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Something strange has happened. The mothership Arkanoid has exploded and a small spacecraft, the Vaus, has scrambled away, only to be sucked into a void inhabited by The Dimension Changer. This horrid creature has transported Vaus into a strange dimension - 32 block-patterned screens. The Vaus has to move from one screen to another by clearing each screen of blocks, finally confronting the Dimension Changer on Level 33.

The Vaus sits at the bottom of the screen and a ball is launched into the playing area. The ball bounces around the screen and ricochets off the sides, destroying the blocks on contact. The player moves Vaus left and right to stop the ball going off the bottom of the screen.

Not all of the blocks explodes on contact. Some take a few hits before disappearing, others, when it, drop a spinning capsule which can be collected to gain a feature - such as expand bat, slow down ball, the ability to catch and relaunch the ball, a laser to shoot at the bricks, an escape route to the next screen, and extra life and split the ball into three separate balls.

Aliens float across the screen and although seemingly harmless, they pose an indirect threat to the Vaus - when the ball hits an alien, it explodes and sends the ball flying off in the opposite direction. If the ball goes past the bat a life is lost, although extra lives can be earned at regular point intervals - or by collecting a capsule marked with 'P'.

So what makes Imagine's glorified version of Breakout a better buy than Gremlin's? Arkanoid is a lot prettier than Krakout, it also sounds better - and it's a quid cheaper.

But that's not all - Arkanoid has that undefinable something that Krakout lacks. Arkanoid has less screens, but is more playable than Krakout - more so when using the Neos mouse.

If you have access to a such a mouse I thoroughly recommend Arkanoid - for the simple reason that it's simply gorgeous playing with it.

This is a magnificent conversion, faithfully capturing the feel, atmosphere, look and sound of the Taito original.

Although Arkanoid is basically Breakout with a few extra bits, it's still extremely playable, incredibly frustrating, wonderfully frenetic and immensely addictive. The option screen is really useful and allows you to use a mouse - the proper way to pay this type of game.

The joystick control feels good and works extremely well, especially when the ball is bouncing around at an enormous speed. If you like playing the arcade game I recommend that you buy this, the definite version of Arkanoid.

This seems to be the month of the Breakout revival - still, this version is extremely good, and probably the best around at the moment. Graphically, it's great - pleasant backdrops and good use of colour throughout. It also has that strange indefinable quality that makes it so playable.

Unlike Krakout, there is a definite urge to progress from screen to screen, and the task it provides becomes a challenge rather than a chore.

Presentation 90%
Comprehensive options, good attract mode and an adequate title screen.

Graphics 80%
Attractive backdrops and sprites, almost identical to the arcade original.

Sound 96%
Brilliant title tune and superb sound effects.

Hookability 84%
Instantly playable and rewarding.

Lastability 70%
Lacking variety, but very playable and compulsive.

Value For Money 65%
Highly polished, but expensive for what it offers.

Overall 80%
A well above average conversion of an addictive and challenging arcade game.