Asteroids and Asteroids Deluxe (Xbox 360): For Fervent Fans Only

After nearly 30 years, we've finally seen a reemergence of the arcade favorite, Asteroids. This classic game was one of the most popular games ever when it came out in 1979. Now it's available through Xbox 360, along with an updated version, Asteroids Deluxe. Does Asteroids still have its mass appeal after all these years? Is Asteroids Deluxe even better than the original?

The object of this classic arcade game is simple and straightforward. Players must navigate their spaceship within an asteroid field, blasting away asteroids and alien spaceships. As you shoot the asteroids, the break apart into smaller ones, which must, in turn, be blasted until there is nothing left. Alien spaceships must also be destroyed, but they shoot at you. All this has to be done without being smashed by rocks or zapped by aliens. Along with your trusty blaster, your ship also had the ability to use hyperspace to blink out of tight spots and randomly reappear somewhere else.

Asteroids for Xbox 360 is exactly the same as the original 1979 version. If you liked it back then, you'll like it today. For those of you that want something a little more updated, Xbox 360 offers Asteroids Deluxe along with the original. Deluxe is pretty much the same as Asteroids with the exception of a power shield instead of hyperspace. The graphics are a little more updated, but that comes at a price. When players shoot an asteroid, the explosion looks a lot like the mini-asteroids, making it difficult to discern what is a dangerous chunk of rock and what is harmless debris.

Each game can be played in standard mode and a "Throttle Monkey" mode. This new mode is just a faster version of the regular one, but it is a whole lot harder. Both games come in an "Evolved" version as well. These versions have some added color and effects that can actually detract from game play at certain times. "Evolved versions also have a little music to go with your game. It's nothing special, but it's better than silence.

While this game is pretty simplistic, it still holds a certain appeal. Blasting away at rocks for a while is a nice way to waste some time. These games also come with a leader board and 12 achievement levels, to give you something to aspire to. There are a few issues that detract from game play, however. Neither Asteroids nor Asteroids Deluxe has any on-line multi-player options and the control configuration is clumsy. For example, instead of using the triggers to fire, players are required to use the buttons. Lastly, these games are for single players only, there is no means of head-to-head competition.

All in all, these two games are just OK. I wouldn't waste 400 Microsoft Points to play these games when you can play them on the Internet for free. With indifferent graphics and average sound, this game won't hold players' attention for too long. I cannot recommend this game to anyone but the most fervent of Asteroids fans.