Can I play Space Invaders online for free?

Yes — you can play Space Invaders right here in your browser for free, with no installation and no plugins, on both desktop and mobile.

Can I download Space Invaders?

Yes, Space Invaders is available to download here — use the Download button on this page.

What platform does Space Invaders run on?

Space Invaders is a MS-DOS / PC game from 1978.

When was Space Invaders released?

Space Invaders was released in 1978.

Who made Space Invaders?

Space Invaders was developed by Toshihiro Nishikado.

What genre is Space Invaders?

Space Invaders falls under: Action.

How do I save my progress in Space Invaders?

Save inside the game itself — via its own menu, or F2/F3. And if you log in (free), your position is also stored in the cloud, so you can continue on another computer or phone.

Is it legal to play Space Invaders online here?

You play it in your browser via an emulator. For how we handle abandonware and copyright, see our "Is it legal?" page.

How do I control Space Invaders?

The controls are in the Controls section on this page. The keyboard is usually all you need — arrow keys to move and Ctrl, Alt or Space for actions.

Can I play Space Invaders on mobile?

Yes — it runs right in your browser on phones and tablets too. Just tap Play, nothing to install.

oldgame.cz › Action ›

Space Invaders

_□✕

Log in and save your positions — continue on another computer or phone. Free.

Live chat — Space Invaders_□✕

live chat chat about this game right now — be nice

No messages yet. Say hi!

1978 · Action · Toshihiro Nishikado · MS-DOS / PC

Game info_□✕

About the game

Space Invaders is one of the true foundation stones of the entire medium. Created by Toshihiro Nishikado and released in 1978, it took the arcade world by storm and, in Japan, famously became so popular that it was blamed for a shortage of the coins fed into its cabinets. The setup is elemental: rows of alien invaders shuffle back and forth across the screen, descending a step lower each time they reach an edge, while you slide a laser cannon along the bottom and pick them off before they land.

What made it so gripping was emergent tension the designers half-stumbled into. As you clear invaders the survivors speed up, because the hardware could redraw fewer sprites faster, turning the game's climax into a frantic scramble. Four destructible bunkers give you fragile cover, and the occasional mystery ship gliding across the top offers a tempting bonus. It established the fixed shooter, popularized the idea of a high score worth chasing, and its marching alien silhouettes are among the most recognizable images gaming has ever produced. Stripped of nostalgia it's still a taut, perfectly balanced test of nerve, and it holds up as a lesson in how much can be built from almost nothing.

Video

▶ Longplay Walkthrough Soundtrack

Guides & FAQ

Can I play Space Invaders online for free?: Yes — you can play Space Invaders right here in your browser for free, with no installation and no plugins, on both desktop and mobile.
Can I download Space Invaders?: Yes, Space Invaders is available to download here — use the Download button on this page.
What platform does Space Invaders run on?: Space Invaders is a MS-DOS / PC game from 1978.
When was Space Invaders released?: Space Invaders was released in 1978.
Who made Space Invaders?: Space Invaders was developed by Toshihiro Nishikado.
What genre is Space Invaders?: Space Invaders falls under: Action.
How do I save my progress in Space Invaders?: Save inside the game itself — via its own menu, or F2/F3. And if you log in (free), your position is also stored in the cloud, so you can continue on another computer or phone.
Is it legal to play Space Invaders online here?: You play it in your browser via an emulator. For how we handle abandonware and copyright, see our "Is it legal?" page.
How do I control Space Invaders?: The controls are in the Controls section on this page. The keyboard is usually all you need — arrow keys to move and Ctrl, Alt or Space for actions.
Can I play Space Invaders on mobile?: Yes — it runs right in your browser on phones and tablets too. Just tap Play, nothing to install.

Rate this game

No ratings yet — be the first.

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first!

Space Invaders

Info

Platform: MS-DOS / PC
Year: 1978
Developer: Toshihiro Nishikado
Publisher: Activision
Genre: Action
Also known as: スペースインベーダー · 스페이스 인베이더 · 太空侵略者
Players: 1 a více hráčů
License: Freeware

Buy the original

Support the makers — get it legally:

GOG.com Steam Amazon eBay

Collections

Also listed in: Retro Shooting Games Online · Space games: the classics of the 80s and 90s · Nostalgic games

Report this game

Gaming platform: MS-DOS / PC_□✕

About the platform 1981–2000

For two decades MS-DOS was the main gaming platform on PCs. Games launched from the command line and used sound cards like Sound Blaster or AdLib. DOS is the home of legends such as Doom, Prince of Persia and Commander Keen.

Maker: IBM PC / Microsoft · Years: 1981–2000

Here on oldgame.cz you play it right in your browser via the js-dos emulator — no install, no plugins, on desktop and mobile.

Recommended controls: These games are controlled with the keyboard (see the controls table next to the game). A USB joystick/gamepad can make some titles more comfortable, but is not required.

» More about this platform on Wikipedia

Similar games_□✕