arkanoiden

Arkanoiden refers to the Arkanoid game series, a family of brick-breaking arcade titles developed by Taito. The original Arkanoid, released in 1986, expanded on the Breakout formula by introducing a paddle-controlled element, a sequence of levels with varied brick layouts, and a range of power-ups that altered gameplay. The term is used in some languages to describe Arkanoid-style titles individually or collectively.

Gameplay: Players control a paddle at the bottom of the screen, moving it horizontally to bounce a ball upward to destroy bricks. Bricks may require multiple hits and can include unbreakable blocks or capsules that grant effects when collected. Power-ups appear when bricks are destroyed and may expand the paddle, allow catching or holding the ball, fire lasers, or create multi-ball scenarios. The objective is to clear all breakable bricks while preserving remaining lives.

Development and impact: The success of Arkanoiden in arcades led to numerous sequels and ports to home computers and consoles. The series helped popularize the power-up mechanic and introduced level-based progression that became a standard in the brick-breaking subgenre. It inspired many imitators and spin-offs across platforms from the late 1980s onward.

Legacy: Arkanoiden remains one of the best-known brick-breaker franchises. Its influence is seen in later games that blend paddle-and-ball action with collectible enhancements, and the Arkanoid name is often used as a shorthand for Arkanoid-style gameplay in discussions of classic arcade games.