Break Thru Arcade - Attract Mode
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Released in 1986 by Data East, Break Thru is a side-scrolling action game where you control a small military vehicle that has to race through enemy territory to recover a stolen experimental fighter plane. Like many arcade titles of the era, the setup is simple, but the gameplay is fast and challenging.
You drive a jeep (though it almost looks like a buggy) across rugged landscapes filled with enemy soldiers, tanks, helicopters, and barricades. The big mechanic is that your vehicle can jump — something that feels unusual for a car game. You need to time jumps carefully to leap over mines, water, or enemy fire. At the same time, you can shoot straight ahead to destroy enemies blocking your way.
The levels scroll automatically, pushing you forward, so the game has a constant sense of speed and urgency. Each stage has different terrain — mountains, bridges, deserts, and enemy bases — which keeps things varied. It’s a blend of driving, shooting, and timing that feels like a mix between Moon Patrol and a fast-paced shooter.
Break Thru was known for being tough but addictive. It only took a few hits to lose a life, so memorizing patterns and staying sharp were key. It wasn’t as famous as other Data East titles like Bad Dudes or Karate Champ, but it carved out its own niche in arcades, and it even got ports to home computers and consoles like the NES.
For players who saw it back then, it stood out for its unusual “jumping car” mechanic and its mix of military action with arcade-style fun.