Based on the famed Atari classics Breakout and Super Breakout, Arkanoid for the NES is a essentially a remake and reshaping of the original games. The NES clearly had a much stronger technological punch than the good old Atari 2600, so indeed any remake of an Atari game will look and sound better than its original counterparts. The question is though, does it play better?

     The original Breakout and Super Breakout games did not utilize the joystick controller but rather the paddle controllers which consisted of a large rotary turning knob. If you have a paddle controller in good condition, you were in Vintage Gaming Heaven. However, those old paddle controllers are generally prone to breakage after heavy and continued use, thus rendering those games unplayable - so be gentle on those paddle controllers if you should have them. However, in Arkanoid, there was a special controller packed in with the original game known as the "Vaus" Controller. Since I acquired this game used only recently, I wasn't aware of the Vaus controller then. Apparently, this Vaus controller was similar to the Atari's paddle controllers as it uses the same potentiometer technology, but I'd wager it was better in quality considering it was made much later in time. In any case, the Vaus seems like a great idea and probably plays well with the game. I use the original NES controller, and it works exceptionally well but the paddle only moves at a single moderate pace, whereas the Vaus allows for a more delicate control over speed.

     As I alluded to earlier, the graphics are vibrant, the music themes basic yet very appropriate and entertaining. The sound effects are clear and crisp, and the gameplay is very tight, responsive, and ultimately fun. Speaking of gameplay again, there are also various upgrades you can acquire to make your paddle more dynamic - they include lasers, lengthening and shortening the width of the paddle, multiple balls, amongst others. It makes for a very engaging experience with plenty of dimension and variety.

     In a nutshell, you can't go wrong with the game. It's fun - it really embodies what it means to be a game. It's simple, to the point, very straight-forward, and ultimately, it's just good times to be had by people of all ages.

-Kurt L.

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