Arkanoid DS is a brick-breaking video game for the Nintendo DS where players navigate the Vaus, a paddle-shaped spacecraft. The goal is to bounce a ball to destroy bricks arranged in diverse patterns across numerous levels. Players face various brick types and enemies while utilizing power-ups that enhance gameplay by expanding the paddle or introducing laser attacks.
The player controls the `Vaus`, a space vessel that acts as the game's `paddle` which prevents a ball from falling from the playing field, attempting to bounce it against a number of bricks. The ball striking a brick causes the brick to disappear. When all the bricks are gone, the player goes to the next level, where another pattern of bricks appears. There are a number of variations (bricks that have to be hit multiple times, flying enemy ships, etc.) and power-up capsules to enhance the Vaus (expand the Vaus, multiply the number of balls, equip a laser cannon, break directly to the next level, etc.), but the gameplay remains the same.