The next game on the list is none other
than the 1976 blockbuster (lol) "Breakout"! Developed by
Atari, in 1976. After the success of Pong four years earlier,
many clones started springing up, and for good reason. It was
something new and fun that nobody had ever experienced before. It was
only natural that people wanted more.
So after four years of trying to
compete with other Pong clones such as "TV Ping Pong" or
"Bally playtime", Atari answered the best way they could by
producing more innovative games such as the seers exclusive Home
Pong, which in it's self was ingenious. You like playing Pong once a
week at the pizza parlor? You tired of spending 25¢ a pop? Then try
Home Pong. It's the same game, but you can play it at home...
Any time you want.... Mind=blown! And Breakout. Nolan Bushnell came
up with the concept of a different kind of Pong, where instead of
being a multiplayer sport simulator, they would take the ball and
paddle, turn it on its side and use the ball to beak bricks on the
top of the screen. It is the very essence of what a good squeal is.
Instead of making the same game, only bigger, like many triple
A game companies do even today. They took the same basic concept that
made Pong so great, and used it to explore completely new ideas. It
was new, and it was something that could only be done in a video
game.
Personally? I enjoyed it. I mean,
it's simple, but breaking through those blocks and finally
making it to the top is a very satisfying experience. Overall, the
game is still fun to play and I recommend it for anyone who has not
played it, and just wants to kill 15 minutes. You might be surprised
at just how addicting it can be.
And for anyone who wants to know more
about the history of Pong, Breakout, and Atari in general. I
highly recommend this article from the good people at pong-story.com where I got most of my research from.
Next up: Boot Hill
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