The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and its many amazing games are a huge part of gaming history. The SNES, the successor to the NES, was released in the early 1990s and quickly became one of the most popular consoles of all time. However, few people know that there is another game on the SNES which shares similarities with Arkanoid: Doh It Again.

Released in Europe as part of the SNES range of games, Doh It Again is a clone of the very popular game Arkanoid, and like its predecessor, it was developed by Konami. In this article, we will take a closer look at this game and discuss some of its key features and gameplay mechanics.

A Brief History of Arkanoid

Before discussing Doh It Again in more detail, it's worth taking a quick look back at the history of Arkanoid. The original Arkanoid was released by Konami in 1989 for the PC and later ported to several other platforms including the NES. In this game, players control a paddle which must be used to deflect balls that are bouncing around on a screen.

The goal of the game is to destroy all of the bricks at the bottom of the screen while avoiding getting hit by any of the balls. The balls will bounce off the sides and ceiling of the screen, making it difficult to predict where they will go. As players progress through the levels, the balls become faster and more aggressive, requiring precise timing and reflexes to play effectively.

Doh It Again: A Clone of Arkanoid

So what makes Doh It Again so special? While it is essentially a clone of Arkanoid, there are some key differences that set it apart from its predecessor. First and foremost, the game has a slightly different layout than the original Arkanoid.

In Doh It Again, the ball will bounce off the top of the screen rather than just the ceiling, which adds an extra layer of complexity to the gameplay. The paddle is also placed higher up on the screen, making it more difficult to control. These changes give the game a slightly different feel and require players to adapt their strategies in order to succeed.

Another key difference between Doh It Again and Arkanoid is the use of power-ups. In the original game, there were no power-ups available, but in Doh It Again, players can collect items such as the "Spear" which will temporarily increase the paddle's speed or the "Shield" which will protect the paddle from incoming balls.

Gameplay Mechanics

So how does Doh It Again actually play? As mentioned earlier, the gameplay is similar to Arkanoid but with some key differences. Players must use their reflexes and timing to deflect the ball off of the paddles at the top and bottom of the screen in order to destroy all of the bricks.

The game features several different types of balls, including the "slow" ball which moves slowly around the screen and is easy to hit, and the "fast" ball which zooms around the screen at high speed. The "special" ball will change direction when it hits a paddle or brick, making it even harder to control.

Level Progression

As players progress through the levels in Doh It Again, the gameplay becomes increasingly difficult. The balls become faster and more aggressive, requiring precise timing and reflexes to play effectively. The bricks also become more spread out, making it harder to hit them all before time runs out.

There are several different types of bricks that appear throughout the game, each with its own unique characteristics. For example, some bricks will shoot out balls when they are destroyed, while others will disappear into thin air when struck by a paddle.

Power-Ups and Item Collection

As mentioned earlier, Doh It Again features power-ups which can be collected during gameplay. These items include the "Spear" which increases the paddle's speed for a short period of time, and the "Shield" which protects the paddle from incoming balls.

There are also several different types of bricks that will award players with coins or other rewards when they are destroyed. For example, some bricks will contain 10 points while others will give out 50.

Artwork and Audio

The artwork in Doh It Again is colorful and vibrant, with a distinctive style that sets it apart from other games on the SNES. The game's audio is also catchy and upbeat, featuring a memorable theme song and sound effects that add to the overall atmosphere of the game.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Doh It Again is an interesting clone of Arkanoid that offers a unique twist on the classic gameplay mechanics. While it may not be as well-known as its predecessor, Doh It Again is still a fun and challenging game that fans of Arkanoid are sure to enjoy.

One thing that sets Doh It Again apart from other games on the SNES is its level progression system, which becomes increasingly difficult as players progress through the levels. This requires precise timing and reflexes to play effectively, making it a great challenge for players who are looking for a game that will put their skills to the test.

Overall, Doh It Again is an underrated gem in the SNES library that is worth checking out for fans of Arkanoid and other fast-paced puzzle games. Its unique gameplay mechanics and challenging level progression system make it a great addition to any collection of classic games.

Age Rating

The age rating for Doh It Again is suitable for players aged 7 and above, depending on the region in which the game is released.

In Europe, the game has been classified as E (Everyone) by the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) rating body. This means that the game is considered to be suitable for all ages and does not contain any violent or explicit content.

However, some parents may still want to exercise caution before allowing their children to play this game due to the fast-paced gameplay and challenging level progression system. Players who are under 7 years old may find the game too difficult or frustrating, so parental discretion is advised.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Doh It Again is a classic puzzle game that offers a unique twist on the Arkanoid formula. Its challenging level progression system and fast-paced gameplay make it a great challenge for players who are looking for a game that will put their skills to the test.

While it may not be as well-known as some other games on the SNES, Doh It Again is still a fun and rewarding experience that fans of Arkanoid and other puzzle games are sure to enjoy.