Compared to Breakout, Cool Bricks features the inclusion of varied weapons, such as laser guns, missiles, grenade launchers, larger bats or multiple balls,[1] and the addition of power-ups with positive and negative effects, such as a 'poison mode' that creates involuntary player movement.

[2] The game features over 150 levels with a password system to allow for returning to certain stages.

[4] Cool Bricks received positive reviews from gaming publications.

[2][5] David O'Donohoe for Console Domain praised the game as a "perfect port" of the Breakout formula, stating that "with a few new graphics and fresh levels in order to sell it to a new, younger audience [...] the gameplay is as addictive now as it has always been".

[6] 64 Magazine praised Cool Bricks as "extremely well suited to the Game Boy Color" and "almost impossible to put down once you've started playing".