Arkanoid: all version differences
6 documented differences between the releases of Arkanoid, each with a source. Back to the main page for names, releases and where to play.
Category × version
| Category | Famicom (JP) | NES (NA) | Home versions | NES | MSX | Tournament Arkanoid (arcade, US) | Egret II Mini |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Difficulty | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Graphics | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gameplay | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Version differences
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ContentFamicom (JP)NES (NA)
The Japanese Famicom cartridge has 32 regular rounds with DOH on round 33; the North American NES version adds three more, so DOH waits on round 36.1
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DifficultyNES (NA)
In round 3 the US version replaced the bottom row of eight unbreakable gold bricks and three blue bricks with red bricks, apparently to make it easier.1
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GraphicsHome versions
The arcade game uses a vertical screen, while the home versions rearranged the playfield for a horizontal one.2
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GameplayNESMSX
The NES and MSX versions came with a custom paddle controller to imitate the arcade knob.3
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ContentTournament Arkanoid (arcade, US)
Tournament Arkanoid, released in 1987 only in the US and developed by Taito America, keeps the gameplay but has new brick layouts.3
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ContentEgret II Mini
On Taito's Egret II Mini console (2022), the brick layouts of some rounds were changed for rights reasons.2
Sources
Checked: 2026-10-13