Space Invaders – The Board Game moves a gaming classic from the screen to your table

40 years ago, space aliens very slowly invaded. Fortunately, Earth was protected by a (rubbish) cannon. Now, the aliens are back, in Space Invaders – The Board Game ($30). Blocky marauders from outer-space are again threatening to land and do… something. You must fend them off. But, entertainingly, one of gaming’s earliest, simplest classics (move left/right; shoot) has been transformed into a strategic card game. Two to four players move their cannons, gather intel and research tech, all the while amassing a high score, and – of course – occasionally blowing up alien scum. And if things start going really badly, there’s always the ‘sneak smart bomb attack’ table-flip move. (Possibly not part of the official rules. Stuff takes no responsibility if you use it and no-one will then play Space Invaders – The Board Game with you.)

Craig Grannell Contributor

About

I’m a regular contributor to Stuff magazine and Stuff.tv, covering apps, games, Apple kit, Android, Lego, retro gaming and other interesting oddities. I also pen opinion pieces when the editor lets me, getting all serious about accessibility and predicting when sentient AI smart cookware will take over the world, in a terrifying mix of Bake Off and Terminator.

Areas of expertise

Mobile apps and games, Macs, iOS and tvOS devices, Android, retro games, crowdfunding, design, how to fight off an enraged smart saucepan with a massive stick.