Arkanoid is a block breaker arcade game developed and published by Taito in 1986. Taito has made many iconic retro games like Space Invaders. The game has been ported to many consoles and computers like Amstrad CPC, Amiga, Apple II, Apple IIGS, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST, BBC Micro, Commodore 64, DOS, Macintosh, MSX, Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), PC-88, and PC-98.
The game has had critical success and very positive reviews over the decades. It has been the highest-grossing arcade game in not only Japan but also in the United States and the United Kingdom. It has received multiple awards, high rankings, and sequels.
Arkanoid Premise
This addictive and vibrant game revolves are the starship Arkanoid. It is being attacked by a mysterious space entity called DOH. The Arkanoid ejects a small spacecraft called the Vaus which the player controls to destroy obstacles.
After 33 levels (36 on the NES) players will take on the boss, DOH, where players can no longer press Continue if they lose a life. Regardless on if players beat DOH or lose, the game is over and players will receive one of two endings.
©Screenshot of Arkanoid – Original
Arkanoid Series
While it may be unexpected, Arkanoid is the first in a long series spanning over three decades. If you are looking for more retro puzzle games, check out the rest of the titles below.
- Arkanoid (1986)
- Arkanoid: Revenge of Doh (1987)
- Arkanoid: Doh It Again (1997)
- Arkanoid Returns (1997)
- Arkanoid R 2000 (1999)
- Arkanoid DS (2007)
- Arkanoid Live! (2009)
- Arkanoid HD (2009)
- Arkanoid Plus! (2009)
- Arkanoid vs. Space Invaders (2017)
- Arkanoid: Eternal Battle (2022)
Arkanoid Cheat Codes
NES Codes
| Effect | Code |
| Continue the Level | After losing all of your lives and getting a “Game Over” screen, hold A + B and press Select 5 times, then press Start. |
| Level Skip (Until level 16) | Before starting a new level, hold Start and A. |
| Level Skip (Until level 45) | Before starting a new level, press Start and A, then press Select and B. |
| Level Select | At the Start Screen, hold Down, Start, A, and B. Release the buttons when the level number you want displays on the screen. |
Amiga
Amiga Codes
For the Amiga version of the game, you can choose between several extras that can affect gameplay. To use these, first enter “DSIMAGIC” during a level and then press the Return key. Then use the codes below.
| Effect | Code |
| Balls Get Slower | S |
| Enter the Final Level | F |
| Gain an Extra Life | P |
| Pause the Ball | C |
| Enable Laser | L |
| Level Skip | Enter key |
| Next Level | B |
| Have Three Balls | D |
| Wider Bat | E |
Amiga Glitches
The Amiga version also has a few glitches for players to try.
- Extra Levels: To access the 33 extra levels hidden in the game, hit F3 when entering a 1-Player game and then choose your level. Or hit F4 when entering a 2-Player game and choose your level.
- Infinite Lives: While the game is loading hold down the Left Mouse, until the Robocop title screen appears, then let go of the button and start the game normally. Any time you die type in ROBOCOPPER at the title screen and you will restart from where you died.
Amstrad CPC Codes
| Effect | Code |
| Skip Levels | Hold T, A, I, and O. Then press Escape. |
BBC Micro
While the BBC Micro version of the game does not have any cheats, it does have one easter egg.
- Extra Levels: If you pass the game without losing any lives, you will have new levels.
©Screenshot of Arkanoid – Original
Commodore 64 Codes
| Effect | Code |
| Cheat Mode | POKE 2564,189 SYS 4096 |
| Level Select | POKE 61585,X |
| Unlimited Lives | POKE 39801,189 SYS 4096 |
MSX Codes
| Effect | Code |
| 240 Lives | At the Start Screen, hold Up + Down, press the Graph key 4 times and then press Space to start the game. |
| Continue the level | After the “Game Over” screen, wait for the title screen, hold Left + Right, press the Graph key 4 times and then start the game. |
PC-88 Codes
| Effect | Code |
| Opens Door and Adds Bonus Points | Pause the game, press Space, type DISMAGIC, press Space, catch the yellow capsule, and then press B |
| Pauses the Ball | Pause the game, press Space, type DISMAGIC, press Space, catch the yellow capsule, and then press C |
| Divides into Three Balls | Pause the game, press Space, type DISMAGIC, press Space, catch the yellow capsule, and then press D |
| Lengthens the Bat | Pause the game, press Space, type DISMAGIC, press Space, catch the yellow capsule, and then press E |
| Laser | Pause the game, press Space, type DISMAGIC, press Space, catch the yellow capsule, and then press L |
| Extra Player | Pause the game, press Space, type DISMAGIC, press Space, catch the yellow capsule, and then press P |
| Slow | Pause the game, press Space, type DISMAGIC, press Space, catch the yellow capsule, and then press S |
| Warp to the Last Level | Pause the game, press Space, type DISMAGIC, press Space, catch the yellow capsule, and then press F |
| Leave Level | Pause the game, press Space, type DISMAGIC, press Space, catch the yellow capsule, and then press Enter |
| Unlimited Lives | RUNCHEAT |
While most of the different ports have their own cheat codes, not all of them do. If you don’t see your version of the game above, it does not have any known cheats or exploits.
©Screenshot of Arkanoid – Original
Arkanoid Cheat Code FAQ
Does Arkanoid have any cheat codes?
Yes! Almost every version of the game has its own different cheats that we have organized for you. They may skip levels, slow the ball, and more.
How long will it take to beat?
According to HowLongToBeat.com, the main portion of the game can be finished in under 2 hours. But if you want to complete everything in the game, you can finish it in 4 hours.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Cover Art for Arkanoid.