The Trial of Kharzoid ²⁰²³

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​ Arkanoid Archive

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Published on September 1, 2025 4:40:08 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO39BfBf7Tc

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About the game
The Trial of Kharzoid is an arkanoidvania for the NES. It combines classic brick-breaking games like Arkanoid with Castlevania's classic elements like exploration, defeating huge bosses and eating chicken you find in walls! The goal is to navigate through the deadly levels and go back to Kharzoid's tower to defeat this son of a witch. You will learn more about the lore by talking to NPCs.
I also took inspiration from other less-known games like Pinball Quest which combined pinball with RPG elements and Kirby’s Block Ball for the Game Boy, where I got the idea of using more than one paddle.
This is an NES game, you need an emulator to run it

The paddle(s)
The paddle that launches the skull will have a special mark. The skull will be attracted to it when you use the magnet. That paddle will shoot projectiles when equipped with the Arbalest Orb.

The launching paddle changes depending on which direction you enter a level or when you use the Archeus Orb item.

A friend can take the second controller and control the vertical paddles to give you a hand.

Navigation
When you finish a level for the first time, the navigation window will appear automatically. Choose an exit, then press A to confirm or B to cancel. If you cancel, you will simply continue playing the current level.


Here you can go left, but not right!
You can bring up the navigation window anytime by pressing START. Some exits might not be available, some are hidden! Some exits get unlocked by hiting them, others will require a key. It seems complicated, but you’ll get used to it!

There are maze levels where you cannot navigate between levels with the navigation system. You have to hit the exit and it will automatically switch to the next level.

Some levels have more than one exit in the same direction. For example, if there are two exits on top of a level, and you bring the navigation menu, you will only see one arrow, so the position of the skull will determine which one you will take. If the skull is on the left side of the screen, choosing up will get you through the left exit.



Creatures

SKELTOR
Just a stupid undead, walking from left to right.
Later in the game, it will try to follow the hero
SHROOMBA
There must be a way to kill this annoying bouncy creature!
SPEDYR
Do not confuse with a spider, it only has 4 legs! Try to kill it before it touches the spikes or it will spawn a web that will slow down the paddle
DORICULA
This carnivorous plant tries to eat everything it can, but somehow it doesn’t like skulls
TENTICULA
A strange tentacle plant that sprouts in the desert plains. Don’t touch it when it opens its mouth
PREE
Extra large bee that will just push the skull. Not too dangerous
GOBLYR
An army of goblyrs is guarding Kharzoid’s castle
RACHU
Spits a toxic bubble that will turn regular bricks into solid ones. The bubble will drain your mana if it touches the paddle.
Power Up
DIZZY – Inverses the paddle direction
SHORTY – Shortens or lengthens the paddle
SKULLY – Spawns a skull clone
HEALY – Gives one energy

ORBIS MAGICAE
MAGNET ORB – Attracks you to the paddle
SPEED ORB – Move the paddle faster
DASH ORB – Gives the skull a powerfull burst of energy
ARBALEST ORB – The paddle can shoot projectiles
ARCHEUS ORB – Reset the launch state of the paddle
HEALING ORB – Kill the reverse curse of the paddle and widens it if it is short
Saving your progression
The progress is saved automatically when you finish a level or enter a new one so don’t turn off the console when the screen goes black between levels.

When you quit (by pressing SELECT and choosing QUIT), the game is saved only if the current level is done. Otherwise you will restart the level with the same state that you started it.

If you are game over and choose to continue, you will restart the level with the items and inventory you had when you entered it.

Difficulty
The game is definitively easier when you find all items and buy all upgrades. So if you would like a good challenge, try to get only the necessary items like the Arbalest Orb and the Dashing Orb and no extra health!

2 Player Battle Mode
You can go face to face with a friend. Score 3 points to win. You can choose between two levels. Each has its own particularity. A player can use the magnet after the skull hits his paddle. The skull will go faster than in the normal game.

Tips
If you’re stuck, go talk to the lady in the ghost town! She might say something useful. Try dashing into different things and exits. Listen to what the NPCs are saying. If you’re really stuck or if you find a bug, you can contact me on Twitter/X !!!

CREDITS
Graphics
Pascal BELISLE
Luis ZUNO
Music
Pascal BELISLE
Gameplay
Pascal BELISLE
Level Design
Pascal BELISLE
Programmer
Pascal BELISLE
James ROWE
Game Design Assistant
Etienne BELISLE
Charles LEMAY
Special thanks to:
Evelyne Belisle
Broke Studio
Testers
Timothy Gauss
Etienne Belisle
Olivier Belisle
kandowontu

Author Pascal Belisle