Previous Next

Alligata's version of Asteroids loads in just over two minutes, and on running, shows a few differences to the standard version. The display is white on blue, and there is a panel on the right which takes up far too much of the screen just to print your score and remind you of the high score you are aiming for.

Ship rotation is accomplished using the 'Z' and 'X' keys, while you thrust with the SHIFT key, and leap into hyperspace using the space bar.

You fire by pressing the RETURN key, but the range is annoyingly short. The thrust control is more sensitive than most, so moving your ship can involve a greater degree of precision than usual.

The action is accomplished by some rather uninspired sound effects that grate on the senses after a while, and which cannot be turned off. Blasting the asteroids in this version sends them spinning away from you as well as shattering them. The occasional flying saucer is small and speedy, and its fire is frustratingly accurate.

Nevertheless, the game plays very smoothly, and for Asteroids fans, it could offer many a happy hour of frenzied blasting.