ZX Spectrum Next / v0.8.8 / 2026
In the world where new games appear daily, I keep polishing one game to see if it makes a difference.
Enjoy this Arkanoid-like / pinball-like shooter/wall breaker/pool/side scroller :) It was born out of the idea to have a versus mode in Arkanoid, but it evolved quite a bit, plus I keet adding "single player" (aka Co-op) modes (ideas welcome!).
Yes a lot of this is AI-generated, but under a careful curation and with taking over the ownership. Maybe that is the way?
Download .NEX (Rocquetball 0.8.8)Work in progress: this build may be updated.
Settings stay in this browser.
How to play
Left/right turn, up/down thrust (or pick 8 DIRECTIONS in settings). Fire1 shoots, hold it for a volley. Fire2 sends a homing missile. Hold Fire3 to slide.
- Versus: break their wall and score twice, or play six minutes.
- Pool: pot the six balls with the cue ball.
- Side Scroller: shoot enemies and blocks, dodge the balls.
- Tetris: shoot the pieces before they fill the court.
- Ball Barrage: knock the balls back out to the right.
Controls
| Player 1 | Player 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Left / right | O / P | 5 / 8 |
| Up / down | Q / A | 7 / 6 |
| Fire1 | SPACE | 0 |
| Fire2 | B | ENTER |
| Fire3 | CAPS SHIFT | 9 |
| Joystick | Kempston 1 | Kempston 2 |
| Pause | EDIT | |
Redefine keys in SETTINGS → CONTROLS.
Release notes
0.8.8
- POOL: pot six balls, alone or taking turns.
- Side Scroller remade: enemy rockets, a health bar, rolling balls.
- Blocks break in one shot. Tetris no longer crushes the ball.
- One setup screen for versus and co-op.
- Up to four players, each with their own keys.
- New option: BALL SMASHES ROCKETS.
- New powerups: MACHINEGUN, TURRET REPAIR. Powerups stack.
- Fireworks for the winners.
- Pick what the demo shows.
0.8.2
- New powerup: WALL RESTORE.
- Wider choice of 8-direction turn speeds.
- FULL 60HZ HUD option.
- Menus no longer blink.
0.8.1
- Co-op balls no longer stop updating.
- Menu stays centred after a Side Scroller demo.
0.8
- Optional 8-direction controls.
- A lesson for each powerup, and rules pages.
- New powerup: BALL SPLIT.
- TurboSound music.
- Cleaner layout at 60 Hz.
- Download down to 71 KiB.
0.7.5
- Play in the browser.
- Fire3 slides the rocket sideways.
- Wall recovery setting: FAST, NORMAL or OFF.
- Help line for every menu option.
0.7.3
- New powerup: GRAVITY.
- Powerup icons on the scoreboard.
- Missed balls counted one by one.
- The ball smashes protector cannons.
0.7.2
- SLOW EMULATOR MODE.
- Download down to 192.5 KiB.
Since 0.7
- New picture: Abstract City.
- Bigger score and timer.
- Timed matches.
Since 0.5.1
- Co-op: Side Scroller, Tetris, Ball Barrage.
- Player and team names, team table.
- New pictures by Grongy.
- Menus reorganised.
