| Arkanoid DS | |
|---|---|
 North American cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Taito |
| Publisher(s) | Square Enix |
| Series | Arkanoid |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo DS |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Breakout |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Arkanoid DS is a breakout video game developed by Taito and published by Square Enix for the Nintendo DS. It was released on December 6, 2007. [1]
Arkanoid DS has 2 modes: a traditional Clear mode and an objective based Quest mode. In both of those, the player takes the controls of the Vaus spaceship.
Clear mode is made of 28 worlds that are arranged in a pyramid-like shape, each made up to five levels. Like in the other games from Arkanoid series, the main goal of each Clear level is to clear the entire display of blocks at the top of the screen, using a paddle to bounce a ball which destroys them. [2] Eventually the ball falls back down, so the player has to make it hit the paddle. Sometimes, power-ups (like catch, allowing the paddle to hold the ball temporarily) will drop after a certain block has been destroyed. It is activated once the player catches it before it disappears into the void (if the last ball drops there, a life is lost). [3]
However, in Quest mode, the player can attempt to complete any level in any preferred order, while trying to complete objectives specific for each level (time limit, restrictive number of balls). Arkanoid DS supports multiplayer mode through either local wireless or online play for up to four people in two different modes. [4] Those are: Bust All mode (clearing a level first) and Bust Color mode (destroying all of the blocks of a specified color first). The levels played on are randomly selected and the players can keep an eye on the opponents via small images that appear in the play area. [2]
The game released in Japan with the Paddle Controller, a spinner mimicking the original arcade game's control knob for the left and right motion of the on-screen paddle. The game uses a "two screens-one display" design, where the screen is bordered within walls. [5] It is one of the control schemes, which includes dragging with the stylus and using a directional pad. [6]
There is also a level and blocks customization option included that uses other games from Taito. For example, the blocks can be changed to look like Space Invaders ones or backgrounds to feature Bubble Bobble characters. [7] The soundtrack was made by Zuntata, Taito's in-house team, using techno music to complement the action on the screen. [4]
Bubble Bobble is a 1986 platform game developed and published by Taito for arcades. It was distributed in the United States by Romstar, and in Europe by Electrocoin. Players control Bub and Bob, two dragons that set out to save their girlfriends from a world known as the Cave of Monsters. In each level, Bub and Bob must defeat each enemy present by trapping them in bubbles and popping, who turn into bonus items when they hit the ground. There are 100 levels total, each becoming progressively more difficult.
Arkanoid is a 1986 block breaker arcade game developed and published by Taito. In North America, it was published by Romstar. Controlling a paddle-like craft known as the Vaus, the player is tasked with clearing a formation of colorful blocks by deflecting a ball towards it without letting the ball leave the bottom edge of the playfield. Some blocks contain power-ups that have various effects, such as increasing the length of the Vaus, creating several additional balls, or equipping the Vaus with cannons. Other blocks may be indestructible or require multiple hits to break.
Breakout is an arcade video game developed and published by Atari, Inc. and released on May 13, 1976. It was designed by Steve Wozniak, based on conceptualization from Nolan Bushnell and Steve Bristow, who were influenced by the seminal 1972 Atari arcade game Pong. In Breakout, a layer of bricks lines the top third of the screen and the goal is to destroy them all by repeatedly bouncing a ball off a paddle into them. The arcade game was released in Japan by Namco. Breakout was a worldwide commercial success, among the top five highest-grossing arcade video games of 1976 in both the United States and Japan and then among the top three highest-grossing arcade video games of 1977 in the US and Japan. The 1978 Atari VCS port uses color graphics instead of a monochrome screen with colored overlay.
Alleyway is a 1989 video game developed by Nintendo and Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo as a global launch title for the Game Boy. It is a Breakout clone and one of the first four games developed and released for the system. The game was released first in Japan in 1989, in North America later that year, and in Europe in 1990. It was later re-released for the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console in June 2011, and on the Nintendo Switch Online service in May 2024.
Polarium is a puzzle game developed by Mitchell Corporation and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. It was a launch title in Japan, Europe and China. In the game, players use a stylus to draw lines on the DS's touch screen, flipping black and white tiles to clear puzzles.
Nanostray is a vertically scrolling shooter for the Nintendo DS. The user takes control of a futuristic spacecraft against a horde of enemies. A sequel, Nanostray 2, was released in 2008.
The Fairyland Story is a platform arcade video game developed and published by Taito in 1985. In the game, the player controls the witch Ptolemy, with the objective being to clear the screen of all enemies. Ptolemy can use her wand to turn the enemies into large cakes, which she can then push off of platforms onto other enemies, which will squash them and award bonus points. Various items that increase Ptolemy's projectile radius, as well as kill multiple enemies at the same time, will also appear throughout the stages.
Kirby’s Block Ball, known in Japan as Kirby no Block Ball, is a 1995 video game developed by Tose and Nintendo and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy portable console. It is a spin-off of the Kirby video game series. It is a Breakout clone; the player controls paddles along the screen's edge to knock a bouncing ball, Kirby, into destructible bricks. The game's 55 levels include power-ups, bonus rounds, and minigames. The team spent half a year revising the gameplay to match Kirby's signature characteristics. Kirby's Block Ball was released in Japan on December 14, 1995, later in North America on May 13, 1996 and finally in Europe on August 29, 1996.
Cutie Q is a 1979 block breaker/video pinball hybrid arcade game developed and published by Namco in Japan. The player controls a set of paddles with a rotary knob, the objective being to score as many points possible by deflecting a ball against blocks, ghosts, spinners and other objects on the playfield. It was designed by Shigeru Yokoyama, with spritework done by Toru Iwatani. It is the third and final game in the Gee Bee trilogy.
Puchi Carat is a 1997 video game by Taito.
Space Invaders Extreme is a re-vamped incarnation of the classic arcade game Space Invaders. The DS and PSP versions were released to mark the 30th anniversary of Space Invaders which saw its original arcade release in 1978. An HD version of the game has been remastered by Backbone Entertainment for Xbox Live Arcade with new four-player multiplayer modes and visualizer backgrounds by Jeff Minter, it was released on 6 May 2009 as a wrap-up to the 30th anniversary. The game is played at a fast pace with an electronic soundtrack and sound effects.
Break 'Em All, known as Brick 'Em All DS in Europe, is an Arkanoid clone released in 2005 for the Nintendo DS. The game features several single-player modes, as well as single-cart multiplayer for up to 8 players. The game utilized the system's touch screen to control the paddle, as well as activate power-ups. Power-Ups could also be activated by pressing up on the D-Pad or by pressing the X Button.
Space Invaders DX is a 1993 fixed shooter arcade game developed and published in Japan by Taito. It has been re-released for several consoles since, including the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, PC Engine Super CD, and Sega Saturn — several of these conversions use the name Space Invaders: The Original Game. The player assumes control of a laser base that must fend off waves of incoming enemies, who march down in formation towards the bottom of the screen. It is the fifth entry in the long-running Space Invaders series. DX contains four variations of the original Space Invaders, in addition to a multiplayer mode and a "Parody Mode" that replaces the characters with those from other Taito franchises. Home ports of DX received mixed reviews for their high price point and general lack of content.
Shatter is an action video game developed and published by Sidhe Interactive. The game was released on July 23, 2009 for PlayStation 3 via PlayStation Network, on March 15, 2010 for Microsoft Windows, on September 18, 2012 for OS X, and on March 14, 2013 for Linux. A remastered version developed by Sidhe's successor PikPok and published by Netflix was released for iOS and Android via Netflix Games on March 23, 2022. A version of the mobile remaster published by PikPok, subtitled Remastered Deluxe, was released on November 2, 2022 for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Space Bust-A-Move is a puzzle video game developed by Lancarse and published by Taito in Japan, and Square Enix worldwide for the Nintendo DS. It was first released in Japan under the title Space Puzzle Bobble on December 18, 2008. It was later released in North America under the title Space Bust-A-Move on July 28, 2009, and in Europe under the title Puzzle Bobble Galaxy on August 28, 2009. As with Arkanoid DS, Space Invaders Extreme and Space Invaders Extreme 2, the game is compatible with Taito's paddle controller.
Arkanoid: Doh It Again is a Super Nintendo Entertainment System game released by Taito in 1997 in Japan, and by Nintendo in Australia, the US, and the UK. It was developed as a sequel to the original 1986 arcade release of Arkanoid.
Devilish is an action video game that was released for the Game Gear.
Quester is a 1987 block breaker arcade game developed and published in Japan by Namco. Controlling a paddle-like craft, the player is tasked with clearing each stage by deflecting a ball towards a formation of bricks towards the top of the screen. Power-up items are hidden in some blocks, which can increase the size of the player's paddle, a barrier that prevents the ball from moving off the screen, and a forcefield that will release eight other balls when touched.
Arkanoid vs Space Invaders is a paid mobile game developed by Taito and published by Taito in Japan and Square Enix worldwide. As the name suggests, it is a crossover between Arkanoid and Space Invaders and has gameplay elements adapted from both games. The game was released without any prior announcement by Square Enix internationally on May 17, 2017. It was re-released on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 as part of Space Invaders Invincible Collection and Space Invaders Forever.