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Break 'Em All ds Game Reviews
Break 'Em All
Critic Score
Metascore: 68 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
7.0 out of 10
based on 22 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 2 votes
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Rate this game

Jam packed with levels ranging from the super simple to mensa difficult, Break'em All offers classic arcade puzzle solving action as players fight their way through multiple levels and out-duel challenging bosses. Three unique gameplay modes such as Tokoton, Quest and Survival offer compelling single player action or multiplayer games for 2-8 players via the wireless feature for Nintendo DS. Players will control their paddle with pin-point accuracy using the touch pad and stylus and select from diverse bonus powers to power-up their ball. [D3]

PUBLISHER: D3 Publisher of America
DEVELOPER: Warashi
GENRE(S): Puzzle, Action
PLAYERS: 8
ESRB RATING: E (Everyone)
RELEASE DATE: June 20, 2006

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

83
Digital Entertainment News
A mighty fine take on the genre. A solid game that's worth owning.
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83
Worth Playing
It's the only Breakout! clone on the DS to date, and it shows a remarkable amount of polish.
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80
Modojo
It's great for small bursts of play, and Survival is more fun than you might expect. It may not have the longevity of other DS titles, but for quick, easy arcade fun, this is one clone you may want to invest in.
Read Full Review
80
Thunderbolt
If there has to be a game that epitomizes the phrase “substance over style,” Break’em All clinches it. The design of this game is based upon some of the most addicting arcade and console games ever conceived.
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80
AceGamez
What's great about Break 'Em All is that it's one of those fun titles that you can take with you anywhere and play through without worrying about rushing through it too quickly.
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79
PGNx Media
Break 'Em All manages to nail down the gameplay and proves to be a satisfying if familiar addition to the Breakout family.
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78
N-Insanity
Break’em All is certainly worth a purchase, especially if you're an old-school gamer. It offers classic arcade action when wanting to kill some time.
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75
Deeko
The controls are very tight, the modes are amusing and the game itself is quite varied. However, the somewhat tedious graphics and lackluster multiplayer are a bit of a turnoff.
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75
Game Informer
You may be tempted to write this game off due to its extremely generic title, cheap-looking box art, and derivative concept(basically it's a new version of "Arkanoid"). {sept. 2006, p.100]
70
GamerFeed
At first I thought it was going to put me to sleep because I had played games like it before, but its nuances, however subtle, make it a slick budget title.
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70
GameZone
This is the best of its kind, but understand that the game uses a very repetitive formula. There was no way around that, not with a paddle, balls, and multi-colored blocks being your only gameplay pieces.
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70
Nintendo Power
As for its single player component, Break 'em All has you competing against high scores, which gives the title an arcade feel that may not appeal to everyone. [Aug 2006, p.85]
70
Yahoo! Games
Some sort of tutorial mode covering all the new features would have been nice, but all-in-all, what's here is a good little time-waster. If you're looking for a break from the mundane, give it a spin.
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69
Nintendojo
Although the game isn't the most beautiful out there, the draw is based solely on gameplay, which is rare these days.
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68
Game Chronicles
The best part about this title is that once you get in, it plays just like the original in all its addictive glory.
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65
IGN
Break 'em All admittedly feels just as budget-oriented as the price that's attached to it. On the plus side, you're getting a solid playing and controlling Breakout clone for, at most, 20 bucks which isn't a bad deal at all.
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63
GameSpot
This budget-priced "Arkanoid" clone has its moments of creativity, but mostly it's just a serviceable puzzler that offers little outside of well-worn territory.
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60
Games Radar
We're not harping on how simple the game is (in fact, this is great for casual players), but there's only so much brick-busting one can take before it's time to move on.
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60
Cheat Code Central
Break ‘Em All is not big on presentation, and that could easily be overlooked if the ball physics wasn’t broken. I would seriously advise that you rent this game first because the more difficult it gets, the more control you will have to exert over the ball and that just isn’t going to happen.
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60
1UP
It's not exactly a radical reinvention of the genre -- but, then, it's not meant to be. As simple, straightforward arcade-style action with a few unobtrusive additions at a budget price, it's a smashing success.
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59
NGamer UK
An imbalanced "Gradius"-style powerup system makes getting multiballs and sticky bats far too easy, so you'll find you attention wandering as you clatter unchallenged through one bland brick wass after another. [Aug 2006, p.67]
40
G4 TV
Break ‘Em All was released, rather smartly, as a budget game, and while it’s an amusing diversion with a nostalgic bent, it’s clear that this classic game style isn’t holding up to the test of time.
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What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 7.0 (out of 10) based on 2 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

D. P. gave it a7:
If you want a fairly decent Breakout/Arkanoid game for the DS, this will do nicely. You can use the triggers or stylus to move the bat and there's a mixed collection of powerups. There's a large selection of set and random levels.

Tony G. gave it a7:
i say 7.5 to be exact. game reminds me of arkanoid and gradius in one.had alot of fun with this one. stylus control is a big plus on this type game. tons of levels, thousands i think!?!! the best budget title for the system so far. breakout fans will eat up.

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