Overview
Space Invaders is a hidden Easter egg mini game in Idle Adventure that pays tribute to the classic arcade shooter. Defend against waves of descending alien invaders, destroy the mysterious UFO, and rack up high scores. This retro mini game features authentic arcade mechanics with a special pet unlock reward for skilled players!
Easter Egg: Space Invaders is hidden! To unlock it, find the Atari console decoration in the game and click it 5 times. The mini game will then become available from the mini games panel.
How to Play
Controls
Classic arcade controls for movement and shooting:
- Left/Right Arrow Keys: Move your ship horizontally
- Spacebar: Fire projectiles at the invaders
You can only have one projectile on screen at a time, so aim carefully!
Objective
Destroy all invaders before they reach the bottom of the screen. Each level gets progressively harder as enemies move faster. Survive as long as possible and beat your high score!
Level Progression
Each level spawns exactly 30 invaders arranged in rows. When you destroy all invaders, you advance to the next level with a fresh wave of enemies.
Difficulty Scaling
The game becomes progressively harder as you destroy more enemies within a level:
- 27-30 enemies alive: Base speed (slowest)
- 21-26 enemies alive: 25% speed increase
- 11-20 enemies alive: 40% speed increase
- 6-10 enemies alive: 45% speed increase
- 2-5 enemies alive: 75% speed increase
- 1 enemy alive: 100% speed increase (maximum difficulty!)
The Last Enemy: The final invader moves at double speed, making it the most dangerous! Don't let it reach the bottom.
Pet Unlocks
Space Invaders offers three companion pets as permanent rewards based on your performance:
| Pet Name |
Unlock Requirement |
Description |
| Crap |
Reach highscore of 1500 |
First milestone pet - achieve a score of 1500 or higher |
| Invader |
Reach highscore of 4000 |
Advanced milestone pet - achieve a score of 4000 or higher |
| Cool Invader |
Destroy 10 UFOs in one game |
UFO hunting specialist - destroy 10 UFOs total during a single game session |
UFO Kills Carry Over: The UFO counter doesn't reset if a UFO escapes off-screen. You just need to destroy 10 UFOs total before the game ends - they don't need to be consecutive!
Learn more about all pets in the Pet Database.
UFO System
The UFO (mystery ship) is a special enemy that occasionally flies across the top of the screen. UFOs are worth bonus points and are key to unlocking the Cool Invader pet.
UFO Mechanics
- Spawn Rate: Up to 3 UFOs can spawn per level with random timing
- Movement: UFOs fly horizontally across the screen and escape if not shot
- Points: UFOs have variable point values
- Escape Penalty: None! Missing a UFO doesn't reset your kill counter
Protection Blocks
Four protective barriers are positioned at the bottom of the screen between you and the invaders. These blocks provide cover but can be destroyed:
- Defense: Blocks absorb both enemy projectiles and your own shots
- Destructible: Each hit removes a piece of the block
- Strategic Positioning: Use blocks as cover
- No Regeneration: Once destroyed, blocks don't come back
Lives & Game Over
You have 1 life. The game ends when:
- An enemy projectile hits your ship
- An invader reaches the bottom of the screen
When the game ends, your final score is recorded if it beats your previous high score.
Highscore System
Your best score is permanently saved and displayed each time you play. Can you beat your record and climb to new heights?
How to Unlock
Space Invaders is a hidden Easter egg. To unlock access:
- Find the Atari console decoration somewhere in the game world
- Click on the Atari console 5 times
- The mini game will unlock and become available from the mini games panel in Idle Adventure
Permanent Unlock: Once unlocked, Space Invaders remains available forever on your account!
FAQ
Why play Space Invaders?
Why did people in the 80's play the game? At least here you can get pets for doing it! But if you don't like it, try the
other mini games.
What are the point values for each enemy type?
Top row invaders are worth 30 points, middle row invaders are worth 20 points, and bottom row invaders are worth 10 points. UFOs provide variable bonus points.
How do I unlock the Cool Invader pet?
Destroy 10 UFOs total in a single game to unlock the Cool Invader companion pet. Missing UFOs doesn't reset your counter - you just need to destroy 10 before the game ends. UFOs spawn up to 3 times per level, so you'll need to hunt them across multiple levels.
How many UFOs spawn per level?
Up to 3 UFOs can spawn per level. The spawn chance starts at 45% and decreases with each UFO that appears. Hunting UFOs in early levels is recommended since enemy shooting frequency increases by 5% each level.
What happens when I lose my life?
The game ends immediately when you lose your one life (either from being hit by an enemy projectile or when an invader reaches the bottom). Your final score is recorded if it beats your previous high score.
How do protection blocks work?
Protection blocks shield you from enemy fire but deteriorate with each hit. They can be destroyed by both enemy and player projectiles.
Why should I clear outer columns first?
Targeting invaders on the far left and right columns first forces the remaining aliens to travel further horizontally before they can drop down a row. This gives you more time to shoot them and complete the level.
How do I find the Atari console to unlock this game?
The Atari console is a hidden decoration somewhere in the game world. Explore different areas and look for a small retro console object. Once found, click it 5 times to permanently unlock Space Invaders in your mini games panel.
Does the game get harder as I progress through levels?
Yes! Enemy movement speed increases slightly each level, and enemy shooting frequency increases by 5% per level (starting at 30% in level 1, 35% in level 2, etc.). Invaders also speed up dramatically as you destroy more of them within a level.