Asterix

Asterix brings the world of the famous French comic series to the NES in a colorful side-scrolling platform adventure. Released in Europe in 1993 by Infogrames and developed by Bit Managers, the game follows Asterix as he sets out to rescue his friend Obelix after the Romans capture him. It was a PAL-exclusive release, making it a relatively uncommon title for players outside Europe.

The adventure takes Asterix far beyond his familiar village. As he travels through different parts of the Roman world, he encounters Roman soldiers, wild animals, traps, and various environmental hazards. The levels are built around straightforward platforming, with Asterix running, jumping, ducking, and using his punch to deal with enemies. His attack has a fairly short range, so getting close to opponents can sometimes be just as dangerous as avoiding them.

Exploration is helped by the game's collectible items and special blocks. Some blocks hide useful objects, while other sections require careful movement across platforms or through areas designed to test your timing. Asterix can also find magic potions that temporarily give him special abilities, including brief invincibility. Bonus stages add some variety between the regular platforming sections, giving the adventure a lighter change of pace.

The NES version has a cheerful presentation that fits the comic-book source material, with colorful environments and recognizable characters. The journey moves through several European and Mediterranean locations before eventually reaching Rome, giving the game a sense of progression even though its mechanics remain fairly simple.

Asterix is not the deepest platformer on the NES, but it is a charming licensed game with solid controls, varied environments, and plenty of character. Its European exclusivity also makes it an interesting discovery for anyone exploring the less common corners of the NES library.