Arkanoid DS

 DS
Arkanoid DS Image
Metascore
61

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

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  • Summary: Explore three game modes that offer varied gameplay designed for a wide range of users. Compete against others with two or four person multiplayer options to claim the title of ARKANOID DS champion. Decorate ARKANOID DS with colorful designs by trading points gained through gameplay for funExplore three game modes that offer varied gameplay designed for a wide range of users. Compete against others with two or four person multiplayer options to claim the title of ARKANOID DS champion. Decorate ARKANOID DS with colorful designs by trading points gained through gameplay for fun backgrounds and icons. Rock to an irresistible soundtrack produced by Zuntata, TAITO’s award-winning sound team. [Taito]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 29
  3. Negative: 7 out of 29
  1. AtomicGamer
    85
    As a whole, Arkanoid is addictive and even though it's not the only retro title Taito has released lately, for my money it's the best one.
  2. Modojo
    80
    For $20, Arkanoid DS isn't just a steal, it's a requirement. It's fun, it looks and sounds great and it has options for both the solo and multiple players.
  3. GameSpot
    80
    Arkanoid is as much fun today as it was 20 years ago, and the DS version is arguably the best yet.
  4. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    66
    It's simple, feature-light and there's no variety in here ("Tetris DS" is much better value), but for a budget price it's not a bad stop-gap game. [Aug 2008, p.101]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Game Revolution
    58
    Arkanoid DS is a great old-school title, but it comes off as trying to be a hip skateboarding, Pepsi-drinking old dude that just needs to wear his age proudly.
  6. games(TM)
    50
    There are so many cheaper, better versions in existence that it’s very hard to recommend. [Sept 2008, p.125]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Eurogamer
    20
    And thanks to poor ball physics, the ball can quickly get stuck in a "loop" of identical bounces against indestructible blocks if you're unlucky.

See all 29 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. MrPerson
    Sep 17, 2008
    10
    To all reviewers and users: If you gave this game anything less than a green score, let me give you some advice. Head over to www.ebay.comTo all reviewers and users: If you gave this game anything less than a green score, let me give you some advice. Head over to www.ebay.com (make sure it's the American one) and buy a Paddle Controller. I too thought this game sucked when I played it with the D-Pad, but if you have a Paddle Controller it's the best ball-breaking game ever, not to mention the best old-school arcade game on any current-gen console.… Expand
  2. LastResource
    Jan 14, 2023
    10
    worth it and glad to play this game again. so much memories and nostalgia within this shooter game in the franchise.
  4. ninjaguy454
    Jul 20, 2020
    8
    Arkanoid DS is a pleasantly addicting Breakout-esque game on the DS.

    I get a weird nostalgia while playing it that reminds me of the early    Arkanoid DS is a pleasantly addicting Breakout-esque game on the DS.

    I get a weird nostalgia while playing it that reminds me of the early 2000's and it feels like something you'd find on an old flip phone or on Windows XP. I love it.

    The music and sound effects have that early millennium feel to them, and the soundtrack really kicks while you're playing.

    The gameplay is just like Breakout. You've got some power-ups. A risk at getting some power-downs (so to speak), some varying block tops, a cheesy story mode to tie in the levels together, and a variety of gameplay types.

    I really enjoyed how you play through each "World" or satellite, and after you complete them, you unlock the levels for bonus objectives in the game's other modes. On top of that, there is a multiplayer mode against friends or even a competent and challenging AI.

    There are varying control types, and it may be frustrating while playing on the original DS, but I found little issue while playing on my 2DS or 3DS.

    The only complaint gameplay-wise is that there is seemingly a small portion of the playfield that is invisible between the top and bottom screen. Although no blocks spawn there, it does make trying to position yourself to hit the ball a bit more tricky. Although I kind of enjoy the challenge it presents.

    I find myself hooked when playing this game, and I will likely revisit it in the future!    … Expand
  5. sarahaj
    Jul 2, 2022
    6
    I was surprised to see this title was developed by SquareEnix. It is not by any means a bad game - It's your typical breakout clone, just aI was surprised to see this title was developed by SquareEnix. It is not by any means a bad game - It's your typical breakout clone, just a little quirky with some interesting mascot characters. The base game is okay, it really shines however with the Tiato DS Paddle peripheral which gives this a more classic arcade feel.… Expand
  6. rb
    Jul 5, 2008
    2
    Unplayable. The unnecessary narrow field and split screen do nothing but damage, and I am furious with myself for having spent money on this Unplayable. The unnecessary narrow field and split screen do nothing but damage, and I am furious with myself for having spent money on this when my son and I were having so much more fun with Blasterball 3 on the PC -- which we ought to have bought by now, having reinstalled the demo at least five times. And the arcade feel is absolutely gone. I used to love this game and dropped 20p at a time on it every weekend at the tennis court lounge. Again, sick to my stomach that I paid for this. Undeveloped, unsophisticated, unacceptable.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Most Discussed DS Game of 2008