Asteroids
Play Asteroids free on RetroPlayNow: the classic vector-blast space shooter. Spin, thrust and shatter waves of asteroids with your cannon — every rock adds Retro Coins to your score.
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How it works
Play, earn points and Retro Coins: the shared currency across every RetroPlayNow game. Unlock badges and climb the leaderboard! Your progress is saved automatically on this device.
Asteroids is one of the founding fathers of the arcade era. Released by Atari in 1979, it introduced the vector graphics that made it feel like you were piloting a real ship through deep space — and its zero-gravity physics are still a masterclass in game feel.
This RetroPlayNow version is the legendary pure-JavaScript remake by Doug McInnes. You pilot a triangular ship in open space with no friction: thrust accelerates you, and only your retro-rockets can slow you down. Massive asteroids drift across the screen, and when you blast one, it splits into two smaller, faster rocks — until they become too small to split and vanish in a puff of pixels.
Watch out for flying saucers too: the alien ships that appear at higher scores fire homing bullets and demand quick reflexes.
Your score grows with every asteroid and saucer you destroy, and when the ship is finally lost, your score is submitted to the RetroPlayNow leaderboard. The platform converts 100 points into 1 Retro Coin, so the sharpest pilots in the belt earn the most coins.
How to play Asteroids
- Steer the ship. Use the arrow keys to rotate your ship and thrust forward. Space has no friction: use the reverse thrusters to slow down and change direction.
- Blast the asteroids. Press the fire key to shoot. Large asteroids split into two smaller rocks when destroyed, and the small ones vanish completely.
- Dodge the debris. Colliding with any rock destroys your ship. Leave yourself escape routes and do not sit still — a moving target is a safe target.
- Hunt the saucers. Flying saucers appear as your score climbs. They fire homing bullets but are worth serious points — take them down when you can.
- Earn Retro Coins. When your last ship is lost, your score is submitted automatically and converts to Retro Coins at 100 points per coin.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play Asteroids?
Rotate your ship with the arrow keys, thrust through the zero-gravity void, and shoot the drifting asteroids. Large rocks split into smaller ones when destroyed, and hitting any rock costs you a ship.
How does the ship move in Asteroids?
The ship moves with Newtonian physics: thrust accelerates it and there is no friction, so you need the reverse thrusters to slow down. This is the signature feel of the original arcade game.
What happens when an asteroid splits?
A large asteroid splits into two smaller, faster rocks. Smaller rocks are worth more points per shot and vanish completely when destroyed.
What are the flying saucers in Asteroids?
Saucers are alien ships that appear at higher scores and fire homing bullets. They are dangerous but worth a significant number of points.
How do I earn Retro Coins in Asteroids?
Your final score is submitted automatically when you lose all your ships, and the platform converts 100 points into 1 Retro Coin.
