BREAKOUT

(c) 1978 Atari, Inc.


Use your Standard Paddle Controllers with this ATARI Game Program.  Be
sure the Controller cable is firmly plugged into the jack at the rear
of your ATARI Video Computer System.  Note that another set of Paddle
Controllers will be necessary for three or four-player games.

Note:  Always turn the console power switch OFF when inserting or
removing an ATARI Game Program.  This will protect the electronic
components and prolong the life of your ATARI Video Computer System.


HOW TO PLAY BREAKOUT

SMASH!  POW!  CRUNCH!  A brick wall appears at the top of the screen, and
your missions is to smash two walls off the playfield -- one brick at
a time.

Use the controller to move the paddle across the bottom of the screen.
With the paddle, hit the ball into the wall.  Each time the ball hits a
brick, the brick disappears and you score points.

A player or team receives five balls per game.  When you miss a ball
with your paddle, the ball disappears from the screen.  Press the red
controller button to serve another ball until all five balls are
played.

When a team or player destroys the first brick wall, a second brick
wall automatically appears on the screen.  Continue to hit the bricks
of this wall and score more points.  The player or team who can destroy
two walls scores the maximum 864 points and wins the game.  NOTE:  If
both opponents destroy the two walls, the team who used the least
number of balls wins.

At the end of two-team games, the playfield of both teams or players
will flash on and off the screen.  That way, players can compare
scores.  Begin a new game and create a new brick wall by pressing the
console Reset button.


TO START PLAY

Each Breakout Game is identified by a number at the top of the
playfield. (See Breakout Game Descriptions for the game numbers.) One
to four players can play each game version.  To prepare for the game
play:
o    Select the number of the game you want to play by pressing the
     console's Game Select switch until the game number appears at the
     top center of the playfield.
o    Press the console's Game Select switch to program the game for
     the number of players.  For example, when the number 3 appears in
     the upper right playfield corner, the game is set for a three-
     player game.
o    Press the Game Reset button to start the game action.
o    Press the red controller button to serve the ball and start game
     action.

One-Player Games:
Using the right controller, one players attempts to destroy the two
walls using five balls.  Or, a player can win by scoring the maximum
number of points, 864.

Two-Player Games:
Two players take turns hitting the wall.  Each player receives five
balls and a brick wall that appears during a player's turn.  One player
continues to hit a ball into the wall until he misses the ball.  Upon a
miss, the opponent's wall appears on the screen.  The opponent then
takes his turn hitting the ball into the wall.  The first player to
destroy two walls OR score the most points after playing five balls
wins the game.

Three-Player Game:
Two players act as a team and play against a one-player team.  Just as
in two-player games, the two teams take turns hitting the ball into
the wall.  Each team receives five balls and a separate brick wall.
When one team misses the ball, the opposing team's wall appears and
play begins.  The first team to destroy a wall OR score the most points
after playing five balls wins the game.

Four-Player Games:
With two players on each team these games are played just like two and
three-player games.  The first team to destroy a wall OR score the most
points after playing five balls wins the game.

When a team or player destroys the brick wall, a new brick wall
automatically appears on the screen.  If any bricks still remain on the
screen after five balls are played, begin a new game and create a new
brick wall by pressing the Reset button.

NOTE:  In games with two-players on each team, each player controls a
paddle which moves across only half the playfield.

Timed Games:
Some games rely on speed scores instead of point scores to win.  A
timer will replace the scoreboard in the upper left corner.  Your
objective is to destroy the wall in as little time as possible.  The
timer counts the seconds, as you try to break your own record in
one-player games.  In two, three and four-player games, your mission is
to destroy the wall with five balls in less time than your opponent.

Invisible Games;
It's the same Breakout action, except this time it's in the dark!  The
wall is invisible until you hit a brick with the ball.  When this
happens, you score points and the entire wall lights up.


BREAKOUT GLOSSARY

Brick Wall:
There are six rows of bricks.  The color of a brick determines the
points you score when you hit it with your ball.
Red - 7 points         Orange - 7 points        Yellow - 4 points
Green - 4 points       Aqua - 1 point           Blue - 1 point

Paddle:
Each player uses a standard Paddle Controller to move the paddle
horizontally across the bottom of the play field.  With the paddle, a
player hits the ball into the wall.

Scoreboard/Timer:
Depending on what game you play, a Scoreboard or Timer will appear in
the left corner.
o    Scoreboard - Some games determine winners using only point
     scores.  During these games, each player's score appears in this
     position.  Scores are determined by the bricks hit during a game.
o    Timer - Instead of determining the winner with the point value of
     bricks, some games feature a Timer in the upper left corner.
     Your mission during these games is to destroy the walls in as
     little time as possible.  The Timer tracks the cumulative minutes
     and seconds of each turn.

Number of Players/Team Numbers:
In this playfield position two numbers will appear at different times
during the game.

o    Number of Players:  After you select the game you want to play,
     you must indicate the number of players.  Press the console's
     Game Select switch until the number of players appears.  For
     example, when number 3 appears, the computer is set for a three-
     player game.
o    Team Number:  The team that is currently hitting the ball is
     designated by a Team Number.  In one-player games the number 1
     will always appear in this position.  In two-player games, each
     player is designated by the numbers 1 or 2.  In three or four-
     player games, the teams are referred to teams 1 or 2.  When
     your TEAM NUMBER appears, it's your turn to score.

Balls/Game Numbers:
In this playfield position two numbers will appear at different times
during the game.

o    Game Number:
     Before you begin play, select the game you want to play with the
     console's Game Select switch.  The number that appears refers to
     the game you will play.  (See the following Game Descriptions for
     game numbers.)
o    Balls:
     After you press the console's Reset button, play action can
     begin.  The number 5 appears in this playfield position and
     refers to the five balls you or your team can serve.  Throughout
     the game, the number will reflect the number of balls that
     remain.


SCORING

In some games, a player scores points by hitting one of the wall's
bricks.  The bricks are worth points.  The number of points is
determined by the brick's color:
Red - 7 points         Orange - 7 points        Yellow - 4 points
Green - 4 points       Aqua - 1 point           Blue - 1 point

The first player or team to completely destroy both walls OR score the
most points after playing five balls wins the game.  Score the maximum
number of points, 864, when you destroy both walls.

In other games, you must rely on the speed of your game skill.  A timer
records the cumulative minutes and seconds of each of your turns
during a game.  The team or player who destroys both walls with five
balls in the least amount of time with five balls wins the game. [sic]
In one-player games, try to break your own time records.


HANDICAP (DIFFICULTY SWITCH)

In "B" position the paddle is 3/4 the size of the paddle when the
switch is in the "A" position.  Where there are two players on one
team, one difficulty switch will affect both paddles.


CONTROLLER ACTION

To Serve the Ball:
Press the red controller button and the ball will appear.

To Move the Paddles:
To move the paddles across the playfield, turn the controller knob.
Turn it clockwise to move the paddle to the right; turn it counter
clockwise to move the paddle to the left.

To Steer the Balls:
Some Breakout and Breakthru games will feature Steerable Balls.  In
these games you can control the direction of the control knob
clockwise to move the ball to the right; turn it counter-clockwise to
move the ball to the left.

To Catch the Ball:
Some Breakout and Breakthru games feature Catch.  When the ball makes
contact with your paddle, press the red controller.  Continue to press
the button and the ball will remain on the paddle, allowing you more
time to carefully aim your shots.  To release the ball, release the red
controller button.


BREAKOUT GAMES

GAME 1
Using a controller, players attempt to smash their way through the
wall and score points.

GAME 2
This game features Steerable Balls so you can make every hit count.

GAME 3
Take a breather.  This game features Catch, which gives you time to
play your strategy and aim.

GAME 4
Don't blink.  The only time you'll see your Breakout wall is when the
ball hits a brick.  The rest of the time you're playing Breakout in the
dark.

GAME 5
The pressure's on.  The Time at the top of the playfield will record
the time it takes you to complete a Breakout.

GAME 6
The Timer provides the suspense.  The Steerable Balls provide some of
the strategy moves you'll make during this game.

GAME 7
How long does it take?  The Time in this game will tick away the
seconds as you aim your balls with Catch.

GAME 8
The wall lights up only when you hit a brick.  Then you're playing in
the dark again as the Timer records your game time.


BREAKTHRU GAMES

Breakthru is played the same way as Breakout games.  The only
difference is the ball action.  Once the ball hits a brick, the ball
continues to penetrate the wall, hitting more bricks and scoring more
points.  Breakthru is plenty of fast ball and paddle action.

GAME 9
POW!  POW!  POW!  Make a direct hit on a brick and the ball continues
traveling through the wall in this basic Breakthru.

GAME 10
Steerable missiles increase your control over the ball during this
fast game of Breakthru.

GAME 11
Slow the action down with Catch in this Breakthru game.

GAME 12
The Breakthru wall only appears when you hit a brick.  During any other
game play it's invisible.


PLAYING TIPS

o    The paddle is divided into five sections.  Note that the ball
     bounces off each section at progressively smaller angles after
     the third, seventh, and eleventh hit.  After the twelfth hit,
     the angle returns to its original size.

o    The ball will speed up after the twelfth consecutive hit OR when
     it hits any brick in the top three rows.  (Speed Bricks)

o    When the ball makes contact with the center section of the
     paddle, the ball will jump.


           |   BREAKOUT    |TIMED BREAKOUT |   BREAKTHRU   |
           |               |               |               |
Game Number| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10| 11| 12|
-----------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
  Steerable|   |XXX|   |   |   |XXX|   |   |   |XXX|   |   |
-----------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
      Catch|   |   |XXX|   |   |   |XXX|   |   |   |XXX|   |
-----------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
  Invisible|   |   |   |XXX|   |   |   |XXX|   |   |   |XXX|
-----------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+

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