Atari's Brick-Breaker Reinvigorated: Breakout Beyond Unveiled

Breakout, the iconic 1976 arcade game, is getting a modern makeover nearly five decades later. Breakout Beyond, developed by Choice Provisions (creators of the BIT.TRIP series), puts a fresh spin on the classic brick-breaker formula. Instead of the traditional vertical gameplay, Breakout Beyond introduces a horizontal, left-to-right progression.

The core gameplay remains: using a paddle to bounce a ball and shatter bricks. However, as players build combos, the visual spectacle intensifies with dazzling lights and effects. Special bricks trigger unique and exciting power-ups, from explosive blasts to a powerful laser cannon.

Breakout Beyond boasts 72 levels, plus an unlockable endless mode featuring an online global leaderboard for competitive play. For those who prefer cooperative fun, local two-player co-op is also available.

Initially planned as an Intellivision Amico exclusive in 2020, Breakout Beyond's development was taken over by Atari after acquiring the rights.

"We're incredibly excited to share this title with our players," stated Ethan Stearns, Atari's senior director of games publishing. "The team recognized the brilliance of the concept – retaining the essence of Breakout while completely reinventing its structure. Breakout Beyond is a truly worthy addition to the Breakout legacy, and we eagerly anticipate the spectacular combos players will achieve."

The Intellivision Amico, originally announced in 2018 with a projected 2020 launch, remains unreleased, having faced numerous development challenges and delays. Atari acquired the Intellivision branding and intellectual property last year, but not the Amico console itself.

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