Let's discuss Breakout/Arkanoid clones.

[greg]

So a couple months ago, Undamned tuned me into the world of Arkanoid/Breakout clones that I've never really been exposed to before. First off are two games for the Super Famicom: Block Kuzushi and Supapon DX, both for the Super Famicom.

Block Kuzushi is actually a generic game title, since "block kuzushi" is the word for the genre itself, or "block breaking." It utilizes the SNES mouse even. I own the SNES mouse just to play Arkanoid Doh It Again, and it's good to see that this game uses it too. Block Kuzushi has a bit of an adventure element to it, with cutscenes between levels and options on where to go next. The game plays quite a bit like Arkanoid. There are powerups for extending your paddle, shrinking it, a laser blast, and some other stuff. The laser is a bit inconvenient, since you have to wait to charge the shot, during which you are unable to move. But when you unleash it, it blows away all the blocks in a line. Also interesting to note is that you are able to switch between two paddles by using the R and L shoulder buttons to flip back and forth.

Supapon DX is the sequel to Supapon. The sequel is quite nice because the game features a two player "taisen" split screen simultaneous mode, like a puzzle game. You control a little cute blobby character for a paddle, and you can push the button to flex your paddle. Time the bounces right and you can speed your ball up. The purpose of the game is not necessarily to destroy all of the blocks (or gems in this case), but the destroy the little yellow faces with sunglasses. Your health steadily declines until you clear the level, so avoid the poison powerups that fall because these will drain your health faster. When your paddle dies, it says "oh no!" and it dries up and breaks into pieces, like a cute version of Walter Donovan in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. It's disturbingly creepy to see your cute blob die like that.

UD has discovered other "block kuzushi" type games, including even a Hello Kitty one. Anyone else dig these games?

[Drum]

Neither really count as Breakout clones per se, but I got much love for Bal Cube and Cluster Buster - both very creative and fun action/puzzle/parlour/other games, especially Bal Cube. Give them a shot if you haven't already.

[Ex-Cyber]

There was a shareware one for DOS called Electranoid that I remember being pretty decent. It was a pretty straight clone of Arkanoid in most respects, though, so I'm not sure it has much to offer these days.

[Damocles]

A while ago, in another thread, someone brought up Sorcerer's Maze. It's pretty good, and perfect for the PSP. I can't remember the name, but there is a slightly 3d version up on the PSN store. Supposedly the gimmick is the ability to jump over blocks.

[drauch]

Gunbariach! Has the witch girl from Gunbird (forgot her name). Great game!

[Observer]

I don't know if this qualifies but... how about Shatter? It's not japanese but from NZ.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/20820/ (it's on discount today for $2.50)

It's like Breakout meets Rez with what some of the best music for a western game (by the way, the whole pack is also for sale at 1usd, these guys went nuts with the offers). It even has some shmup reminiscences with all the bosses and the Shard Storm power so it became an instant favourite for me.

[Vyxx]

Hmmm.... does Javanoid count?

[Drum]

Another one you might wanna check out: Fire Striker (Holy Striker in Japan).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCaOqCw_YpY

It's basically a cross between Zelda, Breakout and pinball.

I have no idea if it's any good as I haven't played it yet - but I aim to rectify that asap.

[DJ Incompetent]

I have a lot of love for Break 'em All DS and BreakQuest PSN mini

[Sonic R]

I got Block Breaker 2 Deluxe on my phone and it is quite fun…

[greg]

Speaking of DS, I got Arkanoid DS and I didn't really care for it much. It felt bland and the scale was bigger, making it kinda boring. Plus without the little floaty guys, it just doesn't feel like the same game. I wouldn't mind getting the paddle controller to play it with though, as it also is compatible with both Space Invader Extreme games for DS.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Yes, the optional Taito DS paddle controller does give Arkanoid DS, (Space Invaders Extreme) SIE & SIE-2 a better gaming experience not to be missed. How Taito managed to replicate the weighted flywheel in minature form with it's DS Paddle controller is quite impressive considering that it feels quite smooth like that of a full-sized arcade spinner/paddle controller setup.

Tis a shame that Nintendo axed support for the GBA cart slot on the DSi XL/DSi LL handhelds. Sure'd be nice to play SIE/SIE-2/Arkanoid DS/Space Puzzle Bobble with a proper paddle controller on the larger DSi XL handheld setup indeed.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[E. Randy Dupre]

Mentioned this in another thread earlier in the year, but definitely check out Taito's Puchi Carat, which is a wonderful marriage of Arkanoid and Puzzle Bobble.

The PS1 conversion is superior to the arcade version, as it allows you to dim the otherwise distracting backgrounds, but was only released in Japan and Europe. The Japanese version is up on the JPN PSN store, though.

[Herr Schatten]

Bolo (Atari ST) is quite a unique Arkanoid clone in that you are allowed to move your bat anywhere on the screen instead of just left and right. Really great game.

Impact! (Atari ST, Amiga, (early) PC) is another excellent Arkanoid clone. It looks a bit shabby, but it plays extremely well, and it utilizes a Gradius-style powerup system, interestingly.

I also always liked Krakout (C64) a lot. It's sort of a sideways Breakout. Traz (C64) is an interesting version, too, because you often have to control more than one bat at a time. Often there are vertically moving bats and horizontally moving ones on the same screen.

Quite an oddball is Growth (Amiga, Atari ST). Your main goal is not clearing the game of any blocks. Instead, you have to kill a 'core' in the middle of the screen, which keeps growing stuff (blocks) around it. You can either destroy the stuff with your 'ball' or just shoot it away with a built in laser cannon. You must not lose the ball, though, and you have to move around all four edges of the screen. The game gets repetitive really fast, but it's really a creative new interpretation of the Breakout formula.

Additionally, I seem to remember Crystal Hammer quite fondly, but in hindsight, that may just be nostalgia, because I can't remember anything that makes it special or exceptionally good in any way.

All of these should be playable in the usual emulators.

[Ed Oscuro]

there is some old PC clone called Aquanoid that I enjoyed playing shareware years ago. Probably nothing close to the original though.

[greg]

I tried out the two player version of Block Kuzushi for the Super Famicom and it is set up more like Pong with blocks in the middle. I was expecting a side by side taisen-style like Supapon.

I've played Puchi Charat before. Undamned brought it over to our last big shmups/retro gaming meet/bbq back in June. It's even better with the PS1 Namco Volume Controller.

[t0yrobo]

Speaking of DS, I got Arkanoid DS and I didn't really care for it much. It felt bland and the scale was bigger, making it kinda boring. Plus without the little floaty guys, it just doesn't feel like the same game. I wouldn't mind getting the paddle controller to play it with though, as it also is compatible with both Space Invader Extreme games for DS.

The paddle is really nice, but it doesn't help Arkanoid DS as much as it does Space Invaders. The play area is just to narrow.

[lewisit]

I've played Puchi Charat [...] It's even better with the PS1 Namco Volume Controller.

I've asked this question before w/ no answer - maybe someone can help me now:

has anyone been able to get the PS1 Namco Volume Controller (via USB-adapter) to work in Mame?

the controller was quite a costly yet pointless purchase so far...

[TrevHead (TVR)]

Wow I just noticed the shatter deal myself, Its worth buying just for the soundtrack imo

[Davey]

A while ago, in another thread, someone brought up Sorcerer's Maze. It's pretty good, and perfect for the PSP.

I thought it was me, but Search proved me wrong.

Anyway, yeah, it's not a bad game. It's basically Arkanoid with crazy power-ups. I haven't played it in years, but for some reason I remember being turned off by the scoring system.

It was probably overlooked by most people since it was released by XS games and given the Mobile Light Force treatment (shitty, generic cover art totally unrelated to the game and a price tag that screams "this game sucks!"). I'm pretty sure it was based on a Japanese arcade game, not sure what that is though.

[BrianC]

I find it interesting how a bunch of companies made Breakout and Arkanoid clones. Namco, Sega, Capcom, Konami, and Nintendo made clones. I was surprised that Konami's Arkanoid clone even got an EU NES release. I liked this PC clone named Popcorn, though it's an old one that ran fast on later computers.

I like what I played of Puchi Charat, but it's frustrating how the PC (and probably EU Xbox) version in Taito Legend 2's shell doesn't take mouse inputs. The PS2 one at least has a speed up button. I hate it when Arkanoid clones that lack paddles also lack speed up buttons. Arkanoid NES is no joy without Vaus because of this. Arkanoid 2 NES fixes this, but is still best with the Vaus (though the JP one has a different plug. The good thing is that all JP Famicoms, including the AV Famicom, have the needed port and the controller is cheaper than the US one). The funny thing is that Arkanoid NES/FC has better graphics than the second on NES, despite lacking a mapper chip.

[undamned]

Gunbariach! Has the witch girl from Gunbird (forgot her name). Great game!

I used to have the PCB. I remember it being awesome but I think I sold it 'cause I just wasn't playing it often enough to justify keeping it. I think Marion was the girl.

Another one you might wanna check out: Fire Striker (Holy Striker in Japan).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCaOqCw_YpY

It's basically a cross between Zelda, Breakout and pinball.

I have no idea if it's any good as I haven't played it yet - but I aim to rectify that asap.

I loaded this up on my Super Wild Card the other day and as much as I loved the great concept, graphics, etc., the game can be clunky as all get out in spots. Some levels it's like pulling teeth to get the ball to go where you want. For that reason I turned it off after about 30 min.

Mentioned this in another thread earlier in the year, but definitely check out Taito's Puchi Carat, which is a wonderful marriage of Arkanoid and Puzzle Bobble.

The PS1 conversion is superior to the arcade version, as it allows you to dim the otherwise distracting backgrounds, but was only released in Japan and Europe. The Japanese version is up on the JPN PSN store, though.

I had a dual volume controller Puchi Carat setup at Devastation this summer. I was amazed at how people took to something so quirky. It was almost constantly being played when the crowds were in full force. Found my setup featured in someone else's event footage (iirc, this footage was taken in the morning when it wasn't half as busy as it was later in the day).

Some day I'd like to play a proper Ghox setup (maybe I'll go visit Dave_k ).

Just made quick work of that "Shatter" deal on Steam. I'll post thoughts here when I get it loaded up and tested.
-ud

[RoninBuddha]

does cosmic smash count?

probably the most interesting take on the 'genre' (if you may)

could have used a more polished and 'featured' follow up though

[BulletMagnet]

At one point I was actually planning on doing a blog series about this genre, but I doubt I'll ever get around to it.

Several good ones have already been mentioned - Puchi Carat, Gunbarich, Sorcerer's Maze, Bal Cube and Ghox all offer some neat features to spice things up. I've heard good things about Shatter as well, though I haven't yet tried it - I did try the demo of Space Ark, though, and while it's not quite a "brick breaker" game it's not a bad spinoff (same goes for ZUN's Highly Responsive to Prayers. I'd also recommend the two "Block Kuzushi" games on the PS1 (the second of which Europe got as "Block Buster"), and maybe Blocken in MAME.

I can't remember the name, but there is a slightly 3d version up on the PSN store.

I believe that'd be Blockids.

Another one you might wanna check out: Fire Striker (Holy Striker in Japan).

Much like UD I dig the concept of this one, but not so much the execution...to some extent the same goes for Devilish.

I'm pretty sure it was based on a Japanese arcade game, not sure what that is though.

As far as I know it's a localized version of the Japanese release "Prism Land" - no idea if it was ever in the arcades, though.

[Drum]

Another one you might wanna check out: Fire Striker (Holy Striker in Japan).

Much like UD I dig the concept of this one, but not so much the execution...to some extent the same goes for Devilish.

I'm sure I have a good excuse for not knowing about Devilish, but I can't think of one. I'm gonna give that a shot, but I'll keep your warning in mind.

I don't think I did Cluster Buster/Graplop justice by mentioning it off-hand before, so I'm gonna try and sell it a bit:

Cluster Buster was released in 1983 to arcades by Data East. Mechanically, it has a hell of a lot of good ideas - it almost seems like somebody came from the future with the design docs.
The game is laid out Breakout-style, with clusters of blocks above you that constantly descend and need to be destroyed before they reach you and mess up your day. It's a bit like endless mode in Puzzle Bobble. You also have three rows of small blocks below you that stop the ball from going past you and losing you a life. Like Puzzle Bobble, the blocks above you can be busted en-masse if you separate a group of them from the main cluster, and the stages are laid out so situations like that can be taken advantage of.
Your paddle has two modes you can switch between at the touch of a button - one that makes the ball bounce more horizontally on contact, and one that makes it bounce more vertically. You also aren't just limited to a single plane of movement - the bottom 5th or so of the screen all belongs to your paddle.
There are a limited stock of times you can push up the descending blocks back up to the top of the screen, and these can be replenished by destroying spiders that often drop from above (and kill you if they touch your paddle). Further, if you hit a ton of blocks in a row without a miss, a little guy will come along and repair the safety blocks below you - you can alos hit him with the ball for mucho points.

I like it.

[Aguraki]

krypton egg(atari/amiga and different graphics on dos version) was fantastic back in the days.

[Koa Zo]

Ill have to remember to come back to this thread when ive got more time...

Breakout on 5200 is one of the best to this day and controls superbly with the stock analog controller.

Since purchasing a Namco Museum Vol.2 box set back in '04, ive had renewed interest in the genre. Both Cutie-Q and Bomb Bee are compatible with the volume controller, and are good fun - much so than Arkanpid DS :p

Beware that there are two versions of Arkanoid Returns on Playstation. Afaik they are the same game, except that Arkanoid R 2000 was updated to support the volume controller.
Last xmas i played through R2000 and it was pretty fucking long and boring, occasionally there were some challenging levels, but mostly it put me to sleep.

I have a handful of other block breaking games too, including the Hello Kitty one, will stop back later to provide some impressions.

[Specineff]

No one has mentioned Sega's Gigas.

[BrianC]

No one has mentioned Sega's Gigas.

I did mention that SEGA made Arkanoid clones, though. TBH, I was thinking more of Woody Pop, but I did see Gigas on KLOV.

[neist]

I actually had a desire to compile a list of these a while back, though my attempts never completed.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key ... utput=html

To anyone who's interested. It's by no means or in any way a complete list, but maybe it'll help someone who's interested. 16 hour days keep me sort of stop me from finishing it anytime soon.