Switch

Published on April 1st, 2025 | by Nay Clark

Breakout Beyond Review (Switch)

Bounce balls and burst through bricks in this bliss filled boisterous classic blockbuster! Breakout Beyond is an action puzzle game developed by Choice Provisions, published by Atari, and released on March 25th of 2025. When Breakout first hit arcades in 1976, it introduced a simple yet addictive formula that stood the test of time. There have been many iterations of Breakout, but the fundamentals have always stayed the same. Breakout Beyond takes that classic gameplay and modernizes it in ways that feel fresh, challenging, and at times, frustrating.

Breakout Beyond is an excellent time-waster. The game embraces a retro-futuristic aesthetic inspired by the ‘70s, and the neon visuals create a chill, relaxing vibe that makes for a great casual play session. The core gameplay remains highly enjoyable, making it easy to lose yourself in the action. The goal isn’t necessarily to destroy every brick but to move toward the breakout point. Each level presents unique layouts, requiring you to carve a path through bricks while progressing toward the goal on the right. I often found myself prolonging my time in a level just to rack up extra points, adding a layer of self-imposed challenge that kept things interesting. 

Controls are simple yet effective, you move the paddle up and down, with a focus ability to slow down movement and a sprint function to speed up. However, the default control layout is flawed. Having both focus and sprint mapped to the R and ZR buttons makes them awkward to use simultaneously. Rebinding them to both of the Z buttons significantly improves comfort and usability. Power-ups help keep things exciting. You can unlock multi-ball, explosive bombs that clear large chunks of bricks, and a force field that acts as a backup if you miss a shot. These additions keep the gameplay dynamic and rewarding.

While you can use your focus power at any time, it deducts points away from your score. There were many moments while I was playing where I wondered if I should use the focus or not, having to trust in myself to be able to land a difficult volley. Later stages practically demand use of this new feature though since the action never lets up and the direction of the game constantly puts you into sticky situations. While breaking out and reaching the end goal is your main objective, leaving strangling bricks on the playing field may cause your paddle to run into it, freezing your movement for a couple of stressful important seconds which can decide a game. 

One of the biggest changes in Breakout Beyond is the shift from a vertical playing field to a horizontal one, better suited for modern widescreen displays. At first, I thought this would be a deal-breaker, but the level design and mechanics take full advantage of this layout, adding new maneuvering techniques and strategies that wouldn’t be possible otherwise or introduce fresh takes to this old idea, like being able to bend the arch of the ball when you smack it with the paddle. It’s a great twist that ultimately enhances the game. With 72 levels to clear and increasing difficulty, there’s plenty of content to dive into. As you progress, you unlock additional levels, an endless mode, and there’s even a two-player cooperative mode, which turns the game into chaotic fun when played with a friend. There’s also an online leaderboard for those looking to test their skills against the best players worldwide.

That said, Breakout Beyond has its share of frustrating elements. The paddle moves too quickly, making precision difficult and leading to a lot of missed shots that feel out of your control. At times, the game feels more like guesswork rather than a skill-based challenge. Another issue is the visual presentation. While the neon colors and extreme visual effects add energy to the gameplay, the flashing lights can be overwhelming, making it difficult to track the ball, especially at high speeds. Since maintaining combos is crucial for boosting your score, these blinding effects can be more of a hindrance than an enhancement. On the audio side, the soundtrack is fittingly fast-paced, syncing well with the gameplay. The sound design shines when bricks shatter in rhythm with the music, adding an extra layer of satisfaction. However, for those who prefer a more mindless arcade experience, the game is still enjoyable even with the sound turned off.

Final Thoughts?

Overall, Breakout Beyond has a few notable flaws, mainly in its visual effects and paddle speed, but it remains a highly engaging and fun arcade experience. The level progression, unlockable content, and multiplayer modes add to its replayability, and the Switch’s handheld mode makes it a perfect pick-up-and-play title. While the blinding flashes and overly fast paddle movement can be frustrating, the core gameplay is strong enough to keep you coming back for one more breakout attempt.

About the Author

Nay Clark Gaming holds a special place in my heart and I never stop talking about video games. I really love all types of games and have an interest in games that have complicated stories and lore because I enjoy untangling the mystery of it all. When I'm not gaming, I unsuccessfully try to control three amazing and incredibly bright kids.

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