How to play Invaders
Here’s how to play Invaders: slide your cannon along the bottom of the screen and shoot the rows of aliens marching down towards you before they reach the ground. They speed up as you thin them out. It’s free to play online in your browser, on a phone or a computer.
Your best score goes on the Beat Pete leaderboard. Below you’ll find the rules, some strategy tips and answers to common questions.
The basics
Slide your cannon along the bottom and shoot the aliens before they reach the ground. Clear a wave and the next one starts, lower and faster.
Moving and firing
- Phone or tablet: drag on the screen and the cannon follows your finger, firing while you hold. Or tap Show pad for left, fire and right buttons.
- Keyboard: ← → (or A D) to move and Space to fire.
- You can have two shots in the air at once, with a short pause between shots.
Scoring
- The top row of aliens is worth 30, the middle two rows 20 and the bottom two rows 10.
- The red UFO flies across the top now and then for 50, 100, 150 or 300.
Lives and shields
- You have three lives, and earn another at 1,500 points and every 3,000 after that.
- The four shields block shots but crumble as they’re hit, from above and below. Aliens marching over them wear them away too.
- If an alien reaches the ground, the game is over.
Pausing
- Press P or Esc, or tap Pause. The game also pauses by itself if you switch to another tab or app.
The leaderboard
- When a game ends your score is saved to your profile and ranked against everyone else. Guests can play; sign up free to put your score on the board.
Beginner tips
- Shoot the bottom row first only if you must — clearing a whole column lets you keep the aliens’ own shots off you, and the last few aliens move very fast.
- Use the shields, but not too close. They crumble from both sides, so shoot from beside one rather than straight through it.
- Save a shot for the UFO. It flies across the top now and then and is worth between 50 and 300 points.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play Invaders on a phone?
Drag your finger on the screen and the cannon follows it, firing while you hold. You can also turn on the on-screen buttons for left, right and fire.
How do you score in Invaders?
The top row of aliens is worth 30 points, the middle two rows 20 and the bottom two rows 10. The red UFO is worth 50, 100, 150 or 300.
How many lives do you get?
Three, plus an extra one when you reach 1,500 points and every 3,000 after that. If an alien reaches the ground, the game is over straight away.
Is there a leaderboard?
Yes. Your best score is saved to your profile and ranked against everyone else. Guests can play too — sign up free to put your score on the board.
Is it free to play Invaders?
Yes. Invaders is free to play in your browser, with nothing to download.
Ready to play Invaders?
It’s free and works in your browser — no download. Start against Trevor, the friendliest opponent, and sign up free to climb the ladder of ten computer players all the way to Pete.
Play Invaders now