I’m not the least bit surprised if a game based on a newly released movie or is a tie-in story related to a theatrical release turns out to be a horrible gaming experience and a shameless way to rake in extra cash. Then again, a very rare few movie-based games actually surprised us with fun gameplay elements that made it worth buying. Unfortunately, Astro Boy The Video game had the making of one of those pleasant surprises but ends up being just another disappointment with a few retro-styled fun moments. 

Astro Boy takes flight

The game’s main story mode follows the story straight out of the film including cut scenes that look like they came directly from the film’s animation. In the story, a scientific genius and head of the Ministry of Science named Doctor Tenma calls the world’s brightest scientific minds to a conference involving two mysterious elements of power. During the presentation, however, a greedy corporate president steals one element and places it in a robot that runs amuck. As a result, the robot escapes and Doctor Tenma’s only son is killed. The good Doctor then builds a robot that bears a striking resemblance to his dead son and gives him the second element of power.

As a result, Astro is born with all the memories of Doctor Tenma’s deceased son as well as sporting a few cool upgrades such as arm cannons, booster rockets in his feet and, well, butt machine guns. Unfortunately for him, Doctor Tenma rejects Astro and tells the robot boy that it was a mistake to create such an abomination. We follow Astro as he discovers flight for the first time as well as his powerful moves and built-in weapons he uses for good.

The game plays like an old school side-scrolling action game that mixes flight combat with ground brawling action. On the air, Astro uses his arm rockets and finger lasers to fight off waves of enemy robots that have taken to the skies. While on the ground, Astro uses the same weapons he does while taking flight only this time he adds his butt machine guns as well as a few moves like punches, flip kicks, drill attacks and you can even grab an enemy and throw them. 

I, Robot

Many of the enemies you’ll face off against are robots, many of them have their own individual attacks whether it’s firing a heat-seeking rocket or firing lasers back at you. On the ground, Astro can even use his booster rockets to avoid enemy attack as well as reach platforms you can’t reach with normal jumps. The platforming bits in the game are decent but don’t expect much in this department.

Sadly, while it’s fun to blast and fly your way through the levels and face off against numerous enemies at once, even the retro-styled action can get old really fast. Younger gamers will love bashing robots but by the time they get to the third level they have pretty much seen and done everything the game has to offer. On top of the repetitive gameplay, though, the difficulty level ramps up for no real reason and becomes far too easy in other moments. Expect framerate stutter during the action as well and more noticeably during animated cut scenes.

While the story is on the short side, there’s very little reason to want to play again. Despite what it says on the packaging, there is no 2 player co-op in the game! For those that like the battles in the game or haven’t gotten tired of the air and ground combat there is Arena mode. Arena mode simply places you against a seemingly endless stream of enemies whether you pick flight or ground combat.

Not quite looking like a blockbuster 

The visuals are just basic with the best features being the animated cut scenes. There are visual effects in the game and neat little explosions but it’s nothing really spectacular nor will you feel impressed by the techno city backgrounds. As for the game’s sound, there’s a good musical score that never gets old in this game and the voice acting is handled by the likes of Freddie Highmore and Kristen Bell from Astro Boy The Movie.

Surprisingly fun in the old school sort of way, Astro Boy The Video Game has some great brawling and aerial combat gameplay but, sadly enough, the repetitive levels and other problems fail to keep this game fun for very long. Even if you love Astro Boy or liked the new theatrical release, this PSP game is fun for short bursts until the action gets old quickly.

Gameplay: 6.0
Astro can take the battle in the air or down in the ground to brawl and blast his way in a retro-styled action game. Metro City is filled with various robots but fighting them gets old way too quickly even with butt machine guns.

Graphics: 6.5
The game’s graphics aren’t the strongest even on the PSP, although the animated cut scenes look just as good as the movie’s animation. Even the special effects aren’t impressive.

Sound: 7.0
The voice acting is good, although you won’t know it thanks to the framerate stutter during the cut scenes. The music comes straight from the movie and that is a very good thing and makes up for the lack of good sound effects.

Difficulty: Medium
While there are times when the enemy will overwhelm you and some flight combat levels will have you respawning, this game isn’t too difficult. Some of the much younger gamers will become frustrated with some levels.

Concept: 6.0
It’s the new modernized Astro Boy from the new movie so expect the same cute character from the film and butt machine guns. Astro Boy can take flight and blast robots with his cannons as well as unleash a few attacks but other than that there’s not much to our favorite robotic boy. You can fight waves of robots in a battle arena mode.

Overall: 6.0
Astro Boy The Video Game has all the makings of a really fun arcade-styled action PSP game and while there are some enjoyable moments in the game it just falls apart too quickly. Aside from its repetitive nature and lack of diversity, the game has a few glitches that would have made this an occasionally fun movie tie-in game.