Space Invaders Slot (Inspired Gaming)

The Space Invaders slot has 5 reels, 3 rows and 20 fixed paylines. Winning combinations are formed when 3 or more matching symbols land across adjacent reels on a valid payline starting from the leftmost reel. With the highest-value symbol, 2 or more are needed. Only the highest win per payline will be awarded.

You can play Space Invaders from as little as 20p per spin. With the maximum bet ranging up to £200 a spin, you can change your bet by using the up and/or down arrows next to the Coins icon. Alternatively, press/click the Coins icon to see all available bet options. Inspired Gaming has also added a Left-Hand Play option where the Spin button appears on the left-hand side rather than the default right-hand side.  

The Space Invaders RTP rate is 95% which falls below the 96% average for UK slot games. With no alternative RTP setting, at least you’re guaranteed to play with the highest rate.

High volatility, there is no hit frequency rate information. Lastly, the Space Invaders online slot comes with 1,250 times bet max wins. There is no max win probability information available either.

Chris Taylor

The king of slots

Chris Taylor is an industry veteran originally from Gibraltar. Having worked in the online gambling industry since 2004, Chris loves slots and has reviewed over 10,000 online slot games. Running a slots-focused website for 13 years, Chris is the go-to guy for everything slots-related.

With an outer space theme, the Space Invaders slot is a nostalgic game which has been inspired by the classic shoot ‘em up arcade video game created and released by Taito in 1978. Once of the most influential games of all time, the slot version is true to the original arcade game with 8-bit graphics.

The first thing you’ll notice is the soundtrack which is as clunky as in the arcade game. Using the same bleeps and rhythmic music, it will take you back those dingy arcades (if you’re of a certain age).

On the reels, you’ll come across 4 low-value space invader symbols as well as a UFO, canon, joystick and Space Invaders logo. The Space Invaders logo is the best paying symbol awarding 25 times your total bet for 5 in combination. Below is a list of symbol payouts:

• Red/Pink Space Invader: 3, 4 or 5 = 0.2, 0.5 or 2.5 x bet
• Blue/Green Space Invader: 3, 4 or 5 = 0.4, 2 or 5 x bet
• Canon: 3, 4, or 5 =  0.5, 3 or 10 x bet
• Joystick/UFO: 3, 4 or 5 = 1, 4 or 15 x bet
• Space Invaders Logo: 2, 3, 4 or 5 = 0.1, 2, 5 or 25 x bet

Space Invaders also comes with a Monster Wild symbol which substitutes all symbols except the Taito Gold Coin Scatter (which says ‘Official Taito Licensed Product’ on it).

Space Invaders Mobile

Despite the arcade game being released in 1978, the Space Invaders slot game uses HTML5 technology. Compatible with desktop, tablet and mobile devices, Portrait Mode is used when played on an iOS or Android smartphone device. The 8-bit/retro-style graphics look great on any device truth be told.

Space Invaders benefits from 13 bonus features. With many of them triggered randomly in the base game when the UFO flying above the reels is hit by the cannon, 3 or more Taito Gold Coin Scatters will see you spin a wheel to play 1 of 6 features. They will award bet multiplier prizes, 1 of 3 free spins features with sticky wilds, wild reels and roaming 3x3 mega-sized reels, there is a classic shoot ‘em up game where the biggest wins will come from.

Reel Modifiers

On base game spins, a UFO can randomly fly over the top of the reels. A cannon appears beneath it and attempts to shoot down the UFO. If the UFO is hit, 1 of 5 reel modifier features will be triggered. They include:

• Wild Cannon: As the reels continue to spin, the cannon appears and shoots at the centre 3 reels adding wild symbols to the reels.
• Monster Wild: Any wilds on the reels will transform into Monster Wilds which expand to give you wild reels.
• 5 of a Kind!: This guarantees a 5-of-a-kind winning combination on the reels.
• Mega Reel: As the reels continue to spin, a roaming mega-sized reel appears which can cover the left, middle or right side of the reels. It will be 3x3 in size.
• Bonust Boost: Extra Gold Coin Scatter symbols are added to the reels.

At the end of the lose base game spin, there is a chance that 2 more modifiers can randomly be triggered:

• UFO Only: The UFO will shine a beam onto a symbol and make it grow to super-size.
• Cannon Only: A cannon will appear and slide under the reels. Invader symbols can be shot out from the reels which will then cascade to award a winning combination.

Finally, the Lock N Spin Invasion modifier can trigger at the end of a base game spin. All symbols of the same type lock in place with the other positions respinning. The process continues until no new instances of the locked symbol appear

Bonuses

A bonus feature will be activated when 3 or more Taito Gold Coin Scatter symbols appear anywhere on the reels during a base game spin. A feature wheel appears and then spins to award 1 of 6 bonus features.

You can take or collect the feature awarded or gamble to play a more lucrative feature. If you lose your gamble, you’ll win a mystery prize. Below are the details of each of the bonus features:

• Shoot Out: Press the fire button to shoot at invaders and UFOs. A prize is awarded for the first type to be completely wiped out.
• UFO Climber: Choose a UFO and climb a trail of increasing bet multipliers. If you reach the end, you’ll trigger the Space Invaders feature (more details below).
• Wild Cannon Free Spins: You get free spins with a cannon that can appear to add sticky wilds to the reels.
• Monster Wild Free Spins: Free spins come with Monster Wilds (i.e. wild reels).
• Mega Reel Free Spins: You’ll play free spins with a roaming 3x3 mega-sized reel.
• Space Invaders: Shoot the invaders and UFOs to accumulate wins. If you clear the scree, a completion bonus prize will be won.

Pick a Coin

When a bonus feature ends, the Pick a Coin feature may be offered to reveal 1 of the following 3 outcomes:

• Bonus terminates: the feature ends
• Bonus continues: the feature continues with extra free spins awarded for the free spins features
• Space Invaders: you’ll play the Space Invaders feature

Spin Chance

Finally, there is a Spin Chance feature which is automatically activated when your balance drops below the cost of the current spin (but greater than zero). You can then gamble your remaining balance to have a chance of winning an additional spin at the current bet. If you lose, your balance will be removed.

Packed full of bonus features, the Space Invaders slot is true to the classic arcade game aesthetically. Using similar 8-bit graphics and clunky sounds, it will definitely appeal to players of a certain age. I love the Taito Gold Coin Scatter symbol and the graphics just take me back to simpler times which evokes lots of wonderful memories.

In the base game, look out for the UFO randomly flying above the reels as a cannon shooting it down will award a range of modifiers. I particularly like the Monster Wild modifier which can give you wild reels.

3 or more Gold Coin Scatters will see you spin the feature wheel for 1 of 6 bonus features. With bet multiplier prizes to be won in 2 of them, there are 3 free spins features with sticky wilds, wild reels and a 3x3 mega-sized reel respectively.

If you’re a fan of the classic arcade game, you will love the Space Invaders feature where you play the classic shoot ‘em up game and take down invaders and UFOs. It’s also the feature where the biggest wins are possible.

With 1,250 times bet max wins, the Space Invaders slot could have done with bigger win potential to make it more appealing. Whilst the nostalgia factor will be the main reason why it’s played, Inspired Gaming could have offered 5,000 times bet payouts to make it a trip down memory lane worth visiting.

Want to play space-themed slots? There are plenty to choose from including the iconic Starburst from NetEnt, the sequel Starburst XXXtreme and the unique Reapers which has a unique arcade-like bonus feature. 

If you’re after more nostalgic action, NetEnt’s Street Fighter 2: The World Warrior is highly recommended as it features elements from the classic video game and offers 7,142 times bet max wins.

Alternatively, check out OLBG’s guide to the best TV-inspired slot games which include The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Knight Rider and Breaking Bad.

The Space Invaders slot review was written by Chris Taylor from our OLBG Expert team who who written over 10,000 slot game reviews in an iGaming career spanning over 2 decades. It was then verified/checked by Jenny Mason, our prime slot reviewer who has 17+ years working in online gambling, for top UK brands. 

Jenny Mason

Queen of bingo

Jenny Mason has more than 17 years of experience in the online gambling industry and has worked for some of the UK’s top betting brands. She started at OLBG in 2014 and her role involves creating great content and looking after the marketing activity. Jenny is knowledgeable in all areas of online sports betting and has an interest in slots and bingo.