I can now say with absolute certainty that my life is complete—I’ve launched honey bubbles into the air using an elephant’s trunk, leaped onto them to reach a triple-stacked tower of chickens still hidden in their eggs, and then used that same trunk to slurp out the yolks. In other words, I can now die happy. For three decades, an incredible library of top-tier games has flourished, but there’s never been a true mascot platformer to rival the magic that Nintendo’s Mario consistently delivers. Crash Bandicoot made an attempt. Jak and Daxter had their moment. Even Knack gave it a shot—bless his heart. But now, at last, a real contender has arrived. Bursting with vibrant levels, creative mechanics, and a delightful cast of familiar faces, Astro’s latest adventure takes center stage, delivering pure joy from start to finish. Overflowing with charm, Astro Bot is a masterfully crafted platformer, fueled by nostalgia and packed with fresh ideas.
If Astro’s Playroom felt like a museum of gaming history—complete with interactive exhibits—Astro Bot is an all-out amusement park, hurling new thrills at you around every corner. It may not always hit the sheer level of mind-bending creativity that Super Mario Galaxy and Odyssey thrive on, but that’s hardly a knock against it when so few even attempt to swing that high. Developer Team Asobi has expertly channeled the spirit of gaming’s greatest platformers, crafting a world filled with dazzling visual touches and playful mechanics that never feel like gimmicks.
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A Playground of Imagination
Among the many standout levels is a casino that bends time, a bathhouse inspired by Japanese hot springs featuring a hilarious sponge-based system, and a stage where the entire environment shifts between day and night at the press of a button—this last one, in particular, plays with 3D space in ways that feel ripped straight from Fez. The entire game is like stepping into Willy Wonka’s factory—an endless stream of inventive ideas and delightful surprises, minus the questionable child safety policies. Instead of chocolate rivers and floating soda, you’ll encounter sinkholes leading to treasure and an inflatable buddy helping you reach hidden platforms.
The sense of tactility is incredible, too. It’s as if popping candy has snuck into your controller, with every action sending delightful feedback through the DualSense. It’s a love letter to the hardware, from the tightening triggers to the tiniest rain droplets tapping against your palms. Even the motion controls make a convincing case for themselves—I found my body instinctively swaying as I guided Astro’s ship through space. And if you typically mute your controller speaker, do yourself a favor and turn it on for this one—you’d be missing out on some wonderfully playful sound design otherwise.
While the soundtrack doesn’t quite have the instant earworm appeal of the GPU Jungle song from Astro’s Playroom, the music remains consistently joyful, adding to the whimsical atmosphere.
More Than Meets the Eye
On the surface, most levels appear fairly straightforward, but they quickly reveal hidden depths. While there’s nothing quite as open-ended as the sprawling worlds of Super Mario Odyssey, plenty of secret-filled spaces encourage exploration. Some stages even contain entirely separate bonus levels tucked away in warp points—hidden gems waiting to whisk you off to the Lost Galaxy, a set of extra areas packed with surprises. This “levels within levels” approach keeps things fresh throughout Astro Bot’s roughly nine-hour main adventure.
One of the most exciting elements is the array of new powers Astro acquires along the way. His base movement—jumping, double-jumping, and hovering—feels fantastic, but it’s the level-specific abilities that truly shine. The Twin Frog gloves quickly became a favorite, letting Astro fling sticky tongues to grapple across gaps and even reflect enemy projectiles right back at them. Another standout is the Mouse Suit, shrinking Astro to a minuscule size and transforming the world into a “Toy Story”-esque playground of oversized shelves and leaves.
Even returning mechanics are cleverly reimagined. The Monkey Climber, an evolution of a past climbing ability, now comes with a robotic ape companion whose massive hands allow for rock-smashing and ground-pounding. And while some powers make repeat appearances, they’re always given fresh twists—like how the Twin Frog gloves take on an entirely new purpose in later cave-like levels, where their grapple ability is used to yank out worm-like enemies.
A Galaxy of Surprises
While enemy variety initially seems a bit limited—many foes simply wear different costumes to match their environment—later levels introduce some real standouts. One memorable encounter features an anthropomorphic playing card that flings a hand of clubs and spades at you, forcing you to platform across them before delivering the final blow.
But it’s not just the enemies that steal the show—it’s the friendly faces, too. Over 150 iconic characters from gaming history make guest appearances in the form of Astro-style bots. The big names are all here—Lombaxes, tomb raiders, even a certain rapping dog—but it’s the deep cuts that really impress. Seeing Mister Mosquito make an appearance? That’s the kind of fan service that makes Astro Bot feel like a true love letter to gaming history.
And these cameos aren’t just for show—some classic characters play a bigger role, lending Astro their abilities for special gameplay sequences. Without spoiling too much, one standout moment sees Astro wielding the Leviathan Axe, briefly stepping into the boots of a legendary Spartan warrior in a frosty, action-packed homage. These moments blend nostalgia with fresh gameplay ideas in a way that feels truly magical. I only wish there were even more of them—but maybe I’m just being greedy.
A Tribute to PlayStation’s Legacy
From the moment you start a new save file—by selecting a classic PlayStation memory card—it’s clear how much love and respect Team Asobi has for the brand’s history. The adventure kicks off when Astro’s PS5-shaped mothership crash-lands on a desert planet after an alien ambush, scattering its crew across the galaxy. The story is light, but that’s part of its charm—this isn’t about world-ending stakes or deep emotional drama. It’s simply about following a cheerful little robot on his grand adventure.
Yet, despite its simplicity, Astro Bot still manages to stir up plenty of emotions—not through a heavy narrative, but through its heartfelt tribute to gaming’s past. Running into familiar faces feels like reconnecting with old friends after years apart.
The hub world, built from the wreckage of Astro’s ship, is full of charming details. Over time, you’ll be able to customize it, unlocking new decorations and outfits. The gacha machine from Astro’s Playroom makes a return, offering a satisfying way to spend your hard-earned coins. Each prize adds more life to the hub, turning it into a growing museum of PlayStation memorabilia.
A Platforming Triumph
I reached the credits after nine hours, but my adventure was far from over. With over 300 bots to rescue, hidden warp points to discover, and a hub world to fully complete, there’s plenty to do post-game. In fact, it took me nearly 18 hours to fully 100% the game and earn the platinum trophy.
For those craving an extra challenge, the hidden trial levels provide just that. These fast-paced gauntlets demand pixel-perfect platforming and come with zero checkpoints, offering the toughest tests in the entire game. The final level, in particular, is a brutal yet satisfying conclusion that pushes everything you’ve learned to the limit.
Verdict
Astro Bot is pure joy from start to finish. Overflowing with creativity, packed with playful abilities, and bursting with charm, it never loses its momentum. While anyone can enjoy its vibrant platforming, those with a love for gaming history will find something truly special—a treasure trove of nostalgia wrapped up in a fantastic adventure. Taking the idea that “play has no limits” to heart, Team Asobi has crafted a platformer that stands toe-to-toe with the genre’s best. And that, in itself, is an achievement worth celebrating.
