving defense bunkers, zigzag shots, invisible aliens, and two-player modes.

Taito released numerous sequels and spin-offs, many of which have also been remade on multiple platforms, including home consoles and handheld devices. Follow up titles are typically released in celebration of the original's anniversary. The first sequels were primarily released in arcades, while later titles were released on portable devices. Sequels often added power-ups and incorporated new gameplay mechanics—like three-dimensional playing fields, bosses, and rhythm-action—to the original's design. Most titles were released internationally, though some are exclusive to select regions. The games have received different receptions: the Atari 2600 port of the original became the video game industry's first "killer app", while some sequels were regarded as insignificant updates.Space Invaders and several of its arcade sequels are often included in video game compilations released by Taito. It inspired numerous other games; many companies created clones that copied its gameplay (such as Super Invader and TI Invaders), while others built upon the original's gameplay (such as Galaxian and Galaga).