OOPArts arcade 1cc

A 1-credit clear of the arcade game OOPArts [ooparts], played with WolfMAME 0.280. Score: 936,890. A very obscure breakout/arkanoid clone that got put on my radar this week. The music is divine - it reminds me of the comfy timbres of some PC Engine games. The vibes are immaculate - the li'l creatures running around each stage are cute. Difficulty level is gentle - you get a steady supply of extra lives (especially at the Prominence level that begins the Final Battle). Gunbarich is still my favorite arcade Arkanoid-like but this is now a clear second place.

Quick notes on an obscure game: Hold button-1 to move faster. Hold button-1 and crash into the side walls to change the ball trajectory (and nudge small enemies around). Push button-2 to fire off magic - which magic depends on the color of the jewel at the bottom center. I like the red best generally. Avoid the blue bomb pickup (slowdown) or the arrows-pointing-in (smaller paddle), other pickups are good for you.

There's a lot about the game that remains INSCRUTABLE - why do you go to "room 2" and not room 1 or 3? I don't know!