Arkanoid (NES) Playthrough

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Published on March 8, 2025 9:59:27 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGwFVhBdWDc

Game:

Arkanoid (1986)

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Playthrough of Taito's 1986 block breaker game for the NES, Arkanoid.

Arkanoid for the NES is a classic brick-breaking game developed and published by Taito in 1986. It is a home console adaptation of the arcade game of the same name, featuring simple yet addictive gameplay. Players control a paddle-like spaceship called the Vaus, which must bounce a ball to break a series of colorful bricks arranged on the screen. The objective is to clear all the bricks in each stage while preventing the ball from falling off the bottom of the screen.

The game introduces a variety of power-ups that drop from certain bricks when destroyed. These power-ups include abilities such as extending the Vaus, slowing down the ball, granting a laser to shoot bricks directly, and even creating multiple balls for added chaos. Some power-ups make progression easier, while others add unpredictability, making each playthrough unique. Additionally, unbreakable and regenerating bricks, as well as enemies that move across the screen, add further challenges to the gameplay.

Arkanoid features multiple levels with increasingly complex layouts, requiring skillful control and strategic use of power-ups. The game culminates in a final battle against the boss, Doh, a giant, floating moai-like face. Defeating Doh marks the completion of the game, providing a sense of achievement for players who manage to master its mechanics.

The NES version maintains the fast-paced action of the arcade original while introducing some minor graphical and gameplay adjustments due to hardware limitations. It was often bundled with the Vaus controller, a special dial-based input device that mimicked the arcade experience more closely than the standard NES controller. With its simple mechanics, engaging challenge, and satisfying gameplay loop, Arkanoid remains a beloved title among retro gaming enthusiasts.