Description

Asteroids is an iconic arcade-style shoot ’em up video game developed by Atari, Inc. for the Atari 2600 console, released in 1981. The player pilots a spaceship in a two-dimensional representation of space, surrounded by randomly placed large and small asteroids. The objective is to shoot and destroy the floating rocks while avoiding collisions and enemy UFOs. The screen wraps around, so leaving one edge makes the ship appear on the opposite side. As asteroids are hit, they break into smaller, faster pieces, increasing the game’s difficulty. The game’s controls include rotating, thrusting, and firing, as well as a hyperspace button for evasive maneuvers. It is notable for its vector-like graphics and its addictive, challenging gameplay that epitomizes the golden age of arcade games.