"Breakout Beyond Revamps Atari's Iconic Brick-Breaker Game"

The iconic 1976 classic Breakout is making a comeback, nearly five decades after its original release. Breakout Beyond, developed by Choice Provisions—the studio behind the BIT.TRIP series—is reimagining the beloved brick-breaking game with a fresh twist. While retaining the classic paddle-and-ball mechanics, the action now unfolds horizontally, offering a sideways progression path where players navigate from left to right.

As players progress through the game, breaking bricks remains the central objective, but the intensity ramps up with dazzling lights and special effects triggered by successful combos. Unique bricks introduce thrilling surprises, such as massive explosions or even a laser cannon. Breakout Beyond features 72 meticulously designed levels, complemented by an unlockable endless mode featuring a global online leaderboard for competitive players. For those who enjoy teamwork, the game also supports local two-player co-op.

Originally intended as an exclusive title for the Intellivision Amico back in 2020, Breakout Beyond found itself at the center of Atari’s acquisition plans. "We're thrilled to bring this gem to our players," said Ethan Stearns, Atari's senior director of games publishing. "The team preserved the essence of Breakout's gameplay while introducing a bold new direction. Breakout Beyond is a worthy addition to the Breakout legacy."

Despite high hopes for its 2020 debut, the Intellivision Amico has faced numerous setbacks and delays. Although Atari acquired the branding and rights to Intellivision last year, the Amico itself remains shelved.

Breakout Beyond is scheduled to launch later this year across multiple platforms, including PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and the Atari VCS.