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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

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players have freedom to explore levels, use power-ups, and create custom levels with a powerful level editor."

      Capsule for SuperTux SuperTux

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

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      3

      "Game offers skill-based challenges such as mastering scrubs, whips, and track ruts; AI difficulty adjustable but generally considered easy at highest setting."

      Capsule for MXGP3 - The Official Motocross Videogame MXGP3 - The Official Motocross Videogame

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

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      2

      "Leaderboards and achievement progression encourage comparison, but gameplay is mostly solo and self-paced."

      Capsule for In Death In Death

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

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "Players report long play sessions, nostalgia driven repeated playthroughs, modding community"

      Capsule for STAR WARS™ Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II STAR WARS™ Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II

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

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -4

      "Gameplay is primarily single-player with no current multiplayer; cooperation is minimal or absent."

      Capsule for BRUTALISTICK VR BRUTALISTICK VR

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

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      4

      "Features a level editor and Steam Workshop support allowing players to create and share custom content."

      Capsule for Flywrench Flywrench

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

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -3

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

      Capsule for ODDCORE ODDCORE

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

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Players use the game as a charming, nostalgic distraction with relaxing music and atmosphere, sometimes for stress relief."

      Capsule for Beeny Beeny

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

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

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

      Capsule for Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition

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

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      3

      "Players explore new levels and experiment with power-ups and level editor features."

      Capsule for SuperTux SuperTux

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

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      3

      "Levels contain hidden areas and collectibles encouraging discovery and curiosity."

      Capsule for Bloo Kid 2 Bloo Kid 2

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

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      3

      "Customization through level creation and sharing allows player expression."

      Capsule for Eets Munchies Eets Munchies

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

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      -2

      "Game is abstract and arcade-style with minimal narrative or fictional roleplaying elements, focusing on realistic arcade action."

      Capsule for Waves 2: Notorious Waves 2: Notorious

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

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      1

      "Some community interaction through workshop and sharing, but mostly individual play."

      Capsule for Picross Touch Picross Touch

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

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      3

      "Players develop kayaking skills, improve race times, and learn map layouts; some learning curve in mastering controls and physics."

      Capsule for Kayak VR: Mirage Kayak VR: Mirage

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

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

      Capsule for World of Tanks Blitz World of Tanks Blitz

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires continuous attention due to physics and controls; not suitable for passive play."

      Capsule for Destination Sol Destination Sol

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

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -4

      "Minimal social interaction; mostly solo play with limited local co-op and no online multiplayer."

      Capsule for Runers Runers

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

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -4

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

      Capsule for Buriedbornes2 - Dungeon RPG - Buriedbornes2 - Dungeon RPG -

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

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      3

      "Players accumulate medals, achievements, and unlock DLC content; progression through skill improvement."

      Capsule for Ragnarock Ragnarock

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

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      3

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

      Capsule for Galaxy on Fire 2™ Full HD Galaxy on Fire 2™ Full HD

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

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      2

      "Enjoyable retro visuals and music create pleasant sensory experience, though not intense stimulation."

      Capsule for Space Pilgrim Episode IV: Sol Space Pilgrim Episode IV: Sol

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

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      2

      "Leaderboards provide recognition and social status among players."

      Capsule for Strike Suit Infinity Strike Suit Infinity

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

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      -5

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

      Capsule for Knight Squad Knight Squad

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

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      2

      "Some puzzle-like elements and planning required for power-up use and level navigation, but mostly reflex-based."

      Capsule for Electronic Super Joy 2 Electronic Super Joy 2

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

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      2

      "Some tension from dodging enemies and bosses, but overall controlled and predictable arcade action."

      Capsule for Cyberhunt Cyberhunt

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

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      3

      "Players find good value in gameplay depth and nostalgia for a low price."

      Capsule for Full Spectrum Warrior Full Spectrum Warrior

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

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      -5

      "No violent content; gameplay focuses on constructive building and puzzle solving."

      Capsule for 7 Wonders: Ancient Alien Makeover 7 Wonders: Ancient Alien Makeover

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

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      2

      "Players must avoid losing balls and manage resources like energy and lives, adding survival challenge."

      Capsule for Shatter Shatter

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

    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.

    Last update: 30/04/2026