OVERALL RATING		4.0
Presentation		4.5
Control		4.0
Gameplay		4.0
Fun factor		4.5
User Rating		4.0

The ultimate in mobile brick breaking is back with Block Breaker Deluxe 2, a game that has easily surpassed its predecessor as the best game of it’s kind, bar none.  Those are some mighty big words you say, but wait till you get behind the controls and experience what I’ve just had the pleasure of doing so.

Like most games of this kind, the objective is to clear a wall of bricks by bouncing a ball with your paddle back and forth.  Granted, this initially seems about exciting as watching paint dry, but what you have here are some of the most ingenious layouts and mechanics ever devised for a game of this nature.  Not only do you get a large and very creative assortment of power-ups and power-downs to make things interesting, but the bricks themselves come in many patterns that move, rotate, expand and right-out keep you riveted to the screen.  Additionally, Boss battles ensue that are intense enough to make you want to chuck your phone, but ultimately keep you on the edge to give it another shot.

The levels are timed but you will only be denied bonus points if you go over that limit.  This is important to some degree though because points are turned into money that can purchase upgrades for your paddle and ball.  The money also comes in handy to buy gift items like glasses, cars, stereos, etc…(more on these gifts later), as well as purchasing Continues if you lose all your lives.

One thing that I don’t care for too much in this sort of game is how long it takes at times to finish a level.  This is usually the case when you’ve got one or two blocks left and you just can’t hit that right angle.  What the game smartly does here is, after a short amount of time, it automatically drops a guided missile power-up.  You can then work to shoot the last block, but remember you’ve also got to keep your eye on the ball.  Also, you can stack power-ups in a cue and use or discard them as you wish.

There is more to the game however because throughout the levels, those special gifts that you can purchase are also hidden within, and when collected, they open up new modes of play.  There are eight additional modes and though they still technically consist of breaking blocks, the objectives vary such as walls of bricks constantly descending, completing levels within a certain time, challenging all Bosses, or playing with a friend simultaneously.  (Each controls a paddle at opposite sides of the screen.)

Block Breaker Deluxe 2 is very refined with great design, visual effects, ingenious power-ups and challenging Bosses.  Quite frankly, I can see it easily making its way to other platforms in the same form and equally providing a great experience.  Again, this is the best of its kind and if you’re looking for a game to keep on your handset for quite some time, it’ll certainly fit the bill.