The DS screen is a perfect feature for this game since the height allows a more accurate simulation of the old arcade cabinets. Arkanoid DS looks way better than anything we played in the arcade, or at least anything faithful to the old style, with a few upgrades. Available customization of everything from Vaus (the little platform you use to reflect balls) to the blocks and frame and background and music is nice. Arkanoid DS doesn't just feel like a reinterpretation of the old game and it definitely doesn't feel like someone set out to "reshape" the legacy. This is a pretty faithful recreation of the old-style, block-breaking action, with some new twists that appear more as gameplay upgrades and window dressing.

Window dressing comes in the form of a Shop where you can use credits earned in-game to buy new backgrounds for the gameboards, new looks for Vaus, and new block styles. These can be applied throughout the game in a variety of ways, for more of a "custom playlist" approach than just a one-shot customization. You can decide to mix and match styles and just change the style for a particular area of the game, or go default and have no music if that's your style. The soundtrack is prolific, but not terribly strong for repeat listening. More of the smooth styles and less of the driving techno would have improved things - at the end of the day, Arkanoid DS is more of a casual, reflective game than anything else. Especially now in the context of the casual-gaming revolution, it is clear where a style like this falls on the action spectrum. The more relaxed music that typically accompanies the modern casual game would have been a nice choice to mix in with the choppier dance beats on Arkanoid DS.

The importance of a good label can't be overstated. Mentioning Arkanoid to folks that weren't core gamers back in the day won't necessarily elicit a quick, "Oh yeah!" response. When you describe the gameplay - moving a platform at the bottom of the screen to reflect balls that bounce around and clear colored blocks - you'll get more acknowledgment and maybe even someone that shouts out, "Block Breaker!" or "Breakout!" or possibly Arkanoid. The Breakout franchise was a popular and iconic moment for gamers in the 70s and 80s, with Taito's Arkanoid coming on strong and carrying the torch for subsequent generations. Unlike a Tetris concept that is simple and easily duplicated, but never quite as good as its original form, I would vote for the Arkanoid franchise as the high-water mark in block-breaking games. Arkanoid DS is arguably as good as it gets. Multiplayer and a great depth of single-player action, not to mention the customization possibilities mentioned earlier, make this almost the definitive version. Only an editor would have been required to reach Nirvana...

At a high level, there are three modes, 1P Game, Multiplayer, and Wi-Fi. 1P is then divided into Clear Game (classic, straight sequence of levels that must be passed), Quest Game (same levels but with restrictions on what you need to do in order to pass a level), and VS COM (like multiplayer but against the CPU). The Quest Game opens up as you play more of the Clear Game, and VS COM is a curious choice when there is multiplayer, but it makes sense if, like us, you aren't always near a wireless access point. Multiplayer with four friends is just awesome. It isn't that much different than the solo experience, but you have the possibility of sending blocks to your friend as a penalty. It's a race to the finish with the winner crowned as the first to destroy all blocks. A variation game that also appears in Wi-Fi Mode is the mode where breaking (or "busting" as is indicated here, probably to avoid the inevitable comparison) blocks of a similar color is what yields points. The true Wi-Fi multiplayer allows up to four people to connect as matched partners or preassigned friends. Collecting friend information and having a network is cool and helpful for times when it is hard to find a matched player. The points you earn offline become your rating. You can then increase or decrease your rating by challenging other players online.

There are several settings that directly affect difficulty. The level of difficulty can be set for players that don't have as much experience break--, sorry..."busting" blocks. There is also the barrier at the bottom of the screen that will deflect the ball several times before disappearing. Other ways to control the level of difficulty include the items that fall from certain blocks in each level. A few items, like the "E" (makes Vaus larger, more surface to hit the ball) and "M" (turns the ball ultra-powerful, so it goes through shielded blocks like a hot knife through butter), are really helpful. Others, like the "R" (smaller Vaus in exchange for bonus points) and "C" (the ball sticks to Vaus until you release it), create a disadvantage at times. "C" or "catch" feels really nice until you are pressed for time, when it then becomes annoying. The best approach is to pick up only what you need and what fits your playing style. Other, less beneficial items should be avoided if possible.

The simple look of Arkanoid DS hides some nice depth in terms of control and gameplay. The Vaus has the ability to deflect the ball in several ways, depending on its trajectory and the area where you connect with the ball. Learning to actually place the ball is a key skill. The option to control Vaus using the DS stylus is great, the preferred control for those that really care about placement and responsiveness. Learning the different items and their use is incredibly important, especially in a competition. The interface for multiplayer is easy to navigate and the screen during a multiplayer game, even with 3-4 players, is nice and clean. Everything about Arkanoid DS controls well and the addition of the Shop Mode is a great way to find the perfect customization. A level editor would have been not much more difficult, but the levels available are what you'll have to work with for now.

Updating a classic is always a bit nervy, since people have strong emotional attachments to the game as they played it in the 80s or otherwise. Arkanoid DS should make fans of the earlier installments very happy. The fit on DS is great and the implementation is solid. Happy busting...