Arcade Nostalgia: "Space Invaders" Quiz

Answer: Taito

Following the successful release in Japan, Taito America had a limited release in July in North America. After a successful test market, the American company Bally Midway received the license for the game in North America for the wider release in October.

Answer: 11 columns (55 aliens)

The five by eleven configuration had two rows at the bottom (with moving tentacles) with aliens worth 10 points each, the third and fourth row aliens (that had antennae) were worth 20 points each, and the fifth row aliens (that looked like squids) were worth 30 points each.

Thus, not counting the bonus UFO that crossed the screen above the fleet every now and again, the total points in a level was 22x10 (220) + 22x20 (440) + 11x30 (330), equaling 990 altogether.

Answer: Left/right directional buttons (L.H) and a firing button (R.H.)

There were actually a couple of control variations, but the first and most common one was the left/right directional buttons for the left hand and a firing button for the right hand. The other variant had left/right joystick for the left hand, instead of the buttons.

It was impossible for your laser cannon to do anything other than left and right movement.

Answer: It varied

There seemingly no rhyme or reason to which of the four available amounts of bonus points you would get if you hit the red UFO. It could be any of 50, 100, 150 or 300 points. With a total of 990 points available for taking down the rest of the fleet, the bonus points from the 'mystery ship' could dramatically improve your score.

One person (named Fuller) figured out that your 23rd shot from the beginning of the game would earn you the 300 point bonus, and then every 15th shot after that (on the same level) would do the same.

Answer: Four

The shelters were only good for so long. Every time the aliens shot and hit a shelter, some of it would disappear. The same thing happened if you shot it yourself from beneath. Eventually, you would no longer have any shelters to protect you from alien fire.

Answer: True

You began the game with three laser cannons (lives), and there was no limit to how many more you could earn, as long as you kept on clearing levels. Of course, with each level getting progressively more difficult (more aliens shooting, less defenses, faster descent), those lives would only last so long.

Answer: True

Having the alien fleet begin a little lower for each stage is just another layer of difficulty added. The aliens shoot more often at higher levels, as well as move more quickly to begin.

Answer: R

One strategy for making your stage last longer was to take out the aliens at the edges of the formation first, that way the whole formation would have more distance to travel before descending another level. That way, you might have gotten a little more time to try to hit that last, speedy alien.

It was definitely possible to hit that last alien while it was going to the right, but it was a LOT easier when it was going that little bit slower towards the left.

Answer: Four descending notes

That very simple four-note descending line actually added a lot to the game, giving it you sense of urgency to complete your level. Other sounds in the game included the shots from your laser cannon, and a siren-like sound when the red flying saucer went by at the top of the screen. Also, a nice little explosion sound occurred whenever you got hit.

Answer: No

Don't forget that the whole point of the game was to prevent the aliens from establishing themselves on the surface of the Moon (to then invade Earth). It didn't matter how many lives you may have amassed in the game - if you let even one alien reach the surface, your game was over.