Review: Asteroids & Asteroids Deluxe [Xbox 360]

Atari releases yet another one of it’s classic franchises to the Arcade with not one but 2 games. Asteroids and it’s pseudo-sequel Asteroids Deluxe. Is it still classic? Without a doubt, but are the additions to the game good? I can undoubtedly say no.

Graphics: 59/100
You get to choose between playing the game in it’s original untampered form in glorious old school vectors or an “evolved” form with colorful backgrounds, a tinge of psychedelic colors and alot of unnecessary special effects.. the special effects ruin the game. Whenever you destroy an asteroid it splits into more pieces, but in the evolved version of the game you also get a huge explosion of bright sparks, their pretty but they also cover up everything on screen so half the time you can’t see that chunk of asteroid plowing right into you. Is the same aesthetic of the original intact? Yes, but your gonna wish harm upon the developers for the light show screwing up your game.

Sound: 60/100
Evolved has brand spanking new sounds, their not bad but not spectacular. Another feature included in this rendition is music, the original never had music so it’s a nice touch but it’s typical techno and nothing really exciting or original.

Gameplay: 77/100
It’s Asteroids, it forever will be a classic, it’s simple yet addicting when you play it in classic mode though the aforementioned problems in Evolved mode make enjoying the game a chore as you’ll find yourself getting game overs rather quickly.

Replay: 60/100
This being a spruced up port their really isn’t much else to do, they didn’t add any sort of multiplayer (though would you want it? I doubt it since the screen gets crowded enough in higher levels as is) and no real new additions to the Evolved mode other then the visual aesthetic makes it take a hit. The overly zealous use of special effects makes Evolved teeth gratingly hard to play so it also takes a hit there as well. If your a retro gamer you’ll love the classic modes.

While the new Atari has been trying hard to bring the classics back, they just don’t seem to be getting how to do it. Back when Atari had the Jaguar, their 2000 series was great because it not only included the original, an enhanced version of the game but also a brand new version with brand new game play. If Atari could look back at that example maybe the XBLA titles would hold out better. Other then that if your an old school gamer like me and enjoy the oldies then it really isn’t a bad use of 400pts regardless of some of the more glaring flaws.