Taito's brick-breaker ported to near perfection on NES. Simple, precise, addictive. The rotary controller is not essential but appreciated. A timeless game that still plays effortlessly.
Your verdict
Category
Arcade1 player3+
Description
Taito breakout game in which a paddle reflects a ball to break rows of bricks. Published by Taito, released in Japan in 1986. Movable paddle at the bottom of the screen, ball power increasing with power-ups and increasingly complex levels. Famicom port of Taito's Arkanoid arcade.
Taito's Famicom release is inseparable from its dedicated paddle, the NES Vaus Controller. Without the original spinner the game loses most of its appeal, which makes the complete Japanese bundle (cart, box and paddle) genuinely sought after and prone to steep prices. A loose cart stays affordable, but the full set with a working paddle is the actual target for Taito collectors.
Is Arkanoid still worth playing in 2026?
The NES port of Arkanoid is one of the most precise brick-breakers on the console. Simple, readable and fiercely addictive, it transposes Taito's arcade with remarkable fidelity. Pad controls stay decent, and the famous NES Vaus paddle, when you own one, turns the experience near-arcade. The pacing suits five-minute sessions or long evenings, and the difficulty climbs with welcome precision. For arcade classics and pure-mechanic gameplay fans, still a timeless cart to bring out without hesitation today.
