KLAX Arcade Cabinet

Klax, a puzzle video game, debuted in arcades in 1990 under Atari Games' development, while Namco handled distribution in Japan. Mark Pierce led the design and animation efforts, complemented by Dave Akers' software engineering skills. Players aim to catch colored blocks descending from a machine, arranging them into rows and patterns to clear them. Originally conceived as a coin-operated successor to Tetris, Klax emerged amidst legal tensions with Atari Games. Additionally, the Atari 2600 adaptation, launched in mid-1990 alongside Fatal Run, marked the console's final releases before its discontinuation in early 1992.

How to play Klax:

The Klax gameplay utilizes a four-directional joystick and a button for controls. Players maneuver a small paddle positioned at the lower section of a continuously moving conveyor belt. By manipulating the joystick, the paddle can be moved left or right to intercept tiles of various colors descending along the conveyor. Beneath the paddle lies a reservoir capable of holding up to 25 tiles arranged in five columns of five. Pressing the button releases the topmost tile from the paddle, allowing it to drop directly downward into the reservoir, provided the corresponding column isn't full. The primary objective is to create "Klaxes," which are uninterrupted horizontal, vertical, or diagonal lines comprising three tiles of the same color. Achieving this clears the tiles, earning points, and causing any tiles above them to descend further.

The paddle can accommodate a maximum of five tiles simultaneously. Players incur a penalty known as a "drop" each time a tile slips off the conveyor without being intercepted or when the paddle reaches full capacity. Moving the joystick upwards propels the top tile on the paddle a short distance along the conveyor, while pulling downwards accelerates the tile movement.

The game features 100 waves, organized into 20 sets of five waves each. After each set of five waves, the drop count resets, and players are presented with three wave options to choose from. Opting for a later wave grants bonus points and allows for more drops. Each wave entails specific objectives, such as achieving a set number of Klaxes, attaining a particular score, or enduring a predetermined number of tiles. At the conclusion of each wave, bonus points are awarded based on the remaining tiles on the conveyor and paddle, as well as the vacant spaces in the reservoir.

The game concludes when players deplete all available drops, fill the reservoir to capacity, or successfully complete all 100 waves.