Blockout / Breakdown
Released on the Magnavox Odyssey 2 in 1980, the Blockout / Breakdown game cartridge includes two variations of Breakout!
In Blockout!, the object is to blast through the blocks in the shortest amount of time. There are four colored lines of blocks, and each line has an electronic demon. The electronic demons can replace removed blocks when charged. They'll be charged by touching either sides of the screen. After placing a block, they'll lose the charge, and if they try to cross a gap uncharged, they'll fall and reappear after a penalty time. In two player mode, the second player controls the electronic demons as they try to prevent the first player blasting through the barricade. The player has 90 seconds to achieve it.
In the Breakdown! variant, the object is to destroy the most amount of blocks possible within 60 seconds. Unlike in Blockout!, the ball (called Blockbusters) will not ricochet when hitting blocks, only when hitting the screen edges, destroying all the blocks it crosses on its way. Two player mode sees the second player again control the electronic demons, which now move twice as fast as in Blockout! A counter at the top of the screen marks how many blocks are left.
Both variations, have an unlimited number of Blockbusters (balls).
The controls are as follows:
Controller 1: The Power Bar (Paddle):
Left/Right Movement: - Push the joystick left or right to slide your Power Bar across the bottom of the screen. The longer you hold the stick in one direction, the faster the bar will move.
Action Button: - Press the action button to launch your ball (Blockbuster) into the playing field.
Controller 2: The Demons:
Left/Right Movement: - Push the joystick left or right to maneuver the demons hidden behind the block barricade.
Action Button: - Press the action button to charge your demons and activate them to rebuild or repair the destroyed blocks as your opponent breaks them.
Game Setup Controls:
(1) Press 0 (zero) on the console's alpha-numeric keyboard to enter game mode.
(2) The titles BLOCKOUT and BREAKDOWN will alternate on your TV screen.
(3) Press 1 on the keyboard to start BLOCKOUT.
(4) The scoreboard at the top will indicate which hand control is assigned to the Power Bar and which is assigned to the demons. Move a joystick to signal the computer to take over any unused player slots.
*TIP*
In Blockout, you bring the ball into play by pressing the action button. It will enter from a random direction. Anticipate the angle of entry to position your Power Bar effectively.
PROTOTYPE PHOTO
