Astérix

From Sega Retro

n/a

Asterix title.png

Astérix
System(s): Sega Master System
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Distributor: Ecofilmes (PT), Tec Toy (BR)
Genre: Action[1]

















Number of players: 1-2 (alternating)
Official in-game languages:
  • English
  • Français
  • Release Date RRP Code
    Sega Master System
    EU
    9008
    Sega Master System
    BX
    Sega Master System
    DE
    DM 89.9589.95[6] 9008
    Sega Master System
    PT
    MSJ9008
    Sega Master System
    UK
    £32.9932.99[4][5] 9008
    Sega Master System
    AU
    Sega Master System
    BR

    Astérix is a platform game for the Sega Master System. Based on the French comic of the same name, it tells the adventures of Astérix and Obélix as they attempt to rescue their village elder from Romans. The game can be played in English or French.

    Story

    The year is 50 B.C. Gaul is entirely occupied by the Romans. Well, not entirely... One small village of indomitable Gauls still holds out against the invaders. And life is not easy for the Roman legionnaires who garrison the fortified camps surrounding the village...

    — European Manual [7]


    In an ahistorical telling of the time after the Gallic Wars, the Gaulish warriors Astérix and Obélix defend their village against the Roman legionnaires. The druid Getafix (Panoramix in French) has concocted a magic potion that protects the villagers, so Caesar has sent his best soldiers to capture him. Now Astérix and Obélix must adventure around Europe and fight the Roman Republic to rescue him.

    Gameplay

    Astérix is a side-scrolling platform game where Astérix and Obélix must navigate through each round to locate a key that opens a door or gate at the end of the round. Some rounds end with a boss who must be defeated. The game can be played alone or with another player. In single-player games, the player can choose to play as Astérix or Obélix prior to each round. In two-player mode, each player takes turns completing the round, with player one playing as Astérix and player two playing as Obélix. Each character moves with Left and Right and ducks with Down. They jump with 2 and jump higher if the button is held for longer. They enter doorways with Up and go down wells or vats with Down.

    The rounds differ depending on whether the player is playing as Astérix or Obélix. Both characters can attack enemies by punching them with 1. They perform a downward attack in the air with 1 after jumping. Enemies cannot be defeated by jumping on them. Astérix can find an Explosive Potion item in each round that lets him destroy blocks by throwing a potion and waiting for it to explode. Obélix cannot use the Explosive Potion and instead destroys blocks by punching them, using his jump attack, or hitting them from below with his head. Astérix can use his Explosive Potions in pools of water to create columns of water that serve as temporary platforms. Obélix can find the Menhir item, which can be used in the same way. There are other special potions that both characters can use. Potions and menhirs are thrown a long distance in an arc with Up+1 or a short distance while ducking with Down+1.

    Obélix, being larger in size, is unable to access some parts of the rounds that Astérix can access. Likewise, Astérix cannot access some parts of some rounds because he is unable to break certain blocks. Because of the differences between the characters, most of the rounds differ to some degree depending on which character is being played, with some rounds having wholly different layouts.

    The characters have a life gauge with three blocks. A block is lost if the character is hit by an enemy, and a life is lost if all life gauge blocks are lost or if the character falls down a hole. Rounds are also timed, and the player loses a life if time runs out. The game ends if the player runs out of lives but can be continued from the start of the round. Life can be restored by picking up certain items during the game. When certain bosses are defeated, a heart is obtained that permanently extends the life gauge by one point.

    Items

    Asterix, Items.png
    Jar
    Strike to release an item or potentially multiple items. Some jars expand into a vat that can be used to warp to another area or transform into a man-eating monster.
    Asterix, Items.png
    Key
    Find the key in each round to open the door or gate at the end.
    Asterix, Items.png
    Explosive Potion
    Equips Astérix with the Explosive Potion, which allows him to break blocks. When it explodes in water, it creates a column of water that can be used as a temporary platform. Obélix cannot use this item.
    Asterix, Items.png
    Solid Potion
    Equips the character with the Solid Potion, which can be thrown into water or lava to create a temporary platform.
    Asterix, Items.png
    Fire Potion
    Equips the character with the Fire Potion, which melts ice blocks and illuminates dark places.
    Asterix, Items.png
    Menhir
    Equips Obélix with menhirs, which can be thrown into water to create a column of water that can be used as a temporary platform. Astérix cannot use this item.
    Asterix, Items.png
    Meat
    Restores the life gauge by one block (or gives the player 100 bonus points if the life gauge is already full).
    Asterix, Items.png
    Life Restore
    Restores the life gauge by half of its capacity (or gives the player 100 bonus points if the life gauge is already full).
    Asterix, Items.png
    Life Extend
    Permanently extends the life gauge by one block, up to 6 blocks (or gives the player 100 bonus points if the life gauge is already at maximum length).
    Asterix, Items.png
    Bone
    Gives the player a bone. Collect 50 bones to enter the bonus round.
    Asterix, Items.png
    Bones
    Gives the player 3 bones. Collect 50 bones to enter the bonus round.
    Asterix, Items.png
    Coin
    Gives the player 200 bonus points.
    Asterix, Items.png
    Bag of Gold
    Gives the player 500 bonus points.
    Asterix, Items.png
    Winged Helmet
    Awards the player with an extra life.

    Rounds

    Asterix, Asterix, Stage 1-1.png

    Asterix, Asterix, Stage 1-1 Boss.png

    Asterix, Obelix, Stage 1-2.png

    Asterix, Obelix, Stage 1-2 Boss.png

    • Asterix, Asterix, Stage 1-1.png

    • Asterix, Asterix, Stage 1-1 Boss.png

    • Asterix, Obelix, Stage 1-2.png

    • Asterix, Obelix, Stage 1-2 Boss.png

    Round 1
    Round 1-1 must be played as Astérix, and Round 1-2 must be played as Obélix.

    Asterix, Asterix, Stage 2-1.png

    Asterix, Obelix, Stage 2-2.png

    Asterix, Asterix, Stage 2-3.png

    • Asterix, Asterix, Stage 2-1.png

    • Asterix, Obelix, Stage 2-2.png

    • Asterix, Asterix, Stage 2-3.png

    Round 2

    Asterix, Obelix, Stage 3-1.png

    Asterix, Asterix, Stage 3-2.png

    Asterix, Obelix, Stage 3-3.png

    Asterix, Obelix, Stage 3-3 Boss.png

    • Asterix, Obelix, Stage 3-1.png

    • Asterix, Asterix, Stage 3-2.png

    • Asterix, Obelix, Stage 3-3.png

    • Asterix, Obelix, Stage 3-3 Boss.png

    Round 3

    Asterix, Asterix, Stage 4-1.png

    Asterix, Obelix, Stage 4-2.png

    Asterix, Asterix, Stage 4-3.png

    • Asterix, Asterix, Stage 4-1.png

    • Asterix, Obelix, Stage 4-2.png

    • Asterix, Asterix, Stage 4-3.png

    Round 4

    Asterix, Obelix, Stage 5-1.png

    Asterix, Asterix, Stage 5-2.png

    Asterix, Obelix, Stage 5-3.png

    • Asterix, Obelix, Stage 5-1.png

    • Asterix, Asterix, Stage 5-2.png

    • Asterix, Obelix, Stage 5-3.png

    Round 5

    Asterix, Asterix, Stage 6-1.png

    Asterix, Obelix, Stage 6-2.png

    Asterix, Asterix, Stage 6-3.png

    • Asterix, Asterix, Stage 6-1.png

    • Asterix, Obelix, Stage 6-2.png

    • Asterix, Asterix, Stage 6-3.png

    Round 6

    Asterix, Obelix, Stage 7-1.png

    Asterix, Asterix, Stage 7-2.png

    Asterix, Obelix, Stage 7-3.png

    • Asterix, Obelix, Stage 7-1.png

    • Asterix, Asterix, Stage 7-2.png

    • Asterix, Obelix, Stage 7-3.png

    Round 7

    Asterix, Asterix, Stage 8.png

    Round 8

    Bonus Rounds

    Asterix, Bonus Stage, Difficulty.png

    Asterix, Bonus Stage.png

    Bonus round

    The bonus round is reached by collecting 50 bones. The bonus round is played as the dog Dogmatix (Idéfix in French), who must jump from bubble to bubble, popping each bubble along the way. A red bubble requires Dogmatix to jump on the bubble just once to pop it. A yellow bubble, when jumped on, turns red and then pops after the second jump. A green bubble turns yellow after the first jump, then red on the second jump, and requiring a third jump to pop. A bonus is awarded at the end of the round depending on the number of bubbles popped. The screen autoscrolls to the right. Dogmatix is invulnerable, though landing on spikes momentarily stuns him and costs the player time.

    The bonus round is preceded by a roulette-like difficulty selection. The difficulty cycles between Easy, Normal, and Hard, and pressing 1 or 2 causes it to slowly stop and select a level.

    History

    Development

    During development the game was known as Astérix in Egypt. It was previewed (and in some cases reviewed) under this name in several video game publications of the time, showing simpler (or stylised?) graphics. The name was likely changed because for the vast majority of the game, Astérix isn't in Egypt; Astérix and Obélix start the game in the Gaul region (part of modern day France) and journey across Europe, only arriving in Egypt in round 7.

    Legacy

    Astérix was very well received and spawned several sequels on both 8-bit and 16-bit Sega gaming consoles, starting with Astérix and the Secret Mission in 1993.

    Production credits

    Source:
    In-game credits
    Asterix SMS credits.pdf
    [8]


    Magazine articles

    Main article: Astérix/Magazine articles.

    Promotional material

    DE TV advert (1991)
    BE TV advert (Flemish; 1992)
    SMS DK advert.png
    DK advert (1992)
    SMS DK advert.png
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Print advert in Mega Force (ES) #1: "Mayo 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
    also published in:
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Print advert in Ação Games (BR) #17: "Agosto 1992" (1992-08-16)
    also published in:
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Logo-pdf.svg
    Print advert in Pixel (GR) #96: "Fevrouários 1993" (1993-0x-xx)
    Logo-pdf.svg

    Physical scans

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    {{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
    Based on
    0 review
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    Consoles + (FR)
    78
    [11]
    Console XS (UK) PAL
    90
    [12]
    Computer & Video Games (UK) PAL
    90
    [13]
    Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
    80
    [14]
    Gamers (DE) PAL
    73
    [15]
    Game Zone (UK) PAL
    78
    [16]
    Hobby Consolas (ES) PAL
    87
    [17]
    Joypad (FR)
    96
    [18]
    Joystick (FR) PAL
    96
    [19]
    Mega Force (FR) PAL
    95
    [20]
    Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
    62
    [21]
    Mean Machines (UK) PAL
    80
    [22]
    Mean Machines Sega (UK)
    80
    [23]
    Megazone (AU)
    88
    [24]
    Player One (FR) PAL
    90
    [25]
    Play Time (DE)
    72
    [26]
    Sega Magazin (DE) PAL
    84
    [6]
    Sega Power (UK) PAL
    92
    [27]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    90
    [28]
    Sega Pro (UK)
    95
    [29]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    94
    [30]
    Sega Force (SE)
    85
    [31]
    Sega Force (UK) PAL
    81
    [32]
    Sega Force (UK) PAL
    91
    [33]
    Super Juegos (ES)
    64
    [34]
    Supersonic (FR) PAL
    94
    [35]
    Video Games (DE)
    82
    [36]
    Sega Master System
    85
    Based on
    27 reviews

    Astérix

    Master System, EU
    Asterix SMS EU Box.jpg
    Cover
    Asterix SMS EU Cart.jpg
    Cart
    AsterixSMSEUManual7L.pdf
    Manual
    Master System, BX
    Asterix SMS BX Box front.jpg
    Cover
    Master System, PT
    Asterix SMS PT cover.jpg
    Cover
    Master System, AU
    Asterix SMS AU cover.jpg
    Cover
    Asterix SMS AU cart.jpg
    Cart
    Master System, AU (Wide sticker)
    Asterix SMS AU widesticker cover.jpg
    Cover
    Asterix SMS AU cart.jpg
    Cart
    Master System, BR
    Asterix SMS BR Box.jpg
    Cover
    Asterix SMS BR Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Asterix SMS BR Manual.pdf
    Manual

    Technical information

    ROM dump status

    System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
    Sega Master System
     ?
    CRC32 147e02fa
    MD5 0feb52e9b0a8cd378fb38902eb4b4100
    SHA-1 70e311421467acd01e55f1908eae653bf20de175
    512kB Cartridge (EU)
    Sega Master System
     ?
    CRC32 8c9d5be8
    MD5 6831e9afe139fedb13c81a54926b3c0d
    SHA-1 ae56c708bc197f462b68c3e5ff9f0379d841c8b0
    512kB Cartridge (EU) (Alt)

    References

    1. File:Asterix SMS EU Box.jpg
    2. Sega Power, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-10-04), page 11
    3. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-03-16), page 15
    4. Sega Force, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-16), page 63
    5. Sega Power, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-02), page 44
    6. 6.0 6.1 Sega Magazin, "September/Oktober 1993" (DE; 1993-09-01), page 74
    7. File:AsterixSMSEUManual7L.pdf
    8. File:Asterix SMS credits.pdf
    9. Mega Force, "Junio 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 84
    10. Supergame, "Julho 1992" (BR; 1992-07-xx), page 2
    11. Consoles +, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 126
    12. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 138
    13. Computer & Video Games, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-15), page 72
    14. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 128
    15. Gamers, "Februar/März 1992" (DE; 1992-xx-xx), page 26
    16. Game Zone, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-22), page 36
    17. Hobby Consolas, "Marzo 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 18
    18. Joypad, "Mars 1992" (FR; 1992-02-1x), page 80
    19. Joystick, "Mars 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 118
    20. Mega Force, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1992-01-15), page 84
    21. Micromanía (segunda época), "Junio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 81
    22. Mean Machines, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-27), page 96
    23. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 132
    24. Megazone, "October/November 1991" (AU; 1991-xx-xx), page 27
    25. Player One, "Février 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 70
    26. Play Time, "5/92" (DE; 1992-04-08), page 95
    27. Sega Power, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-02), page 24
    28. Sega Pro, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-16), page 36
    29. Sega Pro, "Christmas 1992" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 69
    30. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70
    31. Sega Force, "3/93" (SE; 1993-05-13), page 24
    32. Sega Force, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-16), page 62
    33. Sega Force, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-06), page 75
    34. Super Juegos, "Mayo 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 38
    35. Supersonic, "Mai/Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 18
    36. Video Games, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-29), page 60


    Astérix

    Asterix title.png

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    Astérix games for Sega systems
    Sega Master System
    Astérix (1991) | Astérix and the Secret Mission (1993) | Astérix and the Great Rescue (1994)
    Sega Game Gear
    Astérix and the Secret Mission (1994) | Astérix and the Great Rescue (1994)
    Sega Mega Drive
    Astérix and the Great Rescue (1993) | Astérix and the Power of the Gods (1995)