Auckland Libraries Research

In the 1970s and 80s, Space Invaders were to some the scourge of Western civilisation. Not only was there a fear of technology but spacie parlours (likened to massage and tattoo parlours for seediness), were held responsible for theft, kids skipping school, and violence. It was the game itself most likely to be the one that suffered, though, when a vandalised screen might also mean a broken tube inside. Japanese company, Taito, created the initial Space Invader game, and battling enemy fighters, spaceships and bombs was revolutionary. As their popularity grew, so did the money that could be made off them. Local councils passed by laws for their operation. Mt Albert Borough, for example, said that any more than four amusement machines required a licence. They could be a good sideline to a dairy or fish and chip shop, who only needed a supply of 20c coins to reap a percentage of the income, in partnership with the operator who was responsible for everything else. Besides the local dairy, there were the arcades themselves. In the 1980s Auckland CBD, there was Space World in the Regent Theatre complex, Wizards on Commerce Street (handy to the bus terminal if you had time to spare,) and SpaceInvaderland in Wellesley Street; just up from the Civic, humming with young people and at the end of the day, even businessmen.
Photographer: Unknown.
Playing spacies, Ōtāhuhu, 1981.
Image reference: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections Footprints 00411