Overview

Released in 1978 by Taito and licensed for production in the United States by Midway, this game is a pioneering force in the shoot ’em up genre. It tasks players with defending Earth from descending waves of alien invaders, using a horizontally moving laser cannon.

Gameplay Mechanics

The objective is to defeat a block of aliens, which move horizontally back and forth across the screen as they advance towards the bottom. The player controls the laser cannon, which can move left or right and fire one shot at a time. The game ends when the aliens reach the bottom or the cannon is struck by an alien projectile. It introduced a unique aspect of mounting difficulty, as the aliens’ movement speed increases as fewer remain on the screen.

Historical Significance

This game played a major role in the popularization of video gaming worldwide, leading to the gaming revolution of the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was part of the golden age of arcade video games and set the precedent for numerous sequels and inspired other game developers to create similar combat-based games.

Development and Cultural Impact

Developed by Tomohiro Nishikado, the game initially faced hardware limitations, compelling Nishikado to design custom hardware and development tools. It’s considered one of the most influential video games of all time, renowned for its impact on the video game industry. The popularity of this game led to a significant increase in demand for quarters in the United States, as players lined up to get a chance to defend Earth.

Curiosities

Originally, the game’s developers intended for the aliens to be spaceships, tanks, or even human figures before finalizing the now-iconic alien design. Additionally, the game’s simplistic sound effects were a defining feature, with the speeding up of the invaders’ movement creating escalating tension, a phenomenon still noted by gaming historians today.