Astro Botis absolutely exploding with references to franchises both past and present through the form of VIP bots. The point of the game is to rescue bots trapped in levels. Some of these bots are generic while others are themed around big franchise characters from first-party and third-party studios including Bandai Namco, Capcom, and Konami.
Video game characters aren’t the only fun Easter Eggs inAstro Botthough.Many PlayStation consolesand accessories make an appearance to drum up nostalgic feelings. For example, the icon for the save files uses the old PS1 memory card which was a fun nod. Moving away from accessories, let’s get to some cool characters and franchises referenced inAstro Bot.
8Spike (From Ape Escape)
These Monkeys Are Going Ape
Ape Escapeis featured inAstro Botand that’s the first Hero stage’s theme. Players will meet a bot taking on the form of Spike, the main character fromApe Escape, who will then relinquish his monkey-catching net for players to use in the level Apes on the Loose.Ape Escapewas one of the first big first-party platformers that was more of an action game than anything else on the PS1. Each level had monkeys hiding all over the place and various gadgets aided players in capturing them again. There hasn’t been a new game in years, so it’s nice to seeAstro Bothighlight it so prominently and next to bigger titles likeUncharted.
7Richter Belmont (From Castlevania: Symphony of the Night)
A Wonderful Little Pile Of Secrets
Most PlayStation fans will associate Richter Belmont withCastlevania: Symphony of the Nightas that’s the character the game begins with. However, he first appeared inCastlevania: Rondo of Blood, which was released asCastlevania: Dracula Xin North America on the SNES. The big gimmick withCastlevania: Symphony of the Night, besides the introduction of the Metroidvania gene, was that a Belmont turned to evil and now Alucard, the son of Dracula, had to step in to stop Richter. This was all a ruse in the game and this fake turn to evil is highlighted in Astro Bot as Richter can take the throne with glowing red eyes in the HUB World. Players can find Richter and Alucard in the Lost Galaxy stage,Funky Fungi, inAstro Bot.
6The Prince (From Katamari Damacy)
Rolling Through Astro Bot With Ease
Katamari Damacybegan life on the PS2 and it was easily one of the weirder games to grace the platform. There have been many exclusive sequels on PlayStation hardware, making this a fitting third-party collaboration. The point of most entries finds The Prince going down to Earth to roll up junk to then create stars.
Players can find The Prince in the level Downsize Surprise which gives playersa power-up to shrink inAstro Bot. If players unlock The Prince’s ball in the HUB World, they can see him roll up Astro Bot with it.
5Psycho Mantis (From Metal Gear Solid)
I See You Like Konami Games
Metal Gear Solidwas a console-defining game for the PS1 and it is immortalized in Astro Bot with one of its most iconic moments. Psycho Mantis is a psychic boss in the game who fights Solid Snake by taking control of the controller along with other things in the room they are in, including Snake’s new partner Meryl. To beat him, players had to plug in a controller into the second port of the PS1. After getting Psycho Mantis and Solid Snake in theAstro Botlevel Creamy Canyon, players can get a model for Psycho Mantis to interact with in the HUB World. It’s a TV depicting the described boss fight.
4Mr. Mosquito (From Mr. Mosquito)
This Bug Won’t Buzz Off
The HUB World is known as theCrash Site inAstro Botand players will come back to it often to repair the PS5 mother console along with unlocking a few other bonuses. There are secret bots hidden throughout the small area of the Crash Site and one of them is Mr. Mosquito from his titular game. It’s another obscure PS2 title that got a lot of attention for its odd gameplay. Players are a literal mosquito who have to drain blood from a Japanese family to survive. One of the most remembered scenes happens in a bathtub and players can unlock that tub for Mr. Mosquito to stalk inAstro Bot.
3Kutaro (From Puppeteer)
Japan Studio, which Team Asobi used to be a part of, made a lot of platformers over the years for PlayStation consoles. Some of them went on to become big Sony franchises and others only had one shot.Puppeteerfalls into the latter category despite it being well-reviewed on the PS3. Kutaro was the hero who was a puppet that could swap heads to gain new powers in 2D stages.
Kutaro appears inAstro Botin the Bathhouse Battle stagewhich gives players the odd sponge power-up. His unlockable model in the Crash Site makes Kutaro very animated with his fairy friend and magic scissors. WhilePuppeteernever went on the become a franchise, at least Sony hasn’t completely forgotten it.
2Vibri (From Vib-Ribbon)
A Black And White Obscurity
Vib-Ribbonis a game that was not initially released in North America on the PS1. It wasn’t until 2014 when it was ported to the PS3 digitally that players could finally enjoy it. This didn’t stop importers or emulation fans from engaging with it for years as one of the PS1’s quirkier rhythm platformers. Vibri, the rabbit-like protagonist, can be rescued in Astro Bot in the Boxel Bust-Up stage in the Lost Galaxy. Other notable rhythm or musical-themed games highlighted inAstro BotincludePaRappa the RapperandLoco Roco.
1Rudy Roughknight (From Wild Arms)
The Almost Forgotten Wild West RPG
Rudy Roughknight is the protagonist of the firstWild Armsgame which used to be a big first-party endorsed series. Sony seemingly knew they needed an RPG on the scale ofFinal FantasyorDragon Questto survive in the market when they launched the PS1 and this was one of their earliest answers. It blended Westerns with fantasy tropes for turn-based battles and puzzle-based dungeons. Players can rescue Rudy inAstro Bot’sTrapped in Time stage and they can later unlock a funny model wherein he will shoot flowers at the Crash Site. There are many forgotten RPG franchises inAstro Botbut Wild Arms seems one of the most in need of a new experience.
