Astro Boy: The Video Game

Lore & Background

The game allows the player to control Astro Boy, using his array of weapons to fight robot armies. Levels are set on the ground, where Astro fights while walking, and in the air, where he shoots enemies with his finger laser, reminiscent of Omega Factor's gameplay in a 2D platformer format. Collectables include costumes and power-ups found in hidden areas. A special attack meter limits the use of Arm Cannons, Machine Guns, and Absorb, which recharges health.

Reader's Guide

The game includes both single-player and multiplayer modes. In multiplayer, a second player controls another Astro in an alternate costume. In Story Mode, if one player loses a life, they can rejoin after a time; if both lose lives simultaneously, the game ends. A separate mode lets players fight in a robot games ring, with the highest scorer winning. The game offers unlockable artwork and different versions of Astro Boy. Reception was mixed: the PlayStation 2 and PSP versions received 'mixed' reviews, while the DS and Wii versions received 'generally unfavorable reviews' on Metacritic. Critics noted sloppy combat, repetitive level design, and short length, though some found it slightly more fun with a buddy. The game was criticized as a film cash-in with stale, uninteresting elements.

Did You Know?

• The game was released in Japan under the name Atom (アトム, Atomu) for the PlayStation Portable.
• It features the voices of Freddie Highmore and Kristen Bell, reprising their film roles.
• The Wii and DS versions received 'generally unfavorable reviews' on Metacritic.
• Famitsu gave the PSP version a score of 21 out of 40.

Release Strategy & Multi-Platform Rollout

Astro Boy: The Video Game arrived in 2009 as a direct tie-in to the computer-animated feature film of the same name, and its release strategy was carefully choreographed around theatrical schedules. In Japan, the title launched on the PlayStation Portable on October 8, 2009, carrying the localized name Atom (アトム, Atomu) just two days before the film hit Japanese cinemas on October 10. North American players received the PSP version as a downloadable title on October 14, 2009. A broader retail push followed on October 20, 2009, bringing physical copies and ports to the PlayStation 2, Wii, and Nintendo DS in time for the film's wider theatrical release on October 23. The game carries the voices of Freddie Highmore and Kristen Bell, both of whom reprise their roles from the animated movie, lending continuity between the screen and the controller. Across all platforms, the title functioned as a companion product designed to extend the film's audience into interactive territory during the critical window surrounding its cinema debut.

Combat, Flight, and the Special Attack System

Players take on the role of Astro Boy, wielding a varied arsenal of weapons against waves of hostile robot armies. The level design splits into two distinct environments: ground-based stages where Astro advances on foot while engaging enemies in close-quarters combat, and aerial stages that emphasize his signature finger laser for picking off airborne opponents. This flight-focused shooting draws a clear parallel to the Omega Factor's 2D platformer mechanics. Scattered throughout both types of levels are collectible costumes and power-ups tucked into hidden or hard-to-reach spots, rewarding exploration. Beyond standard attacks, the game introduces a Special Attack system governed by an energy meter. Players can unleash Arm Cannons, deploy Machine Guns, or activate Absorb, a utility move that restores a portion of lost health. The meter effectively caps how often these powerful options can be used, forcing players to manage their resources carefully during extended battles against the robot forces.

Co-Op Play, the Robot Games Ring, and Unlockables

The title supports both solo and two-player experiences. In multiplayer Story Mode, the second participant controls a second Astro rendered in an alternate costume, creating a visually distinct pair on screen. The co-op structure includes a forgiving respawn mechanic: if one player loses a life while the other continues, the fallen Astro can rejoin with full health after a brief waiting period. However, if both players are defeated simultaneously, the round ends immediately. Outside the story campaign, a dedicated Robot Games Ring mode pits the two players against each other in a competitive scoring contest, with the highest point total at the end claiming victory. Beyond the core campaign, the game layers in a collection of unlockable items, including exclusive artwork and alternate visual versions of Astro Boy, giving players additional reasons to revisit completed stages and explore every corner of each level for hidden rewards.

Critical Reception: A Divided Verdict

Metacritic's aggregate data paints a split picture: the PlayStation 2 and PSP editions earned 'mixed' ratings, while the DS and Wii versions landed in the 'generally unfavorable' territory. In Japan, Famitsu scored the PSP build 21 out of 40, with individual marks of six, six, five, and four. Western critics of the Wii port were particularly blunt. GameSpot's Giancarlo Varanini flagged sloppy hand-to-hand combat, repetitive level design, and muddled graphics, calling the game too short and noting it failed to capitalize on Astro Boy's abilities, though he conceded it was slightly more enjoyable with a friend. IGN's Jack DeVries described it as a mediocre brawler salvaged by its shooter segments, called the cutscenes hilariously bad, and summed it up as bland. Game Vortex's Jon Carlos offered partial praise for the gameplay direction but ultimately labeled it a stale, forgettable film cash-in.

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