Kaboom!

Kaboom! is a simple but extremely addictive action game in which the player uses a joystick to slide three buckets along the bottom edge of the screen and tries to catch bombs dropped from above by a mad bomber. The goal is to prevent a bomb from hitting the ground, since every failed attempt costs a life, while successful catches add points and gradually speed up the rate at which further bombs fall. The game has no classic levels in the form of distinct screens; instead, it's a continuously escalating challenge on a single playing field.

On the Atari 800, the game used smoothly responsive paddle or joystick controls, which were essential for precise, fast bucket movement, since even a small hesitation becomes fatal as the bombs' speed increases. The graphics are deliberately sparse and clear, so nothing distracts from the main task of watching the falling objects and reacting to them at the last possible moment. The sound effects accompanying the explosions and the catching of bombs gave the game an energetic, arcade character typical of early Activision titles.

In the first half of the 1980s, Kaboom! was among the titles that proved addictive arcade gameplay doesn't need to rest on complex graphics or extensive content, but can be built on a single, clearly legible principle with constantly increasing difficulty. On the Atari 8-bit, it found its place alongside more extensive games as a fast, intense choice for a short session. Even today the game works as a showcase of pure arcade design based on reflexes and gradually rising pressure, without needing anything explained or memorized. The simplicity of the controls also meant a complete novice could try the game instantly, while more experienced players looked for ways to squeeze the maximum number of points out of catching bombs as quickly and precisely as possible, right up to the last moment before impact.

Why play it: For moments when a single clearly legible principle with rising difficulty is enough, Kaboom! remains a showcase of pure arcade design simple enough to explain to a complete novice.