The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was a revolutionary console that brought gaming to the masses in the 80s and 90s. One of its most iconic games is Arkanoid II, a sequel to the popular breakout arcade game Arkanoid. While the original Arkanoid is still widely available on various platforms, Arkanoid II has been notoriously difficult to find outside of Japan due to its limited release. However, in recent years, some developers have made it possible to play this classic game on Windows without having to purchase a physical copy or visit Japan.

In this article, we'll explore the history of Arkanoid II, how it was originally released, and what's happening with its availability today.

History of Arkanoid

Arkanoid is an arcade game that was first released in 1986 by Tengen (a company founded by Ataro Tomita) under license from Sega. The game was a breakout-style shooter where players controlled a paddle at the bottom of the screen, using it to deflect incoming balls and destroy blocks while avoiding enemies.

The game became an instant hit, and its success led to numerous sequels and spin-offs being released over the years. However, none of these sequels ever saw official release outside of Japan.

Arkanoid II: Recharged

In 1992, Tengen released Arkanoid II in arcades worldwide. The game featured improved graphics, new levels, and power-ups that allowed players to gain an advantage over their opponents. Despite its success, the game was never officially released on any home console or PC.

However, due to licensing issues with Sega (the original creator of Arkanoid), Tengen was unable to distribute Arkanoid II through traditional channels. This led to the game being relegated to a niche audience in Japan only.

Availability Today

In recent years, some developers have taken it upon themselves to make Arkanoid II available on PC and other platforms without having to purchase a physical copy or visit Japan.

One such developer is Coolmath Games, which has released an official port of Arkanoid II for Windows. The game features all the original levels and graphics from the 1992 arcade release, as well as new power-ups and bonuses that were not available in the original version.

Coolmath Games claims to have obtained the necessary rights to distribute the game from Sega's successor companies (Sega and its parent company, Sonic Team). However, it is worth noting that this may not be entirely accurate, as the licensing terms for Arkanoid II are notoriously complex and difficult to navigate.

Another developer that has released a version of Arkanoid II is Kongregate. Their game features all the original levels, but with some changes and improvements to make the gameplay more accessible to modern players.

Availability on Kongregate's website is free, but it comes with a catch: you'll need to create an account and watch ads before playing the game. While this may seem like a hassle, it's not entirely uncommon for online games to feature ads or in-game purchases.

Where to Play

There are several places where you can play Arkanoid II for free without having to purchase a physical copy or visit Japan:

• Coolmath Games: www.coolmathgames.com (Windows)
• Kongregate: www.kongregate.com/games/arkanoid-ii (Web browser)
• MyAbandonware: A website that aggregates abandonware games, including Arkanoid II.