Big Invader T-Shirt

Space Invaders needs no introduction. The sound of its throbbing beat and sight of its alien waves are unmistakable. It was the brainchild of Toshihiro Nishikado whose alien designs were inspired by War of the Worlds and various sea creatures. Large formations of these aliens would steadily march their way down the screen while you thin their numbers from a moving gun at the bottom. They would gain speed as more of them got destroyed, usually resulting in a frantic conclusion.

The success of Space Invaders began in 1978 when the game was released in Japan by pachinko manufacturer Taito (and licensed by Midway for the U.S). It gained huge mainstream popularity that lead to a coin shortage in Japan and the first public outcry against video games in the U.S.

The Space Invaders phenomenon has endured and firmly cemented itself a place in popular culture. It is no doubt one of the most influential and iconic video games of all time.