Computer games

Asterix Atari 2600 — Introscreen of Asterix on the Atari 2600

Ever since home computers and consoles were introduced, there have been Asterix themed games. The first game was simply titled ‘Asterix’ and it was a copy of a game called Taz that featured the Tasmanian Devil (a famous Looney Tunes character). This game was released in 1983 for the Atari 2600.

I have never been a real gamer myself, so all the information here I have just gathered from other fan pages and wikipedia.

Asterix

Astérix is a 1983 Atari 2600 game, adapted from Taz (featuring the Tasmanian Devil). The sprites and objects were changed to match the Astérix theme. The player controls Astérix (or Taz) to catch cauldrons (or hamburgers) while avoiding harps (or dynamite). The game’s difficulty increases as objects move faster. Cauldrons and hamburgers may be replaced with shields, lamps, and fish. Sound effects include an explosion when hitting a harp or dynamite and a beep for collecting objects.

Obelix

In the same year as the Asterix-game a similar game with the title Obélix iwas released by Atari, Inc. for the Atari 2600, featuring Astérix and Obélix. The player controls Astérix, stunning Roman soldiers so Obélix can throw a menhir at them. If the menhir misses, the player can try to escape or use a magic potion. It was the first original game based on the Astérix characters, developed by Suki Lee, with graphics by Dave Jolly and music by Andrew Fuchs and Jeff Gusman. Reviews praised the graphics and sound but found it similar to the Astérix game.

Asterix and the Magic Potion

Astérix et la Potion magique is a 1986 adventure game by Coktel Vision for Amstrad CPC, PC 1512, Thomson TO7, MO5, and DOS, based on the first Astérix comic, Astérix le Gaulois (1959). The player must gather ingredients for a hair potion to help Getafix teach the Romans a lesson. Obélix can open doors and fight if the player has boars, while Cacofonix can defeat enemies with his lyre. Health is shown as helmets that decrease over time or when hit. Collectible items like a golden sickle and Dogmatix help complete tasks. The game included a small comic and collectible mini-puzzles. A short story that was released with the game was later reprinted in Asterix and the Class Act.

Asterix and the Magic Cauldron

Astérix and the Magic Cauldron is a 1986 adventure game by Beam Software, published by Melbourne House for Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, and Commodore 64. After Obélix accidentally destroys Panoramix’s cauldron, Astérix must recover its eight pieces. The player controls Astérix, with five lives and a supply of boars to avoid starvation. Combat occurs when encountering Romans, gladiators, or boars. Bonus items like apples and coins can be collected, and a key unlocks a prison door in a Roman arena. The Commodore 64 version includes music, while the others are silent. A U.S. version, Ardok the Barbarian, replaced the characters and reduced the cauldron pieces to seven.

Asterix and the Magic Carpet

Asterix and the Magic Carpet is a 1987 adventure game by Coktel Vision for Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, and Thomson, based on the comic with the same name. Asterix and Cacofonix, guided by Watziznehm the fakir, must travel to India to make it rain and save Princess Orinjade from being sacrificed. The game is divided into two parts: a point-and-click section where the player’s choices affect the story and a time limit of 1,001 hours adds pressure. The second part is a Pac-Man-style maze where Asterix collects coins, hunts boars, and fights Romans, pirates, and Persians. Asterix can defeat enemies with magic potion, but without it, he can lure them to Obelix for help. Strategic decisions and quick reactions are key to success.