GamesRadar+ VerdictAstro Bot doesn’t just deliver on the promise and potential displayed in PS5 pack-in demo Astro’s Playroom, but soars above and beyond to serve up a near-perfect platformer to rival – and possibly surpass – the best of Super Mario’s Mushroom Kingdom romps.TODAY’S BEST DEALS$49.97at Amazon$49.97at Walmart$49.99at Best BuyPros+Immersive, organic DualSense implementation+Incredibly varied, creative gameplay+Stunning visual presentationCons-Lacking touchpad integration-IP-based levels are less inspired
GamesRadar+ Verdict
GamesRadar+ Verdict
Astro Bot doesn’t just deliver on the promise and potential displayed in PS5 pack-in demo Astro’s Playroom, but soars above and beyond to serve up a near-perfect platformer to rival – and possibly surpass – the best of Super Mario’s Mushroom Kingdom romps.TODAY’S BEST DEALS$49.97at Amazon$49.97at Walmart$49.99at Best Buy
Astro Bot doesn’t just deliver on the promise and potential displayed in PS5 pack-in demo Astro’s Playroom, but soars above and beyond to serve up a near-perfect platformer to rival – and possibly surpass – the best of Super Mario’s Mushroom Kingdom romps.
TODAY’S BEST DEALS$49.97at Amazon$49.97at Walmart$49.99at Best Buy
TODAY’S BEST DEALS$49.97at Amazon$49.97at Walmart$49.99at Best Buy
TODAY’S BEST DEALS$49.97at Amazon$49.97at Walmart$49.99at Best Buy
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
$49.97at Amazon$49.97at Walmart$49.99at Best Buy
$49.97at Amazon
$49.97at Amazon
$49.97at Walmart
$49.97at Walmart
$49.99at Best Buy
$49.99at Best Buy
Pros+Immersive, organic DualSense implementation+Incredibly varied, creative gameplay+Stunning visual presentation
Immersive, organic DualSense implementation
Incredibly varied, creative gameplay
Stunning visual presentation
Cons-Lacking touchpad integration-IP-based levels are less inspired
Lacking touchpad integration
IP-based levels are less inspired
Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy.
Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy.
As a pre-installed pack-in for the PS5, 2020’s Astro’s Playroom showcased the various features of the console’s DualSense controller. But more than just a slick tech demo, the bite-sized experience proved a capable little platformer that suggestedSonycould someday have its very own Super Mario Bros. among its stable of first-party franchises.
With Astro Bot, the publisher – and talented developer Team Asobi – have more than delivered on that potential, crafting an incredibly polished, near-perfect platformer that not only earns the right to be discussed alongside Nintendo’s flagship series, but actually rivals the mustachioed mascot’s best princess-rescuing romps.
Doubling down on the DualSense
(Image credit: Sony)
FAST FACTSRelease date: September 6, 2024Platform(s): PS5Developer: Team AsobiPublisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
FAST FACTS
Release date: September 6, 2024Platform(s): PS5Developer: Team AsobiPublisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release date: September 6, 2024Platform(s): PS5Developer: Team AsobiPublisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
That’s not to say Astro Bot doesn’t leverage the PS5 controller’s innovative tech. On the contrary, the feature-packed platformer doubles-down in this regard, utilizing the peripheral’s haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, internal speaker, integrated microphone, and gyroscopic motion to significantly ratchet the immersion.
But while its predecessor was occasionally – and maybe intentionally – guilty of being a bit gimmicky, shoehorning in some of the ways in which you could use the gamepad, Astro Bot’s thoughtful implementation always feels organic to the on-screen action. Tactile uses, such as piloting your hero’s DualSense-like spacecraft with motion gestures, as well as palpable sensations, such as pulling back a slingshot or traversing different surfaces, work wonderfully.
While the gamepad’s smartly leveraged technology certainly ups the immersion, Astro Bot would succeed even without the benefit of the peripheral’s bells and whistles. Thanks to snappy, responsive, precisely-tuned controls, it would be a total blast to play even if stripped of the controller’s slick inclusions. In fact, I can’t remember the last time it felt this satisfying to simply move, jump, and melee-smash objects in any game, regardless of genre.
Astro Bot and beyond
(Image credit: Sony)
But while these basic inputs are incredibly rewarding to execute, they barely scratch the surface of the brave bot’s arsenal and its related interactions. Spread across 50-plus, level-packed planets, the game’s main quest calls on the protagonist to not only collect parts to repair its crashed ship – which resembles a spacefaring PS5 – but also rescue up to 300 robot allies along the way.
Completing these objectives, and tackling all the platforming challenges, clever puzzles, enemy encounters, and epic boss fights that come with them, requires Astro Bot to master his core moveset – which also includes foe-frying hover boots – as well as smartly utilize level-specific power-ups. Typically taking the form of animal-inspired backpacks, these advanced abilities allow Astro Bot to do everything from climb like a monkey and swim like a penguin to shrink down to the size of a mouse.
Varied and imaginative, these skills significantly elevate Astro Bot’s already solid platforming action. The more basic, aforementioned upgrades are a ton of fun to unleash, but there’s also a handful of incredibly inspired powers that could support an entire game’s campaign, let alone a few levels.
Favorites include the ability to turn Astro Bot into a sponge, a skill with a surprising amount of benefits. Jumping into a pool of water as this super-absorbent version of the hero will dramatically increase its size, allowing the bot to barrel through levels like the Kool-Aid Man. But players can also expel water from the spongy protagonist, shrinking him down to normal stature while putting out fires or expanding equally absorbent objects to create usable platforms.
(Image credit: Sony)
Where similar experiences might offer multiple themed lands filled with similar looking levels, Astro Bot ambitiously goes above and beyond to ensure you’re never seeing the same thing twice. And this is before you consider all the secret levels, bonus challenges, and a homebase-like crash site brimming with even more activities to engage in, collectibles to gather, bots to rescue, and cosmetics to acquire.
A galaxy of fan service
(Image credit: PlayStation Studios)
More than just optional collectibles though, these characters nicely tie into the game’s progression, as unlocking each planet requires a specific amount of rescued robots. Collectors and completionists alike can also invest in cosmetics – using gathered coins – to accessorize their adorable allies, which keep busy at the crash site while you’re off adventuring.
Mileage will vary based on your roster of rescues, but a quick glance at your homebase might reveal Joel and Ellie fighting an infected foe just a few feet from Journey’s Traveler knitting a scarf, while Psycho Mantis creepily lurks in the background.
Like every other aspect of Astro Bot, its visuals raise the bar and then some to deliver one of the prettiest games to ever appear on a PlayStation console. Packed with vibrant personality and drenched in immersive details, it sports an endlessly polished, eye-popping presentation to rival anythingPixarhas ever put on the big screen. A near-perfect platforming game and probable game-of-the-year contender, Astro Bot justifies a PS5 purchase as much as any Norse God-slayer or fungal apocalypse survivor.
Disclaimer
Astro Bot: Price Comparison
$59.99$49.97ViewDeal ends in08h 59m 25s$59.99$49.97View$59.99$49.99View$49.99View$59.99$49.99View
$59.99$49.97ViewDeal ends in08h 59m 25s
$59.99$49.97View
$59.99$49.97View
$59.99$49.97
$49.97
Deal ends in08h 59m 25s
Deal ends in08h 59m 25s
Deal ends in08h 59m 25s
$59.99$49.97View
$59.99$49.97View
$59.99$49.97View
$59.99$49.97
$49.97
$59.99$49.99View
$59.99$49.99View
$59.99$49.99View
$59.99$49.99
$49.99
$49.99View
$49.99View
$49.99View
$49.99
$49.99
$59.99$49.99View
$59.99$49.99View
$59.99$49.99View
$59.99$49.99
$49.99
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
CATEGORIESPS5PlatformsPlayStation
CATEGORIES
More about astro botTeam Asobi’s gigantic 2024 proves it’s time to free Astro Bot from PlayStation’s pastAstro Bot finally gets a Square Enix character, but it’s Gex and not Final Fantasy 7’s CloudLatestI didn’t know how badly I wanted to grill and gobble up monsters until this upcoming survival roguelike made it look so tastySee more latest►
More about astro botTeam Asobi’s gigantic 2024 proves it’s time to free Astro Bot from PlayStation’s pastAstro Bot finally gets a Square Enix character, but it’s Gex and not Final Fantasy 7’s CloudLatestI didn’t know how badly I wanted to grill and gobble up monsters until this upcoming survival roguelike made it look so tastySee more latest►
More about astro botTeam Asobi’s gigantic 2024 proves it’s time to free Astro Bot from PlayStation’s pastAstro Bot finally gets a Square Enix character, but it’s Gex and not Final Fantasy 7’s Cloud
More about astro bot
Team Asobi’s gigantic 2024 proves it’s time to free Astro Bot from PlayStation’s pastAstro Bot finally gets a Square Enix character, but it’s Gex and not Final Fantasy 7’s Cloud
Team Asobi’s gigantic 2024 proves it’s time to free Astro Bot from PlayStation’s past
Team Asobi’s gigantic 2024 proves it’s time to free Astro Bot from PlayStation’s past
Astro Bot finally gets a Square Enix character, but it’s Gex and not Final Fantasy 7’s Cloud
Astro Bot finally gets a Square Enix character, but it’s Gex and not Final Fantasy 7’s Cloud
LatestI didn’t know how badly I wanted to grill and gobble up monsters until this upcoming survival roguelike made it look so tastySee more latest►
Latest
I didn’t know how badly I wanted to grill and gobble up monsters until this upcoming survival roguelike made it look so tasty
I didn’t know how badly I wanted to grill and gobble up monsters until this upcoming survival roguelike made it look so tasty
I didn’t know how badly I wanted to grill and gobble up monsters until this upcoming survival roguelike made it look so tasty
See more latest►
Most PopularAnbernic RG28XX review: “a tiny budget handheld that fits in my weird tiny jeans pocket”Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up"Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever created”Glorious Series 2 Pro review: “comfortable and nimble, but not quite punching with the flagships”Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"Bouiles Elite Series review: “The longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became"Azeron Cyborg II review: “One of the best gaming peripherals I’ve ever used”Atari 7800+ review: “a retro console remake for the ‘80s kids”Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
Most PopularAnbernic RG28XX review: “a tiny budget handheld that fits in my weird tiny jeans pocket”Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up"Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever created”Glorious Series 2 Pro review: “comfortable and nimble, but not quite punching with the flagships”Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"Bouiles Elite Series review: “The longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became"Azeron Cyborg II review: “One of the best gaming peripherals I’ve ever used”Atari 7800+ review: “a retro console remake for the ‘80s kids”Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
Most PopularAnbernic RG28XX review: “a tiny budget handheld that fits in my weird tiny jeans pocket”Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up"Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever created”Glorious Series 2 Pro review: “comfortable and nimble, but not quite punching with the flagships”Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"Bouiles Elite Series review: “The longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became"Azeron Cyborg II review: “One of the best gaming peripherals I’ve ever used”Atari 7800+ review: “a retro console remake for the ‘80s kids”Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
Most Popular
Anbernic RG28XX review: “a tiny budget handheld that fits in my weird tiny jeans pocket”
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up”
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever created”
Glorious Series 2 Pro review: “comfortable and nimble, but not quite punching with the flagships”
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
Bouiles Elite Series review: “The longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became”
Azeron Cyborg II review: “One of the best gaming peripherals I’ve ever used”
Atari 7800+ review: “a retro console remake for the ‘80s kids”
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5
Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”