How to play Brick Breaker
- Tap the screen to start and tap again to launch the ball, which sits on the paddle. On a keyboard, use the space bar.
- Drag your finger sideways to move the paddle (you don't need to touch it directly). On a computer, use the arrow keys or the mouse.
- The ball bounces off the walls, the ceiling, the bricks and the paddle. If the ball slips past below, you lose a life; after three lost lives the game ends.
- Break all the bricks to move up a level: each level has a different pattern and the ball goes a little faster. Catch the falling capsules with the paddle to activate power-ups.
Power-ups, points and strategy
Each brick is worth 10 points. Dark bricks with a light frame take two hits: the first one scores 5 points and the second breaks them. Finishing a level earns you 50 bonus points. A capsule drops from about one in six broken bricks: the wide paddle makes the paddle bigger for 12 seconds, multi-ball splits every ball into three and the slow ball cuts the speed to 70% for 10 seconds.
The ball's direction depends on where it hits the paddle: at the center it goes straight up, and the closer to an edge, the more it leans toward that side (up to 60 degrees). Use it to aim: to clear the bricks in a corner, hit with the edge of the paddle on the opposite side. A ball that bounces almost horizontally corrects itself so it never gets stuck.
With many balls in play you don't lose a life until the last one falls, so multi-ball is a great help for clearing a level in one go. Everything is calculated in your browser; only your best score is saved on your device.
Things to keep in mind
- Your best score is saved only in this browser: if you clear the site data, it is lost.
- On a phone, dragging on the game screen does not scroll the page; to scroll the page, swipe outside the game screen.
- The game pauses by itself when you switch tabs or apps, and you pick it up again with the Resume button. There is no sound.
Frequently asked questions
How do I play Brick Breaker on a phone?
Rest your finger on the game screen and drag it sideways: the paddle moves exactly as much as your finger, without being hidden under it. A short tap, without dragging, launches the ball.
Can I play with a keyboard or a mouse?
Yes: left and right arrow keys (or A and D) to move the paddle, space bar to launch the ball and P to pause. With a mouse, the paddle follows the pointer and a click launches the ball.
How do I control where the ball goes?
By the spot on the paddle where it bounces: at the center it goes straight, and toward the edges it leaves at an ever steeper angle, up to 60 degrees from vertical.
What do the power-ups do?
Wide paddle: makes the paddle bigger for 12 seconds. Multi-ball: every ball splits into three. Slow ball: cuts the speed to 70% for 10 seconds. They activate when you catch the capsule with the paddle.
How many lives do I have and how many levels are there?
Three lives per game. The levels never run out: each one has a new pattern and difficulty, with more bricks that take two hits and an ever faster ball up to a maximum.
Is my best score saved?
Yes, in this browser. It is not sent to any server and your score is not recorded.