Arkanoid DS

 DS
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 2 out of 11
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. 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 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 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
  2. 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.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 arcadeTo 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
  3. 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 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    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
  4. 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 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.
  5. 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.

Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Most Discussed DS Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 29
  3. Negative: 7 out of 29
  1. Nintendo Power
    65
    Though not as glossy as "Space Invaders Extreme"(another Taito update from Square Enix), brick-breaker Arkanoid DS takes advantage of the DS hardware more than its classic-reborn cousin by offering a vertical playing field and a touch-control option. [July 2008, p.89]
  2. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    72
    Business as usual. [July 2008, p.84]
  3. IGN
    45
    The Paddle Controller was the only thing this title had going for it in its Japanese release, and with it taken away in the US version you can see that Arkanoid DS just doesn't have what it takes to be the true Breakout clone.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »