Atari 7800 · Shooter
Asteroids
Certified classic
| System | Atari 7800 |
|---|---|
| Released | 1987 (originally 1979) |
| Genre | Shooter |
| Developer | Atari |
| Publisher | Atari |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Asteroids |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 12 |
Developed by Atari, Asteroids arrived on the Atari 7800 in 1987 as a shooter. This 7800 release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1979.
It came out in the 7800's second year on the market. Other notable 7800 releases from 1987 include Centipede and Choplifter.
It is part of the Asteroids series. The series also appears on other systems with Asteroids (2600) and Asteroids Hyper 64 (N64). Atari also made Centipede, Alien Brigade and Basketbrawl for the 7800.
Asteroids supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you have a friend to play against
- you want to experience one of the 7800's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you are not a fan of fast-paced aiming and twitch reflexes
What playing Asteroids is like
Shooters are built around aiming and firing, from first-person corridor blasters and light-gun games to run-and-gun stages and multidirectional arcade shooters.
Tip for newcomers: Retro shooters were designed for CRT TVs and original controllers; light-gun games in particular need special hardware or alternative controls on modern screens.
Asteroids walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Asteroids.
If you like Asteroids, the Matrix also picks…
Duck Hunt Classic
Duke Nukem 3D Classic Co-op
GoldenEye 007 Classic
Medal of Honor Classic
Daikatana Classic Co-op
Medal of Honor: Underground Classic
Playing 7800 games today
The 7800 has a compact library with a handful of standout arcade ports and a lively homebrew scene. The Atari 2600+ and 7800+ reissues play original 7800 cartridges over HDMI.
Asteroids FAQ
When did Asteroids come out on the 7800?
Asteroids was released for the Atari 7800 in 1987; the original game dates back to 1979.
Who made Asteroids?
It was developed by Atari.
Is Asteroids multiplayer?
Yes. Asteroids supports up to 2 players.
How long does Asteroids take to play?
As a shooter, Asteroids typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Asteroids on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.