Arkanoid is a classic arcade video game that was first released in 1986 by Taito. It is a breakout-style game, which means that the primary objective is to break a wall of bricks or blocks by bouncing a ball off a paddle at the bottom of the screen. The game takes its name and inspiration from Atari's Breakout, which was released in the 1970s. Arkanoid has been released on various gaming platforms, including arcade cabinets, home consoles, and personal computers. The game's success led to numerous sequels and adaptations over the years, each with its own unique twists and features.
How to play Arkanoid
Game modes: single-player
The objective is simple: use the paddle to hit the ball toward colored bricks at the top of the screen. When the ball strikes a brick, the brick disappears, awarding points. Clear all the bricks on each level to progress.
Controls
Left Arrow Key: Move paddle left
Right Arrow Key: Move paddle right
Spacebar: Release the ball at the beginning of each level
Left Arrow Key: Move paddle left
Right Arrow Key: Move paddle right
Spacebar: Release the ball at the beginning of each level
Power ups
Some bricks release power-ups that float down the screen. Catching these power-ups can greatly improve your chances of winning:
- Expand Paddle (Letter E): Increases the size of your paddle, making it easier to hit the ball.
- Laser (Letter L): Allows you to shoot lasers from your paddle to destroy bricks.
- Disruption (Letter D): Splits the ball into three balls. Each ball destroys bricks independently, increasing your chances of clearing bricks quickly.
- Slow (Letter S): Slows down the ball, giving you more time to react.
- Catch (Letter C): Allows the paddle to catch the ball, letting you release it when ready.
Tips
- Prioritize Power-Ups: Not all power-ups are equally useful. The "Expand Paddle" and "Laser" are particularly valuable as they give you better control or a quicker way to break bricks. Aim for these if you can.
- Focus on Brick Positioning: Target bricks in hard-to-reach corners or areas near the top of the screen. Clearing those early helps prevent balls from getting stuck in tricky spots later.
- Predict the Ball’s Path: Watch the ball’s direction after it hits a brick and plan your paddle movement accordingly. Developing this predictive skill will help with more challenging levels.
- Be Ready for Faster Levels: As levels progress, the ball speed often increases, and new brick arrangements make it harder to reach some bricks.
- Take Advantage of the "Catch" Power-Up: Use "Catch" wisely, as it allows you to reposition the ball precisely, especially if you need to hit specific bricks.
To slow down the game emulation press CTRL+F11, to speed up the game press CTRL+F12. Press Escape (ESC) to exit fullscreen mode.
Arkanoid runs in your browser thanks to the Emularity library.
More about Arkanoid
Status: abandonware
Genre: action
Released in: 1988
Publisher: Taito
Developer: Taito
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