Customer Reviews

Arkanoid

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I kept waiting for someone to go first but looks like I'll be first...

First of all, Arkanoid plays just fine with a stylus. I'm sure it's better with a paddle like the original but since the game didn't come with one, the stylus works good.

I enjoyed playing it with the stylus. There is an option of easy, normal, or hard. I chose normal hoping it's like the original. You also can choose your backgrounds and the style of the vaus I think, number of barriers (how many lives you get per round) and the music after you earn points for playing.

Now for comparing the original to this one: The backgrounds are completely different. The blocks are pretty much the same but much much less blocks. The graphics of the blocks are nice and colorful. The vaus is similar but not exactly the same. There are no falling objects to make the game hard at all like the original does. (at least not in the normal play, maybe in the hard setting, I haven't tried the hard mode yet) There are falling capsules giving you "powers" of the ball, like "C" for catch, "E" for expanding your vaus and so forth. If you are familar with the original, you know what I'm talking about. In this one, the capsules are small and almost hard to read the lettering but once you learn their colors & powers, you'll be fine after that. I used to love the pink capsule for warping onto the next level. I haven't seen that capsule at all so far.

I actually completed the game in shock because I thought I had long ways to go. It goes to like 35 rounds and it was easy. (I am very good at the original and have completed the game multiple times) Each level they give you certain number of lives depending what you chose. If you use up all your lives, you can continue where you left off which is nice. So I played all the way to the end hoping to see the final face at the end but as it turns out the ending was...well I'll leave that for you to find out...

After I completed the game, it scrolled the credits, then says, "thanks for playing..." Then says, "Congratulations! You have earned new Vaus."
How exciting. I'll see how that is.

In all I enjoyed playing it but it wasn't as challenging as the original at all. (at the normal mode) I'll try the hard mode and see how it goes. The graphics, in my opinion, is MUCH better in the NES version. I'm giving it 4 stars because of that. Still it's fun to play whether you've played the NES version or are new to this game.

I'll revise or add onto this review once I try the hard mode or go further with a new vaus to see if there's anything new...

UPDATE: Ok I've tried the hard mode and it is challenging!! It has the same challenges as the NES version with much less blocks again. There are few rounds that was just like the original and some new where you have to get the ball into the right location to get into an area to knock out the blocks. Those took me a while! I'm glad I bought it!

If you don't like this review, give me a comment and let me know what you don't like about it.

Arkanoid is a game that is probably familiar to almost anyone. The entry for the DS is an excellent entry in this long running series of games that have appeared on almost every console imaginable. The concept is simple; move your paddle or vaus as it's called (which is actually a spaceship) back and forth along the bottom of your screen while hitting a ball to destroy all blocks that are on the top screen. It sounds simple and it is...in the beginning. As you progress through the different stages you find some that are amazingly simple and others that take you several run throughs to complete. The basic clear game consists of 28 stages each with 5 levels for a total of 140 levels altogether. If the game had just included this mode it would still have made me happy. However, there is another mode called Quest Mode which gives you certain goals to accomplish. There is a different goal for every level. Oh, and you have to clear the level before you can unlock it's respective level in Quest mode. There are also assorted power ups you can collect throughout the levels as well. Some are more helpful than others and you'll learn the ones that will help you as you play. Some of them do more harm than good sometimes. Play the game and you will know what I mean. For me the game seemed a little boring the first time I played it but then I found myself not wanting to put it down. On another note, in Japan this game was released with a paddle controller. I'm not sure why this was not made available here in the U.S. but some of the reviews I've read about it say that it is the best way to play it. The controller will work with the U.S. version of the game if you can find one online. I've ordered one and will update this review once I get it.

Arkanoid has pretty much always been good for a blast, and this new age Arkanoid for the DS is no different. Featuring a bevy of visual upgrades, new power-up's, multiplayer options, Quest and Clear modes, and unlockables; this Arkanoid warrants a try at the very least. Using the stylus as a paddle works surprisingly well (trying to use the D-pad surprisingly does not), and the game remains as simply addictive as ever. The game is really at it's best in multiplayer mode for up to four players, which is a sheer blast. Also featuring online leaderboards, there's much to admire here with Arkanoid on the DS, although there are some small drawbacks. For starters, the game doesn't offer too much of a challenge (I seem to remember Arkanoid being a bit harder) compared to past versions of the game, but for newcomers, this isn't anything to worry about at all. All in all, Arkanoid still remains a fun time that warrants your attention and time whether you are a newcomer to the series or old veteran, and the budget price tag doesn't hurt either.

Liked the game. Old classic with good colors and snazzy jazz tunes. Great activity to kill some time. Many different levels and combinations possible before winning the game completely.

It just seems to me right now, there just aren't any great games coming out for the Nintendo DS right now, the classics have just been eating gamers away. While we've seen mental games like Brain Age, Crosswords DS, and New Super Mario Brothers score very well, there just aren't any great games coming out right now. Instead, what we are seeing right now are just classic spin-offs from the past come alive agaiin for the handhelds DS. With the recent release of this block-bouncer, many gamers are wondering if this will dominate, or just fall to pieces.

Arkanoid DS, brings back the classic thrills of the simple block-busting arcade classic we've seen from the 80's, and 90's. The gameplay is nothing new to DS owners, who've played last years' Break 'Em All which also falls similar to the gameplay. There are over 35 levels of gameplay, which maintain being simple, as you control the game with you stylus, by holding the ship and moving it back and forth. There are also special weapons you get including multiball action, lasers, and many others. There are also boss battles here too, but they just don't change with the gameplay. What does add-on to the fun well, is the addition of using the online Wi-Fi gameplay, which at least prevents the gameplay from being completely boring.

All in all, Arkanoid doesn't bring in too much excitement for die hard Nintendo DS fans, it certainly will bring a huge kick for older nostalig fans of classic video games. I was really hoping there could've been more to bring back the classic bounce, but that is the way the Arkanoid ship bounces out.

Graphics: B

Sound: C+

Control: B-

Fun & Enjoyment: C for solo players: C+ for multiplayer

Overall: C

Length:: 4:38 Mins

I used to play this in the arcade in the early 90's all the time. The story line may be different, I really don't remember, but it's irrelevant to the gameplay anyway.Some levels appear different, and some I definately remember as being the same as the arcade version. In the video I explain the gameplay a bit, but basically, you use a small bar on the bottom of the screen as a sort of bat to bounce a ball back up the screen to destroy colored blocks and clear the level. As you advance, level design gets more intricate with unbreakable blocks in the way making it more difficult to clear the board, or just more blocks in general and faster speeds. In this version, as you progress and clear a group of levels, it has you pick which of 2 paths you'd like to follow (this is a new set of boards to play) example- choose group (called a satellite) e or F-- basically go left or right up the levels. Eventually you'd have to do the level /satellite you didn't choose anyway in order to finish the game.There are 35 rounds in all. Another new aspect is the "Barrier", which is basically a saftey net, or a line at the bottom of the screen that will bounce your ball back if you happen to miss it with your Vaus(the afformentioned bat type of thing you hit the ball with). You can choose to have up to 5 barriers per round, and if you clear the level without ever missing the ball and having it hit the barrier you get a bonus. The bonus points decrease with the addition of more barriers. You can also choose no barrier at all-which I reccomend so as to make the game more challenging and last longer.There is also a vs the com mode where you try to clear your level before thagame AI does; and a "Quest game" which will give you a random level and a specific task such as- Destroy 10 blocks in 45 seconds, or destroy all yellow blocks in 30 seconds, etc.In this game, as with the arcade version, there are colored capsules that fall from time to time, and they offer different kinds of help. Examples are: C= catch(ball sticks to vaus so you can move it to where you want to aim/release it) E= Expand,L=Laser(you can fire up at blocks),M=Missle(ball cuts a straight path through all blocks in the way rather than just hitting one and returning) S= Slowetc.--( No B for Break though- original Arkanoid gamers remember that one--used to open a hole in side of board so you could try and quickly spin your Vaus out and on to the next level without having to get all the blocks)
Once I started p[laying it felt just like the old arcade version and I really quite enjoy it. I also just had to go and buy the Taito Paddle which is a wheel used to move your Vaus. This is a small version of the wheel that was on the original arcade games. It is also a little bit weighted so that it has a natural spin to it. People familiar with the arcade game will know what I mean when I say that. Trust me, it is a great addition to the game, however, it was only sold in Japan, and nowadays they are hard to come by, or very overpriced. I got mine on an auction site as a buy it set price option for $37. + s&h.As much as I love using the paddle, I have to admit that the D-Pad feels just as natural and works fine. I didn't like using the stylus pen though. I have also played Arkanoid on my brother's PS3, and as there is no paddle for that version, you have to use the Left stick to move the vaus, and I found it quite difficult to get used to, so if you too tried the Ps3 and didn't like it for that reason, this ds version is much more natural feeling- movement wise.The Ps3 gameplay was the same(he only had a trial version, so I didn't see that many levels on it though)
As far as who this game is good for- There is no violence or language or anything that wouldn't be appropriate for children so I should think anyone who enjoyed the arcade version or Breakout or Pong from way back in the day, or people who enjoy puzzle or hand eye coordination games will really enjoy this. It's a great way to pass time, say in a waiting room or in line at the DMV, or just for the fun of it.I also ordered a game called "Break Em All" which appears similar to this, and I'll review that after I get it.
By the way, I ordered both games from sellers offering them used "like new", as I wouldn't pay the $33.00 price for the game.I fear I may finish it too soon to merit that price, but again, I used to be very good at this game;then again- I used to be good at running, and now I only do that when something's chasing me.

I would rather it have been the original version, but they tried to make it more upbeat for todays kids. I think if you've never played the old version you'll like it.

we have a game nite once a week there are 3 of us and we enjoy this one as we can all play with one card also we are all seniors and find it easy to play!