Clearing the corner column: a Space Invaders tip

Insert coin, player one.

Space Invaders gets faster as you clear the screen, which is why most of us panic around wave six. I spent a week of lunch breaks on one cabinet working out a habit that adds a few thousand points every time: take out the corner columns first.

Why the edges matter

The wave turns and drops each time it reaches the edge of the screen. Clear the outer columns and it has more room before it turns, so it drops less often and you get more time under the shields. Keep your shots in pairs, never hold the button down and leave the ship that is directly above you until last. If you want the story behind the game, the Space Invaders page is a good read.

This week's high scores

• Missile Command, trackball version: 22,780 and a very sore thumb.
• Space Invaders, cocktail table: 18,340, a new record for the Thursday league.
• Galaxian, upright: 31,900, set by someone who refused to give their name.

See the full score table

That's the table for this week. Reply with your own best score, I read every one.

Ruth