Nervous Brickdown

 DS
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
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  1. GamingExcellence
    72
    Nervous Brickdown is a very solid game, offering up enjoyable gameplay, with a very good multiplayer mode and the shuffle mode allowing you to play random levels is a neat twist.
  2. GameSpy
    70
    The real issue with Nervous Brickdown is that it finds itself bound to the Breakout formula. There are some very cool, very well-suited to the DS mini-games here, but you're always fundamentally bouncing a ball and trying to make sure it doesn't slip past you.
  3. GamesRadar+
    70
    A competitive mode would have been nice, but the big weakness in this package is that it ends too quickly (especially for a $30 game) and leaves you aching for more. Which, considering we’re dealing with a gameplay style first introduced more than three decades ago, is a pretty amazing accomplishment.
  5. Armchair Empire
    70
    In 30-minute stretches it’s a fine challenge.
  6. Nintendo Power
    70
    A clever take on a familiar concept. [Sept 2007, p.89]
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  7. MEGamers
    70
    The combinations of colours in each stage are very attractive and will keep you coming back for more. The design of each level is also crucial to the games success.
  8. Thunderbolt
    70
    Some of the best stages in the game are ruined by gimmicks and poorly implemented ideas. It doesn’t make Nervous Brickdown a poor title, but it drags it down from being a truly great Breakout adaptation. Sometimes simplicity is a good thing.
  9. Worth Playing
    68
    Nervous Brickdown isn't a game built to last. It is beautifully creative, taking a classic formula and twisting it on its ear again and again … until it runs out.
  10. Nintendo Gamer
    60
    This is brimming over with smart and snazzy ideas, but it fails to deliver simple gameplay thrills. [Sept 2007, p.62]
    All this publication's reviews
  11. Eurogamer
    60
    It's a fine showcase for some good ideas, doing for Arkanoid what Flipnic did for pinball. But its novelty value doesn't make it a game you'll come back to for long, though.
  12. 1UP
    55
    Nervous Brickdown has style and relative variety, but it's twice the price it should be and a bit too late to the puzzle party.
  13. VideoGamer
    50
    Its undeniably attractive presentation may make it look like the next must-have, cultish handheld release, but sadly Nervous Brickdown is all style and no charm.

Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Best DS Game of 2007
86
#86 Most Discussed DS Game of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 2 out of 13
  1. Classic78
    Feb 25, 2021
    9
    This is a very fun reimagining of Breakout featuring a lot of creativity and variety between levels. I just replayed my DS copy but wouldThis is a very fun reimagining of Breakout featuring a lot of creativity and variety between levels. I just replayed my DS copy but would love a reboot on the Switch.… Full Review »
  2. RomanC.
    Jul 4, 2007
    1
    Breakout is cool but this game hardly pushes the genre forward. A few good ideas but yet not enough to make that game any better than some Breakout is cool but this game hardly pushes the genre forward. A few good ideas but yet not enough to make that game any better than some sharewares you can find on PC. Also the graphics are a bit average and sometimes just too simple. It can be fun if you don't mind the very repetitive gameplay.… Full Review »
  3. MichalG.
    Jun 30, 2007
    9
    Very nice game. There are a lot of different, funny modes, cute graphics and animations. Music could be better but it doesn't matter. I Very nice game. There are a lot of different, funny modes, cute graphics and animations. Music could be better but it doesn't matter. I really recommend this title. Well, let's play!… Full Review »
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