Home /
Arcade

Blasteroids

Arcade

Arcade

As the name suggests, this arcade conversion updates the basic Asteroids gameplay. That means to say that the main gameplay consists of flying through single-screen wrap-around levels shooting at rocks, which split into smaller rocks when hit, eventually becoming small enough to disappear. In ...

Download

0/5 Votes: 0

Report

Developer
Atari Games

Released on
1987

Size
1–2 Players

Version
Arcade

Requirements
Arcade

Downloads
Shooter

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

Cooperative
Yes

Wikipedia
View article →

Report this app

Images

Description

As the name suggests, this arcade conversion updates the basic Asteroids gameplay. That means to say that the main gameplay consists of flying through single-screen wrap-around levels shooting at rocks, which split into smaller rocks when hit, eventually becoming small enough to disappear.

In this case the Asteroids are protecting Mukor, an evil being who is poisoning planets under the Colonising Corp’s control. Each level is split into either 9 or 16 sub-levels, which are chosen through a square in which any remaining level which is adjacent to the last level completed can be selected. There are 3 different ships (Speeder, Fighter and Warrior), which can be switched between at any time. Power-ups (including improved weapons, shield recharges and a faster thrust) can be collected by flying into them.

Blasteroids

Overview & History

Released by Atari Games in 1987, Blasteroids is the long-awaited, highly inventive arcade sequel to the legendary 1979 vector-graphic classic, *Asteroids*. Abandoning the minimalist black-and-white wireframes of its predecessor, this iteration trades vector displays for vibrant raster graphics and introduces a loosely defined sci-fi storyline. Players pilot advanced mining spacecraft tasked with purging a distant galaxy of aggressive alien armadas, space-faring mutants, and mineral-hoarding alien fleets. Unlike the original single-screen survival test, Blasteroids transforms the formula into a progressive, multi-directional scrolling shooter filled with distinct planetary systems, treacherous caverns, and massive end-of-stage boss encounters.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

The core gameplay loops blend classic asteroid destruction with frenetic horizontal and vertical shoot-'em-up action. Players can choose from three distinct ship types—the balanced Swift, the heavily armored Heavy, and the agile Fighter—each boasting unique handling characteristics and weapon payloads. Unlike the static ship of the original, these vessels feature a dedicated morph mechanic, allowing players to transform their craft into walking bipedal robots capable of navigating treacherous cavern floors to rescue stranded space miners and collect valuable crystals. Power-ups are scattered throughout the galaxy, granting temporary shields, rapid-fire spreads, and devastating smart bombs. Players must constantly manage their ship's fuel gauge, collect energy pods, and negotiate the gravitational pull of larger space rocks. The enemies are relentless, ranging from kamikaze drones to massive dreadnoughts that require precise target destruction of their shielding generators.