Alleyway is an interesting launch title for the Game Boy. It’s basic, a simple Breakout clone, and only offers bonus levels and a few variations in levels to keep things interesting. It doesn’t hold onto your high score and honestly, it’s not pretty.
However, it perfectly fits its intended purpose: to act as a bridge between the even simpler Game and Watch games, and games that would offer more dynamic and nuanced play. As basic as it is, it’s from a time when handheld gaming was in its infancy and much cruder in design. Alleyway cracks the window open a little to show what the future held. The fact that there ARE bonus levels, the fact that there IS a variety in levels means a lot in terms of the evolution of handheld gaming.
D’Arcy is an educator and gamer from BC, Canada. He’s been gaming his entire life and enjoys both new and retro games. His consoles of choice are Game Boy, PS3, and Switch.You can follow his gaming online @darcyska_gaming
Yokoi Kids 