Bananoid PC Game Review
Bananoid for PC DOS is a lighthearted brick-breaking game released in the early 1990s by Accursed Toys, known primarily for its inclusion in the Bop-A-Bet collection of educational and arcade titles. Clearly inspired by Arkanoid and Breakout, Bananoid puts its own whimsical spin on the formula with a banana-themed paddle, cartoonish visuals, and a dose of silliness – but make no mistake, this is still a fairly straightforward arcade game at its core.
The gameplay is familiar: use your banana-shaped paddle to bounce a ball upward and destroy bricks. Each stage introduces a slightly new pattern of blocks to break, and as with other games in the genre, the objective is simple: clear the screen without letting the ball fall past you. The controls are tight and responsive, and the game runs well even on modest DOS-era hardware.
Where Bananoid stands out is in its presentation. The graphics are colorful and quirky, embracing a light comic aesthetic that makes it visually distinct from more sterile or sci-fi-themed breakout clones of the time. The smoothly rendered paddle adds a bit of personality, though it doesn’t affect the gameplay. Backgrounds and block designs change from level to level, adding visual variety even as the mechanics remain largely the same.
Sound effects in Bananoid are minimal, using simple PC speaker tones common in early DOS games. There is no background music or digitized speech. This keeps the experience focused and undistracting, though it also means the game can feel a bit tame by modern standards.
Bananoid does not feature power-ups, special weapons, or advanced physics. It is a relatively basic implementation of the brick-breaking formula, meant more for quick, casual fun than long-term depth or strategic variation. Levels do increase in speed and difficulty, but the core loop remains consistent throughout.
While not a revolutionary title, Bananoid is a charming, accessible arcade game that adds a touch of personality to a tried-and-true genre. Its humor is visual rather than mechanical, and its design is simple rather than groundbreaking. For retro gamers or DOS collectors, it’s a fun little diversion and a colorful example of early 90s shareware creativity.
Bananoid Game Cheats
Level skip:
Press the RIGHT MOUSE button during game play to skip a level.