Galaxian Classic
Atari 5200 · Shoot 'em Up
Space Invaders
Certified classic
| System | Atari 5200 |
|---|---|
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up |
| Developer | Taito |
| Publisher | Atari |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Space Invaders |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 18 |
Space Invaders is a shoot 'em up released for the Atari 5200, developed by Taito and published by Atari. This 5200 release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1978.
Among the 17 5200 shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #1 by legacy score.
It is part of the Space Invaders series. The series also appears on other systems with Space Invaders (2600) and Space Invaders (NES). Taito also made Qix, Jungle Hunt and Space Dungeon for the 5200.
Space Invaders supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you have a friend to play against
- you want to experience one of the 5200's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
What playing Space Invaders is like
Shoot 'em ups (shmups) put you in a ship facing waves of enemies and bullets. Runs are short and intense, and the goal is to survive, collect power-ups and push your high score.
Tip for newcomers: Focus on your ship's small hitbox rather than the flood of bullets, and learn which power-ups suit each stage. Most shmups are designed to be replayed many times.
Space Invaders walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Space Invaders.
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Playing 5200 games today
The 5200 library is small and arcade-focused, so it suits players who enjoy classic coin-op ports. The original non-centering joysticks are famously fragile, which is why many collectors use refurbished or modern replacement controllers.
Space Invaders FAQ
Who made Space Invaders?
It was developed by Taito and published by Atari.
Is Space Invaders multiplayer?
Yes. Space Invaders supports up to 2 players.
How long does Space Invaders take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Space Invaders typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Space Invaders on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.