Wall Ball

"As fun as it is challenging"

Atari 2600 - Wall Ball

Looking back at Wall Ball most people will recognize playing this game somewhere before... be it free on the Internet or on some game package that came with 500 games on one CD. Where ever they found Wall Ball, the fact is that they found it.

At first, this may not seem like a big deal or issue - but upon further inspection it does indicate at least one thing; someone somewhere along the line enjoyed this game and inspired them to remake and edit this game. Wall Ball had a definite influence on puzzle type games, it is futile to try to argue that fact.

Gameplay
Wall Ball is fun, yet extremely challenging. Beginning the game at level one, most people will assume that after a few times around they will be able to get onto the second level of play. This is not the case. Most people also would assume that if a game is as challenging to play as Wall Ball then people will not play it often. This, too, is not true.

It is likely that you have found yourself playing a version of Wall Ball online for a long time and not even realized just how much time you have spent playing it (The most popular version is called CurveBall). It is also likely that you have played Breakout at some point in your life, this to was inspired by Wall Ball.

There are numerous games out there that will show you the influence Wall Ball has on our gaming culture. Any one of these games are entertaining. Wall Ball is possibly the hardest Atari game, and is easily one of the most fun to play.

Controls
The controls are quite simplistic. They joystick will move your paddle around the screen. Depending on where you hit the ball on the paddle the ball will react in a certain manner, some shots will be predictable, some will not. If you rely solely on the joystick to complete the game, then you will find yourself in the hardest fight of your life. To have a chance at being successful you must use the action button.

The action button will allow you to manipulate your shot. It will allow you to hit strait shots every time. This will help you out considerably due to the fact that often times the paddle moves too quickly to be as precise as you will need to be for the large majority of the games.

If not for the action button having the effect that it does on the game, then Wall Ball would have some of the worst controls in an Atari game. However, you will find that it is the saving grace and resultantly creates some really good controls.

Graphics
The graphics take some serious getting used to. The ball's location in depth is hard to judge even if you have been playing the game for a long time. This is mostly due to the graphical limitations of the Atari system, which is not an excuse for this unfortunate decanter. Nevertheless, you will find yourself playing the game due to the other great features of the game.

There is also an annoying rainbow-type color scheme that is supposed to simulate the depth of the room(?). It doesn't do the job as well as they could, but it does it well enough to recognize what it is... but is that enough?

Sound
An aspect of Atari that has never really been appreciated or accepted is the sound. With Wall Ball you will hear the typical sounds of Beep and Boop when the ball hits the paddle and when you break one of the blocks on the wall opposite you. Wall Ball presents nothing spectacular in the auditory department of the game. However, unless you are extremely opposed to noise, you will be able to put up with Wall Ball.

Challenge
If there is one aspect of Wall Ball that stands out above the rest, it is the challenge. Even in it's simple nature, the best players find themselves struggling to knock out the blocks needed in many of the levels, especially the ''Elimination'' levels.

Do not get arrogant when playing this game, or else you will have your precious self-confidence destroyed in a short, short time. Wall Ball is one of the most difficult and mentally frustrating games that Atari has to offer its classic gaming gurus.

Options
You will have the option to begin the game at one of eight levels, each level will have its own speed of the ball and paddle size. Eventually all players will get to the last level through the nature of the game - but those are the only options that you will have. Wall Ball is a one player game, and thus its need for an array of options is lessened. And due to the game itself, anything else might seem as a bit too much. Wall Ball has no overwhelming side-options or anything else along those lines, but it certainly gets the job done.

Overall
No matter what type of game you enjoy to play, no matter if you like harder games or easier games -- you will find yourself playing Wall Ball for a long time in hopes that you will be able to beat it. All of this only to have your hopes smashed because you sneezed or your little brother walked in front of the screen and wouldn't move... it just doesn't seem fair.

Wall Ball is an excellent game that has influence a whole generation of small action/puzzle games and side games in the video game industry. There is a distinct reason for this... Wall Ball is a great game.

9/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 02/16/04