Asterix Longplay (Atari 2600 Game)
4Asterix Longplay (Atari 2600 Game)
Asterix, released in 1983 for the Atari 2600, is an arcade-style action game based on the popular French comic series by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. Notably, it's a European adaptation of Atari's Taz game, with the Tasmanian Devil sprite simply replaced by Asterix's distinctive head.
Players control the small Gaulish warrior collecting treasures like cauldrons, helmets, shields, and lamps while avoiding deadly lyres thrown by the village bard, Cacofonix. After scoring 32,500 points, the game transitions to an "Obelix Wave," where players instead guide Asterix's larger friend collecting food items as the pace accelerates for added challenge.
The graphics are rudimentary, with simple sprites typical of the Atari 2600's limitations. Jerome Domurat's title screen pays homage to a panel from "Asterix the Gaul," though the game features minimal sound effects and lacks depth beyond basic score-chasing.
As Atari's first non-American license, Asterix represented the company's push into licensed properties during their struggle for European market share in the early 80s. While the game offers straightforward pick-up-and-play mechanics, both it and Taz were derivative of earlier titles like Turmoil.
For retro gaming enthusiasts and Atari 2600 collectors interested in early licensed titles, Asterix remains a noteworthy piece of gaming history, though it hasn't aged as gracefully as other classics from that era. Its passable but repetitive gameplay makes it more of a historical curiosity than a standout title.
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