Making his debut in 2013's Playroom – a collection of AR minigames that was preloaded onto the PS4 – Astro Bot has appeared quite a few times over the last decade. Astro Bot's first big break came in 2018 with the release of the PSVR-exclusive Astro Bot Rescue Mission, a surprisingly great VR platformer that saw players control the titular robotic hero as he jumped and spun his way through a variety of vibrant levels, all packed with PlayStation references. Those without VR got their first taste of Astro Bot platforming gameplay with Astro's Playroom, a PS5 pack-in title specifically designed to teach players about the DualSense's capabilities.
But while all of Astro Bot's previous appearances have revolved around celebrating PlayStation's legacy in one way or another, the upcoming full-length platformer, Astro Bot, is taking things to the next level. Based on its trailers, Astro Bot is going to feature a wealth of cameos from roboified PlayStation icons. But there's another celebration of PlayStation's long legacy in Astro Bot that runs much deeper, with the game essentially reigniting the torch for PlayStation's classic mascot platformers.
For decades, PlayStation used to be the one-stop-shop for mascot platformers. While Nintendo had Super Mario and all of that franchise's spinoffs, PlayStation was home to a plethora of iconic platforming heroes, and that remained true for well over a decade. Some of the earliest PlayStation platformer mascots were Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon, two of the most iconic characters in all of gaming who both pledged allegiance to PlayStation for quite some time.
Though early platformers like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon were big draws for Sony's PlayStation, the company's penchant for mascot-driven platformers continued long into the PlayStation 2's lifetime. Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank, and Sly Cooper are all still considered some of the strongest games on the PS2, and all three franchises remain exclusive to PlayStation.
But it's been quite some time since a platforming mascot took center stage in PlayStation's first-party line-up. Though there have been outliers like Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, most PlayStation mascot platformers have faded into the background, or have moved out of the realm of exclusivity. But Astro Bot is here to reignite the spark.
For the first time in a long time, PlayStation is about to release a full-length, big-budget mascot platformer with Astro Bot. At its core, Astro Bot appears to be a modern-day version of the mascot platformers that have come before it, boasting many of the same gameplay mechanics and level design quirks, albeit with plenty of new features and up-to-date visuals.
Much like Astro's Playroom before it, Astro Bot will have players using the DualSense controller to interact with the game world in unique ways, such as the "Dual Speeder," Astro's main form of traversal that requires the player to hold both triggers down and physically tilt their controller to maneuver. But aside from these innovative moments, Astro Bot's core gameplay will consist of running, jumping, and spinning into enemies, a gameplay loop that should fuel classic platformer fans with nostalgia.
Astro Bot’s VIP Bots Are A Celebration Of PlayStation's Legacy
Astro Bot’s developers have gone out of their way to include a plethora of cameos from PlayStation’s past. But despite being a full-fledged PlayStation game, these cameos are a bit more challenging than they might seem at first. The reason? Astro Bot is aiming to be a family-friendly platformer, which is why the development team felt the need to implement a “bot” version of each PlayStation character.
This means that each character in the game is a robotic version of the original, with some minor deviations to make them more approachable for younger audiences. The issue, however, is that some of the game’s VIP Bots are based on characters owned by other companies, which can make things a bit complicated.
Why Crash Bandicoot's Appearance In Astro Bot Is So Unexpected
One of the most talked-about VIP Bots is Crash Bandicoot, the beloved PlayStation mascot who is now owned by Xbox. This means that Astro Bot is essentially featuring a character that is officially owned by a competing company, and that’s where things get interesting.
While Crash Bandicoot was originally a PlayStation-exclusive character, Microsoft purchased Activision Blizzard in 2023, which included the Crash Bandicoot IP. Despite this, Crash has been appearing in PlayStation games long before the acquisition, as evident in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, which featured a Crash Bandicoot level within the game's story. This makes Crash's inclusion in Astro Bot seem like a deliberate decision on the part of the developers, perhaps as a way to acknowledge Crash's history with PlayStation.
"Sometimes LED eyes just didn’t work on certain characters because the original design relies so much on the pupils being a certain size or color for instance," said Team Asobi’s studio director Nicolas Doucet. "So for more cartoony VIPs like Crash Bandicoot or from Ape Escape, the Bots are wearing a mask to help bridge that problem."
It's worth noting that Crash Bandicoot has been absent from PlayStation's first-party line-up since the release of Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time in 2020, making his cameo in Astro Bot feel like a special treat for those who miss the bandicoot's platforming shenanigans. The developers even acknowledge that many of the characters had to be altered to make them more suitable for a children’s game. While the inclusion of Crash Bandicoot might seem trivial at first, it is a huge deal for PlayStation fans as it shows that the company is not afraid to pay homage to its past, even when it comes to characters that are now owned by its competitors. In the end, Astro Bot has more than enough to offer fans of classic platformers as well as those who are new to the genre. With its engaging gameplay and beautiful visuals, Astro Bot will be a platformer that you don’t want to miss.
What Makes Astro Bot Unique
Astro Bot's most notable feature is its use of the DualSense controller, which was previously showcased in Astro's Playroom. The "Dual Speeder" is a unique gameplay mechanic that lets players control Astro by tilting the controller. The DualSense controller also allows for haptic feedback that makes players feel every jump and punch.
Astro Bot also stands out by incorporating a wide range of PlayStation characters, creating a fun, nostalgia-fueled experience that will appeal to long-time PlayStation fans. This is a game that is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.
The Future Of Platformers In PlayStation
Astro Bot’s release is a big deal for PlayStation, especially after a long gap since the release of PlayStation platformers. The game is a testament to PlayStation’s commitment to creating fun and engaging experiences for all ages. With a slew of new platformers in development and Astro Bot already being a critical and commercial success, PlayStation is ready to reclaim its place as the home of great mascot platformers.
Overall, Astro Bot is a game that is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults. The game is a testament to PlayStation’s commitment to creating fun and engaging experiences for all ages, and it’s a game that is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.
