About the game
Brick Breaker is an arcade classic where you control a paddle at the bottom of the screen and bounce a ball upward to smash rows of coloured bricks. Each brick disappears when hit, and your goal is to clear every brick without letting the ball fall past your paddle. Different coloured bricks may take multiple hits.
Originally inspired by Atari's Breakout (1976), Brick Breaker is one of the most refined arcade formulas ever designed. The game rewards precise paddle control and angle management — two skills that take minutes to learn but a lifetime to master.
How to play
- Press Play or Space to launch the ball from your paddle.
- Move the paddle left and right to keep the ball in play.
- Each brick you hit disappears (some take multiple hits). Clear all bricks to win the level.
- If the ball falls below your paddle, you lose a life. Three lives total.
Controls
| Move paddle | ← / → arrow keys, or mouse |
| Launch ball | Space |
| Touch screens | Drag or tilt to move the paddle |
Five beginner tips
1. Hit with the edges
Striking the ball near the paddle edge gives it a sharper angle. Use this to direct it toward hard-to-reach bricks.
2. Don't just chase
Move to where the ball will bounce, not where it is now. Predicting angles is more important than speed.
3. Aim for the top rows first
Top bricks are the hardest to reach later. Clearing them early gives you more room to work.
4. Keep the ball slow at first
Early levels are about positioning. Only speed up when you have control.
5. Multi-hit bricks are your priority
Focus on weakening multi-hit bricks early — they block the ball and become harder to reach as other bricks disappear.
Why you'll like it
Brick Breaker is pure satisfaction. Every brick you smash gives a small dopamine hit, and the moment you nail a perfect angle to reach an impossible corner is genuinely thrilling. Zero friction — just play.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a mouse?
Yes — the paddle follows your mouse position.
Are there multiple levels?
Yes — the game generates new brick layouts as you progress.
Does it work on phones?
Yes. Touch the screen and drag to move the paddle.
Game credit: Open-source Brick Breaker implementation. MIT licence. Part of the tvanas/html5-games collection.