Nervous Brickdown review

A paddle, a ball, and some bricks - so why does this game feel so fresh and unique?

By Eric Bratcher
published

GamesRadar+ Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Creative levels

  • +

    Varying looks and tunes

  • +

    Good stylus control

Cons

  • -

    Ends too soon

  • -

    A bit pricey

  • -

    No vs multiplay

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More than thirty years ago, Atari’s block-smashing game Breakout established a whole new kind of gameplay (there were only about three back then, so it wasn’t so tough, but still…). Now Nervous Brickdown comes along, re-re-re-reinvents the genre, and makes us care again. Instead of just giving you a paddle at the bottom of the screen, a wall of bricks at the top, a ball that bounces between the two, and near-instant ennui, it sweetens the pot by constantly switching up its look and gameplay.

More info

GenreArcade
DescriptionA clever reinvention of classic brick-breaking paddle games, with 10 legitimately different worlds that leave you wishing for more.
Platform"DS"
US censor rating"Everyone"
UK censor rating"3+"
Release date1 January 1970 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
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Eric Bratcher
Eric Bratcher
I was the founding Executive Editor/Editor in Chief here at GR, charged with making sure we published great stories every day without burning down the building or getting sued. Which isn't nearly as easy as you might imagine. I don't work for GR any longer, but I still come here - why wouldn't I? It's awesome. I'm a fairly average person who has nursed an above average love of video games since I first played Pong just over 30 years ago. I entered the games journalism world as a freelancer and have since been on staff at the magazines Next Generation and PSM before coming over to GamesRadar. Outside of gaming, I also love music (especially classic metal and hard rock), my lovely wife, my pet pig Bacon, Japanese monster movies, and my dented, now dearly departed '89 Ranger pickup truck. I pray sincerely. I cheer for the Bears, Bulls, and White Sox. And behind Tyler Nagata, I am probably the GR staffer least likely to get arrested... again.
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