Brick Breakout
Smash the wall. Higher rows are worth more and speed the ball up.
- Move with the arrow keys or A and D, or use the mouse or your finger. Space pauses.
- Chain bricks without touching your paddle to build a combo up to x6.
- Catch falling capsules. Hitting the top row shrinks your paddle.
Progressive: one ball, and a faster wall each level.
Brick Breakout Remix: how it works
A modern take on a 1978 arcade classic. Bounce the ball off your paddle, smash the wall of bricks, and keep the ball alive as long as you can.
This version keeps the spirit of Atari’s original, with its colored rows, its three game types and a ball that keeps getting faster, then adds combos, falling power-ups, levels and a neon makeover. It plays in your browser with no download, on desktop or mobile.
How to play
- Pick a mode on the start screen, then press space (or tap the button) to begin. A 3-2-1 countdown launches the ball.
- Move your paddle with the left and right arrow keys, or A and D. You can also use your mouse or drag a finger across the board.
- Keep the ball in play. Bounce it back up at the wall. If every ball drops past your paddle, you lose a life.
- Clear the wall to move to the next level. You start with 3 balls and earn an extra one each level, up to 5.
- Pause any time with space or the Pause button. The game also pauses by itself if you scroll away or switch tabs.
Keyboard not responding? The keys only work while your mouse is over the game or you have clicked on it. That keeps the rest of the page scrolling normally.
Three game modes
The original Super Breakout shipped with three game types. This remix brings them all back.
Progressive
One ball and a classic wall. Each new level starts the ball a little faster.
Double
Two balls are in play at once, so you have to read both. You lose a life only when both are gone.
Cavity
Two extra balls start trapped in pockets inside the wall. Dig them out and they join the action.
Bricks and scoring
The wall has eight rows. The higher the row, the more it’s worth, so the best points are the hardest to reach.
| Row color | Rows | Points per brick |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Top two | 7 |
| Orange | Next two | 5 |
| Green | Next two | 3 |
| Yellow | Bottom two | 1 |
A full wall is worth 448 points before bonuses. Combos multiply that: every brick you break without touching your paddle raises the multiplier, up to x6, and it resets the moment the ball hits your paddle.
Things that change as you play
- The ball speeds up. It gets faster after a few paddle hits and the first time it reaches the orange or red rows, and each level starts quicker than the last.
- Hit the top row and your paddle shrinks. It stays smaller until you lose a ball or clear the level, so the top row is a real risk.
- Where the ball lands matters. Hitting it with the middle of the paddle sends it straight up. The edges send it off at a sharper angle.
Power-up capsules
Roughly one brick in ten drops a capsule. Catch it with your paddle to use it.
Wide paddle
Your paddle grows much wider for 10 seconds.
Multi-ball
Every ball in play splits into three.
Slow-mo
The ball slows down for 8 seconds, giving you time to aim.
Fire ball
The ball smashes straight through bricks for 6 seconds.
Tips for a higher score
- Dig a tunnel. Break a channel up one side of the wall and send the ball behind it. It will bounce around up there and rack up a huge combo without ever touching your paddle.
- Save the fire ball for the top. If you catch one early, a hit on the red rows can clear a whole column.
- Stay near the middle. You have the most room to react in both directions, especially once the ball is fast.
- Don’t chase every capsule. A missed ball costs more than a missed power-up.
- Use slow-mo when the screen gets busy, especially after a multi-ball.
A little history
Atari released Breakout in 1976, and Super Breakout followed in 1978. The sequel moved from the original’s discrete circuitry to a microprocessor, which made room for more game variations. Besides the classic version, it offered Progressive, Double and Cavity games, and players steered with a rotary paddle controller. The game was later ported to home systems including the Atari 2600, and the idea of a ball, a paddle and a wall of bricks went on to inspire countless block-breakers.
Questions and answers
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. Drag your finger left and right across the board to move the paddle. Tap the button on the start screen to begin.
Is my high score saved?
Your best score for each mode is saved in your browser on this device. Clearing your browser data will reset it.
Why does the ball feel faster over time?
It’s meant to. The ball speeds up as you rally and as you break the higher rows, and every new level starts faster than the last.
Which mode should I start with?
Progressive. It has a single ball and the simplest rules. Move to Double or Cavity once you’re comfortable.
Is this the original Super Breakout?
No. It’s an independent remix inspired by the classic, with new features such as combos, power-ups and levels.
Super Breakout and Breakout are trademarks of their respective owners. This game is an independent tribute and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Atari.