Editing Space Invaders (section)

== In popular culture ==
{{popcruft|date=May 2025}}

Many publications and websites use the [[Pixelation|pixelated]] alien [[Video game graphics|graphic]] as an [[Mascot|icon]] for video games in general, including the video game magazine ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'', technology website [[Ars Technica]], and concert event [[Video Games Live]].<ref name="1UP-10things" /> There has also been ''Space Invaders-''themed [[merchandising]], including necklaces and puzzles.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Paige |first=Earl |title=Children's Video Promotions Help Boost Volume |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=September 25, 1982 |volume=94 |issue=38 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mSQEAAAAMBAJ&q=Space+Invaders&pg=PT19 |access-date=March 4, 2012 |page=19 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref> The trend continues to this day, with handmade sites like [[Etsy]] and [[Pinterest]] showcasing thousands of handmade items featuring ''Space Invaders'' characters.

[[File:Vgltoronto.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A photograph of an orchestra on a dimly lit stage. Above the group is a projection screen with a black, white, and green image of pixel art. The pixel art is an oval object wearing headphones with eyes and four tentacles. Below the pixel art is the phrase "Video Games Live".|A [[Pixelation|pixelated]] alien graphic from ''Space Invaders'' used at the [[Video Games Live]] concert event]]

''Space Invaders'' has appeared in numerous facets of [[popular culture]]. Soon after its release, hundreds of favorable articles and stories about the emerging video game medium as popularized by ''Space Invaders'' aired on television and were printed in newspapers and magazines. The Space Invaders Tournament, held by Atari in 1980 and won by [[Rebecca Heineman]],<ref>{{cite web |title=It is 1980 and the National Space Invader's Tournament Finals is Approaching… |url=http://www.retroist.com/2013/05/20/it-is-1980-and-the-national-space-invaders-tournament-finals-is-approaching |website=Retroist.com |date=May 20, 2013 |access-date=July 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808154915/http://www.retroist.com/2013/05/20/it-is-1980-and-the-national-space-invaders-tournament-finals-is-approaching/ |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> was the first [[electronic sports]] (eSports) event, and attracted more than 10,000 participants, establishing [[Video game culture|video gaming]] as a mainstream hobby.<ref name="eg_2_36" /> The [[Electronic Games|Arcade Awards]] ceremony was created that same year to honor the best video games, with ''Space Invaders'' winning the first [[List of Game of the Year awards|Game of the Year]] (GoTY) award.<ref name="award">{{cite magazine |title=The Arcade Awards |magazine=Electronic Games |date=Winter 1981 |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=38–9 |url=http://www.digitpress.com/library/magazines/electronic_games/electronic_games_winter81.pdf |access-date=February 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319212242/http://www.digitpress.com/library/magazines/electronic_games/electronic_games_winter81.pdf |archive-date=March 19, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The impact of ''Space Invaders'' on the [[video game industry]] has been compared to that of [[The Beatles]] in the pop music industry.<ref>{{cite news |last=Horwitz |first=Jeremy |title=Technology: Mortal Apathy? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/08/technology/08MIDW.html |access-date=March 4, 2012 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=July 8, 2002 |archive-date=October 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003002950/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/08/business/technology-mortal-apathy.html?pagewanted=2 |url-status=live }}</ref> Considered "the first '[[Blockbuster (entertainment)|blockbuster]]' video game", ''Space Invaders'' became synonymous with video games worldwide for some time.<ref>{{citation |author=Chris Kohler |year=2005 |title=Power-Up: How Japanese Video Games Gave the World an Extra Life |page=18 |publisher=[[BradyGames]] |isbn=0-7440-0424-1}}</ref>

Within a year of its release, the Japanese [[Parent-Teacher Association|PTA]] unsuccessfully attempted to ban ''Space Invaders'' for allegedly inspiring [[truancy]].<ref name="eg_1_31" /> In North America, doctors identified a condition called "''Space Invaders'' elbow" as a complaint,<ref>{{cite book |last=Forester |first=Tom |title=High-tech society: the story of the information technology revolution |year=1988 |publisher=[[MIT Press]] |location=Cambridge, Mass. |isbn=0-262-56044-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gqgb946KPfQC&pg=PA155 |edition=1st MIT Press paperback |page=155}}</ref> while a physician in ''[[The New England Journal of Medicine]]'' named a similar ailment the "''Space Invaders'' Wrist".<ref>{{cite news |title=The Video Game Invasion: What Is It Doing To Children? |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Q4MsAAAAIBAJ&pg=4620,4423386 |access-date=March 5, 2012 |newspaper=[[The Herald Journal]] |date=December 18, 1981 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414071941/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Q4MsAAAAIBAJ&pg=4620,4423386 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Space Invaders'' was also the first game to attract [[Video game controversy|political controversy]] when a 1981 [[Private Member's Bill]] known as the "Control of Space Invaders (and other Electronic Games) Bill", drafted by [[British Labour]] [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) [[George Foulkes, Baron Foulkes of Cumnock|George Foulkes]], attempted to allow [[City council|local councils]] to restrict the game and those like it by [[licensing]] for its "[[Video game addiction|addictive properties]]" and for causing "[[deviancy]]". [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] MP [[Michael Brown (British politician)|Michael Brown]] defended it as "innocent and harmless pleasure", which he himself had enjoyed that day, and criticized the bill as an example of "[[Socialist]] beliefs in restriction and control". A motion to bring the bill before [[Parliament]] was defeated by 114 votes to 94 votes; the bill itself was never considered by Parliament.<ref>{{cite web |title=30 Great Gaming World Records |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/207943/features/30-great-gaming-world-records/ |work=[[Computer and Video Games]] |publisher=[[ComputerAndVideoGames.com]] |access-date=January 26, 2012 |date=February 14, 2009 |archive-date=February 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219055853/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/207943/features/30-great-gaming-world-records/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Electronic and Computer Games: The History of an Interactive Medium |journal=[[Screen (journal)|Screen]] |year=1988 |volume=29 |issue=2 |pages=52–73 |doi=10.1093/screen/29.2.52 |quote=In the UK, the Labour MP George Foulkes led a campaign in 1981 to curb the 'menace' of video games, maintaining that they had addictive properties. His 'Control of Space Invaders (and other Electronic Games) Bill' was put to the Commons and only narrowly defeated.|last1=Haddon |first1=L. }}</ref><ref>{{cite hansard |house=House of Commons |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1981/may/20/control-of-space-invaders-and-other#S6CV0005P0_19810520_HOC_167 |title=Control of Space Invaders and Other Electronic Games |date=May 20, 1981 |column_start=287 |column_end=291 }} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150131013911/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1981/may/20/control-of-space-invaders-and-other#S6CV0005P0_19810520_HOC_167 |date=January 31, 2015 }}</ref> Similarly in the United States, in [[Westchester County, New York]], there was a controversial political debate in 1981 over a resolution to place age restrictions on ''Space Invaders'' and other arcade games, following complaints that schoolchildren wasted time and lunch money, and went to school late; the resolution drew national attention.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Whitehouse |first1=Franklin |title=Village Zeros in on Space Invaders |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/15/nyregion/village-zeros-in-on-space-invaders.html |access-date=September 24, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=June 15, 1981 |archive-date=September 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924001750/https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/15/nyregion/village-zeros-in-on-space-invaders.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Music ===

Musicians have drawn inspiration for their music from ''Space Invaders''. The pioneering [[J-pop|Japanese]] [[synthpop]] group [[Yellow Magic Orchestra]] reproduced ''Space Invaders'' sounds in its 1978 [[Yellow Magic Orchestra (album)|self-titled album]] and hit single "Computer Game",<ref name="wire_2002">{{citation |title=The Wire, Issues 221–226 |work=[[The Wire (magazine)|The Wire]] |year=2002 |page=44 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qyFMAAAAYAAJ |access-date=May 25, 2011}}</ref> the latter selling over 400,000 copies in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |title=Computer rock music gaining fans |work=[[Sarasota Journal]] |date=August 18, 1980 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7s4mAAAAIBAJ&pg=4481,2128223 |access-date=May 25, 2011 |page=8 |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409150919/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7s4mAAAAIBAJ&pg=4481,2128223 |url-status=live }}</ref> Other pop songs based on ''Space Invaders'' soon followed, including [[disco]] records such as "Disco Space Invaders" (1979) by Funny Stuff,<ref name="wire_2002" /> and the hit songs "[[Pretenders (album)|Space Invader]]" (1980) by [[The Pretenders]],<ref name="wire_2002" /> "Space Invaders" (1980) by Uncle Vic,<ref>{{cite web |last=Lovelace |first=Craven |title=Take a waka-waka-waka on the wild side |url=http://www.gjfreepress.com/article/20100827/COMMUNITY_NEWS/100829973 |work=Grand Junction Free Press |access-date=July 15, 2011 |date=August 27, 2010 |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927233952/http://www.gjfreepress.com/article/20100827/COMMUNITY_NEWS/100829973 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the Australian hit "[[Space Invaders (Player One song)|Space Invaders]]" (1979) by [[Player One (band)|Player One]] (known in the US as "Playback"),<ref>{{Discogs release|807452|Playback – Space Invaders}}</ref> which in turn provided the [[bassline]] for [[Jesse Saunders]]' "On and On" (1984),<ref>{{cite web |title=Jesse Saunders – On And On |date=January 20, 1984 |url=http://www.discogs.com/Jesse-Saunders-On-And-On/release/176575 |publisher=[[Discogs]] |access-date=May 23, 2012 |archive-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805023428/https://www.discogs.com/Jesse-Saunders-On-And-On/release/176575 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.beatportal.com/feed/item/black-history-jesse-saunders-and-house-music/ |title=Black History Month: Jesse Saunders and house music |last=Church |first=Terry |publisher=BeatPortal |date=February 9, 2010 |access-date=April 10, 2010 |archive-date=February 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212230432/https://www.beatportal.com/feed/item/black-history-jesse-saunders-and-house-music/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> the first [[Chicago house|Chicago]] [[house music]] track.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bracelin |first=Jason |title=House music finds a home |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LVRB&p_theme=lvrb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=11950293F0B8B3B8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |access-date=May 23, 2012 |newspaper=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]] |date=May 22, 2007 |page=1E |quote=A native of Chicago, where house was first popularized, Saunders is credited for producing and releasing the first house single, "On and On," on his own Jes Say Records label. |archive-date=April 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429154231/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LVRB&p_theme=lvrb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=11950293F0B8B3B8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-status=live }}</ref> [[The Clash]] sampled ''Space Invaders'' sound effects on the song "Ivan Meets G.I. Joe" from its 4th studio album, ''[[Sandinista!]]''

[[Video Games Live]] performed audio from ''Space Invaders'' as part of a special [[Retrogaming|retro]] "Classic Arcade Medley" in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://games.ign.com/articles/816/816582p1.html |title=Microsoft Brings Video Games Live to London |website=[[GameSpot]] |author=Microsoft |date=August 28, 2007 |access-date=September 7, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301003229/http://games.ign.com/articles/816/816582p1.html |archive-date=March 1, 2012|author-link=Microsoft }}</ref> In honor of the game's 30th anniversary, [[Taito]] produced an album, ''Space Invaders 2008''. It was released by [[Avex Trax]] and features music inspired by the game. Six songs were originally used in the [[PlayStation Portable|PSP]] version of ''[[Space Invaders Extreme]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://spaceinvaders.jp/news/detail/1188686_1819.html| script-title = ja:30周年記念 スペシャルコンピレーションアルバム発売！ |publisher=Taito |year=2008 |language=ja |access-date=April 6, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127063447/http://spaceinvaders.jp/news/detail/1188686_1819.html |archive-date=January 27, 2012}}</ref> Taito's store, Taito Station, also unveiled a ''Space Invaders''-themed [[music video]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://spaceinvaders.jp/blog/blog_detail/1186880_2321.html |language=ja |title=ź 舗限定で配信中のアニメーションPVを大公開しちゃいます！ |author=弓削 |date=October 21, 2008 |access-date=April 6, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403071159/http://spaceinvaders.jp/blog/blog_detail/1186880_2321.html |archive-date=April 3, 2009}}</ref>

=== Television and film ===

In the 1982 pilot of the series ''[[The Powers of Matthew Star]]'', David Star uses his powers to [[Cheating in video games|cheat the game]]. ''Space Invaders'' is shown with a colored backdrop of the moon. Multiple [[television series]] have aired episodes that either reference or parody ''Space Invaders''; for example, ''[[Danger Mouse (1981 TV series)|Danger Mouse]]'',<ref>{{cite episode |title=Custard |episode-link=List of Danger Mouse episodes#Series 2 (Spring 1982) |series=Danger Mouse |series-link=Danger Mouse (1981 TV series) |network=ITV |air-date=January 4, 1982 |season=2 |number=12}}</ref> ''[[That '70s Show]]'',<ref>{{cite episode |title=Donna's Story |episode-link=List of That '70s Show episodes#Season 4: 2001–2002 |series=That '70s Show |series-link=That '70s Show |network=Fox Broadcasting Company |air-date=November 20, 2001 |number=84}}</ref> ''[[Scrubs (TV series)|Scrubs]]'',<ref>{{cite episode |title=[[My Bad Too]] |series=Scrubs |series-link=Scrubs (TV series) |network=NBC |air-date=April 10, 2008 |season=7 |number=7}}</ref> ''[[Chuck (TV series)|Chuck]]'',<ref>{{cite episode |title=Spy to you |episode-link=List of Chuck episodes#Season 3: 2009 |series=Chuck |series-link=Chuck (TV series) |network=NBC |air-date=March 3, 2009 |season=3 |number=11}}</ref> ''[[Robot Chicken]]'',<ref>{{cite episode |title=Suck It |episode-link=List of Robot Chicken episodes#Season 2: 2006 |series=Robot Chicken |series-link=Robot Chicken |network=Cartoon Network (US) |air-date=April 2, 2006 |season=2 |number=1}}</ref> ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 TV series)|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]''<ref>{{cite episode |title=Graduation Day: Class of 2105 |episode-link=Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 TV series, season 6) |series=Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003) |series-link=Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 TV series) |network=4Kids Entertainment (US) |air-date=March 24, 2007 |season=6 |number=15}}</ref> and ''[[The Amazing World of Gumball]]''.<ref>{{cite episode |title=The Phone |episode-link=The Amazing World of Gumball (season 2) |series=The Amazing World of Gumball |series-link=The Amazing World of Gumball |network=Cartoon Network (US) |air-date=September 18, 2012 |season=2 |number=7}}</ref> Elements are prominently featured in the "Raiders of the Lost Arcade" segment of "[[Anthology of Interest&nbsp;II]]", an episode of ''[[Futurama]]''.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Anthology of Interest II |episode-link=Anthology of Interest II |series=Futurama |series-link=Futurama |network=Fox Broadcasting Company |air-date=January 6, 2002 |season=3 |number=18}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://blog.wired.com/games/2007/12/video-games-fut.html |title=Videogames & Futurama, Part 1: Raiders of the Lost Arcade |author=Baker, Chris |magazine=[[Wired News]] |date=December 17, 2007 |access-date=May 12, 2008 |archive-date=August 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804234344/http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2007/12/video-games-fut/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Space Invaders'' also appears in the films ''[[Cherry 2000]]'' (1987), ''[[Terminator 2: Judgment Day]]'' (1991) and ''[[Pixels (2015 film)|Pixels]]'' (2015), while its ''Deluxe'' game made an appearance in ''[[Fast Times At Ridgemont High]]'' (1982). It also appears in [[Walt Disney Animation Studios|Disney]]'s ''[[Wreck-It Ralph]]'' (2012). A film adaptation is in the works by [[Warner Bros. Pictures]] with [[Akiva Goldsman]] producing.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/akiva-goldsman-to-produce-space-invaders-for-warner-bros-exclusive/ |author=Jeff Sneider |title=Akiva Goldsman to Produce 'Space Invaders' for Warner Bros. (Exclusive) |work=The Wrap |date=July 18, 2014 |access-date=July 18, 2014 |archive-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720045226/http://www.thewrap.com/akiva-goldsman-to-produce-space-invaders-for-warner-bros-exclusive/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.philstar.com/movies/2014/07/23/1349432/classic-video-game-characters-unite-film-pixels |author=Chris Kohler |title=Classic video game characters unite via film 'Pixels' |work=Philstar |date=July 23, 2014 |access-date=July 23, 2014 |archive-date=July 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723010101/http://www.philstar.com/movies/2014/07/23/1349432/classic-video-game-characters-unite-film-pixels |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 13, 2015, Daniel Kunka was set to write the script for the film.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike Jr. |title='Space Invaders' Lands Dan Kunka To Script |url=https://deadline.com/2015/02/space-invaders-dan-kunka-warner-bros-1201364892/ |access-date=February 14, 2015 |publisher=Deadline |date=February 13, 2015 |archive-date=February 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214003954/http://deadline.com/2015/02/space-invaders-dan-kunka-warner-bros-1201364892/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On July 12, 2019, [[Greg Russo]] was set to write the script for the film, with Goldsman still producing alongside [[Safehouse Pictures]] partners [[Joby Harold]] and [[Tory Tunnell]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fleming|first1=Mike Jr.|title='Space Invaders' On New Line Launchpad; 'Mortal Kombat's Greg Russo To Script Alien-Invasion Pic|url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/space-invaders-movie-new-line-taito-arcade-game-new-line-greg-russo-mortal-kombat-1202645635/|access-date=July 12, 2019|publisher=Deadline|date=July 12, 2019|archive-date=July 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712193449/https://deadline.com/2019/07/space-invaders-movie-new-line-taito-arcade-game-new-line-greg-russo-mortal-kombat-1202645635/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Books ===

Various books have been published about ''Space Invaders'', including ''[[Invasion of the Space Invaders|Invasion of the Space Invaders: An Addict's Guide to Battle Tactics, Big Scores and the Best Machines]]'' (1982) by [[Martin Amis]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shippey |first1=Tom |author1-link=Tom Shippey |title=Vidkids |url=https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v04/n24/tom-shippey/vidkids |access-date=January 26, 2024 |work=London Review of Books |date=December 30, 1982 |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126021625/https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v04/n24/tom-shippey/vidkids |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Tomb Raiders and Space Invaders: Videogame forms and Contexts'' (2006) by Geoff King and Tanya Krzywinska,<ref>{{ISBN|978-1845111083}}</ref> and ''Space Invaders'' (1980) by [[Mark Roeder]] and Julian Wolanski.<ref>''Space Invaders'' by Mark Roeder (Mendick) and Julian Wolanski. 1980 National Library of Australia. {{ISBN|0855668229}}</ref>

=== Miscellaneous ===
[[File:Puma space invaders.jpg|thumb|upright|A spaceship aiming at the [[Puma (brand)|Puma]] logo, with clear references to ''Space Invaders'']]

In the mid-1990s, the athletics company [[Puma (brand)|Puma]] released a T-shirt with a stamp having references to ''Space Invaders'', i.e. a spaceship aiming at the company's logo (see picture on the right).

In 2006, ''Space Invaders'' was one of several video game-related media selected to represent Japan as part of a project compiled by [[Culture of Japan|Japan's]] [[Agency for Cultural Affairs]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/arcade/action/alieninvasionpart2/news.html?sid=6159315 |title=Japan honors NES, PS2, Mario |author=Wyman, Walt |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=October 4, 2006 |access-date=May 9, 2008 |archive-date=March 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317105153/http://www.gamespot.com/arcade/action/alieninvasionpart2/news.html?sid=6159315 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://plaza.bunka.go.jp/hundred/hundred.html |script-title=ja:日本のメディア芸術100選 |language=ja |publisher=Japan Media Arts Plaza |access-date=May 5, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415195329/http://plaza.bunka.go.jp/hundred/hundred.html |archive-date=April 15, 2009 }}</ref> That same year, ''Space Invaders'' was included in the London [[Science Museum (London)|Science Museum]]'s [[Game On exhibition]], meant to showcase the various aspects of [[video game history]], [[Video game development|development]], and [[Video game culture|culture]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/arcade/action/alieninvasionpart2/news.html?sid=6159465 |title=London museum showcases games |author=Boyes, Emma |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=October 9, 2006 |access-date=May 9, 2008 |archive-date=March 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317105149/http://www.gamespot.com/arcade/action/alieninvasionpart2/news.html?sid=6159465 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Space Invaders'' is a part of the [[Barbican Centre]]'s traveling [[Game On exhibition]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.barbican.org.uk/bie/exhibitions/game-on |title=Barbicon: Game on |publisher=[[Barbican Centre|Barbicon International Enterprises]] |access-date=June 3, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909203416/http://www.barbican.org.uk/bie/exhibitions/game-on |archive-date=September 9, 2010 }}</ref>

At the Belluard Bollwerk International 2006 festival in [[Fribourg]], Switzerland, Guillaume Reymond created a three-minute video recreation of a game of ''Space Invaders'' as part of the "Gameover" project using humans as pixels.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.notsonoisy.com/spaceinvaders/ |title=Space Invaders—Guillaume Reymond—video performance |publisher=NOTsoNOISY |year=2006 |access-date=May 22, 2008 |archive-date=February 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201034900/http://www.notsonoisy.com/spaceinvaders/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The GH ART exhibit at the 2008 [[Games Convention]] in [[Leipzig]], Germany, included an [[art game]], ''Invaders!'', based on ''Space Invaders''{{'}}s gameplay. The creator later asked for it to be removed from the exhibit following criticism of elements based on the [[September 11 attacks]] in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=19972 |title=Creator of Space Invaders-Based 9/11 Art Piece Pulls Exhibit |website=[[Gamasutra]] |author=Remo, Chris |date=August 25, 2008 |access-date=August 25, 2008 |archive-date=February 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214073938/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=19972 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A bridge in [[Cáceres, Spain]], projected by engineers Pedro Plasencia and Hadrián Arias, features a pavement design based on ''Space Invaders.'' The laser cannon, some shots, and several figures can be seen on the deck.<ref>{{cite book | last1=Lozano | first1=Pedro Plasencia | last2=Durán | first2=Hadrián Arias |year=2013 |chapter=La Ribera del Marco en Cáceres, un problema aún no resuelto de ordenación territorial |page=186 |title=Agua, Cultura y Sociedad, [Vigo 20-21 de mayo de 2013]|series=II Congreso Internacional de Ingeniería Civil y Territorio de Galicia-Norte de Portugal |language=es}} The ISBN printed in the document (978-84-380-0464-4) is invalid, causing a checksum error.</ref> A French [[street artist]], [[Invader (artist)|Invader]], made a name for himself by creating [[Mosaic|mosaic artwork]] of ''Space Invader'' aliens around the world.<ref name="1UP-10things" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://swindlemagazine.com/issue03/space-invader-2/ |title=Space Invader |author=Fairey, Shepard |work=[[Swindle Magazine]] |access-date=May 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316032403/http://swindlemagazine.com/issue03/space-invader-2/ <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=March 16, 2008}}</ref>

In 2014, two Brazilian [[zoologists]] (Kury & Barros) described a new species of [[arachnid]] as ''Taito spaceinvaders.'' They were inspired by the resemblance of a fleck in the dorsal [[Scute|scutum]] of the animal to a typical alien in ''Space Invaders''. The genus ''[[Taito (genus)|Taito]]'' is named for the company that produces ''Space Invaders''.<ref>{{cite journal |title=A new genus and eight new species of Amazonian cosmetines (Opiliones, Laniatores, Cosmetidae) |first1=Adriano B. |last1=Kury |first2=Carla ML |last2=Barros |date=May 28, 2014 |journal=Zoological Studies |volume=53 |page=25 |doi=10.1186/s40555-014-0024-4|doi-access=free |url=https://zoologicalstudies.springeropen.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s40555-014-0024-4 }}</ref>

In 2018, [[Highways England]] launched a [[Political campaign|campaign]] titled "Don't be a Space Invader, Stay Safe, Stay Back" to raise awareness on the dangers of [[tailgating]]. People were also able to order free car [[bumper sticker]]s to raise awareness of the campaign.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://highwaysengland.co.uk/staysafestayback/ |title=Stay Safe, Stay Back |work=Highways England Improvements and major road projects |date=August 6, 2020 |publisher=Highways England |access-date=November 6, 2018 |archive-date=November 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107104049/https://highwaysengland.co.uk/staysafestayback/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Although it is not explicitly defined as such, the "Alien Monster" [[emoji]] (Unicode character U+1F47E) is commonly represented as a pixelated sprite inspired by the aliens from Space Invaders, and it is frequently used in reference to video games and gaming culture. The association is so strong that some platforms, such as GitHub and Discord, use the short code <code>:space_invader:</code> to allow users to easily enter the character.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://emojipedia.org/alien-monster|title=Alien Monster|work=Emojipedia|date=January 5, 2025|access-date=January 5, 2025|archive-date=January 5, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250105165013/https://emojipedia.org/alien-monster|url-status=live}}</ref>