So I was just playing Super DX-Ball, recommended by teaforone, and started getting all nostalgic. My entire history to THIS VERY MOMENT can be tied to Breakout-inspired games (well, since 3rd grade at least). Watch:

I got an Atari 2600 for my birthday when I was in like 2nd or 3rd grade, and I've been hooked ever since. The first game I had for it was Activision's now-classic Kaboom!, which while isn't technically a Breakout copy does utilize the same skill set (moving a board shaped-thing around with a paddle controller, and so on). Of course, Breakout and Super Breakout weren't far behind.

Note: if you want a copy of Breakout that's really close to the real deal, check out this plug and play. The controller responds exactly like the old Atari paddles, and the emulation is close enough for even a purist like myself. Playing games like Breakout and Kaboom! via an emulator is also a good idea. (also, if you really want a blast to the past, you can select "black and white" on the Jakks plug and play and kick it like it's 1978...)

Anyway, when I lived in Gage Tower while going to Mankato State University, they'd always throw some old video game machines down in the lobby for poor college kids to waste their laundry money on. For a while they had Xevious, and they had that "Police Force" pinball machine where you could shoot the ball up the center ramp with the right flipper basically forever (srsly, we'd have contests, and it'd get into the hundreds). But one day I discovered the Breakout-inspired Arkanoid, and THINGS WERE NEVER QUITE THE SAME. I grew obsessed, and spent hours playing after getting off work at the cafeteria. Shortly after graduating I got an IBM PC and was introduced to emulators by my friend Brian, so basically I've been playing Arkanoid off and on to the present day. And Super DX-Ball immediately reminded me of Arkanoid, and so there you go.

P.S. I need to get a mouse for my MacBook; it's awkward playing Super DX-Ball with the trackpad deal.