Pixel Basher Flash Animation

Pixel Basher is a flash animation skill game created by Newgrounds.com user EmitterCritter and sponsored by the website King.com. As stated in the Author Comments of the game's site, Pixel Basher is an Arkanoid-style game that involves the use of a paddle and a ball to destroy blocks, or pixels. This skill-based flash animation was submitted to Newgrounds.com on April 20, 2010 and won a Daily 2nd Place award on April 21, 2010.

Gameplay Overview

The objective of Pixel Basher is to destroy all of the blocks on the screen. When you begin to play, after choosing a level that is available to you, you will be presented with a screen that has a number of blocks. Below this set up of blocks will be a paddle that you will control. Above this paddle will appear a black ball that you need to keep from falling below the paddle. Aim the paddle so that when the ball hits the paddle the ball will bounce off and hit a block overhead above the paddle. Destroy all of the blocks to complete the level.

There are a number of powerups available throughout the game. You can obtain these powerups by destroying the overhead pixel blocks. Though not all blocks drop items, the items that do drop can be very useful in helping you destroy all of the blocks and complete the levels. However, it should be noted that not all powerups are helpful in terms of helping you destroy blocks. Powerups include the following:

-Extra Ball, which gives players an extra ball to use in play
-Bigger Balls, which increases the size of the ball in play for a limited time
-Bigger Padde, which increases the size of the paddle for a limited time
-Multiball, which doubles the number of balls currently in play
-Ammo for each of the different weapons

Once you have lost all of the balls on the screen, including balls obtained from the Multiball powerup, you will lose one life indicated by the number of balls you have. The number of balls you have can be seen on the right hand side of the screen below the timer.

Also at the right hand side of the screen below the indicated number of balls that you have is a list of the different types of ammo and how much of each type of ammo you have. Use the ammo by firing it at blocks to help you destroy blocks and complete levels faster. You can switch between the different types of ammo by pressing the spacebar on your keyboard.

At the bottom right hand side of the screen you can view your current score. Below the score are a few game options that include toggling the sound and music, as well as pausing the game and exiting the game.

There are a total of 9 different levels, 4 different types of ammo, 6 different achievements, and many upgrades for you to obtain.

Game Review

Pixel Basher is a fun little skill-based game. The graphics are solid, as well as the gameplay. The addition of upgrades and multiple types of weapons adds to the overall gameplay and increases the game's replay value. The achievements also add to the replay value of the game by having players play more than once to try to obtain the achievements.

Overall, Pixel Basher scores a 7/10 for providing solid entertainment for players of all types.