Introduction In the history of video games, few titles have achieved the iconic status and lasting influence of Asteroids. Released by Atari in November 1979, this space-themed multidirectional shooter defined the golden age of arcade gaming and set a new standard for interactive entertainment . Players control a triangular spaceship navigating a field of dangerous asteroids and hostile flying saucers, with the simple goal of shooting and destroying everything while avoiding collision . This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about this legendary game, from its revolutionary physics and core mechanics to advanced strategies for achieving a high score and mastering the stars.
Game Overview and Premise
Asteroids is a space-themed multidirectional shooter arcade game designed by Lyle Rains and Ed Logg and released in November 1979 by Atari, Inc . The player controls a single spaceship in an asteroid field that is periodically traversed by flying saucers . The objective is to shoot and destroy the asteroids and saucers while avoiding collision or being hit by the saucers' counter-fire .
The game was conceived during a meeting between Logg and Rains, who decided to use hardware developed by Wendi Allen (then known as Howard Delman) previously used for Lunar Lander . Asteroids was based on an unfinished game titled Cosmos; its physics model, control scheme, and gameplay elements were derived from Spacewar!, Computer Space, and Space Invaders . The game is rendered on a vector display in a two-dimensional view that wraps around both screen axes .
Asteroids was one of the first major hits of the golden age of arcade games, selling over 70,000 arcade cabinets . It proved both popular with players and influential with developers, directly influencing Defender, Gravitar, and many other video games .
Core Gameplay Mechanics
The Objective
The primary objective of Asteroids is to destroy all asteroids and saucers while avoiding collision . Each level starts with multiple large asteroids drifting across the screen . As the player shoots asteroids, they break into smaller asteroids that move faster and are more difficult to hit .
The Ship and Controls
The player controls a triangular ship that can rotate left and right, fire shots straight forward, and thrust forward . Once the ship begins moving in a direction, it will continue in that direction for a time without player intervention unless the player applies thrust in a different direction . The ship eventually comes to a stop when not thrusting . The player can also send the ship into hyperspace, causing it to disappear and reappear in a random location on the screen, at the risk of self-destructing or appearing on top of an asteroid .
Wraparound and Levels
Objects wrap around screen edges—an asteroid that drifts off the top edge of the screen reappears at the bottom and continues moving in the same direction . Once the screen has been cleared of all asteroids and flying saucers, a new set of large asteroids appears, starting the next level . The game gets harder as the number of asteroids increases until the score reaches a range between 40,000 and 60,000 .
Flying Saucers
Two flying saucers appear periodically on the screen. The "big saucer" shoots randomly and poorly, while the "small saucer" fires frequently at the ship . After reaching a score of 40,000, only the small saucer appears . As the player's score increases, the angle range of the shots from the small saucer diminishes until the saucer fires extremely accurately .
Lives and Scoring
The player starts with 3–5 lives at game start and gains an extra life per 10,000 points . Scoring is as follows:
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Large Asteroid: 20 points
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Medium Asteroid: 50 points
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Small Asteroid: 100 points
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Large Saucer: 200 points
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Small Saucer: 1,000 points
Play continues until the last ship is lost, which ends the game . The machine "turns over" at 99,990 points, which is the maximum high score that can be achieved .
Lurking Exploit
In the original game design, saucers were supposed to begin shooting as soon as they appeared, but this was changed . Additionally, saucers can only aim at the player's ship on-screen; they are not capable of aiming across a screen boundary . These behaviors allow a "lurking" strategy, in which the player stays near the edge of the screen opposite the saucer . By keeping just one or two rocks in play, a player can shoot across the boundary and destroy saucers to accumulate points indefinitely with little risk of being destroyed . Arcade operators began to complain about losing revenue due to this exploit . In response, Atari issued a patched EPROM and, due to the impact of this exploit, Atari changed their development and testing policies to try to prevent future games from having such exploits .
Comprehensive Controls Guide
Asteroids features a five-button control scheme that was innovative for its time. The controls are:
| Action | Button |
|---|---|
| Rotate Left | Left button |
| Rotate Right | Right button |
| Thrust | Thrust button |
| Fire | Fire button |
| Hyperspace | Hyperspace button |
The ship's physics model was modeled after Spacewar!, which Logg had played as a student at the University of California, Berkeley . The ship was configured to move with thrust and inertia, creating a realistic feel . The hyperspace button was not placed near Logg's right thumb, which he was dissatisfied with, as he had a problem "taking his hand off the thrust button" .
Advanced Strategy Guide and Playing Tips
Mastering Asteroids requires a combination of quick reflexes, strategic thinking, and understanding the game's physics. Here are some expert tips:
1. Master Thrust and Inertia
The key to effective movement in Asteroids is understanding and controlling your ship's momentum. Practice using short bursts of thrust rather than constant acceleration . This gives you more control and prevents you from careening into asteroids.
2. Clear the Screen Methodically
Instead of randomly shooting, adopt a systematic approach. Start by clearing the largest asteroids first, as they break into smaller pieces that are harder to hit . This approach prevents the screen from becoming cluttered with fast-moving smaller asteroids.
3. Learn Saucer Patterns
The big and small saucers behave differently. The big saucer shoots randomly and is less dangerous, while the small saucer is highly accurate . When the small saucer appears, be prepared to dodge and prioritize taking it out quickly.
4. Use Hyperspace as a Last Resort
Hyperspace is a risky maneuver. While it can save you from a dire situation, it can also place you directly on top of an asteroid or cause you to self-destruct . Only use it when you have no other option.
5. Practice the Lurking Strategy
The lurking strategy allows you to accumulate points indefinitely by positioning yourself at the edge of the screen opposite the saucer . While this exploit was patched in later versions, it's a useful technique for high-score runs on original hardware.
6. Stay Calm Under Pressure
As the number of asteroids increases, the game becomes more chaotic. Keeping a cool head and making deliberate movements is essential for survival. Panic often leads to accidental collisions.
Reception and Legacy
Asteroids was immediately successful upon release. It displaced Space Invaders by popularity in the United States and became Atari's best-selling arcade game of all time, with over 70,000 units sold . Atari earned an estimated $150 million in sales from the game, and arcade operators earned a further $500 million from coin drops . Atari had been in the process of manufacturing another vector game, Lunar Lander, but demand for Asteroids was so high "that several hundred Asteroids games were shipped in Lunar Lander cabinets" .
The game was widely imitated and directly influenced Defender, Gravitar, and many other video games . It has been ported to multiple platforms, including the Atari 2600, Atari 8-bit family, Atari 7800, and Game Boy . The Atari 2600 version sold over three million copies .
Asteroids has been recognized as one of the first major hits of the golden age of arcade games and is credited with being the first videogame to use real-world physics . Its minimalist vector graphics and innovative gameplay have cemented its place in gaming history. The game was so popular that some video arcade operators had to install large boxes to hold the number of coins spent by players .
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the objective of Asteroids? A: The objective is to shoot and destroy asteroids and flying saucers while avoiding collision with either or being hit by the saucers' counter-fire .
Q: When was Asteroids released? A: Asteroids was released in November 1979 by Atari, Inc .
Q: Who designed Asteroids? A: Asteroids was designed by Lyle Rains and Ed Logg, with contributions from Dominic Walsh .
Q: What type of display does Asteroids use? A: Asteroids uses a vector display, in which the graphics are composed of lines drawn on a vector monitor .
Q: What is the "lurking" exploit in Asteroids? A: "Lurking" is a strategy in which the player stays near the edge of the screen opposite the saucer, shooting across the screen boundary to destroy saucers and accumulate points indefinitely with little risk of being destroyed .
Q: How many copies of Asteroids were sold? A: Asteroids sold over 70,000 arcade cabinets worldwide, making it Atari's best-selling arcade game of all time .
Conclusion
Asteroids stands as a monumental achievement in video game history—a game that defined the golden age of arcade gaming and influenced countless titles that followed. Its innovative use of vector graphics, realistic physics, and addictive gameplay set a new standard for interactive entertainment. Whether you're a retro gaming enthusiast or a newcomer discovering the classic for the first time, mastering the stars and conquering the asteroid field remains a thrilling challenge. The simplicity of its concept belies the depth of its strategy, proving that great game design is timeless.