Like Space Invaders Extreme before it, Arkanoid DS takes an arcade classic and wraps it around a new interface, while keeping most of the fun that made the original such a favorite.
In Arkanoid, you control the Vaus, a futuristic spaceship shaped like a metallic paddle. You're thrust into a series of stages where several block formations stand in your way. Sadly, your ship doesn't come equipped with the weaponry to remove these obstacles from your path. Instead, you remove them by knocking a large ball into them. As you chip away at these bothersome blocks, you'll find a couple of attributes working in your favor.
First off, instead of being given three lives and you're done, you have an electrical force field sitting beneath your ship. It takes a certain number of hits (the default is set to five) before it vanishes completely. Once the ball disappears, it's game over, but it's relatively easy to get back to the stage you were stuck on. When you strike certain blocks in the playfield, you're also given the chance to collect a helpful power-up. These power-ups vary. Some are helpful (like the Laser option that turns your ship into a shooting machine), while others aren't (such as the Shrink pill that cuts the size of your Vaus in half).
Most of these levels are available in the Clear Game, divided into 28 worlds with five stages apiece. However, as you complete each stage, you can revisit them in any order you wish through the Quest mode, in case you want to work on finishing them faster. This side mode also provides additional challenges, such as taking out certain-colored blocks in a time limit or hitting the ball so many times with your paddle.
Completing these tasks unlocks points, which you can spend in a virtual shop. This allows you to buy a number of things to customize your Arkanoid experience, such as various backgrounds, in-game music selections, sound effects and various Vaus and block styles. This probably won't appeal to those who are pleased with the default selections already provided in the game, but it adds replay value for those who aren't. Besides, we have yet to see someone who doesn't have a guilty fetish for a leopard skin background.
Control options are limited to two choices: d-pad control and stylus control. Although d-pad control is far from sloppy, the reaction time is somewhat slower than using the touch-screen. It works in an old-school way, but you'll want to drag the stylus around if you want the best results. Support for the snap-on paddle peripheral (sold with the Japanese version of the game) is also included, in case you imported it earlier in the year. It's a shame Square Enix didn't consider bringing the peripheral here to the States, but that probably would've made the price go up. It's not the end of the world.
Along with the Clear and Quest modes, Arkanoid also offers a lot to do with your friends. You can challenge players locally through versus play using one cartridge (through downloading) or hop on the Wi-Fi Connection to join a match via random selection or Friend Codes. Versus mode offers plenty of competitive action, as you not only try to take out specific blocks but pass along negative power-ups and block formations as well. This introduces a competitive edge never imagined before in an Arkanoid game, and we love it.
Arkanoid DS doesn't go overboard on its presentation, but it works. Visually, the action divides between the top and bottom screens. While there's slight disorientation at first when the ball is completely out of view, you get used to it. The graphics are fine and some of the backgrounds are cool, with a retro-themed flavor. The in-game music isn't bad either, although some selections overstay their welcome.
Best of all, this package sells for a wallet-friendly $20. Considering all the options included with multiplayer, replay value and gameplay options, it makes Arkanoid DS a must-add to your game library. Don't let anything "block" your purchase.
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