Episode 681: Space Invaders (Patreon)

Kevin: The inexorable march of Space Invaders has finally reached Retronauts! Even 47 years since its debut it’s hard to fathom the grip this game had in coin-operated entertainment in general and especially Japan. Without Tomohiro Nishikado’s classic, would Japan’s game industry and broader culture look anything like it does today? Honestly, probably not! Space Invaders was a phenomenon beyond anything save for perhaps Pac-Man in the US, and that’s why we’ve dedicated an entire episode just to the original game and its legacy (while yes, touching on a few immediate related works). From game genres to pop music and art, from kicking off an incredible run of Japanese-developed games and giving Nagoya something to celebrate, Space Invaders did it all and more. Fellow veterans of the Invader Wars Matt Alt, Diamond Feit and Brian Clark all joined me here, ensuring that this episode has an expansive view of those little marching weirdos. Get your Rush mix tape ready and prepare to count your shots!

Edits by Greg Leahy. Art by John Pading.

07:27 - Space Invaders Invincible Collection: Title BGM

16:10 - Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: "Invader Invader"

30:47 - Yellow Magic Orchestra: "Computer Game (Theme from The Invader)"

43:35 - Funny Stuff: "Disco Space Invaders"

58:38 - Raymond Scott: "Powerhouse"

1:10:14 - Player [1]: "Space Invaders"

1:20:58 - Pink Lady: "UFO"

1:25:53 - Space Invaders Invincible Collection: Menu BGM

1:34:00 - Uncle Vic: "Space Invaders"

1:43:00 - Scientist Meets the Space Invaders (1981 Album): Cloning Process

1:55:03 - Space Invaders Extreme: invAde yOu

Closing - Rush: "Tom Sawyer"