Astro Bothas to be one of the most unique platformers in years and that’s saying something since 2023 was all aboutSuper Mario Bros. Wonder. What makes levels unique can partly be thanked to the power-ups which come in a variety of styles. For example, in boss battles, players can get hearts that act like extra lives.
There are hero stages in Astro Bot based on big properties likeGod of WarandUncharted. In theGod of Warstage, Astro Bot can use Kratos’ axe, for example, which is great, but the hero examples go so far beyond power-ups into their own territory. So, let’s go through the main, animal-based power-ups that give Astro Bot a ton of abilities in throughout the adventure.
8Rocket Powers
Astro Bot Can Fly At Enemies In Various Environments
There are an absurd amount of rocket-powered animals in the game where one or even two could have sufficed. The first one players are likely to encounter is the Bulldog which plays a large role inAstro Bot’sfirst boss fight against Mighty Chewy. The Bulldog can rocket players forward and break through objects and surfaces like glass. The Chicken will propel them upward and the Penguin will propel players underwater. They are adorable animals but they’re also kind of one note depending on the situation.
7Octo-Balloon
Float Into The Clouds And Blow Up Enemies
Octo-Balloon is another power-up that is flight-based although the functionality is quite different. Players can inflate themselves to float upward, sort of like the Power Balloon power-up inSuper Mario World. Like that game, players can extend their time in the air with certain recharge points. They can descend immediately if need be by releasing air too. Finally, players can defeat certain enemies by plugging their Octo-Balloon pipe into their mouths and blowing them up instead. It’s a slower-moving power-up but the Octo-Balloon is part of some engaging levels like the first one calledSky Garden inAstro Bot.
6Iron Suit
Become An Impenetrable Ball
The Iron Suit is an impenetrable set of armor that will weigh players down with power. Its main functionality is to transform players into a tiny ball which is impervious to attacks be it rolling through spikes or getting pelted with lava. Players can even shove themselves in vacuums to clog up enemies or mini volcanoes to blast elsewhere in a stage.
The ball form inAstro Botis sort of like the ball form in theMetroidseries with Samus. Samus, unfortunately, is still vulnerable to attacks in her ball form, so in a one-on-one dual, Astro Bot will probably come out on top. There is another rolling device worth mentioning in passing via an Armadillo which appears mostly in bonus stages. Players can ride on it but this Armadillo is more of a vehicle than a power-up as it doesn’t strap onto Astro Bot and thus doesn’t give him invulnerability.
5Elephant
Suck Up Liquids To Produce Platforms And Hop Around
The Elephant is a fun one to use because the game keeps coming up with novel ways to implement it. The first big stage it’s in, Trunk of Funk, allows players to suck up sap to disperse below them. This can bounce players up and it can be deployed three times after every sucking motion. Players can also deploy grass shrubs below them to do some platforming. Players can even suck up concrete in a later level to hop around and there might be more that won’t be dived into. The point is, the Elephant is a versatile power-up that looks good on Astro Bot’s back too.
4Fist Weapons
The Frog Gloves And Monkey Arm Astro Bot With A Powerful Force
There are two fist-like weapons in the game which occupy an even amount of power. First, there are the Frog Gloves which allow the player to punch forward with both PS5 triggers on the controller. Players can also use both gloves to pull on enemies to unmask them, whip them around, or even grapple onto certain surfaces marked by red. The Monkey cannot punch forward with as much force but it can still slap. It can hit the ground for a seismic wave too and climb certain sectionsusing motion controlsand the triggers again. The Frog Gloves are the easier fist weapons to use but the Monkey’s ground pound alone makes it an even match.
3Mouse
Can Shrink Down And Grow Astro Back Up To Normal
The level players will encounter the Mouse power-up in should send them into glee. The level in question is calledDownsize Surprise inAstro Botand it will give players the ability to shrink upon command or regrow. Getting back to normal size can break certain barriers like cages fellow bots are trapped in.
Getting bigger is great, but shrinking down leads to some better creativity in the level’s design. From hopping around tiny mushrooms to grinding on clotheslines, Downsize Surprise overall is a delightful level thanks to the Mouse power-up and unfortunately,Astro Botdoesn’t feature it as much as it should.
2Sponge
Absorb Water And Tear Through Levels Like Godzilla
The Sponge appears in theBathhouse Battle stage ofAstro Botand has similar powers to the Elephant. In this form, Astro Bot can absorb water and then spray it on things like flames to extinguish them or water can create pathways once cooled on lava. Whenever players absorb this water, they also become giants and can tear through levels like they are Godzilla. It’s also kind of like theKatamari Damacygames with the destructibility which is fitting since that series is referenced in Astro Bot as one of the VIP bots players can rescue looks like The Prince. Like the Mouse ability, the Sponge power-up is criminally underutilized inAstro Botalthough this makes it more of a treat in Bathhouse Battle.
1Time Stopper
An Obvious Power Everyone Would Love To Have
The Time Stopper combines a pair of VR goggles players can strap onto their hero and a literal watch on the back. When players stop time, they can halt attacks like buzz saws hurtling toward them. They can even jump on normal hazards to get where they need to go. Players only have a precious few seconds to make this power-up count, which can lead to some players getting creative with their puzzle solutions or the photos that they can take with thecamera inAstro Bot. Stopping time in general is an ability that people would love to have in real life and no one would say otherwise. That’s why it rules so hard inAstro Bottoo.
