0 to Z of Playstation 1 Games - Asteroids

Asteroids is the classic Atari arcade game dating back to late 1979 the game was designed by Lyle Rains, Ed Logg, and Dominic Walsh, the player controls a space shit in an asteroid field which is traversed periodically by flying saucers with the player aiming to destroy the asteroid and saucers without colliding with either and avoid the saucers cross fire.

Over the years there have been many re releases and iterations of this classic game in 1998 Activision remade the game for the Playstation, Game Boy Color, Windows and Mac, unlike there attempted remake of Battlezone earlier they kept this remake as close to the original as possible.

Using the original coin op version of asteroids they added the features of the 2600 cartridge version then added in 3D graphics and various power ups to create the Asteroid remake. The game was developed by Syrox Developments and published by Activision for the North American and PAL release, with the game releasing first in North American on Halloween of 1998 and a couple of months later in PAL regions.

The game was also released in Japan on the 1^st of July 1999, again this version of the game was developed by Syrox Developments, while Success Corp would handle the Japanese publication of the game. Notable personnel on the project Sound Programmer Gary Jesdanun would later go on to work on the Tony Hawk series as a programmer and designer he also worked on Call of Duty Ghosts as a programmer in 2013.

The game consists of five zones each with a different background, some of the zones also have special features, for each zone the player will have to negotiate their way through 15 levels clearing out the asteroids. These asteroid vary from your most common standard asteroids, mined asteroids which explode and indestructible asteroids.

Fireball comets and Crystal Asteroids have also to be dealt with, the latter regenerates in additional to the naturally occurring asteroids the player will also need to deal with Alien egg asteroids which release a deadly baby space work in addition to ancient energy asteroids that will shoot back at the player.

Other ships also pose a threat to the player with two types of flying saucer , the Standard and Super Saucers as well as Asteroid Tugs, Fuel Transports, Hexes, Nuke Drivers and Vulturoids. The player has the choice between three ships when starting a new game, each of the ships has different strengths and weaknesses, the player is also able to set the difficulty with three difficulty options to choose from.

Once the player has completed the game on a difficulty level of expert or higher a fourth ship is unlocked, each ship has the standard laser, shield, flip and hyperspace abilities, in addition several power ups appear during the game such as GunSat, Mines, Homing Missiles, and a Plasma Drill.

In addition to the single player mode a two player mode is available, with the aim simply to outscore your opponent, while direct fire has no effect there are other ways to destroy human opponents, as a special treat in level 15 of the first zone if the player shoots the classic Asteroid, then in the game menu the option to player the classic Asteroids becomes available

You are an employee of the Astro Mining Corporation, you are sent by your employer to clear out a area of asteroid belt and debris

A real mixed bag of review scores for Asteroids with a couple of excellent scores, a plentiful supply of above average scores then a sudden drop to a handful of poor and abysmal review scores, as usual though we will start with the best which is a 91 from Absolute Playstation who summed up their review in one short sentence saying. Okay, I just gotta say it, "Asteroids rocks!".

Gamezilla were next up they were also highly positive on this game scoring it at a 88 with the review praising the games variety and challenging nature, the review saying. The new version of Asteroids is one game you will not master overnight but remains challenging and fun, with excellent gameplay and multiple levels that will keep your attention for quite a while.

A drop now down to a 76 from German publication Mega Fun called the straightforward game mechanics still a lot of and also praised the games price and the addition of a two player mode. Dutch publication Power Unlimited who scored the game a 74 called the game nice especially for old 2600 players, keeping the main concept but adding in some nice graphics.

Also rating the game a 74 was Electonic Gaming Monthly (EGM) who said Asteroids is everything I’d want from an updated classic coin op, with its cool power ups, excellent visuals and good variety, while maintaining the tension of the original.

French publication Consoles Plus praised the work that went into updating the game to modern systems especially the 3D light effect that the review called well done, however they concluded while this game will please the nostalgic gamers, younger ones will spit on it.

Switching to the other end of the review spectrum we find the lowest and an abysmal score of 10 from Joypad, translations for this review don’t really make much sense so moving on the next lowest review score comes from Game Chronicles who scored the game a disappointing 30.

The review asks is it really that bad, his answer I’m afraid so, with the reviewer making the prediction of a swift trip to the bargain bins for this game. The review calling the game insanely difficult (did he try changing the difficulty) and a mindless shooter, he recommended to stay away from this game unless you a nostalgic for the original version that is unlockable in the game as well as the FMV’s that are on the disc.

The Video Game Critics review score was marginally better with a 33/100 score for the game, they called the game a much easier version of the original but far from as addictive, they were also highly critical of the two player mode calling the scoring system unfair and the mode as a result completely worthless,

Game Revolution commented on how the original was perfect to begin with and questioned why a remake was needed, even though admitting several good games have come out of this recent trend, however the review concluded in the case of asteroids it was a mistake.

This is the part of 0 to Z where is visit four online retailers and see what the availability of the title is, and what price you would be looking at if you wanted to pick this title up, the sites that I will be using for this are Amazon.com, eStarland.com, retrogames.co.uk and Gamedude.com I know the last one is very location specific, but from a podcast I listen to, I’ve heard they have a huge stock of older games, Ebay has now been dropped unless the game is unavailable at other retailers.

So lets get down to business with Gamedude if you are looking to trade in your copy of Asteroids don’t expect much for it, with Gamedude offering just 5 cents for a copy of the game, if on the other hand you are in the market for a copy one can be picked ip for $3.

Heading over to Retrogames.co.uk who currently have one copy of the game available, this copy is a complete copy in excellent condition with a disc quality rating of 10/10 and is priced up at £7, this converts to $9.34 or 7.93 euros, please be aware this is a PAL version of the game.

eStarland.com up next they currently have three copies of the game available, the first is a disc only copy and is priced up at $1.05, they do have a complete used copy on the market as well this can be picked up pretty cheaply as well at $3.94. eStarland.com also have a new copy of the game available, this is priced at $14.95, at the time of writing no trade in is offered for this game.

Finally on to Amazon.com where we find a massive supply of the game available with the cheapest being a complete copy of the game priced at $4.07 this copy is in good condition and is shipped by Amazon, so the free shipping only applies to prime users and those that spend over $25.

Not to worry though another good condition copy can be picked up for between $5.47 and $5.84, with a very good copy only costing a few cents more. Like new copies start pretty cheaply as well with the current cheapest sitting at $7.59.

If on the other hand you are wanting a new copy of the game then you are looking at a slightly higher price than eStarland.com with prices starting at $17.97, this is an Amazon fulfilled item so free shipping as before is for prime users and those spending over $25.

Your next cheapest option for a new copy of the game from Amazon.com is around the $24 mark once shipping has been added in. Prices or a new copy of Asteroid from Amazon.com are currently peaking around the $30 mark.

Written by

P J Gibbon