Arkanoid
1986 · Action · Arcade
Overview
Arkanoid is a 1986 block breaker video game developed and published by Taito for arcades. It was released by Romstar in North America. 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.
Deep Dive
Arkanoid is a 1986 block breaker video game developed and published by Taito for arcades. It was released by Romstar in North America. 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.
Developer Story
Arkanoid was developed by Taito in 1986 as a sophisticated update of Breakout. Designer Akira Fujita added a variety of power-ups (caught via capsules from destroyed bricks), a boss fight against "DOH," multiple brick types including silver and gold (which couldn't be destroyed), and a spinner dial controller. The spinner gave precise ball control that joysticks couldn't match. Arkanoid revitalised the Breakout format and spawned its own genre.
Did You Know?
- The final boss, DOH, was a giant face that could only be destroyed with a specific power-up or by landing the ball in its open mouth.
- Gold bricks could never be destroyed — players had to route the ball around them rather than through them.
- The spinner dial controller gave a completely different feel from any joystick or button, with continuous smooth paddle movement.
- Power-up capsules fell from bricks and had to be caught by the paddle before reaching the bottom — adding a secondary catching game to the brick breaking.
- Arkanoid's influence on the brick-breaker genre is so dominant that many later games in the format are called "Arkanoid clones."
