Atari's Breakout Reborn with Innovative Gameplay Enhancement

Atari's iconic 1976 game, Breakout, is getting a modern makeover with "Breakout Beyond." This reimagining, nearly 50 years in the making, retains the classic paddle-and-ball mechanics but introduces a unique horizontal gameplay twist.

Developed by Choice Provisions, the creators of the BIT.TRIP series, Breakout Beyond features a left-to-right progression. The core objective remains the same – break the bricks – but with escalating combos unlocking increasingly spectacular light and visual effects. Special bricks trigger exciting power-ups, from explosive blasts to a powerful laser cannon.

Prepare for 72 levels of brick-busting action, complemented by an unlockable endless mode with an online leaderboard for competitive play. For those who prefer a collaborative approach, local two-player co-op is also available.

Initially slated as an Intellivision Amico exclusive in 2020, Breakout Beyond's development was ultimately completed by Atari after acquiring the rights.

"We're incredibly excited to share this title with our players," commented Ethan Stearns, Atari's senior director of games publishing. "The team recognized the brilliance of the concept – maintaining the essence of Breakout while completely reinventing its formula. Breakout Beyond is a truly worthy addition to the Breakout legacy, and we eagerly anticipate witnessing the amazing combos players will achieve."

The Intellivision Amico, initially announced in 2018 with a projected 2020 release, remains unreleased, having faced numerous setbacks and delays over the years. Atari acquired the Intellivision brand and intellectual property last year, but not the Amico console itself.

Breakout Beyond is set to launch later this year on PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and the Atari VCS.