blockout2

Start a new game

$ blockout2

$ [<ArrowUp>|<ArrowDown>|<ArrowLeft>|<ArrowRight>]

$ [<q>|<w>|<e>|<a>|<s>|<d>]

$ <Space>

$ <p>

blockout2 [OPTION]...

-h, --help
    Display usage help and exit

-v, --version
    Output version information

-f, --fullscreen
    Start in fullscreen mode

-w, --window
    Start in windowed mode (default)

-s, --sound
    Enable sound effects (default)

-S, --nosound
    Disable sound effects

-m, --music
    Enable background music (default)

-M, --nomusic
    Disable background music

-l, --listvidmodes
    List available video modes

-V, --vidmode NUM
    Select video mode by number

--level NUM
    Start at specified level (1-9)

blockout2 launches BlockOut II, a captivating 3D puzzle game inspired by Tetris. Players stack falling polyomino blocks of varying shapes into a deep well, clearing complete layers (both horizontal and vertical) to score points and survive increasingly faster drops. Unlike 2D Tetris, the 3D perspective allows blocks to protrude, adding depth strategy to rotations and placements.

Built with SDL for cross-platform compatibility, the Linux version features smooth graphics, optional soundtracks, multiple difficulty levels, and high-score tracking. Game modes include classic single-player with progressive speeds. Controls use keyboard: arrow keys for movement/rotation, Page Up/Down for layer shifts, Space for hard drop, P for pause.

Ideal for quick sessions or long marathons, it tests spatial reasoning under time pressure. Available in most distros' repositories (e.g., Debian games-extra). Perfect for terminal enthusiasts seeking graphical diversions.

Requires SDL libraries; install via apt install blockout2 or equivalent. May need OpenGL support for smooth rendering. No network multiplayer.

Arrows: move/rotate; Z/X: rotate Y-axis; A/S: rotate X-axis; Space: drop; Enter: soft drop; P: pause; Esc: quit.
Page Up/Down: shift layers.

Ubuntu/Debian: sudo apt install blockout2. Fedora: dnf install blockout2. Source builds available on SourceForge.

Original BlockOut II developed by Peter Turcan in 1996 for Windows. Linux SDL port by Alessandro Faccino released ~2007, packaged in Debian since 2008. Focuses on faithful arcade emulation with modern tweaks.

tetris(6), blockattack(6), xscreensaver(1)