Arkanoid: Doh It Again

Arkanoid: Doh It Again, released for the SNES in 1997, is a modern reinterpretation of the classic arcade game Arkanoid. The original game, released in 1986, was itself an evolution of Atari’s legendary Breakout. It was released 10 years after Arkanoid: Revenge of DOH, the sequel to the original coin-op. Developed by Taito, this installment brings the iconic block-breaking gameplay to home consoles with updated visuals, refined mechanics, and an impressive amount of content.

The core gameplay remains unchanged: the player controls the Vaus, a small paddle-like spaceship that must bounce a ball to break all the blocks on the screen. Some blocks release power-ups such as lasers, extended paddles, multiballs, or the ability to catch the ball. In this version, power-ups are more varied, and the difficulty curve is better balanced than in the arcade original.

Visually, the game is simple but clean, using the SNES’s capabilities to deliver colorful backgrounds and crisp sprite work. The audio features arcade-style sound effects and music, though it’s not particularly memorable. Many backgrounds seem to be precisely a port of the arcade ones. Where Arkanoid: Doh It Again truly shines is in its volume of content: over 100 levels, new enemy types, moving obstacles, and boss fights against the villainous Doh, adding a loose narrative structure that was barely mentioned in earlier games.

A key addition for the console version is the ability to save progress, a welcome improvement over the unforgiving arcade experience. A two-player alternating mode keeps the competitive spirit alive, and the game’s accessibility makes it ideal for newcomers and nostalgic veterans alike.

Unlike the original title, which relied heavily on fast reflexes and brutal difficulty, this SNES version offers a more forgiving experience without compromising on challenge. Thanks to smart enhancements and additional features, it remains faithful to its arcade roots while justifying its place on a home console.

Even though block-breaker games were no longer in vogue by 1997, Arkanoid: Doh It Again received positive reviews and carved out a place as one of the best representatives of its genre. Now you can finally play on your PC or Mac.