Arkanoid is back in a big way, and it couldn't have found a better home than on the Nintendo DS.
The standard 1P Mode will have you plowing through seven out of twenty-eight zones laid out in a pyramid. Each zone consists of five rounds, so you'll have to plow through a total of thirty-five rounds. The game uses both screens so as to accommodate a long vertical play field. Compared to previous Arkanoid games, the DS version gives you a lot of space to work with. Gameplay is as you'd expect--you take control of a paddle, which is actually a spaceship known as Vaus, and deflect an "energy ball" for as long as you can--destroying specifically-arranged, multi-colored blocks. They aren't rectangular as was in the older versions of Arkanoid, so they're somewhat harder to hit. Another key element of Arkanoid DS is a barrier found underneath your Vaus which prevents the energy ball from falling into the pit below, and can withstand up to three hits. While certainly a helpful component, the downside here is that if it so much as takes one hit, you will lose out on a 1000 point Barrier Bonus awarded when you clear the Round. And, of course, the longer you keep deflecting the energy ball, the faster it gets and the more difficult it is to maintain it.
As is customary of the Arkanoid games, you will come across powerups found when you destroy blocks. A lot of them are quite beneficial, such as stationary lasers, balls that stick to your Vaus like super glue, an extended paddle, and so forth. Some items are also designed to foul you up, too--there's one where your paddle shrinks in size, and another that has you juggling three balls at the same time. Don't be too surprised if you find yourself emitting a few drops of sweat from your brow going into the first few rounds. You have the option of using the directional pad or the stylus to move your Vaus around, but the stylus functionality is perhaps the best way of playing the game. The stylus offers a greater degree of precision control because the pure reflex of the human right hand (or left) makes for easy saves and close calls with lightning-quick energy balls. And it just feels right.
There's also a Quest Mode which has you satisfying specific objectives when clearing stages. Some of the objectives are dreadfully easy, while others will probably drive you to the point of insanity. Either way, you'll be kept busy and the rewards are worth the effort.
And by rewards, I mean, points. You earn "Game Points" which can be used to purchase accessories from the Shop that, in turn, allow you to customize individual play fields to your liking. Borders, background images, sound effects, block designs--even your Vaus itself can be changed. It is possible to configure Clear Mode's individual zones with their own unique design templates. It's a neat idea. It might have been better if you could build your own stages from scratch as well, but I digress. The music is enjoyably quirky--some of it is strange, but it doesn't distract you from the game play. If anything, the soundtrack is quite relaxing and upbeat. Of course, if you don't fancy it at all, there's the option of turning it off.
Arkanoid DS on the Nintendo DS makes perfect sense. Excellent stylus functionality, great customization options and the classic Arkanoid gameplay you've come to expect round out the affordable package of only $20. Anyone looking for a challenging yet rewarding game would do well to look no further than Arkanoid DS.