Editing Arkanoid (section)

{{Short description|1986 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Arkanoid
| image = Arkanoid arcadeflyer.png
| caption = Arcade flyer
| developer = [[Taito]]
| publisher = {{vgrelease|JP/EU|Taito<ref name="EU">{{cite web |title=Video Game Flyers: Arkanoid, Taito (EU) |url=https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=thumbs&db=videodb&id=58 |website=The Arcade Flyer Archive |access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref>|NA|[[Romstar]]<ref name="Akagi">{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971-2005) |date=13 October 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |language=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |page=137 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n138}}</ref>}}
| designer = Akira Fujita<br>Hiroshi Tsujino
| composer = [[Hisayoshi Ogura]]
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|April 26, 1986<ref>{{cite web |title=Arkanoid (Registration Number PA0000296002) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |website=[[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date=6 September 2021}}</ref>|NA|August 1986<ref name="Akagi"/>|EU|November 1986<ref name="CVG"/>}}
| genre = Action, Block Breaker
| modes = 1-2 players alternating turns
| series = ''Arkanoid''
| platforms = [[Arcade video game|Arcade]], [[Amstrad CPC]], [[Amiga]], [[Apple II]], [[Apple IIGS]], [[Atari 8-bit]], [[Atari ST]], [[BBC Micro]], [[Commodore 64]], [[MS-DOS]], [[Classic Mac OS|Macintosh]], [[MSX]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[PC-8800 series|PC-88]], [[PC-9800|PC-98]], [[Thomson MO5|Thomson]], [[TRS-80 Color Computer]], [[ZX Spectrum]],<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Carroll |first1=Martyn |title=Ultimate Guide: Arkanoid |magazine=Retro Gamer |issue=145 |pages=37–39 |publisher=Imagine Publishing}}</ref> [[iOS]], [[Mobile phone]]
}}

{{nihongo foot|'''''Arkanoid'''''|アルカノイド|Arukanoido|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1986 [[Block kuzushi|block breaker]] [[arcade game]] developed and published by [[Taito]]. In North America, it was published by [[Romstar]]. Controlling a paddle-like craft known as the Vaus, the player is tasked with clearing a formation of colorful blocks by deflecting a ball towards it without letting the ball leave the bottom edge of the playfield. Some blocks contain power-ups that have various effects, such as increasing the length of the Vaus, creating several additional balls, or equipping the Vaus with cannons. Other blocks may be indestructible or require multiple hits to break.

Created by Taito designers Akira Fujita and Hiroshi Tsujino, ''Arkanoid'' expanded on the concept established in [[Atari, Inc.]]'s ''[[Breakout (video game)|Breakout]]'', a successful game in its own right that was met with a large wave of similar clone games from other manufacturers. It was part of a contest within Taito, where two teams of designers had to complete a block breaker game and determine which one was superior to the other. The film ''[[Tron]]'' served as inspiration for the game's futuristic, neon aesthetic. Level designs were sketched on paper before being programmed and tested to make sure they were fun to play. The enemy and power-up designs were 3D models converted into sprite art.

Early location tests for ''Arkanoid'' surpassed Taito's initial expectations. It became a major commercial success in arcades, becoming the highest-grossing [[table arcade cabinet]] of [[1987 in video games|1987]] in Japan and the year's highest-grossing conversion kit in the United States. The game was commended by critics for its gameplay, simplicity, addictive nature, and improvements over the original ''Breakout'' concept. The game revitalized the genre and set the groundwork for many games to follow. ''Arkanoid'' was ported to many home video game platforms, including the [[Commodore 64]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], [[ZX Spectrum]], and (years later) [[mobile phone]]s, and it spawned a long series of sequels and updates over the course of two decades.