Asteroids

The ill-fated Atari 7800 system did not have many original titles, but it did provide some definitive versions of classic arcade games. This outstanding version of Asteroids ranks second-to-none, with enhanced graphics and fantastic two-player simultaneous modes. Like the original Asteroids, this version is relentlessly challenging and madly addictive. The action is a bit faster than the arcade game, and your cannon seems to have slightly better range. The colorful, rotating asteroids appear to have depth, and you can even see their craters. The UFOs are similarly detailed. In addition to the four skill levels, you can play some intense two-player simultaneous competitive OR cooperative modes. These alone are worth the price of admission. Asteroids should be standard issue for all Atari 7800 owners.

This is all a nice break over the 2600 version which had so many options they were hard to remember what they are all for. The game gives you and extra ship at every 10,000 points and at 20,000 points, the flying saucer shrinks, shoots faster, and becomes harder to hit. The asteroids also break into more pieces later on to add to the fray. Like I mentioned before, this is a great remake to a timeless classic and should be enjoyed by everyone who owns an Atari 7800. Go out and spend the whopping buck or two for this cart and enjoy.

This Atari 2600 classic needs little introduction. While not quite so addicting in 2004, this is still a fine adaptation of the vector-graphics coin-op.

So, I would say to just overlook the cosmetic differences for this cosmic shoot-'em-up and enjoy, but hey, you already OWN this, don't you? Not too shabby, especially for something that was supposed to fail.

All in all, the VCS Asteroids is a more than adequate version of the arcade game. If you're expecting the graphics of the arcade game, you will be disappointed, but if you're looking for the gameplay that the arcade offered, Asteroids delivers in spades - and then some.