A great concept that hasn't aged well. Along with Pong,
Breakout is a game of elegant simplicity. The aim
of the game is to keep the ball in play while knocking
all the bricks away. As the game progresses the ball increases
in speed, and when you hit the top, your paddle becomes
half as big.
The graphics don't tax the 2600 by any means, but they
are crisp. Sound is limited to beeps and boops when the
ball hits bricks. However, the control is quite good.
The paddle can deflect the ball at different angles depending
on where it hits, adding some strategy to the mostly reflex-oriented
game play.
Overall, the game is too simple and a little too difficult
for my taste. Unless you remember Breakout fondly,
I recommend the superior sequel, Super Breakout.
2008 ben langberg, all rights reserved.