{{Short description|1986 video game}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}} {{Use British English|date=August 2016}} {{Infobox video game | title = Astro Warrior | image = Astro Warrior.png | caption = | developer = Sega | publisher = Sega | released = {{vgrelease|JP|14 December 1986<ref name="Sega titles - Sega JP">{{cite web |title=Software List |url=https://sega.jp/history/hard/segamark3/software.html |website=Sega Hardware Encyclopedia |publisher=Sega Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621034428/https://sega.jp/history/hard/segamark3/software.html |access-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-date=2019-06-21 |language=ja}}</ref>}}{{vgrelease|NA|December 1986<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Availability Update |magazine=Computer Entertainer |volume=5 |issue=10 |date=January 1987 |page=14 |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/f324dbcc-69e7-48e8-b4b5-7f61c51cfc52}}</ref>}}{{vgrelease|PAL|October 1987<ref name="MegaCartsA">{{cite web|title=Mega Cartridges |url=https://www.smspower.org/Scans/Mastertronic-Catalogue-TheSegaMasterSystemGameCatalog1987-A?gallerypage=2|work=Mastertronic - The Sega Master System Game Catalog 1987 - A - United Kingdom Catalogue|publisher=Mastertronic|accessdate=24 September 2024}}</ref>}} | genre = Scrolling shooter | modes = Single-player | platforms = Master System }}
'''''Astro Warrior'''''{{Efn|Japanese:アストロウォリアー, Heburn: ''Asutoro Uoriā''|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1986 vertically scrolling shooter developed and published by Sega for the Master System. The player pilots a spaceship shooting enemies and collecting power-ups to reach the mother ship of an invasion force. It was originally a bundled with the Master System in Europe.
The game received positive reviews for the graphics, weapons and large number of enemies. Retrospective reviews have been mixed, with criticism for the generic situation and lack of variety. The game was re-released on the ''Hang-On / Astro Warrior'' compilation in North America, and the ''Astro Warrior / Pit Pot'' compilation in Europe. In 1996, Tec Toy re-released the game in Brazil as ''Sapo Xulé: SOS Lagoa Poluída'', and based it on a Brazilian 1980s toy. This version was also released in Portugal.
==Plot== The Devil Star Imperial Forces have established a base on and invaded the Alpha Kentowry system. The Solar System Allied Forces have entrusted their Warrior, aboard The Astoro Raider, to attack the invasion force and destroy their mother ship.<ref>Manual, p.16</ref>
==Gameplay== thumb|left|A game in progress.
The game is a top down shooter, taking place through three levels with a boss at the end of each. ''Astro Warrior'''s three levels have many different kinds of enemies that attack in various patterns. The stages have no obstacles. Power-ups can be collected by shooting targets on the ground. These include ship speed increase, a stronger laser weapon, and two ''Gradius''-style options. Capturing Weapons Supply Ships increases the Astoro Raider's speed and firing ability. The player starts with three lives, and if all are lost, the game is over.<ref>Manual, pp. 16,20,22</ref><ref name=Happy /> If the player dies, all power-ups are lost.<ref name=Implant />
==Release== ''Astro Warrior'' was originally a bundled game that came with the Master System in Europe.<ref name="CVG"/>
''Astro Warrior'' was re-released as ''Sapo Xulé: SOS Lagoa Poluída'' by Tectoy in Brazil in 1996. The game was also released in Portugal. ''Sapo Xulé: SOS Lagoa Poluída'' is based on a popular Brazilian 1980s toy, and set underwater, with the Astoro Raider replaced with a submarine.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sapo Xulé S.O.S. Lagoa Poluída (Sega Master System)|url=https://greenhillszone.wordpress.com/2013/02/25/sapo-xule-s-o-s-lagoa-poluida-sms/|website=GreenHillsZone|access-date=12 August 2016|language=pt|date=25 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sapo Xule -- S.O.S. Lagoa Poluida - Master System|url=http://uk.ign.com/games/sapo-xule-sos-lagoa-poluida/sms-763428|website=IGN|access-date=12 August 2016}}</ref>
==Reception== {{Expand section|date=January 2021}}
Upon release in the late 1980s, the game received generally positive reviews from contemporary critics. British magazine ''Computer and Video Games'' gave it an 82% score. They praised the "extra weapons and "plenty of baddies" to destroy. They said "this freebie is really neat" and is "well worth the effort to get hold of a copy" if "shoot 'em ups are tops in your" house.<ref name="CVG">{{cite journal |title=Complete Games Guide |journal=Computer and Video Games |date=16 October 1989 |issue=Complete Guide to Consoles |pages=46–77 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf#page=46}}</ref> German magazine ''Happy Computer'' gave it a 79% score. They praised the graphics, calling them truly remarkable, and saying the system's colourful sprite varieties are exploited.<ref name=Happy>{{cite journal|title=Astro Warrior|journal=Happy Computer|issue= 17|publisher=Haar Markt & Technik Verl.-Ges|date=1986|issn=0344-8843|url=http://www.kultpower.de/archiv/heft_happycomputer_spielesonderheft-3_seite122|page=122|language=de|access-date=12 August 2016}}</ref> The English-language site IMPLANTgames, specializing in classic console games, rated "Star Warrior" 4/10 overall, with graphics and gameplay scoring 4/10, and music and sound receiving a slightly higher 6/10. The sound effects and musical accompaniment were noted as the game's only redeeming qualities, while the overall experience was deemed subpar.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sega Master System Review: Astro Warrior |url=http://implantgames.com/?p=610| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106185506/http://implantgames.com/?p=610 | archive-date=6 November 2010 }}</ref>
In the late 2000s, the game received mixed retrospective reviews from online critics. GameFreaks 365 criticised the game, citing the background, "worthless" bosses, and the game being too generic, but complimented the "nicely done" colourful presentation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Astro Warrior|url=http://gamefreaks365.com/review.php?artid=699|website=GameFreaks365|publisher=GameFreaks 365|access-date=12 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022171030/http://gamefreaks365.com/review.php?artid=699|archive-date=22 October 2006}}</ref> IMPLANTgames criticised the lack of variety, the mediocre enemies, but complimented the music.<ref name="Implant">{{cite web|title=Sega Master System Review: Astro Warrior|url=http://implantgames.com/?p=610|website=IMPLANTgames|access-date=12 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106185506/http://implantgames.com/?p=610|archive-date=6 November 2010|date=15 November 2009}}</ref>
== Notes == {{notelist}}
== References == {{reflist}}
== General and cited references == *{{cite book|title=Astro Warrior/Pit Pot manual|date=1987|publisher=Sega}}
==External links== * {{MobyGames|id=/astro-warrior}} * {{IAg|segasms_Astro_Warrior_1986_Sega}} * {{MobyGames| /sapo-xul-sos-lagoa-poluda|name=''Sapo Xulé: SOS Lagoa Poluída''}}
Category:1986 video games Category:Master System games Category:Master System-only games Category:Sega video games Category:Single-player video games Category:Vertically scrolling shooters Category:Video games developed in Japan Category:Video games set in outer space