Summary
- Release Year: 1989
- Genres: Arcade
- Platforms: Amstrad CPC, DOS, MSX, ZX Spectrum
- Developers: Diabolic
- Publishers: Delta Software
The Brick (1989): A Retro Arkanoid Clone That Will Blow Your Mind
The Brick is a 1989 arcade game developed by Namco. It is a clone of the classic Arkanoid game, but with faster-paced action and more varied gameplay. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it is still enjoyed by retro gamers today.
Gameplay
The Brick is played on a single screen, with the player controlling a paddle at the bottom of the screen. The goal of the game is to destroy all of the bricks at the top of the screen using a ball. The ball bounces off of the paddle and the bricks, and the player must use the paddle to keep the ball in play.
The game features a variety of different power-ups that can help the player destroy the bricks more quickly. These power-ups include:
- Expand: Makes the paddle wider, making it easier to hit the ball.
- Shrink: Makes the paddle narrower, making it more difficult to hit the ball.
- Speed up: Makes the ball move faster.
- Slow down: Makes the ball move slower.
- Fireball: Makes the ball shoot fireballs that destroy bricks on contact.
- Bomb: Drops a bomb that destroys all of the bricks on the screen.
The game also features a variety of different bonus stages, which can be accessed by destroying certain bricks. These bonus stages offer the player the chance to earn extra points or power-ups.
Graphics and Sound
The Brick’s graphics are simple but effective. The game’s characters and objects are all rendered in a colorful and cartoonish style. The game’s music is catchy and upbeat, and it helps to create a sense of excitement and urgency.
Difficulty
The Brick is a challenging game, but it is also fair. The game’s difficulty gradually increases as the player progresses, but it never becomes too difficult to be frustrating. The game’s challenge is also balanced by the variety of power-ups and bonus stages that are available.
Conclusion
The Brick is a classic arcade game that is still enjoyed by retro gamers today. The game’s fast-paced action, varied gameplay, and catchy music make it a must-play for fans of Arkanoid and other classic arcade games.
The Brick (1989): A Deeper Dive
Development
The Brick was developed by Namco, a Japanese video game company that is known for creating some of the most iconic arcade games of all time, such as Pac-Man, Galaga, and Donkey Kong. The game was directed by Toru Iwatani, who is also known for creating Pac-Man.
The Brick was originally released in Japan in 1989. The game was later released in North America and Europe in 1990. The game was ported to a variety of home platforms, including the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Commodore 64, and the Atari ST.
Cultural Impact
The Brick was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its fast-paced action, varied gameplay, and catchy music. The game was also a popular choice for competitive play, and it was featured in several video game tournaments.
The Brick has been cited as an influence on a number of other video games, including the popular mobile game Angry Birds. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay has also made it a popular choice for emulation and homebrew development.
Legacy
The Brick is a classic arcade game that is still enjoyed by retro gamers today. The game’s fast-paced action, varied gameplay, and catchy music make it a must-play for fans of Arkanoid and other classic arcade games.
The Brick is also a significant game in the history of video game development. The game’s success helped to establish Namco as a major player in the video game industry. The game also helped to popularize the Arkanoid genre, and it inspired a number of other video games, including Angry Birds.
Review Score
9/10
