Astérix

Astérix is a series of single-player platform games published by Infogrames for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Game Boy in 1993. The NES and Game Boy versions were developed by the Spanish studio Bit Managers, while Infogrames developed the Super NES edition. Based on the French comic-book series created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, the games were released exclusively in Europe in PAL format; a planned North American release was cancelled.

The story takes place in 50 BC, when almost all of Gaul is occupied by the Roman Empire. One small village continues to resist the invaders with the help of a magic potion that grants its inhabitants extraordinary strength. After Obelix is captured and taken to an unknown destination, Asterix sets out to rescue his friend before Julius Caesar can throw him to the lions.

The player controls Asterix through side-scrolling stages set in various parts of Europe and beyond, including Gaul, Helvetia, Spain, Egypt, Greece and Rome. Progress requires jumping between platforms, avoiding environmental hazards and fighting Roman soldiers, aggressive animals and other enemies. Asterix can defeat opponents with punches or by jumping on them, while useful items restore his health or temporarily provide the effects of the Gauls' magic potion. The games also contain collectible objects, bonus areas and occasional sequences that depart from conventional platforming.

Although the three editions share the same license, basic premise and platform-game structure, they are separate adaptations rather than identical conversions. The Super NES version uses the console's greater graphical capabilities to present larger and more colourful characters and environments, while the NES and monochrome Game Boy editions employ simpler visuals designed around their respective hardware. Music for the NES and Game Boy games was composed by Alberto González, with Frédéric Mentzen credited for the Super NES soundtrack.

Contemporary critical reception was generally favourable, with collected magazine reviews averaging approximately 73%. Reviewers frequently praised the colourful presentation and the game's faithful use of the comic-book setting, although some regarded the underlying platform gameplay as conventional and criticized its demanding difficulty. The title nevertheless proved commercially successful: according to Infogrames, Astérix sold more than 700,000 copies, reflecting the character's particularly strong popularity in the European market.