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Feature Articles > Features > Breakin’ Out!
Breakout was an arcade classic and Steve remembers it well. Can modern game programmers top it? Released in 1976, Breakout was one of the best selling coin-ops in history before Space Invaders. It also worked on much the same principle: A base (or bat) at the bottom of the screen must "aim" shots to hit a series of targets, trying to destroy them all to clear a "level". However, as the shooter genre that Space Invaders inspired many incremental improvements immediately, (Moon Cresta's multiple ships, Galaga's bonus levels and double ships, Xevious's scrolling background, and the amazing weapons of R-Type), Breakout , on the other hand, did not see any type of significant upgrade until Arkanoid, some 10 years later. But, oh, what an upgrade. Multiple screens of different brick designs, bonus "pills" to catch (large bat, multi-ball, magnet, extra life, level warp, and gun to shoot bricks). Arkanoid was one of those amazing moments in gaming history where the original concept was finally, and completely over-taken by a successor. So much so, that many people forgot that Breakout ever existed. Nearly every platform had its own version of the game, and various "inspired" copies, that formed a small sub-genre unto themselves. It was the type of game that flourished in the 16-bit era, the golden age for game design. When the 3D platforms arrived in the mid-90's, most of the Arkanoid-type game disappeared. 3D graphics were seductive for their story-telling capabilities, and games like Arkanoid did not fit the bill. Still, Hasbro/Atari tried to re-imagine Breakout in the late 90's, but it was an ill-conceived, boring game. Jump to 2005, and it seems Arakanoid and Breakout style games are making a splash once more. Independent developers distributing their games through online entertainment portals are giving old genres (such as Breakout and Arkanoid) a new lease on life on the PC. Development tools and developer talent have improved so much, that no one will "compromise" by buying one of these games. In fact, in some cases, they may get more than they expect. Alawar is one of these new "game portal" publishers that promise addicting gaming challenges at a bargain price (usually $19.99 per game). At the moment, they offer over ½ dozen games in the Akanoid/Breakout genre, five of which are reviewed below. Before we get into the review though, I want to say a couple things. Having just finished my own, very simple version of Breakout/Araknoid for Hotwheels last year (visit http://www.hotwheels.com/jrcollectors/arcade/index.aspx and try the 3rd game in the list to the left), I know very tiny bit about the difficulty many of these developers must have gone through to create these games. On a mere "execution" of game concept levels, all of the games reviewed here highly successful achievements. However, as you will soon see, while some of them tow-the-line, offering a good challenge for the money, others completely redefine the genre, and move game addiction into the realm of the transcendental. Clash  Hyperballoid Complete  Ricochet: Lost Worlds Recharged  Magic Ball 2  X-Ray Ball.  FULL DISCLOSURE: Alawar provided all of these games, they sell these games, and they are a GamerDad advertiser. This article came my desire to showcase some simple games on the Independent Scene. Alawar provided the games free of charge, while understanding that Steve Fulton would be brutally honest about their quality.
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