Unless you've been around awhile, grandpa, or you are really into this whole "Japan" thing, you might have no idea who Astro Boy is or why he's getting two games (as well as anime and manga revivals) here in the United States. Relatively unknown in the West, he's arguably the most famous of all of prolific creative genius Osamu Tezuka's creations. Though Tezuka's work is huge in Japan, you've probably never heard of any of it - but that's all going to change. The Hitmaker-produced, Treasure-developed Astro Boy: Omega Factor isn't just a refreshing throwback to the old days of action gaming; it's also a celebration of Tezuka's body of work worthy of your precious time and money.

A classic tale with a twist

When the brilliant Dr. Tenma's son, Tobio, is killed in a car accident, the good doctor does what any man with his skills and resources would do: he creates a robot in his child's image. Though the robot is imbued with Tobio's memories and personality, he is not meant to be a replacement. Far from it. He is an android that possesses not only great strength and destructive ability due to his 1,000,000-horsepower engine, but also an electronic soul; the very Omega Factor of the subtitle. This bridge between man and machine is known as Astro.

Now comes the twist. Though the story begins as the standard Astro Boy origin, it quickly opens up to envelop a cast of dozens from many separate Tezuka properties. Everyone from Rock and Duke Red (most recently seen in the Metropolis anime) to the Blue Knight and the Phoenix, all interacting with each other in a surprisingly well-written narrative that not only manages to incorporate the game's second "loop" (complete with new characters and dialogue) but also its hidden levels and stage select option. To explain further would lead to spoilers, but trust me when I say it's very nicely done. All these characters also serve another more practical purpose: As Astro meets them and understands them, he will fill in sections of his Omega Factor. This allows him to upgrade an ability of your choice, eventually unlocking his full potential in combat.

Yes, but can you dance?

If there is one thing we've come to expect from a Treasure game, it is solid, old-school gameplay. (As long as it's 2D. The 3D games are an embarrassment to life itself.) Astro Boy continues this tradition, making for a great pick-up-and-play title that fits the portable GBA perfectly. Stages are broken down into small sections, and unlimited continues help avoid unnecessary repetition and keep the frustration level low despite the game's above-average difficulty (especially on Hard Mode).

You'll take control of Astro as he fights against myriad enemies on the ground and in the air using basic punch combos, kicks, and his standard finger laser. Astro also stores energy through combat that allows him the use of two special attacks: a machine gun and a devastating arm laser. Weaker attacks can be chained into stronger attacks, leading to combos and point multipliers. Couple this with a cancelable dash move that renders him invulnerable and you find the meat of the game. Astro Boy is at its best when you're dashing about, pounding enemies senseless and comboing to maximize your damage and score.

. . . And the ugly

Despite some nice improvements over the Japanese original (boss energy meters, less slowdown, more enemy sprites), the game still has a few negative points that should be mentioned. There are still many instances of slowdown throughout that tend to screw up the timing of certain moves, leading to accidental hits and even death. Furthermore, the majority of enemy types are just too simple and similar, making for repetitive combat in what is a relatively short game - not the best combination. The game does, however, offer a comprehensive score database for individual level sections, entire levels, and even the entire game, which can increase your play time if you're into that sort of thing.

And there is the biggest drawback of all. This game is a niche title through and through, a throwback to an older time that may only appeal to a certain type of gamer. But if you're like me, and the thought of rotating, scaling sprite bosses still warms the old cockles, I wouldn't think twice about a purchase.

· · · Maurizio Moccetti