The modes are all quite distinctive, in both gameplay and style. “Pow” is very much like the traditional Breakout, complete with retro visuals and music. “Paper” is more creative – and the first mode that begins to really tweak the classic gameplay. In it, players must draw their own paddle and hit certain points representing blotches of paint, avoiding obstacles or using them to the best advantage.

“Ghost” is almost akin to a top-down shooter, with vertically scrolling stages that make use of the mic to blow ghosts away as the player breaks their way through the level. “Shoot” takes this mechanic even further, representing an actual top town shooter (the paddle even becomes a rocket ship.) One of the best (and most creative) modes is “Water”, where players frantically try to save stick figures from drowning while keeping the ball in play and avoiding sharks. It’s quite challenging, but one of the most successful imaginings of Breakout in the game.

Another of the more successful modes is “Speed”, a wickedly intense exercise in reflexes. Speed has a retro-vector graphical style and power-ups that actually slow down the ball, giving the player more control. Other modes include “Switch”, where the player must constantly switch the color of the paddle to match the ball, “Curve”, which has the player whacking a miniature golf ball around the stages, and “Retro” which features side-scrolling platforming on top of the usual ball-paddling.

While some modes are quite fresh and creative, every portion of the game reflects some serious old-school challenge, as well as some element of repetitive gameplay. The first time through the later levels in any mode require a bit of memorization and some lightning fast reflexes – deaths are common and frustrating, especially in the more frenzied boss fights. The “Paper” boss in particular will have some players tossing their DS across the room in fury. Fortunately, the game rewards constant play with extra “lives” and the “blow” feature that allows you to change the trajectory of the ball by blowing into the mic – especially a godsend in "Speed" mode.