Iconic game Space Invaders has had an augmented reality makeover to celebrate its 45th birthday.

Google teamed up with publisher Taito and developer Unit9 to give the Android and iOS game a location-based AR spin – much like that which made Pokemon Go as sensation in 2016.

The new version – Space Invaders: World Defense – invites players to get outside and defend the Earth. It places Space Invaders around buildings and rooftops, so players must explore their real-life neighborhoods to find and terminate them.

The game is a showcase for Google's AR ambitions. It is powered by the firm's ARCore and Geospatial API tech, which gives developers the ability to blend the physical and digital worlds.

To aid discovery of the game, Ocean Outdoor has partnered with Google to preview it on format digital screens in nine cities: Amsterdam (Leidseplein), Copenhagen (Field’s shopping mall), Glasgow (St Enoch), Helsinki (Redi shopping centre), London (Canary Wharf and Westfield London), Leeds (Trinity Mall), Newcastle (Eldon Square) Oslo (Bus Terminal) and Stockholm (Sergel Hub).

Matthieu Lorrain, Google Labs' Global Head of Creative Innovation, said: "With Space Invaders: World Defense we're evolving a 45-year-old legend for a new era. This game transforms your world into a fun-filled playground, fusing beloved nostalgia with groundbreaking technology, powered by Google’s Geospatial API. Get ready for an epic experience, right in your neighbourhood!”