Space Invaders is a landmark arcade video game from 1978 (Japanese origin, per Eddie Adlum) that became a cultural phenomenon, selling 300,000+ units and catalyzing the arcade industry's explosive growth. The game was later adapted into pinball form by Bally in April 1980 (designed by Jim Patla), becoming one of the largest-selling Bally wide-body machines with 11,400 units produced. The pinball version featured H.R. Giger-inspired alien artwork and became the first video game-themed pinball machine, though it faced a lawsuit from 20th Century Fox over Alien/Xenomorph imagery similarities. Space Invaders represents a pivotal moment in gaming history where the arcade video game phenomenon directly influenced and reshaped the pinball industry.
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Space Invaders was sued by 20th Century Fox for unlicensed use of Alien xenomorph designs
Space Invaders arcade cabinet interior features are not widely known to collectors
Space Invaders pinball table uses actual audio from the original Space Invaders arcade game
Space Invaders pinball design doesn't mechanically interpret the video game in expected ways
Multi-day tournament machine with persistent sound and solenoid driver board issues, required board swap and troubleshooting.
Early arcade video game; introduced dynamic sound through processor artifact; influenced pinball sound design
Early arcade video game featuring descending four-note progression (perfect fourth/lament tetrachord) that influenced pinball audio design
Pinball machine (1980); Steve Ridge's first acquisition in January 2010
Pinball game involving licensing dispute with studio over alien character use.
Arcade video game; Charles's first video game acquisition
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Space Invaders sold 11,400 units in April 1980 and was the largest-selling Bally wide-body machine
Space Invaders playfields are now being printed using digital process instead of silkscreen
Early arcade video game acquired by Playland not long after Pong.
Arcade game mentioned as contemporary with Defender (1980), representing simpler control scheme (one stick, one button)
Pinball machine whose playfields are being reproduced using new digital printing process
Bally wide-body game; comparable size to Paragon and other early 1970s wide-body titles
Bally wide-body; despite being highest-selling wide-body, criticized as shittiest; wide, slow, pop bumper-heavy design
April 1980 Bally wide-body pinball; sister game to Silverball Mania; released two months after Mania; George dislikes this title as well
Arcade game; one of the first two games Eric Meunier played as a child
Game hosts plan to restore and acquire for their collection; mentioned multiple times in planned purchases
Pinball machine; Drew acquired free from someone's garage; had cracked/peeling Mylar that he removed; accidentally damaged artwork during restoration
Wide-body Bally game from the same series as Future Spa
Pinball game in high-class Manhattan club lobby from 1980 service call
Golden age arcade game contemporary with Caveman era
Classic arcade game included on the 60-in-1 board
Advertised as available title for Countercade
Classic arcade game available in Numbskull quarter-scale lineup; Jon comments favorably on the cabinet design
One of four confirmed Wave 2 Arcade1Up cabinets
Arcade cabinet recently acquired by RetroRalph, featuring fluorescent backlighting with plastic overlay and cardboard backing
Classic 1978 arcade game, subject of Numskull replica, created entire game genre
Classic arcade game featured multiple times at the expo
Arcade game released in three-quarter scale Brendon Small cabaret cabinet configuration
Vintage pinball machine; District 82 has a beautiful example with excellent condition and lighting; host previously fell in love with version at Silver Ball Museum but reconsidered purchase.
Example used by Gomez to explain early 1970s arcade cabinet design techniques: plastic moon set pieces combined with video via mirrors.
Pinball machine used in Skara Museum Pinball Cup tournament
Classic arcade game in Moonwalker's second storefront
Pinball machine designed by Jim Patla; licensed video game IP adaptation from arcade phenomenon
Vintage pinball referenced as 'very bad' due to dual stack flippers and difficulty; mentioned in comparison to other belly-wide-body machines
Super-wide body pinball machine at Netherworld arcade; referenced for authentic wide-body play mechanics
Bally pinball machine, April 1980; wide-body; 11,400 units sold (largest-selling Bally wide-body); features H.R. Giger-inspired alien artwork; subject of lawsuit with 20th Century Fox over Alien movie similarity
Arcade game referenced as market catalyst in 1979; cost $2,000 (approximately $5,000 in 2024 dollars)
Influential early arcade video game that sparked industry shift toward video games; referenced as catalyst for Williams' pivot away from pinball
Massive success at Midway; over 70,000 copies sold; inspired young Gomez to enter game design industry; produced at Midway in enormous quantity (11,000 units daily)
1980 Bally game; designed by Jim Patla; 11,400 units; sued by 20th Century Fox for unauthorized Alien/Xenomorph imagery; first video game-themed pinball
1978 arcade game from Japan credited as 'thunderclap' that revitalized arcade industry after mid-1970s Pong boom; sold 300,000+ units with knockoffs
Taito pinball with DMD display, ramps, animated characters on playfield, Firepower-era layout; DMD limited to score/fireworks (negative reception)
Referenced as contemporary with Lost World in late 1970s, contributing to decline in pinball machine sales in Australia at that time
Valley pinball game with Paul Ferris artwork
Arcade game produced by Midway at factory where Gomez worked; over 70,000 copies produced
Mentioned as Bally game where Clark had some input on design
Classic arcade game in Bad Axe Retrocade collection
Classic pinball machine with Infinity Lights feature, used RP1/RP2 power supply
Wide-body arcade game; hosts played at Emporium during kickoff party; revisited at District 82; initially on acquisition list but removed after second play experience; hosts uncertain about continued interest.
Classic solid-state pinball game; featured at Brisbane Masters; considered difficult; featured as only game in Death by Pinball event earlier in year