Breakout
Manufacturer: Atari, 1976
Designer: Nolan Bushnell
History:
Atari founder Nolan Bushnell was the main creator of Breakout. He
was quite sure it'd be a hit, and was right; it became an overnight
sensation. This game, IMO, is what helped lead to many of the more
definite puzzle games in the years that followed.
Description:
Breakout begins with 8 rows of bricks, each 2 rows in a different
color. Players get 3 balls to try to knock down as many bricks as
possible by bouncing the ball against the wall off of a video sledge
hammer. 1 Point is scored for each brick knocked out in the yellow
row, 3 for each in the green, 5 for each orange, 7 for each red. To
add to the challenge, the hammer decreases to half its size after
the red row is broken through. Ball speed increases after 4 hits,
increases again after 12, to highest speed in the orange and red
rows.
Tips:
The best way to knock out as many bricks as possible is by
concentrating the ball mainly on the left or right, and then trying
to break your way through so that the ball will then bounce around
on TOP of the bricks, providing you with a brief moment of
relaxation as the ball takes out as many as possible from above.
Video link: click
here.
Super Breakout
Manufacturer: Atari, 1978
Designer: Nolan Bushnell
History:
With the success of the first game, the way was paved to making this
even more challenging sequel. Here, you can get a double-paddle, and
the challenge is increased.
Video link: click
here.
