Space Invaders shoots down modern games

Space Invaders is the best game of all time for eight out of 10 people

The latest state-of-the-art console and PC games are no match for the simplistic old-time favourite Space Invaders, according to a new survey.

A poll of 2,000 computer buffs conducted by internet bank Smile on 20 July showed that early, uncomplicated console games like Space Invaders and Pac-Man leave the latest high-graphic best sellers such as Grand Theft Auto and Tomb Raider trailing.

Space Invaders remains the best game of all time for eight out of 10 people, while ghost-eating Pac-Man was the favourite of one in 10.

Friendly furry animal Sonic the Hedgehog was voted the favourite by four per cent of computer gaming enthusiasts, and Outrun was top gear for a further two per cent.

Other favourites included Donkey Kong (two per cent) and Super Mario Brothers (one per cent).

David Newman, director of marketing at Smile, said: "I can remember the first time around when the arrival of rows and rows of blocky animated invaders from space captured the public's imagination along with my own.

"Retro gaming is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance with classic titles like Pac-Man and Asteroids appearing on mobile phones."

Space Invaders was released in 1978 and is ranked as one of the most influential video games ever created.

Although simplistic by today's standards Space Invaders, along with other contemporary games such as Pong and Manic Miner, was one of the forerunners of modern video gaming.