PowBall Renaissance Windows, Android, AndroidTab, AndroidConsole game

PowBall Renaissance

POW_Games | Released 2016

Take a nostalgic trip down memory lane with this classic Breakout meets Asteroids remake, brought beautifully into the modern world of gaming, retaining the retro charm of the original but with many added features.

Gameplay

If you prefer graphics over gameplay, then this game isn’t for you. Development has been focused heavily on delivering an enjoyable silky-smooth gameplay experience, whilst still maintaining an enjoyable visual experience. It has to be played to be believed.

Features

Multiple control methods: mouse, keyboard, game controller, touch screen, and tilt.
Level editor.
Highly optimised In-house game engine, which achieves a high frame rate even on lower-end systems; currently not possible with any mainstream engine.
Local multiplayer. Up to 3 players simultaneously using any available control method.
High definition graphics. The game will play at your desktop resolution at full screen, or in a window: so no flickery screen-mode changing. Sprites are high resolution, so look great even on giant screens.
Silky-smooth animations and particle explosions.
Unlimited space backdrops. The background isn’t static… the planets move! In the level editor, you can design the position of stars, planets, gas clouds, and shadows, to give each level a unique ‘atmosphere’.
Weapons & ammunition. Each weapon has unique destructive qualities and are equally satisfying to use.
Physics: Solid ball physics makes it satisfyingly fun to play, rather than frustrating. Miss the ball by a couple of pixels? No worries, the ball gets chipped back into play, spinning off at a sharp angle. Enemy getting in your way? Swat it away with your paddle, or repeatedly ram it into a wall, shattering it into a shower of shrapnel and gems.
Shop: collect resources to trade for ammo, being aware of changing prices depending on supply-and-demand. Adds a strategic trading element to the game, making difficult to stockpile ammo and blitz every level with weapons.
Many mysterious features such as: portals; which add a unique puzzle element, helper bot; giving some much needed company in the void.
Currently over 235 levels, with more planned.
End-of-level Asteroids and Galaxians sub-games,

Enemies

Here are just some of the enemies that you will encounter in space:

No one knows the origin of these mysterious alien craft, but they frequently appear and are not friendly.

Long-forgotten treasure chest of past Rockhoppers perished. The invention of zero-space cargo tech negates the need to leave Alchemite behind, but these relics still litter the galaxy, rewarding the well-armed Rockhopper.

Left over from the Rebellion War, these automated space mines will launch deadly mini-mines if they detect anything at close proximity.

Tech for the cowardly Rockhoppers. These are deployed by Rockhoppers hoping to get rich from the comfort of a space station tavern.

Left behind relics of the Rebellion War. These were a non-lethal attempt at ending the war. Ineffective as their intended purpose, but very good at annoying Rockhoppers.

Coming Soon

125 "Elite" level set.

FAQ

What about Linux and Mac versions?

Linux, Mac, and other platforms are possible in the future, but with limited time and resources I am focusing on the Windows version first. If that proves to be a success, then Linux will follow. It currently works great under Wine though.
Where is the graviton, grenade launcher, and coins that were in PowBall DeluXe?

This isn’t a direct port of the original game. It’s half reboot and half remake. I’ve used some of the original sound effects and music, but all of the code and graphics have been made from scratch. I made a design decisions to leave out some of the less-used features from the original so I could focus on making the other features better, offering a less complicated and more enjoyable gameplay experience, especially for casual gamers, and those who are new to PowBall.

The Author

POW Games is currently just one person. After an 18 year break from programming, the creator of the 1997 classic PowBall DeluXe returns with a debut remake / reboot, staying true to the original gameplay, with added visual polish. After working alone tirelessly all year, on a zero budget, the game is finally here.

Post article RSS Articles

Another Breakout clone to add to the mix: PowBall Renaissance

Mar 9 2016 News

Okay, so It's an old game with a genre of its very own, and it's probably the most cloned game in history, so it can't surely be improved on, right? Wrong...

From this:

(Atari Breakout)

To this:

(Arkanoid)

Then this:

Powball
(Powball)

And now this:

I am proud to present PowBall Renaissance.

Hard-core Breakout fans will hopefully already be convinced, but if you're still wondering what's unique about PowBall Reinassance, then consider these features:

Shop:

Collected resources can be traded for weapon ammunition, extra balls, and lives. Prices fluctuate depending on supply and demand. This adds a nice level of strategy, giving you an advantage on the future levels if you plan ahead.

Up to 3-Player Multiplayer:

Only a few variations of Breakout feature a 2-player mode but how many offer 3-player? With co-op mode to mix it up, this is probable an all-time first?

Interesting Level Designs with Puzzle Elements

Not many Breakout clones offer anything beyond an unimaginative array of bricks in their level designs. This one gives you something not only more pleasing to the eye but more interesting to play. With various features such as wormholes some levels come with a puzzle element requiring some thought and planning to complete.

Sub-Games to mix up Gameplay

It's not just just balls you play with. After each level your paddle transforms and takes you into the realms of a shoot-em-up in the form of Asteroids and even Galaxians.

Level Editor

Every self-respecting Breakout remake should include a level editor. This one is a comprehensive tool that will allow you to create magnificent works of art, right down to the position of the stars and planets in the background.

In Conclusion

I feel that the most important factor when recreating a classic game is to keep it traditional. The original Breakout remake Powball kept to the standard unspoilt formula of a paddle, ball, and bricks, then added relevant features to make it more interesting without any gimmicks, such as adding a 3rd dimension; does anyone play 3D chess?

All the most important ingredients are there: Smooth gameplay, fine-tuned angled deflection of the ball, giving the skilled player a chance to aim anywhere, powerups, weapons, many many levels, and so much more.

All this was achieved with the 1996 release of Powball of course, so what's new? Modern visuals, new set of levels, 3-player mode, and smoother gameplay. It still has all the stuff that made Powball fun, and some players may still prefer the older version that runs at a fixed screen mode of 320x200, but this new version presents a new breakout experience you may never experience elsewhere.

There is currently a version for Windows and Android:

The original version of Powball is now free: