10 Most Profitable Arcade Games That Made BILLIONS
2. Space Invaders - Midway/Bally (1978)
Revenue (As Of 2016): $13 billion
Space Invaders wasn't the first space-based video game, nor was it the first to challenge players with aliens. Space Invaders was none of those things, but it was the first fixed-shooter that would go on to inspire and influence every shoot 'em up video game that would follow.
Gameplay involved a player's horizontally-moved gun, which was covered by several destructive shields. As the level progressed, a series of different types of aliens would move from side to side, dropping a single level with each pass. The goal was to clear the board of enemies, stay alive, and try to get bonus points by taking out a flying saucer.
The game was an instant commercial success, and it broke records nobody ever considered previously. The game was the most profitable video game ever made right up to the point it was surpassed by the top game on this list.
By 1982, Space Invaders sold 360,000 cabinets, which are estimated to have grossed more than $3.2 billion. That staggering amount comes to around $10.1 billion in 2019 dollars. All told, the franchise's revenue across all of its titles was estimated to be around $13 billion in 2016.