Ball X

ABOUT THE PROJECT:
"Ball X" is a simple "HD" (comparatively) remake of the Game & Watch "Ball", specifically the Game & Watch Gallery 2 version.

Graphics have been scaled up and interpreted using only the Game Boy version as reference, so if it doesn't match the original Game & Watch version, that's why.

It's also been designed at a resolution such that going full-screen on a 16:9 monitor should scale cleanly.

This project was mostly just to figure out how to program a game I understood front to back, rather than diving into something complex.

GAMEPLAY:
Ball is a juggling game in which you must keep your balls aloft, as dropping one will result in your game ending.
Move your arms left and right to catch them, and keep juggling as long as you can!

The balls will gradually speed up as you play, until you reach a multiple of 100 points, which will reset the speed.
This will allow you to mentally regroup and renew your concentration!

Even with the speed increase, you may find Game A is too easy for you.
If that's the case, try Game B, which features 50% more balls!
Simply click the "GAME" button to change game modes (either before starting, or after your game ends).

Go for a high score!
The game features a state of the art battery backup system, allowing you to keep your high scores, even after you stop playing!
To view your high score, simply click the "SCORE" button, and your high score for the current game mode will be displayed.

CONTROLS:
A/D or left/right arrows: Move arms left/right
R: Resets the game
The various buttons on the border are clickable

FEEDBACK:
While I'm considering this project basically complete, I do appreciate any feedback that comes my way!
I did a much better job commenting my code in this project versus previous ones, so I might actually be able to change stuff based on feedback!

FUN FACTS:
I first tried making a Pac-Man clone, but I somehow screwed up Pac-Man.
Essentially, my background in RPG Maker caused me to think about things differently, and I ended up doing everything the hard way, so it quickly became a janky mess. Perhaps one day I'll revisit it, but until then: BALL.

The game features touch controls by accident.
Originally, the buttons were only intended to be a graphical part of the frame (which itself was only to make the game scale well in 16:9 fullscreen), but I thought "wouldn't it be a cute Easter egg if the buttons depressed when you clicked them?".
After that, I thought "if the player can press these buttons, shouldn't they do something?", and it all came together.

Half of the other features were inspired by the graphics as well.
Originally, the "Game" and "Score" buttons were to be the only two functional parts of the frame, as they would make sense on a handheld game device, but I thought some people might find the game more challenging without the simulated LCD shadows, or that the border might be distracting, so there are now buttons for that.

There are hidden features.
Exactly 2 hidden features not discussed here.
I'll leave those for players to discover these on their own.

TAGS:
#other #retro #arcade #fangame