Kaboom!
Kaboom! is a 1981 action game developed by Activision for the Atari 2600 and designed by Larry Kaplan, built around the Mad Bomber dropping bombs from the top of the screen. Using the paddle controller for smooth analogue movement, players slide a stack of three water buckets left and right to catch every falling bomb before it hits the ground.
As the game progresses the Mad Bomber grins wider, drops bombs faster and in greater numbers, and missing even a single bomb detonates the rest and costs one of the buckets, making later waves a frantic test of nerve. Its pure, escalating test of hand-eye coordination and precise paddle control made it one of the most addictive titles on the console, with a scoring system that rewarded clearing groups of eight bombs.
Kaboom! became a bestseller for Activision and a showcase for the precision of the paddle controller. It remains available through Atari retro collections and emulation for fans of classic reflex-based arcade action.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Kaboom!, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
| Alternative | Price | Steam Deck | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Hexagon Indie | € 2,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet |
| Timberman Indie | Free + in-app purchases | Not on Steam | iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet |
| Just Shapes & Beats Indie | € 16,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, Mac, Linux, Switch |
Super Hexagon Indie
€ 2,99An indie reflex game distilling arcade tension into pure escalating challenge like Kaboom!.
Super Hexagon runs on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. Not available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch.
Timberman Indie
Free + in-app purchasesOne-more-go timing under pressure on any phone, in the same reflex-arcade family.
Timberman runs on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. Not available on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch.
Just Shapes & Beats Indie
€ 16,99Pure reaction dodging set to music, with the same escalating panic as catching falling bombs.
Just Shapes & Beats runs on PC, Mac, Linux, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox.
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