Asteroids

Asteroids is Activision's 1999 Game Boy Color update of Atari's arcade space shooter, developed by Syrox Developments. It puts a small spacecraft in an asteroid field where survival depends on clearing drifting rocks and hostile saucers before they collide with the ship or fill the screen.

The foundation is classic Asteroids: rotate the craft, apply thrust to build momentum, fire at incoming targets, and use hyperspace when a crowded screen leaves little room to maneuver. Rocks split into smaller, faster fragments, so controlled movement and careful shooting are as important as reflexes.

This handheld version expands the arcade formula with a structured mission game. Players choose from different ship types with their own speed and shield characteristics, then face escalating stages across several space zones. Difficulty settings and hazards such as regenerating crystal rocks, explosive mined asteroids, indestructible debris, comets, and enemy craft add variety to the familiar clear-the-field objective.

Power-ups provide temporary tactical options beyond the standard laser, including shields and stronger weapons such as homing missiles and plasma drills. The result remains a compact, screen-by-screen shooter, but one with more ways to respond when the asteroid belt turns chaotic.

Asteroids supports one player or two players through the Game Link Cable. Its competitive multiplayer sends opponents into a selected zone and level to chase the higher score, preserving the series' emphasis on quick decisions and survival under pressure.

For players who want the older design, the Game Boy Color release also includes a Classic Asteroids option that can be unlocked during the campaign. That combination of color handheld presentation, updated enemies and power-ups, and a playable classic variant makes this a distinct late-1990s remake rather than the separate 1992 Game Boy Asteroids port.