Having a blast with Astro Bot? I’m sure many of you are still working hard to rescue every last bot from the deepest reaches of space. I’m also sure that many of you have spotted a few PlayStation VIP bots that definitely look familiar… but maybe there are a few that you know you’ve seen before but either can’t quite remember where or are unaware of the historical context behind them. And maybe there are a couple that you don’t recall at all.
Astro Bot is packed with loving tributes to the global history and legacy of PlayStation spanning thirty years, so there were bound to be some deep cuts– so don’t feel too awkward if there’s a VIP you don’t recognize. What’s great is that, with a huge library of classic games available on PlayStation Store or PlayStation Plus Premium, it’s fun and easy to take an interactive history lesson to learn more about that oddball bot that caught your eye. Let’s take a look at some of the references of Astro Bot–and how you can play the games in the classic callbacks.
Ape Escape
Just when you thought you’d rounded up all those darn dirty apes forever, they’re up to their old tricks again in Astro Bot! Ape Escape was an action/adventure game released in 1999 that made use of the recently introduced DualShock controller on the original PlayStation console. You were tasked with rounding up a gaggle of intelligent (?) apes causing mischief throughout time, and the DualShock was crucial to this, allowing you careful movement to approach and capture the naughty monkeys. Apes On The Loose – the Ape Escape-themed level at the end of the Gorilla Nebula – apes (pun intended) this gameplay quite nicely, requiring you to strategize how to capture all the stage’s raucous primate-bots effectively.
Play the original Ape Escape at PlayStation Store and as part of PlayStation Plus Premium.
Loco Roco
Released on the PlayStation Portable (PSP) in 2006, the strikingly colorful LocoRoco stood as one of the system’s marquee titles. The LocoRoco are a blob-like species that live in bright, singing harmony with the planet. When a malevolent force threatens this natural wonder, the LocoRoco fight it off the only way they know how–by rolling along with a smile and a song. When you reach the Going Loco level in Astro Bot at the end of the Camo Cosmos , you’ll be treated to a stage built to resemble Loco Roco’s signature rolling gameplay as you tilt and bounce your way through hazards–you can even press R2 to split into many tiny Astros and fit through small areas, just like in the original.
If you missed this series, fear not– the original, Loco Roco 2, and LocoRoco Midnight Carnival are available at PlayStation Store and as part of PlayStation Plus Premium.
Patapon
Hidden away in one of the Lost Galaxy levels are some unique-looking VIP bots modeled on the Patapon, from the 2007 PSP game of the same name. Patapon (and its sequels on PSP) delivered a unique mix of rhythm and real-time strategy. The Patapons, a civilization of intelligent cyclopian creatures, have been long banished from their ancestral home. With the aid of their patron deity’s powerful warm drum, they march to reclaim their land from their enemies. By entering a series of button commands to the pounding drum rhythm, you command the Patapon tribe to attack, fall back, rush ahead, and more.
Both Patapon and Patapon 2 are available at PlayStation Store and as part of PlayStation Plus Premium.
Everybody’s Golf/Hot Shots Golf — Pro Golfer
Golf is a game that can seem very intimidating, even in video game form. Developer Camelot took a different approach, eschewing the complexity and over-realism of other golf games for a pick-up-and-play experience that was easy to learn, played smoothly, and proved plenty fun in multiplayer. Everybody’s Golf (originally carrying the moniker of Hot Shots Golf in North America) proved to be a massive global hit, and developer Clap Hanz would take the reigns from from the sequel onwards.
The latest installment is available at PlayStation Store and on PlayStation Plus Game Catalog, and it’s as enjoyable a golf experience as it ever was–but if you want that retro touch, you can always check out Hot Shots Golf and Hot Shots Golf 2 as well, both available on PlayStation Store and as part of PlayStation Plus Premium.
Mister Mosquito — Robotic Sucker
Eliminating pests is often a part of playing video games, but in the unique PlayStation 2 title Mister Mosquito from developer Zoom, you get to play the role of pest yourself! As the titular Mister Mosquito, you need to plan ahead to survive through the winter, and you’ve found a nice family home with plenty of fresh blood for the sucking. Unfortunately, the residents aren’t very happy about your freeloading. You’ll try to evade their notice and keep them calm–but be ready for grueling mosquito-versus human combat if you’re spotted! The PS2 is often remembered as a golden age for quirky, unique titles, and Mister Mosquito is definitely a fine example.
Mister Mosquito is available at PlayStation Store and as part of PlayStation Plus Premium.
Intelligent Qube
I.Q.: Intelligent Qube stands as one of the original PlayStation’s most memorable puzzle games. A mysterious power wishes to test you, and so you stand on a mysterious grid as huge, intimidating cubes roll forward to push you into the abyss. You must predict how the cubes will approach and mark spots on the floor to eliminate them. This novel concept came from outside of the typical game development pipeline, as it is the brainchild of Professor Masahiko Sato of the Tokyo University of the Arts. The amazing, epic-sounding music also deserves note–just don’t let it distract you from cube-busting.
Both I.Q. and sequel, Kurushi Final: Mental Blocks, are available at PlayStation Store and PlayStation Plus Premium.
Jumping Flash — Leaping Lapin
Jumping Flash, released in 1995, was many a lifelong PlayStation gamer’s first experience with the console (myself included). This unique first-person platformer tasks you with controlling Robbit, a super-powered machine built for jumping to absurd heights. He’s out to stop the devious Baron Aloha, a mad scientist whose scheme involves cutting up a planet for space resort development. Developers Exact and Ultra used the original PlayStation’s polygon-pushing power to create amazing environments, and the use of clever camera angles to make it easy to see where the high-jumping Robbit was landing made the game fun and approachable for those not used to navigating 3D space.
Jumping Flash is available at PlayStation Store and PlayStation Plus Premium.
Vib-Ribbon — Ribbon Rider
Who’s this jaunty monochrome fellow modeled after? This bot takes after the odd little vector-line rabbit Vibri from the original PlayStation classic Vib Ribbon, released in Japan and Europe. Developed by esteemed rhythm game producer Masaya Matsuura and his team at NanaOn-Sha, Vib Ribbon was a novel action game that could take any music CD you inserted into a PlayStation and turn it into a challenging auto-scrolling action game with loop-de-loops, spikes, and other hazards. Since the game relies heavily on physical CDs, it’s not available digitally, but you can check out other great NanaOn-Sha classics like Parappa the Rapper. (He’s rockin’ out in Astro Bot, too.)
Wild Arms — Dream Chaser
Wild Arms was one of the earliest RPGs to make a splash on the PlayStation. It debuted in 1996 from developer Media.Vision and spawned a series with multiple sequels. It’s remembered for its unique Western-fantasy hybrid settings, strategic turn-based combat, and phenomenal soundtrack. The Dream Chaser bot represents the game’s hero, Rudy, who has the ability to control ancient weaponry known as ARMs. Together with his companions, the mercenary Jack and the princess Cecilia, Rudy goes on a quest through the world of Filgaia to stop the revival of an ancient mechanical monstrosity. If you’ve got a pang of nostalgia for classic PlayStation RPGs, keep your eyes peeled for call-outs to other titles like Suikoden and Alundra, too.
Wild Arms is available at PlayStation Store and PlayStation Plus Premium.
Devil Dice — Little Devil
One of the deepest cuts in Astro Bot has an interesting story behind it. Devil Dice, known in Japan as XI (pronounced “sai”), was a game concept that came from a contest held in Japan from 1995 to 1999 called Game Yarouze. Thus, independent developer Shift was given development and publishing assistance. Their game, Devil Dice, is a challenging 3D puzzle game where a little character in a funny devil suit matches sets of dice to clear them from the field. Between this and Intelligent Qube, puzzle cubes were something of a trend on the original PlayStation–for good reason, because both games are well worth checking out for puzzle game fans. You’ll see the clear nod to Devil Dice when rescuing the related VIP Bot in an isometric room filled with dice hidden away in Serpent Starway’s Slo-Mo Casino Stage.
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Author: Heidi Kemps (she/her)
