In the early 1980s, video games were just starting to gain popularity. Arcade machines had begun popping up in shopping malls and amusement parks, and kids everywhere were starting to discover the joys of gaming. But one game, in particular, would take the world by storm and create a coin shortage in its home country of Japan. That game was “Space Invaders.”
Developed by the Taito Corporation, “Space Invaders” was released in 1978 and quickly became a sensation. Players had to defend Earth from an invasion of aliens, using a laser cannon to shoot down the enemy spaceships. The game was simple, addictive, and incredibly fun to play.
As “Space Invaders” started to gain popularity, something unusual began to happen in Japan. People were lining up to play the game, and they were spending so much time and money on it that a coin shortage occurred. That’s right – the popularity of “Space Invaders” was so immense that it literally created a shortage of coins!
The game’s popularity was so great that the Japanese government had to increase its production of 100 yen coins to keep up with demand. Some arcade operators even went so far as to melt down coins to create new ones, so they could keep the game running. It was a bizarre situation, but it showed just how influential “Space Invaders” had become.
The success of “Space Invaders” helped to establish video games as a mainstream form of entertainment. It showed that gaming wasn’t just a passing fad, but a legitimate industry that could generate huge revenues. It also paved the way for future gaming classics like “Pac-Man,” “Donkey Kong,” and “Super Mario Bros.”
Today, “Space Invaders” is regarded as a classic of the video game industry. Its simple but addictive gameplay has stood the test of time, and it continues to be enjoyed by players of all ages. But it’s also remembered for the incredible impact it had on the world – a game so popular that it created a coin shortage in its home country. It’s an incredible story that shows just how powerful video games can be.