Battle City Classic Co-op
Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up / Shooter
Space Invaders
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1985 (originally 1978) |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Shooter |
| Developer | Taito |
| Publisher | Taito |
| 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 |
Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985, Space Invaders is a shoot 'em up developed by Taito. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1978. It blends shoot 'em up and shooter elements.
It belongs to the NES's earliest wave of games. Other notable NES releases from 1985 include Super Mario Bros., Excitebike and Ice Climber. Among the 84 NES shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #2 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 (SNES). Taito also made Arkanoid, Bubble Bobble and Sky Destroyer for the NES.
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 NES'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
4 codes on file (Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Emulator memory codes codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives P1 | 0029:09 |
|---|---|
| Infinite Lives P2 | 002A:09 |
| Start With 6 Lives | ZAYAZL |
| Infinite Lives | SXGEUY |
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 NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Space Invaders FAQ
When did Space Invaders come out on the NES?
Space Invaders was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985; the original game dates back to 1978.
Who made Space Invaders?
It was developed by Taito.
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.