Astro Boy: Omega Factor

If you put it up against almost any GBA game released this year, Astro knocks 'em flat.

If you're a fan of the Astro Boy character, buying Astro Boy: Omega Factor is a no-brainer. But even if you're not, the game is produced so well in every regard that it's well worth playing through.

Everyone, regardless of age, simply must own and play Astro Boy: Omega Factor--because it is one of the best action games on the Game Boy Advance.

The shooter stages offer some nice variety, while a surprisingly sophisticated story and a nice character growth feature add further depth. [Aug 2004, p.59]

Whether you rely on brute strength or a tactical mind, the fact that the game allows this is an achievement in itself. [JPN Import]

Only the steep difficulty curve may prove a deterrent: later levels especially can induce fits of blind GBA-throwing rage. For those with the grit to play it, Astro Boy: The Omega Factor makes a refreshing alternative to all those meandering wander-em-ups.

It is one of the great GBA action games for 2004 and shows that handhelds have games equal to, and sometimes superior to, their big brothers.

Play control is responsive, the weapons are powerful and an RPG-like sould-collecting system is creative and cool. [Oct 2004, p.124]

It's no gimmicks, no frills, and ten times more enjoyable than yet another warmed-over SNES port.

Treasure will make you believe that robots are your friends.

Every element is well-designed and engaging, and they come together to create a game that is just a joy to play.

Astro Boy exceeded my expectations in every possible sense.

With over 16 levels, three levels of difficulty, and an engaging plot-oriented story rivaling most in-depth RPG games, Astroy Boy: Omega Factor is highly recommended to all. [Sept 2004, p.92]

You will be hard pressed to find a better action game on the GBA. The fact that the game features Astro Boy is actually a bonus. Anyone that likes action and robots, (and who doesn't?) is certain to enjoy Astro Boy: Omega Factor.

One of the greatest ever made. From the non-stop action, enormous sprites, dazzling visuals, and colorful characters, Sega and Treasure really hit this one out of the stratosphere.

The game is definitely a technical marvel, with the skillful Treasure programmers pulling off some of the most impressive sprite tricks ever seen on the Game Boy Advance.

Astroy Boy assaults you with old-school charm. Factor in snazzy visuals, tight controls, and demanding difficulty, and you get a solid purchase...and one that's not just for kids. [Sept 2004, p.110]

9 / 9 / 8 / 8 - 34 gold [Vol 784]

Astro Boy will surprise you with its challenge, its endurance, and its clever (and crazy) boss battles. The dash-to-survive gameplay is very unique.

All at once. Astro boy is challenging, beautiful and in these days, utterly unique in its simplicity. Action fans will want to snap this up at the very first opportunity. [JPN Import]

Its pure and simple action is a perfect antidote to the poory executed, overblown titles that clog store shelves these days. [Aug 2004, p.107]

The level designs may lack the intricacy, and consequently the intensity, of the studio's high watermark titles (Ikaruga; Gunstar Heroes) and the constant left-to-right blandness is a possible criticism, but, primarily because of the narrative ingenuity injected into a typically 'action-at-all-costs' genre, Astro Boy still feels like something of a landmark title for the GBA, and for side-scrolling games in general.

With Omega Factor, Treasure has crafted what is perhaps one of the finest 2D sidescrollers in years.

And even though the characters in Astro Boy: Omega Factor come and go so fast it's still hard to ignore just how beautiful Osamu Tezuka's creations really are.

A game that will entertain almost everyone looking for a simplistic fun platformer. If you're looking for a game that is epic and will last forever Astro Boy isn't it. [JPN Import]

I am a great fan of thoughtful, intricate games, yet there is an undeniable power in the visceral thrill of blasting robots, ramming into flatbed trucks and disrobing Bugs Bunny.

A masterclass in imaginative flair and precision-engineered game mechanics. The GBA is beginning to feel all grown up. [Feb 2004, p.107]

It kind of works, if only as a surprisingly challenging, exceptionally beautiful time capsule of Tezuka's greatest hits. [Sept 2004, p.82]

It's fair to say that most people over the age of about eight will find it ridiculously easy and childlike and it features some typically Manga quirks and moral dubiousness (indeed, one of the themes of the original U.S. series was vivisection!) but as a piece of history and heartwarming my-first action title, it's pleasing in almost every facet.

There's a lot of repetition in the levels, and the fact that Astro Boy's weaponry is for all intents and purposes unlimited, the game is a bit on the easy side.

Signature company staples -- hordes of enemies, screens filled to bursting with explosive sprites, and a fiendish difficulty setting -- underscore a stunning, bite-sized seven-episode morsel.

The type of game that tends to get over praised since its simplicity and competency are so refreshing. But you don't have to be an Astro Fan-Boy to appreciate the throwback fun of this well-made shooter.

A fun, exciting and action-packed game. Beneath its cute exterior beats a heart of granite and any negative aspects are outweighed by points of excellence that allow it to move self-assuredly through the mountain of faceless Gameboy titles. [JPN Import]

A great addition to any GBA collection...While there may be instances where the lack of a vertically scrolling screen can unfairly get you killed, the quality of the game's other elements is ample compensation for this annoyance. [Nov 2004, p.117]

The laziness of the enemies, repetitive combat and ridiculous slowdown are all against it; but the clever storytelling, great boss fights, high-quality presentation and rock-hard challenge ensure this is a step above a lazy, licensed game.