Super Breakout ¹⁹⁷⁸

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Published on March 28, 2025 4:19:09 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PA2oyWEoSs

Game:

Super Breakout (1978)

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Super Breakout is a sequel to the 1976 video game Breakout released in arcades in September 1978 by Atari, Inc.[2] It was written by Ed Rotberg.[4] The game uses the same mechanics as Breakout, but allows the selection of three distinct game modes via a knob on the cabinet—two of which involve multiple, simultaneous balls in play.[2] Both the original and sequel are in black and white with monitor overlays to add color. It was distributed in Japan by Namco and Esco Trading.

The arcade game was commercially successful in Japan and the United States. Atari published home versions–in color–for most of its consoles and computers and was the pack-in game for the 1982 release of the Atari 5200 console.

Gameplay
The fundamental gameplay—use a paddle to bounce a ball into a wall of destructible bricks—is the same as Breakout, but Super Breakout contains three different game modes:

Double gives the player control of two paddles at the same time—one placed above the other—with two balls in-play simultaneously.

Cavity also has two paddles, but initially only one ball. Two others are contained in pockets inside the wall and can be freed.

Progressive advances the entire wall downward step by step, gaining in speed the longer the ball is in play.

Development
The game was written by Ed Rotberg, who later designed Battlezone (1980) for Atari.[4] Rotberg developed Super Breakout after hearing that Atari founder Nolan Bushnell wanted Breakout updated.[6] While the original was constructed with discrete logic instead of a microprocessor, Super Breakout uses a MOS Technology 6502 CPU. Like Breakout, Super Breakout uses a black and white display with overlays to simulate color.[2]


Atari 8-bit box cover
Developer(s) Atari, Inc.
Paradox (ST)
Publisher(s) Arcade
NA/EU: Atari, Inc.
JP: Namco/Esco[3]
Ports
Atari, Inc. (2600, 5200, Atari 8-bit)
Atari UK (ST)
Majesco (Game Boy)
Designer(s) Ed Rotberg
Programmer(s) Arcade[4]
Ed Rotberg
Atari 2600[4]
Nick Turner
Carol Shaw
Atari 8-bit[4]
Larry Kaplan
Game Boy[4]
David Lubar
Series Breakout
Platform(s) Arcade, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST, Game Boy, Game Boy Color
Release September 1978: Arcade[1][2]
1979: Atari 8-bit
1981: Atari 2600
1982: Atari 5200
1987: Atari ST
1998: Game Boy, GB Color
Genre(s) Breakout
Mode(s) Arcade, 2600, 5200
1–2 players alternating turns
Atari 8-bit
1–8 players alternating turns[5]

Other Statistics