Arkanoid – Eternal Battle is the latest installment in the typical block breaker series, but is it the best? No, it’s still fun.
The famous Eternal Battle is the main mode in this entry, offering up to 25 players in online competition. Players are eliminated one by one until there is only one survivor for her. The background display of the various competitors can be distracting, but this mode is a lot of fun to sit out and enjoy, especially if you’ve made it to the last four. But unfortunately the online activity is pretty empty. Only a few players were captured in repeated attempts, and the rest were completed by computer AI. This is a risk when the primary mode is tied to online play.
If the sparse online proves disappointing, there are a pair of single-player modes. Retro is an arcade game (minus paddle controls), while Neo is an updated version of that game. Unlike Space Invaders Forever’s Arkanoid vs. Space Invaders mode, there are no motion or touch controls to simulate the original. Maybe it’s the angry NES kid in me, but the Arkanoid NES’ special paddle controller was iconic. provides nostalgia and is sure to bring a smile to your face. But Eternal Battle has better modes.
Matches are where they are for 2-4 players. Changing the competitive playfield with an obscure view of unbreakable blocks never gets old. “One more time” was a Gould family cliche. Of course, I knew this mode would be fun. I played the same with Arkanoid Plus, the last proper Arkanoid game for home consoles. (Check out the top 20 WiiWare games. PNM No. 37). It’s the memories of that version that make you realize how bare Eternal Battle is in comparison.
This new game lacks the expected options. Difficulty and speed settings are MIA. Need a choice to play with barriers or life rules? What about disabling enemy obstacles? Sorry. Time mode or co-op? Nada again. The latter is especially watered down because Arkanoid offers a surprisingly fun co-op experience.For $29.99, I expected more from Eternal Battle.
To be fair, there are some perks. Audio settings, leaderboards, rumble and unlockable skins are appreciated. And thankfully I didn’t run into any glitches. Arkanoid is timeless and a popular breakout with an interesting history that I respect he’s a beater. This version is passable. It just pales in comparison to its predecessor. Even many other arcade updates for the Nintendo Switch offer more features, such as historical tour museums and the inclusion of previous versions of games.
Arkanoid Eternal Battle is a familiar game that offers timeless fun. But just like Bubble Bobble 4 Friends, this is another Taito arcade classic, one step forward and two steps back. It demands more money from players while bringing less content to the table. Online is like a ghost town, so we recommend waiting for a price drop.
