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DX-Ball 2: 20th Anniversary Edition similar games & best alternatives

DX-Ball 2: 20th Anniversary Edition

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2018

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Quick resume

The king of breakout games is back in a special 20th Anniversary Edition with high-res boards, new power-ups, online leaderboards, a boardset editor and more!

Global score

96/100

Genres

Casual, Indie

Similar games

    Pros

    • Nostalgic and faithful remake
    • Level editor and steam workshop support
    • Smooth and responsive controls
    • Extensive content including dlc and community boards
    • Engaging soundtrack and retro visuals

    Cons

    • Some levels can be tedious or frustrating
    • Occasional technical issues like lag or mouse cursor escape
    • Limited multiplayer and social features
    • Dlc content incomplete or delayed
    • Graphics and sound effects feel dated

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Status, Story, Expression. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence, Story, Fantasy.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players have freedom to choose levels, game modes, and create their own levels with the editor and Steam Workshop support."

    • Competence
      3

      "Game offers skill challenges with precise paddle control, powerup management, and increasingly difficult levels."

    • Competition
      2

      "Online leaderboards and score chasing encourage comparison with others, but gameplay is mostly solo."

    • Continuation
      4

      "Many players report long play sessions, nostalgia-driven repeated play, and extensive level packs including community content."

    • Cooperation
      -4

      "Gameplay is primarily single-player with limited multiplayer modes; cooperation is minimal or absent."

    • Creativity
      4

      "Includes a level editor and Steam Workshop support allowing players to create and share custom boards."

    • Domination
      -3

      "Interactions are mostly individual and friendly; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players use the game as a nostalgic escape and casual distraction with relaxing gameplay and music."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and nostalgia, not due to obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Players experiment with new powerups, different levels, and custom board creation."

    • Exploration
      3

      "Exploring numerous level packs, including community-created content, encourages discovery."

    • Expression
      3

      "Customization through level creation and choice of visual styles supports player expression."

    • Fantasy
      -2

      "Game is a stylized arcade brick breaker with minimal fantasy elements, focusing on abstract gameplay."

    • Fellowship
      1

      "Some community interaction through Steam Workshop and leaderboards, but mostly individual play."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players develop skill in paddle control, powerup use, and level strategies."

    • Health
      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires continuous attention and focus to control paddle and ball; not suitable for passive play."

    • Intimacy
      -4

      "Minimal social interaction; mostly solo gameplay with limited social features."

    • Leadership
      -4

      "No evidence of leadership roles; gameplay is individual and cooperative features are limited."

    • Progression
      3

      "Players accumulate points, unlock charms, and progress through many levels and DLC packs."

    • Relaxation
      3

      "Gameplay is described as relaxing and nostalgic, suitable for casual play and stress relief."

    • Sensation
      2

      "Enjoyable retro visuals and music provide moderate sensory stimulation."

    • Status
      2

      "Online leaderboards provide recognition and social status among players."

    • Story
      -5

      "No narrative or story elements; gameplay is context-free and arcade style."

    • Strategy
      2

      "Some strategic elements in powerup use and level navigation, but largely reflex-based gameplay."

    • Thrill
      2

      "Some tension from ball speed and challenging levels, but overall a controlled arcade experience."

    • Value
      3

      "Players perceive good value from nostalgia, extensive content, and workshop support at a low price."

    • Violence
      -5

      "Gameplay focuses on constructive actions like breaking bricks, no violent content."

    • Survival
      2

      "Players must avoid losing lives and manage ball control to survive levels."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026