Astro Bears

 Switch
  • Publisher: SONKA
  • Release Date: Jul 19, 2019
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Pure Nintendo
    Aug 9, 2019
    80
    Sometimes it’s hard to tell how much weight a game will carry once your done reviewing it and have moved on to new titles. In Astro Bears’ case, the passage of time has proven my initial assessment wrong to some extent. The game has endured with me and my friends as a multiplayer attraction, and this new iteration is even better. It’s dropped part of its original handle, but Astro Bears is more a party now than it’s ever been.
  2. Nintendo Enthusiast
    Aug 14, 2019
    70
    Astro Bears enjoys a new competitive mode, new bears, and better presentation than its predecessor. It is a very simple game, and always has been, but it is appropriately priced and a fantastic local multiplayer experience to boot. Astro Bears Party was one of the first Switch games I bought, and a couple of years down the road, it is still a favorite among my friends and family as an accessible but fun multiplayer game. Astro Bears could have done a little bit more to justify being a full rerelease, especially on the single-player end. But as an upgrade to an already-wonderful local multiplayer title, the game carries its predecessor’s torch just fine.
  3. COGconnected
    Jul 17, 2019
    70
    Astro Bears is incredibly easy to learn, play, and provides a good amount of challenge depending on who you are playing against and how you work together (or against each other). The best part is that even though the levels are nothing too special because you are playing with other people, no two rounds will ever be the same. While most of its elements feel repetitive and lacks adventure, Astro Bears is really just a no-frills, fun family game. It is nothing spectacular nor extraordinary, but its playful colors and the atmosphere it creates in the room shows it is capable of bringing joy to those who play it.
  5. Video Chums
    Jul 18, 2019
    60
    Although Astro Bears is merely an update to its predecessor, it's still a fun little party game that 4 players can enjoy together.
  6. Nintenderos
    Jan 6, 2020
    52
    Astro Bears is a title that highlights its multiplayer, but its low variety of mini-games makes the player run the risk of getting bored after a few hours. The single player mode is very limited, becoming a game not recommended if it will be played without company.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. jiorl
    Jan 19, 2020
    6
    The Good: A fast paced party game, some depth in characters/stage to choose

    The Bad: Limited game modes even though this is an updated    The Good: A fast paced party game, some depth in characters/stage to choose

    The Bad: Limited game modes even though this is an updated version of Astro Bears Party, soundtrack is way to repetitive, eventually playing the game can be tiresome.

    Other Notes: This is really just a cheap (and I mean really cheap, especially when there is a sale) quick Party game to play with friends/family. It is engaging, but it tires quite quickly. There is a single mode, but I doubt you'd be playing it, as it gets boring without others. The game is good for what it is.    … Full Review »
  2. GamerGuysNGals
    Sep 17, 2019
    8
    “Astro Bears”

    Reviewed By: Elias S. Lutes Developer: SONKA Publisher: SONKA Platform: Switch Astro Bears is a quick-match party game    “Astro Bears”

    Reviewed By: Elias S. Lutes
    Developer: SONKA
    Publisher: SONKA
    Platform: Switch

    Astro Bears is a quick-match party game that pits friend against friend in a planet-traveling ribbon-laced run across planets. In a wonderful mashup of Mario Galaxy and the classic game of Snake, Astro Bears has a simple premise that delivers a fun party vibe.

    The matches are short and sweet, some rounds lasting only seconds — the entire objective is to coat the planet in your color of ribbon and cause your opponent to run into it. You lose when you touch ANY ribbon, even your own, making for some quick pacing and fast decision making. You can jump and attempt to cut off your fellow players to net a win, or tighten up your ribbon in a small area to attempt at making the area impossible to traverse.

    The learning curve to Astro Bears is fairly simple, but the game gets more complex with more players. The ability to customize the planet’s size and color for your playing field does lend well to larger groups. There are a handful of bears to choose from, each with differing speeds, turning capability, and dash length. In trying out most of the bears, I was able to find out that suited me rather well within just a few rounds.

    The matches are simple and sweet, regardless of which game you choose. One of my favorite things about Astro Bears is just how easy it is to pick up and teach new players. Gameplay is to the point — there’s no guessing about what to do, and that lends very well to younger and older players alike, making this an accessible title for families and friend groups of all kinds.

    Pros:
    -Great Price Point
    -Grooving Music
    -Nice Customization Options

    Cons:
    -Not a lot of variety

    Overall: 8/10

    Astro Bears does a great job of making an old 2D Classic into a modern 3D take on the party game genre. With a wonderfully small price tag, there’s no reason to feel bad about picking this up to take a spin with your fellow gamers in your next couch co-op session.    … Full Review »
  3. mikest
    Oct 2, 2020
    8
    if you are looking for a great multi-player party game, give this a try. It's frequently on sale and more fun than it looks. Even fun for 2 players.
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