Breakout Beyond Reviews
The only gripe we have is that some of the smaller menu text can look a little blurry in handheld mode, but given the overall lack of text in the game, it’s not a dealbreaker. Whether you’re an old-school fan or a newcomer, Breakout Beyond may be the best way to experience Atari's stone-cold classic.
It's hard to mess up Breakout as it remains fun after all these years (decades even), but darn if Choice Provisions nearly did with their inexplicable decision to lock content, including online leaderboards. The fact that the game still succeeds despite this blunder is a testament to their talent and the timeless source material.
Breakout Beyond from developer Choice Provisions and publisher Atari is a nice tip of the cap to the classic game. While its screen configuration and pacing might be a little jarring for new players, the power-ups and gameplay elements that present good challenges will certainly hook them. The game does a great job of balancing classic Breakout ideas with well-thought-through gameplay design.
Overall, Breakout Beyond has a few notable flaws, mainly in its visual effects and paddle speed, but it remains a highly engaging and fun arcade experience. The level progression, unlockable content, and multiplayer modes add to its replayability, and the Switch's handheld mode makes it a perfect pick-up-and-play title. While the blinding flashes and overly fast paddle movement can be frustrating, the core gameplay is strong enough to keep you coming back for one more breakout attempt.
A neon-infused take on the beloved arcade classic
These few wishes aside, I really enjoyed my time with Breakout Beyond and I know I"ll return from time to time to play more. While I do wish there were some more modes or options, at the end of the day this shows the simple genius of an arcade classic very well.
With its boring initial stages out of the way, Breakout Beyond really amps up the fun factor with its clever use of power-ups and gimmicks. 🧱
I suppose the real question to ask is, did Breakout need this much of an overhaul from the original concept? The honest answer is no. First off, Pong-style paddle-on-the-side gameplay makes the perspective of the game really difficult mixed with the CRT view. Second, the scrolling screen is an interesting concept, but feels like a faulty premise overall.
While Beyond may be pretty simple and a game you can jump into and know what to do right away, that doesn’t mean it can’t be some serious fun, and I found it to be a great and chill way to break some bricks while passing the time. Choice Provisions really did the concept great justice here!
Breakout Beyond is a fantastic remake of a timeless classic.
Breakout Beyond is a 2D game brought to us by Atari and Choice Provisions in which we will have to destroy a series of blocks with our ball in order to reach the goal and complete each level. The neon style, a correct music and good sound effects make the title a solid experience to take into account. We also have the option to play cooperatively and live a more frenetic experience, that if there is little mechanical variety making a few minutes we see that little more can offer us.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Breakout Beyond carries a legacy that is hard to ignore. Even though it changes the meaning of a nearly 50-year-old formula, it is still an addictive game that will always make players want to try again in that boring level. The new perspective and intense visual details may make it a bit difficult to assimilate this model, but those who enjoy an old-school challenge will not be disappointed.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Breakout Beyond is another version of a great puzzle game from early age of gaming. Easy to pick up and play, great use of power ups and focus mode to help through some of the harder levels. However, it’s greatest feature is also its greatest downfall; lack of gameplay variety and replay value. If you’re looking for something different to keep you busy, Breakout Beyond is a great way to spend some time and money.
Breakout Beyond doesn’t go beyond anything we haven’t seen before. It has its issues with paddle sensitivity and endless mode not being infinite, but both of which can be fixed in updates or patches. NeoBreakout by Digital Eclipse or any of the other games within Atari 50 collection do offer a more complete experience. Breakout Beyond is still a solid Breakout experience, in a pretty package to justify its own existence with a style and visual flair the series has deserved for some time now.
Breakout Beyond is a minimalistic, vibey light show rendition of a classic casual game that proves there is plenty of artful spirit in Atari's blocky classics, even though it could do with more unique levels.
Breakout Beyond is a fantastic modern take on a timeless classic. It remains true to Breakout’s arcade roots while introducing new mechanics that keep things fresh. The sideways perspective, power-ups, and co-op gameplay make it more than just a remake, ensuring it appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers. Whether you’re looking for a quick game to pick up and play or a high-score challenge to master, Breakout Beyond proves that there’s still plenty of life in these retro classics.
The combo scoring nature of gameplay and the way the pace ramps up to a frenetic level places Breakout Beyond alongside classic arcade and puzzle titles of its ilk from days gone by.
Breakout Beyond takes a classic and forgets the most important part. You can’t have a brick-breaking game be fun if it doesn’t control well, and this one does not at launch.