Arkanoid: Revenge of Doh

Arkanoid: Revenge of Doh (a.k.a. Arkanoid 2) is an arcade game released by Taito in 1987 as a sequel to Arkanoid.

Arkanoid - Revenge of Doh
European cover
Developer(s)Taito
Daiei Seisakusho (Famicom)[2]
Publisher(s)Taito
Romstar
Director(s)Yasumasa Sasabe
Designer(s)Kei Shimizu
Programmer(s)Yasumasa Sasabe
Artist(s)Tetsuro Kitagawa
Kozo Igarashi
Genya Kuriki
Composer(s)Hisayoshi Ogura (Arcade)
Peter Johnson (Amiga)
Noboru Koshinaka (Famicom)[3]
SeriesArkanoid
Platform(s)Arcade, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, MSX, Famicom, Windows, ZX Spectrum, Apple IIGS
ReleaseJune 1987: Arcade[1]
1988-89: Ports
Genre(s)Breakout clone
Mode(s)Up to 2 players, alternating turns

Plot

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The mysterious enemy known as DOH has returned to seek vengeance on the Vaus space vessel. The player must once again take control of the Vaus (paddle) and overcome many challenges in order to destroy DOH once and for all. Revenge of Doh sees the player battle through 34 rounds, taken from a grand total of 64.

Gameplay

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Arcade version gameplay
 
The same level in the Amiga version

Revenge of Doh differs from its predecessor with the introduction of "Warp Gates". Upon completion of a level or when the Break ("B") pill is caught, two gates appear at the bottom of the play area, on either side. The player can choose to go through either one of the gates and the choice will affect which version of the next level is provided. The fire-button is only used when the Laser Cannons ("L") or Catch ("C") pill is caught.

The game has new power-ups and enemy types, and two new types of bricks. Notched silver bricks, like normal silver bricks, take several hits to destroy. However, once a short period of time has elapsed after destruction, they regenerate at full strength. These bricks do not need to be destroyed in order to complete a level. In addition, some bricks move left to right as long as their sides are not obstructed by other bricks.

The US version has an entirely different layout for Level 1 that feature a whole line of notched bricks, with all colored bricks above it moving from side to side.

On round 17, the player must defeat a giant brain as a mini-boss. After completing all 33 rounds, the player faces DOH in two forms as a final confrontation: its original, statue-like incarnation, then a creature with tentacles that break off and regenerate when struck.

Home versions include a level editor, which players can use to create their own levels or edit and replace existing levels.

Release

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Revenge of Doh initially released in arcades in June 1987.[1] In June 1989, versions for the Tandy, Atari ST, Apple IIGS, and Commodore 64 were released.[4]

Reception

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In Japan, Game Machine listed Arkanoid: Revenge of Doh on their July 1, 1987 issue as being the third most-successful table arcade unit of the month.[6] It went on to become Japan's eighth highest-grossing arcade conversion kit of 1988.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Arkanoid 2". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Arkanoid II (NES)". The Cutting Room Floor. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  3. ^ VGMPF
  4. ^ Stovall, Rawson (June 9, 1989). "'World Geograph' recognized for excellence; new games included". Abilene Reporter-News. p. 18. Retrieved June 11, 2023. Taito Software has announced the availability of "Arkanoid II: Revenge of Doh", for the IBM/Tandy, Atari ST, Apple IIGS, and C-64.
  5. ^ Game review, Your Sinclair magazine, Dennis Publishing, issue 28, April 1986, page 85
  6. ^ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 311. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 July 1987. p. 19.
  7. ^ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25: '88 / "Game of the Year '88" By Game Machine" (PDF). Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 348. Amusement Press, Inc. 15 January 1989. pp. 10–1, 26.
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