Space Invaders
Play Space Invaders free online — shoot rows of descending aliens before they reach the ground. Dodge enemy fire, blast mystery ships for bonus points, and survive as many waves as you can. Three alien types worth different points, four protective shields, and escalating difficulty make every run a race against time.
Arcade
Space Invaders
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📖 How to Play
Move with ← → arrow keys or A/D. Press Space or ↑ to shoot. On mobile, swipe left or right to move and tap to fire. Destroy all aliens to advance to the next wave. Watch out for alien bombs and protect your base!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I score points in Space Invaders?
Each alien type scores differently — top-row aliens (pink, squid-shaped) are worth 30 points, middle-row crabs score 20 points, and bottom-row octopus aliens are worth 10 points. The red mystery ship that flies across the top scores a random bonus of 50, 100, 150, or 300 points. Survive long enough and multiple mystery ships will appear!
What do the shields do and how long do they last?
The four green shield bunkers protect you from enemy fire. Each shield is made of destructible blocks that degrade with every bullet that hits them — yours or the aliens'. Aliens also destroy shields when they march through them, so they won't last the whole game. Position yourself behind a shield but stay mobile!
Does Space Invaders get harder over time?
Yes — difficulty ramps up in two ways. As you destroy aliens, the remaining ones speed up (classic Space Invaders behavior). With each new wave, the aliens start faster, shoot more frequently, and their bullets move quicker. How far can you go?
How many lives do I have, and how is the formation laid out?
You start with 3 lives. An alien bomb that hits your cannon costs one life; at 0 lives the run ends. Each wave is an 11×5 grid: one top squid row (30 pts), two crab rows (20), and two octopus rows (10). Clear the grid to start the next, faster wave.
Can I play Space Invaders on mobile for free?
Yes. On a phone, swipe left or right to move and tap to fire. On desktop use arrows or A/D and Space or Up. It is free HTML5 in the browser — no download, no account. Your best score stays on this device.
How many shots can I have on screen at once?
At most 2 of your bullets can be active. Mystery UFO scores 50, 100, 150 or 300 at random. Four bunkers are 8×4 destructible cells each; your shots damage them too. Formation is 11×5 (types 0/1/1/2/2 top→bottom = 30/20/20/10/10).
Can two players play Space Invaders?
No — one cannon, 3 lives. Alien bombs that hit you cost a life. Free in the browser, swipe/tap or A/D + Space. Best score stays on this device. No download, no co-op.
Do shields reset each wave, and how do I lose besides bombs?
Yes — the four 8×4 bunkers rebuild at the start of every wave. An alien bomb costs one of 3 lives; 2 seconds of invulnerability after you respawn. If any alien reaches the cannon line, the run ends immediately even with lives left. Max 2 player shots on screen. Solo; free in the browser.
How many waves does Space Invaders have — is there a final level?
Waves are endless. Clear the 11×5 alien grid and the next wave starts: the formation and all four 8×4 bunkers rebuild, while alien start speed and bullet speed keep climbing (alien movement caps at its max pace). The run only ends when you lose all 3 lives or an alien reaches the cannon line.