Atari's Asteroids: From Simple Idea to Arcade Legend
2025-05-19
Following the breakout success of Space Invaders in 1978, Atari sought its next big hit. Inspired by Space Invaders and Star Wars, Asteroids was conceived in 1979. Its simple premise—shoot and destroy asteroids—belied its innovative gameplay. Unlike the simpler controls of Space Invaders, Asteroids featured complex maneuvering and challenging gameplay: players controlled a spaceship, moving freely, rotating to shoot, and dodging splitting asteroids and UFOs. Utilizing vector graphics for a stunning space aesthetic, Asteroids became one of Atari's best-selling games, with over 70,000 units sold. Ported to numerous platforms including the Atari 2600, it spawned countless versions and remains a beloved classic.
Game
Arcade Game