Five Classic Games That Borrowed From Space Invaders

June 1, 2026 - 16:44

When "Space Invaders" landed in arcades in 1978, it changed everything. The simple concept of shooting descending alien rows became a gold rush. Developers everywhere rushed to cash in, and the result was a flood of imitators. Some were blatant clones, while others added their own twists. Here are five retro games that tried to ride the Space Invaders wave.

First up is "Galaxian," released by Namco in 1979. It kept the basic idea of aliens swooping down but added color and more aggressive enemy movements. Instead of a steady march, the aliens would dive at the player in formation. It felt faster and more chaotic, and it set the stage for its famous sequel, "Galaga."

Then there is "Astro Invader," a 1980 title from Stern Electronics. This one is a straight clone. You control a cannon at the bottom of the screen, and rows of aliens move side to side, dropping bombs. The visuals are crude even by 1980 standards, and the gameplay offers nothing new. It is a perfect example of a cash-in that time forgot.

"Super Invader" from 1979 is another direct copy, this time from the early home console market. It appeared on the Atari 2600 and other systems. The aliens look blocky, the sound effects are simple beeps, and the pace is slower than the arcade original. But for kids who could not get to the arcade, it was close enough.

"Space Attack" from 1979 tried to mix things up. It added a scrolling starfield background and slightly different alien shapes. The core loop was still shooting rows of enemies, but the visual change gave it a bit of identity. It did not set the world on fire, but it shows how developers tried small tweaks to stand out.

Finally, "Space Chaser" from 1979 took the concept in a strange direction. Instead of a fixed screen, the player moved a ship through a maze-like tunnel, shooting at alien ships that appeared ahead. It kept the shooting gallery feel but added a sense of movement. It was not a hit, but it proves that even copycats could get creative.

These games did not match the original's success. But they show how one big idea can inspire a whole generation of imitators, for better or worse.