Arkanoid (NES): Old Classic Video Game

Arkanoid on Games of the Past

1. Introduction

Arkanoid for the original Nintendo (NES) is an old video game of the past that has had a major impact on the gaming world. Arkanoid has had several versions for many systems including the arcade. Arkanoid was the beginning of the "Brick Breaker" games. The concept of the game is extremely simple. You control a "paddle" at the bottom of the screen and move it left or right to keep the ball from falling out of the playing field. The ball bounces off of anything it comes into contact with. Your goal is to use the ball to clear all of the bricks from each stage. Sometimes "power-ups" drop from destroyed bricks, which you can pick up with your paddle. These have a number of effects, such as allowing you to shoot lasers. There are different types of bricks. Some bricks require one hit, others several, while the gold bricks will never be destroyed. The gold bricks are not required for stage completion, however. At stage 33 you will take on a boss, which is a massive head. Nintendo even released a special controller for Arkanoid called the "Vaus."

2. Gameplay

3. Difficulty

Arkanoid can be a very difficult game at times. Some people find it easier than others. One of the fun things about this old game is that each time the ball hits an object, its speed increases slightly. On many stages where it becomes hard to hit targets, this can make the game extremely difficult to keep up with. Thankfully the game provides continues for all stages up until the boss on stage 33. This must be completed using all remaining lives, because there are no continues on this stage.

4. Replay Value

Even though Arkanoid for the Nintendo NES is an old game, it has fantastic replay value. Sometimes the game can get frustrating, but that's nothing a break can't help. I find myself coming back to this game time and time again.

5. Do I Recommend...?

I highly recommend that you pick up Arkanoid for the Nintendo (NES)! Not only is it always fun, it is a pure classic that everyone should have in their collection.

6. Game Credits

Arkanoid was developed by Taito in 1986. It is based upon Atari's Breakout games of the 1970s. The title refers to a doomed "mothership" from which the Vaus, the player's controller, escapes.