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Different from the original...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 13 / 13
Date: June 25, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I kept waiting for someone to go first but looks like I'll be first...

First of all, Arkanoid plays just fine with a stylus. I'm sure it's better with a paddle like the original but since the game didn't come with one, the stylus works good.

I enjoyed playing it with the stylus. There is an option of easy, normal, or hard. I chose normal hoping it's like the original. You also can choose your backgrounds and the style of the vaus I think, number of barriers (how many lives you get per round) and the music after you earn points for playing.

Now for comparing the original to this one: The backgrounds are completely different. The blocks are pretty much the same but much much less blocks. The graphics of the blocks are nice and colorful. The vaus is similar but not exactly the same. There are no falling objects to make the game hard at all like the original does. (at least not in the normal play, maybe in the hard setting, I haven't tried the hard mode yet) There are falling capsules giving you "powers" of the ball, like "C" for catch, "E" for expanding your vaus and so forth. If you are familar with the original, you know what I'm talking about. In this one, the capsules are small and almost hard to read the lettering but once you learn their colors & powers, you'll be fine after that. I used to love the pink capsule for warping onto the next level. I haven't seen that capsule at all so far.

I actually completed the game in shock because I thought I had long ways to go. It goes to like 35 rounds and it was easy. (I am very good at the original and have completed the game multiple times) Each level they give you certain number of lives depending what you chose. If you use up all your lives, you can continue where you left off which is nice. So I played all the way to the end hoping to see the final face at the end but as it turns out the ending was...well I'll leave that for you to find out...

After I completed the game, it scrolled the credits, then says, "thanks for playing..." Then says, "Congratulations! You have earned new Vaus."
How exciting. I'll see how that is.

In all I enjoyed playing it but it wasn't as challenging as the original at all. (at the normal mode) I'll try the hard mode and see how it goes. The graphics, in my opinion, is MUCH better in the NES version. I'm giving it 4 stars because of that. Still it's fun to play whether you've played the NES version or are new to this game.

I'll revise or add onto this review once I try the hard mode or go further with a new vaus to see if there's anything new...

UPDATE: Ok I've tried the hard mode and it is challenging!! It has the same challenges as the NES version with much less blocks again. There are few rounds that was just like the original and some new where you have to get the ball into the right location to get into an area to knock out the blocks. Those took me a while! I'm glad I bought it!

If you don't like this review, give me a comment and let me know what you don't like about it.

Totally Addictive!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: June 27, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Arkanoid is a game that is probably familiar to almost anyone. The entry for the DS is an excellent entry in this long running series of games that have appeared on almost every console imaginable. The concept is simple; move your paddle or vaus as it's called (which is actually a spaceship) back and forth along the bottom of your screen while hitting a ball to destroy all blocks that are on the top screen. It sounds simple and it is...in the beginning. As you progress through the different stages you find some that are amazingly simple and others that take you several run throughs to complete. The basic clear game consists of 28 stages each with 5 levels for a total of 140 levels altogether. If the game had just included this mode it would still have made me happy. However, there is another mode called Quest Mode which gives you certain goals to accomplish. There is a different goal for every level. Oh, and you have to clear the level before you can unlock it's respective level in Quest mode. There are also assorted power ups you can collect throughout the levels as well. Some are more helpful than others and you'll learn the ones that will help you as you play. Some of them do more harm than good sometimes. Play the game and you will know what I mean. For me the game seemed a little boring the first time I played it but then I found myself not wanting to put it down. On another note, in Japan this game was released with a paddle controller. I'm not sure why this was not made available here in the U.S. but some of the reviews I've read about it say that it is the best way to play it. The controller will work with the U.S. version of the game if you can find one online. I've ordered one and will update this review once I get it.

Enjoyable take on an old favorite

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: July 06, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Arkanoid has pretty much always been good for a blast, and this new age Arkanoid for the DS is no different. Featuring a bevy of visual upgrades, new power-up's, multiplayer options, Quest and Clear modes, and unlockables; this Arkanoid warrants a try at the very least. Using the stylus as a paddle works surprisingly well (trying to use the D-pad surprisingly does not), and the game remains as simply addictive as ever. The game is really at it's best in multiplayer mode for up to four players, which is a sheer blast. Also featuring online leaderboards, there's much to admire here with Arkanoid on the DS, although there are some small drawbacks. For starters, the game doesn't offer too much of a challenge (I seem to remember Arkanoid being a bit harder) compared to past versions of the game, but for newcomers, this isn't anything to worry about at all. All in all, Arkanoid still remains a fun time that warrants your attention and time whether you are a newcomer to the series or old veteran, and the budget price tag doesn't hurt either.

Good time killer

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: July 12, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Liked the game. Old classic with good colors and snazzy jazz tunes. Great activity to kill some time. Many different levels and combinations possible before winning the game completely.

Another Classic Block Game

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: July 06, 2008
Author: Amazon User

It just seems to me right now, there just aren't any great games coming out for the Nintendo DS right now, the classics have just been eating gamers away. While we've seen mental games like Brain Age, Crosswords DS, and New Super Mario Brothers score very well, there just aren't any great games coming out right now. Instead, what we are seeing right now are just classic spin-offs from the past come alive agaiin for the handhelds DS. With the recent release of this block-bouncer, many gamers are wondering if this will dominate, or just fall to pieces.

Arkanoid DS, brings back the classic thrills of the simple block-busting arcade classic we've seen from the 80's, and 90's. The gameplay is nothing new to DS owners, who've played last years' Break 'Em All which also falls similar to the gameplay. There are over 35 levels of gameplay, which maintain being simple, as you control the game with you stylus, by holding the ship and moving it back and forth. There are also special weapons you get including multiball action, lasers, and many others. There are also boss battles here too, but they just don't change with the gameplay. What does add-on to the fun well, is the addition of using the online Wi-Fi gameplay, which at least prevents the gameplay from being completely boring.

All in all, Arkanoid doesn't bring in too much excitement for die hard Nintendo DS fans, it certainly will bring a huge kick for older nostalig fans of classic video games. I was really hoping there could've been more to bring back the classic bounce, but that is the way the Arkanoid ship bounces out.

Graphics: B

Sound: C+

Control: B-

Fun & Enjoyment: C for solo players: C+ for multiplayer

Overall: C

Review Page: 1 

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