Breakout Beyond Puts a New Angle on Atari’s Classic Brick-Breaker

The 1976 classic Breakout is getting a new look, nearly 50 years later. Breakout Beyond is a twist on Atari’s brick-breaker, keeping the same paddle-and-ball setup but having it all move sideways.

Developed by Choice Provisions, the studio behind the BIT.TRIP series, Breakout Beyond has a sideways progression path as players move left-to-right. Breaking bricks is still the objective, and as combos ramp up lights and effects intensify.

Special bricks can flip on some fantastic effects too, ranging from massive explosions to an actual laser cannon. 72 levels are planned for Breakout Beyond, alongside an unlockable endless mode with an online global leaderboard. If you don’t want to break bricks alone, Breakout Beyond also has local two-player co-op as an option.

Breakout Beyond was originally set to be an exclusive game for the Intellivision Amico back in 2020, but Atari has since agreed to acquire and complete development of it.

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring this gem to our players,” Atari’s senior director of games publishing Ethan Stearns said. “The team thought it was a brilliant concept, preserving the heart of Breakout’s gameplay while also giving the formula a completely new spin. Breakout Beyond is a worthy new entry into the Breakout pantheon, and we can’t wait to see the insane combos brick-breakers will make.”

The Amico, announced in 2018 with hopes of a 2020 release, still hasn’t seen the light of day. In the years since the console has had several snags and delays. Atari stepped in to acquire the branding and rights to Intellivision last year, but not the Amico.

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

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.