Software:Astro Boy: The Video Game

From HandWiki
Short description: 2009 video game
For the Playstation 2 video game, see Astro Boy (2004 video game).
Astro Boy: The Video Game
North American cover art for PlayStation 2
Developer(s)High Voltage Software
Art Co., Ltd (DS)
Publisher(s)D3 Publisher
EngineQuantum3[1]
Platform(s)Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS
Release
Genre(s)Action, platform
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Astro Boy: The Video Game is an action platform video game based on the 2009 animated film Astro Boy. The game was released in Japan on October 8, 2009 for the PlayStation Portable under the name Atom (アトム, Atomu) to coincide with the Japanese theatrical release on October 10, 2009.[1][2] It was later released on the same system as a downloadable game in North America on October 14, 2009. It received a retail version of it and a port to the PlayStation 2, Wii and Nintendo DS which were released on October 20, 2009 to coincide with the North American theatrical release of the film on October 23, 2009.[3] It features the voices of Freddie Highmore and Kristen Bell, reprising their film roles.[4]

Plot

In the game, players become the iconic hero, Astro Boy, and take to the streets and skies on an epic adventure to save Metro City from the clutches of the sinister President Stone and his robot army.

Gameplay

The game allows the player to be Astro Boy, utilising his array of weapons while fighting robot armies. The game features levels set on the ground, in which Astro fights while advancing by walking, and also in the air, which mainly includes Astro shooting airborne enemies down using his finger laser, reminiscent of Omega Factor’s gameplay in a 2D platformer format. Collectables include different costumes and also power-ups found in difficult-to-reach or hidden areas. While attacking, alongside his normal attacks, a player may wish to activate a 'Special Attack', provided they have enough energy to do so. A meter limits the amount of Special Attacks a player can use, being Arm Cannons, Butt Machine Guns and Absorb (which allows the player to recharge a certain portion of their health).

It features both a single-player mode as well as a multiplayer mode, with the second player being another Astro in an alternate costume. During Story Mode, if a player loses a life while the other is still playing he or she would, after a certain period of time, be able to re-join the game with full health. However, if both players lose lives that the same time, the game is lost. A separate mode allows both players to fight in the robot games ring, and the player with the most points at the end wins.

The game offers numerous unlockable and collectable elements that include exclusive art work, different versions of Astro Boy and more, as players live the story solo or side by side with a friend in 2-player co-op mode on the Wii and PlayStation 2 versions.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
DSPS2PSPWii
Edge3/10[5]N/AN/AN/A
FamitsuN/AN/A21/40[6]N/A
GameProN/AN/AN/AStarStarStar[7]
GameSpotN/AN/AN/A4.5/10[9]
GamesRadar+N/AStarStarStar[8]StarStarStar[8]StarStarStar[8]
GameZone5.8/10[10]N/A6/10[11]6.3/10[12]
IGN4/10[13]N/AN/A5.7/10[14]
Nintendo PowerN/AN/AN/A7.5/10[15]
Nintendo World Report3/10[16]N/AN/A3.5/10[17]
PSMN/AN/AStarStarHalf star[18]N/A
Teletext GameCentralN/AN/AN/A3/10[19]
Aggregate score
Metacritic34/100[20]56/100[21]60/100[22]48/100[23]

The PlayStation 2 and PSP versions received "mixed" reviews, while the DS and Wii versions received "generally unfavorable reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[20][21][22][23] In Japan, Famitsu gave the PSP version a score of two sixes, one five, and one four for a total of 21 out of 40.[6]

Giancarlo Varanini of GameSpot said the Wii version featured "sloppy hand-to-hand combat," "repetitive level design," "muddled and unimpressive graphics," and that the game is "too short." While he did find many problems with the game, he did say it was "slightly more fun with a buddy." He also criticized the game for not "capitalizing on Astro Boy's skills."[9]

Jack DeVries of IGN called the Wii version "a mediocre brawler with some pretty good shooter levels." DeVries also said that "The in-game cutscenes are hilariously bad." He summarizes the game by saying, "It all comes off as bland."[14]

Jon Carlos of Game Vortex gave the same version a fairly good review, saying, "I give Astro Boy: The Video Game kudos for at least heading in the right direction when it comes to gameplay design." However, he noted that, "Unfortunately, Astro Boy: The Video Game isn't much more than another film cash-in. Nearly everything in this game is stale, uninteresting and forgettable."[24]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Spencer (2009-08-12). "Astro Boy: The Video Game Is A PSP Exclusive In Japan". Curse, Inc.. https://www.siliconera.com/2009/08/12/astro-boy-the-video-game-is-a-psp-exclusive-in-japan/. Retrieved 2009-08-12. 
  2. ↑ "アトム [PSP"] (in Japanese). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=6138&redirect=no. Retrieved 2019-05-01. 
  3. ↑ "D3Publisher to Bring Summit Entertainment and Imagi Studios' ASTRO BOY to Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2 System, and PSP System This Fall". 2009-05-07. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20090507005361/en. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 
  4. ↑ "D3Publisher Enlists Talent from Upcoming CG-Animated Film for ASTRO BOY: THE VIDEO GAME". 2009-07-14. http://www.d3publisher.us/PressDetails.asp?ID=177. Retrieved 2009-07-14. 
  5. ↑ Edge staff (January 2010). "Astro Boy: The Video Game (DS)". Edge (Future plc) (210): 96. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Brian (2009-09-29). "Famitsu review scores". https://nintendoeverything.com/famitsu-review-scores-60/. Retrieved 2019-05-01. 
  7. ↑ Koehn, Aaron (2009-11-04). "Astro Boy: The Video Game (Wii)". GamePro (GamePro Media). http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/212804/astro-boy-the-video-game/. Retrieved 2014-01-23. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Peck, Carey (2009-10-26). "Astro Boy: The Video Game". Future plc. https://www.gamesradar.com/astro-boy-the-video-game-review/. Retrieved 2014-01-23. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Varanini, Giancarlo (2009-11-05). "Astro Boy: The Video Game Review (Wii)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/astro-boy-the-video-game-review/1900-6239229/. Retrieved 2014-01-23. 
  10. ↑ David, Mike (2009-10-30). "Astro Boy: The Video Game - NDS - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/astro_boy_the_video_game_nds_review. Retrieved 2014-01-23. 
  11. ↑ Sandoval, Angelina (2009-10-30). "Astro Boy: The Video Game - PSP - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/astro-boy-the-video-game-psp-review. Retrieved 2014-01-23. 
  12. ↑ Platt, Dylan (2009-11-10). "Astro Boy: The Video Game - WII - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/astro_boy_the_video_game_wii_review. Retrieved 2014-01-23. 
  13. ↑ DeVries, Jack (2009-10-28). "Astro Boy: The Video Game Review (NDS)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/10/28/astro-boy-the-video-game-review. Retrieved 2014-01-23. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 DeVries, Jack (2009-10-28). "Astro Boy: The Video Game Review (Wii)". IGN Entertainment. http://wii.ign.com/articles/103/1039793p1.html. Retrieved 2014-01-23. 
  15. ↑ "Astro Boy: The Video Game (Wii)". Nintendo Power (Future US) 248: 83. December 2009. 
  16. ↑ Miller, Zachary (2009-12-18). "Astro Boy (DS)". NINWR, LLC. https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/20584/astro-boy-nintendo-ds. Retrieved 2014-01-23. 
  17. ↑ Ronaghan, Neal (2009-11-07). "Astro Boy: The Video Game (Wii)". https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/20264/astro-boy-the-video-game-wii. Retrieved 2014-01-23. 
  18. ↑ "Review: Astro Boy: The Video Game (PSP)". PlayStation: The Official Magazine (Future plc) (27): 79. December 25, 2009. 
  19. ↑ Jenkins, David (February 2010). "Astro Boy: The Video Game Wii". Teletext Ltd.. http://www.teletext.co.uk/gamecentral/features-reviews/edee27f4a8ec152552861be20ecdb9d1/Astro+Boy+The+Video+Game+Wii.aspx. Retrieved 2019-05-01. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Astro Boy: The Video Game Critic Reviews for DS". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/astro-boy-the-video-game/critic-reviews/?platform=ds. Retrieved 2014-01-23. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Astro Boy: The Video Game for PlayStation 2 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/astro-boy-the-video-game/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved 2014-01-23. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Astro Boy: The Video Game for PSP Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/astro-boy-the-video-game/critic-reviews/?platform=psp. Retrieved 2014-01-23. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Astro Boy: The Video Game Critic Reviews for Wii". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/astro-boy-the-video-game/critic-reviews/?platform=wii. Retrieved 2014-01-23. 
  24. ↑ Carlos, Jon. "Astro Boy: The Video Game (Wii)". Game Vortex. http://www.gamevortex.com/gamevortex/soft_rev.php/4787/astro-boy-the-video-game-wii.html. Retrieved 2014-01-23. 
  • Astro Boy: The Video Game at Internet Movie Database
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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