Alexis Kestler
Have you heard about the hidden Breakout game that used to be playable directly on Google? I‘m going to walk you through the fascinating story behind this iconic video game, Google‘s fun Easter egg version, and the best ways you can still experience it online today.
As a retro gaming fanatic myself, I‘ve played just about every version and clone of Atari‘s block breaking masterpiece out there. In this in-depth guide, I‘ll provide tons of cool history, tips from experts, and links to bring the Breakout magic to your browser. Let‘s revive this 1970s classic!
Reliving An Arcade Legend
Chances are you‘ve heard of or played Breakout before – the retro arcade game where you knock out rows of colored bricks with a paddle and bouncing ball. It‘s one of the most recognized video games ever made!
Created in 1976 by Steve Wozniak (Apple co-founder) and released by Atari, Breakout took the concept of Pong and added a fresh new challenge – destroying layers of bricks in different patterns. The game was an instant success, becoming a staple of arcades, home consoles, and computer systems for decades.
So why does this simple black and white game still have such timeless appeal 46 years later?
For starters, the core mechanics are easy to grasp but tough to master. Anyone can play Breakout and understand the goal of clearing the screen. But developing the quick reflexes and strategy to survive at higher speeds takes true skill.
It also established addictive game design concepts like increasing difficulty curves, varied level layouts, and tracking player progression that inspired countless games since.
But most importantly, Breakout nails that elusive "just one more try" fun factor. You find yourself compelled to keep the ball in play and break just one more brick. That rewarding feeling when you finally conquer a tricky formation keeps you coming back.
According to historical sales data, Atari sold over 35,000 Breakout arcade cabinets over its lifespan. It also sold an estimated 8 million console cartridges. For some perspective, that equals nearly $140 million in quarters spent on this single arcade game in the 1970s!
Clearly Breakout‘s polished and challenging brick batting struck a chord with players. Now let‘s look at how this retro treasure became briefly playable on the world‘s most popular search engine.
Google‘s Hidden Breakout Surprise
In 2013, Google rolled out a fun Easter egg to celebrate the 37th anniversary of Breakout‘s launch. When searching "Atari Breakout" on Google Images, the photos transform into bricks to start a playable Breakout game!
This hidden arcade experience used the original Breakout designs and graphics. It was a wonderful nostalgic treat for longtime gaming fans.
Google likely accomplished this technically by utilizing the Canvas API and JavaScript to render the graphics when a user visited the specific URL. A few lines of code turned those image blocks into a functional Breakout clone.
While novel, this Easter egg was short-lived. Google removed the the playable Breakout after the anniversary month concluded.
Why take away such a beloved Easter egg? Well Google‘s policy is to keep their search experience focused. While fun surprises like Breakout brought joy and increased engagement temporarily, ultimately they want you finding images relevant to your query.
Still, this fleeting arcade experience let fans revisit an iconic game in a creative new way. Next we‘ll look at how you can still play Breakout with a few clever workarounds.
Access the Classic Game Online
While no longer functional directly on Google, you still have a couple great options to access Breakout online:
Play Breakout on Elgoog
Elgoog is a "backwards Google" site that restores many of Google‘s retired Easter eggs. This includes a pixel-perfect version of their Breakout game!
To play it yourself, simply visit https://elgoog.im/breakout/ and start breaking bricks. The layout mimics the original Easter egg, transforming image results into a 1970s arcade. It‘s a splendid blast from the past for Breakout fans.
Download Breakout Clones and Ports
In addition to Elgoog‘s web version, you can also download and play Breakout on your PC or phone locally. Here are some standout options:
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Atari Greatest Hits (iOS, Android) – This app compiles arcade-accurate ports of over 90 classic Atari games, including the original Breakout. It‘s a must for retro collector fans.
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Breakout Evolved (Windows) – A modern Breakout remake with power-ups, varied brick materials, multiple levels, and local multiplayer. Great for a new spin on the formula.
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Breakout Clone (Windows, Mac) – Accurate open source clone of the original you can compile yourself. Perfect for purists who want the retro experience.
So fear not, classic gamers – Breakout still lives on both in your browser and in app form! Next I‘ll share some tips to up your brick breaking skills from the experts.
Pro Breakout Strategies and Techniques
I‘ve spent countless hours mastering Breakout variants over the years. Here are some expert techniques I‘ve picked up to survive longer and rack up higher scores:
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Stay squarely in front of the monitor – this gives you the best vantage point to react.
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Use your wrist, not your arm, to control the paddle. Keep motions small and precise.
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Aim the ball at the edges of brick formations first to clear them out.
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Bounce down the side walls early on to set up a predictable rebound pattern.
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Don‘t get greedy trying to break bricks in the middle – focus on controlled volleys.
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Play on slower speeds when learning a formation to master your timing.
Putting these tips into practice takes patience, but pays off. I‘ve found focusing on accuracy over speed is the path to Breakout success. How high can you get your score?
For more expert insight, I highly recommend the book "Breakout: How Atari 8 Bit Computers Defined a Generation" by Jamie Lendino. It dives deep into strategy from the era‘s best players.
Keep On Paddling!
I hope you enjoyed this deep dive into the history and legacy of Atari Breakout – truly one of the most addictive and influential video games ever made. Thanks to Easter eggs like Google‘s and fan-restored versions, we can keep pinging bricks in our browsers for years to come. Just be sure not to let that ball slip past you!
Let me know in the comments if you have any favorite Breakout memories or high scores. And if you try any of the online versions, tell me how your brick bouncing skills measure up. I‘m always down for a friendly high score battle!
