Game Boy · Shoot 'em Up / Shooter
Space Invaders
Certified classic
| System | Game Boy |
|---|---|
| Released | 1994 (originally 1978) |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Shooter |
| Developer | Taito |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Space Invaders |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 13 |
Released for the Game Boy in 1994, Space Invaders is a shoot 'em up developed by Taito and published by Nintendo. This Game Boy release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1978. It blends shoot 'em up and shooter elements.
It landed about 5 years into the Game Boy's life. Other notable Game Boy releases from 1994 include Donkey Kong, Mega Man V and The Simpsons: Bart & the Beanstalk. Among the 27 Game Boy 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 Bubble Bobble, Bubble Bobble Part 2 and Qix for the Game Boy.
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 Game Boy'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 cheats & codes
22 codes on file (Game Genie, GameShark, Xploder, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives | 7EA-12E |
|---|---|
| Infinite Shields | 1CB-14B
7E9-6FE |
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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Jupiter Strike Deep cut
Playing Game Boy games today
Game Boy games were designed for short bursts on the go, which makes them ideal for a coffee break today. Many are available through Nintendo Switch Online, and original carts play on any later Game Boy model.
Space Invaders FAQ
When did Space Invaders come out on the Game Boy?
Space Invaders was released for the Game Boy in 1994; the original game dates back to 1978.
Who made Space Invaders?
It was developed by Taito and published by Nintendo.
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.