Asteroids
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🙂 6.6/10
(GameBoy Color - PAL, Arcade)
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Developed_By:
Syrox Developments Ltd.
Published_By:
Activision
Released On:
01 Jan 1999
Also available on:
Asteroids is a remake of the original Atari coin-op game, featuring 3-D graphics and power-ups. You play as an employee of the Astro-Mining Corporation, tasked with clearing asteroids and debris in five zones, each with its own background and challenges.
The game consists of levels set in different areas of space, with obstacles such as indestructible asteroids, fireball comets, and alien egg asteroids that contain deadly baby space worms. You'll also encounter various enemies like Standard and Super Saucers, Asteroids Tugs, Fuel Transports, Hexes, Nuke Drivers, and Vulturoids.
You can choose from three types of ships, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, as well as three skill levels. Beating the game at Expert or higher unlocks a fourth type of ship. You can also pick up power-ups like GunSat, Mines, Homing Missiles, Plasma Drill, and Trigger Bombs.
The game supports both single-player and two-player modes. In two-player mode, you'll compete to outscore your opponent in random zones and levels, with strategies for defeating the other player without directly shooting them.
Asteroids was released on the Game Boy Color in 1999, offering a challenging and action-packed experience for fans of arcade games.
EAN-13:
5030917008726 (United Kingdom)
Media #:
DMG-AARP-NOE (Germany)
Nintendo Media PN:
DMG-AARP-UKV (United Kingdom)
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Number of Players Supported:
1-2 Players
Miscellaneous Attributes:
Multi-Link Cable, Game Boy Compatible, Game Boy Printer Support
Prices as of 16 Sep 2026
Typical $25.54–$25.95 (last 90 days)
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Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
This is an arcade-style space shooter where players take on the role of a pilot for a mega-corporation. Your mission is to clear dangerous asteroid fields, often for military contracts, by destroying asteroids and hostile alien threats. The game involves dogfighting, sharpshooting, and navigating hazardous cosmic environments.
Story
The Story So Far
The galaxy is full of valuable commodities. To keep business profitable, companies must compete on Earth and in the heavens. Interstellar mining has made people rich overnight.
The largest mining corporations merged into a single mega-conglomerate, the Astro-Mining Corporation. Surveyors are increasingly finding valuable deposits deep within dangerous asteroid fields.
To make big money, the corporation hires pilots to blast asteroids into a reasonable size. Then, massive mining machines extract valuable minerals. The corporation's efforts support entire off-world civilizations. Its guiding principles are simple: make the company rich, and it will make you rich in return.
Military Contracts
The bulk of Astro-Mining Corporation contracts are from the military, making mining a dangerous yet lucrative occupation. The corporation realized it could not only mine for valuable ores but also provide a clearance service for debris-infested areas of space.
The military, engaging in wars against hostile extraterrestrials, needs an efficient way to clear interstellar highways of potential hazards like asteroids. Even one small asteroid can devastate transports or battle cruisers, which normally travel at half the speed of light. An entire asteroid field is a deadly obstacle.
Pilot Recruitment
Astro-Mining recruits talented pilots from all over the planet to clear space for equipment installation or to provide safe passage for military and civilian life. These pilots must be talented dogfighters, able to dodge and weave among constant threats in an asteroid belt.
They must also be skilled sharpshooters, capable of pulverizing asteroids into dust with a well-aimed shot, and able to fiercely defend themselves against any enemies they might encounter.
You have been hired by the corporation. Good luck.
Zone 2: Black Hole
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Destroy asteroids and debris floating in the zone to provide safe passage for cargo ships.
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Avoid the center of the black hole—crushing gravitational forces exist there.
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Hint: You can safely pass over the black hole's core and fly near its center. Just make sure to keep up enough speed to escape the crushing core.
Zone 3: New Suns
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The Poseidon Corporation wants you to clear the area to make a vacation spot.
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Watch out for forming stars and supernovas.
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Hint: When attacking the ancient energy asteroids, be sure you give yourself enough room to avoid their stored energy bursts.
Zone 4: Worm Zone
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The military has sent you to clear this zone of debris, but it is a breeding ground for alien space worms.
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Annihilate all opposition and destroy any alien eggs in the area.
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Hint: Beware the alien queen! She cannot be killed, so be sure you are continually moving to avoid her crushing your vessel.
How to Play
STARTING UP
Turn off the POWER switch on your Nintendo Game Boy® System. Never insert or remove a Game Pak when the power is on.
Insert the Asteroids Game Pak into the slot on the back of the Game Boy, label facing out. Press the Game Pak firmly to lock it in place.
Turn the Game Boy POWER switch on.
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Note: Super Game Boy is not supported.
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Thrust
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Turn
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Defense
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Fire
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Special
MAIN MENU
Choose from the following options to begin playing Asteroids.
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SINGLE PLAYER
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MULTIPLAYER
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OPTIONS
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Classic Asteroids *
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This option is unavailable to be selected until it is unlocked.
SINGLE PLAYER GAME
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New Game—Choose this option to start a new game.
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Password—Choose this option to resume a game or unlock a feature.
NEW GAME
SELECT A SHIP
Once you choose New Game, you will then have to select a ship to pilot. Each ship has a different special defense.
You begin each level with enough power to use your defense a number of times, depending on your difficulty level, and can collect power-ups for a maximum of five uses. Use the Control Pad left/right to cycle through available ships.
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Dagger—Flip Defense
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Rapier—Hyperspace Defense
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Longsword—Shield Defense
After selecting your ship, choose the level of difficulty you want.
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Rookie—Beginners can earn their wings.
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Veteran—For veteran pilots only.
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Ace—With no wildcard weapons, you better be hardcore if you want to complete these levels
MULTIPLAYER GAME
Start a Game
Once you choose a multiplayer game, each player must then choose a ship to pilot.
Turn-Based
In turn-based multiplayer games, each player fires on asteroids and aliens until their ship is destroyed. Then the other player takes a turn unless he or she is out of ships.
Players will resume firing at the beginning of each turn at the point where their ship was last destroyed.
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Select a Ship—Use the Control Pad left/right to cycle through available ships. Press START to choose a ship. Once both players have selected a ship, the game will begin.
OPTIONS
Each player may select an individual difficulty setting, allowing more experienced players to compete with novices. Harder settings give higher scoring opportunities.
Multiplayer Via Link
HEAD-TO-HEAD
In this mode, players compete to gain the highest score by progressing through the normal zones.
SCAVENGER HUNT
The Scavenger Hunt is a race against the clock to see who can collect the most Scavenger Hunt tokens before time expires.
TAG—YOU'RE IT
The goal of this game is to “tag” your opponent by colliding into them.
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Note: You will need a Nintendo Game Link Cable, two Game Boy Color units, and two copies of Asteroids. Multiplayer play via the Game Link Cable is a special feature for owners of Game Boy Color, and is available only for Game Boy Color vs. Game Boy Color competition.
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Please turn each Game Boy off and then back on before starting multiplayer games.
STANDARD POWER-UPS
Along with the multiplayer special weapons and power-ups, standard power-ups can also be collected in both single- and multiplayer games.
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Very Important: Extra points
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Mystery "?"
Each player has a limit of ONE special weapon at a time. Players can collect special weapon power-ups at anytime, but they will lose their current unused special power-up.
ZONES
There are five different zones that you will encounter in Asteroids. Each zone is comprised of fifteen levels that you must complete.
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Zone 1: Sigma Delta-Clear the area of all asteroids. Beware of any alien craft.
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Hint: Destroy all the broken pieces of the crystal asteroids before they grow into new, full-size crystals!
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Zone 5: Save the Earth—The aliens have launched a counter-assault on earth. Prevent any asteroids from hitting the earth. If the planet takes too much damage, all life will cease to exist... including your own!
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Hint: Try to stay just above earth in order to have a clear shot at all incoming asteroids. If you stray too far into space, it will be harder to protect the planet from the barrage of rocks hurtling toward it.
SCORING
Your score is shown at the top of the in-game screen.
CLASSIC ARCADE ASTEROIDS
Somewhere within the game, the classic version of Asteroids from 1979 is hidden. In order to unlock it, you will need to be very observant while playing the updated version of the game. Beware of any out-of-place asteroids you may see floating in space...
GAME BOY PRINTER REWARD
If you are able to complete the entire game, you are awarded a commendation for valor and you are given the option to print out a certificate commemorating your awesome piloting skills (you must own a Game Boy Printer.)
Follow the on-screen directions prompting you to attach your Game Boy Printer, as directed by the Game Boy Printer instruction manual. When directed, proceed printing, then display your award with pride!
Controls
START
interrupt introductory cinematic
Control Pad up/down
navigate through menu options
START, SELECT, A and B buttons simultaneously
reset to the Asteroids title screen
Control Pad left/right
choose a preset control set
Tips & Maps
Password
Select this option to continue a game in progress using the password given to you. You will resume your game progress at the same place where the password was awarded, but it will have no special weapons and a score of zero.
CONTROL CONFIG
This section allows you to configure the controls for Player 1 and Player 2, including options for LEFT, RIGHT, UP, DOWN, THRUST, DEFENSE, FIRE, and SPECIAL actions.
Player 1/Player 2 Controls
Choose player 1 and player 2 controller configurations by pressing left/right on the Control Pad to select from several pre-set configurations or create a custom configuration.
Items & Weapons
FREEZE
Possessing this special weapon will enable you to fire an ice bolt at your opponent that creates a cocoon around the opponent's ship that freezes him or her on the spot. This cocoon will last a number of seconds.
ELECTRICAL SHORT
Possessing this special weapon allows the player to fire a single shot at their opponent and, providing the shot hits its mark, will cause the opponent's controls to be randomly reassigned for a few seconds.
SLOW DOWN
Possessing this special weapon allows the player to fire a single shot that will cause the opponent's systems to function at half speed. Their rotation and speed will be slowed down. Slow Down will last a few seconds.
POINT DOUBLER
Collecting this power-up will result in double points being awarded for all actions completed, including collecting the Extra points power-up. Point Doubler lasts for five seconds.
DISABLE THRUST
When shot successfully at your opponent, this special weapon will disable their forward thrusters for a short time. The opponent will still be able rotate normally.
DISABLE WEAPONS
When shot successfully at your opponent, Disable Weapons will disable their main laser for five seconds.
Extra Defense
This power-up gives you an extra defense usage.
Extra Points
Instantly boosts your score.
Extra Ship
Gives you an extra ship.
Mystery "?"
This power-up can be anything.
GunSat
The GunSat activates a rotating satellite that spins around the ship. The satellite will automatically fire a shot at the closest enemy as it spins. If an object impacts with the GunSat, it will be destroyed, but your ship will be safe.
Mines
When a mine is fired, it is ejected from the rear of the ship. The mine is armed and will explode upon impact with an object, causing significant damage to anything caught in its blast.
Armageddon
When activated, this special weapon emits a powerful blast of energy which destroys all objects within a large radius.
Homing Missiles
When fired, these plasma missiles lock onto the closest enemy object within its current flight path. If the enemy changes direction, the missile will adjust its angle of attack to compensate.
Bounce Bomb
This projectile will hit one object, and then deflect off in another direction so that it can cause damage a second time.
Trigger Bombs
The Trigger Bomb is aimed and fired at an enemy by pressing and holding the special button. As long as the button is held, the Trigger Bomb will continue to travel in the direction launched. When the button is released, the bomb will explode. The bomb will be triggered early if impact occurs with another object.
Ramming Shield
When the Ramming Shield is activated, you have a few seconds to ram your ship into an enemy or asteroid, causing massive damage.
Wall
This power-up creates a stationary barrier that will explode if run into by an object.
Ion Curtain
Creates a large energy barrier which will destroy incoming objects.
Smartbomb
When launched, it will move to a nearby object and explode, doing damage in a large radius.
Wide Shot
This special weapon allows you to shoot several diverging photons at once.
Plasma Sword
The Plasma Sword leaves a deadly trail of liquid plasma death. Use it to destroy objects approaching from behind you.
Enemies & Characters
Classic Asteroid
These are your standard giant floating space rocks.
Mined Asteroid
These asteroids are surrounded by cages that are embedded with high-explosives. If fired upon, they will explode in a massive blast of destructive force.
Space Debris
There is a wide assortment of junk floating in space. The debris consists of huge ripped-open chunks of ships, satellites, and other space objects that clutter many transportation routes.
Indestructible Monolith
No weapon can damage these impervious monoliths. However, with enough shots, a pilot can change the direction of this hazardous debris.
Fireball Comets
These flaming comets move fast!
Crystal Asteroid
These crystal blue asteroids are actually bizarre extraterrestrial organisms found throughout the galaxy. When shattered, the shards of the creature can regrow into full-size crystals if they are not quickly dispatched.
Alien Egg Asteroid
The alien egg asteroids are dense egg packs that hold baby space worms. Destroying one of these eggs releases the deadly offspring from their shell, allowing them to directly attack your ship's hull - unless you can eliminate them first.
Ancient Energy Asteroid
Originating from the very beginnings of the universe, these orange crystal asteroids are composed of the same energy that fueled the Big Bang. If you attack these asteroids, they will absorb your laser's energy, and send it right back at you in a powerful blast.
Standard Saucer
This round saucer-style ship fires small bolts.
Super Saucer
A smaller, more deadly version of the saucer. It takes several hits to destroy.
Hex
When hit, the Hex will break into three Squad Fighters.
Asteroid Tug
The Asteroid Tug has the annoying habit of capturing asteroids and protecting them from your attacks. Shoot the tug in order to free the asteroids.
Fuel Transports
These ships are used by smugglers to carry contraband across the galaxy without paying duties. Fuel transports have thick armor, and when destroyed will leave behind a fiery residue which reacts poorly with your ship's hull.
Living Turret
These organisms spit a destructive plasma from their bellies, which can instantly melt through the hull of your ship.
Repulsor Beam
These ships have a repulsor beam that can send you reeling into other objects.
Nuke Drivers
These are obsolete ships using a unique type of nuclear power. Because of this, they intermittently spew toxic exhaust, pulsing with deadly energy, which will linger for a time after the Driver has moved on.
Regenerator
A bladed ship that regenerates if not dispatched efficiently. Deadly!
Kamikaze
Controlled by a “hive-mind,” these vehicles make high-speed suicide runs at your ship.
Crystal Ice Ship
This crystal ship fires cold plasma bolts. The plasma bolts are slow-moving and if they hit your ship, you will be unable to move for a few precious seconds.
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