Sony’s Astro Bot has rocketed to the top of critics’ best-of-year lists, and for good reason. Not since Super Mario Odyssey has a platformer been so creative, so unfettered, so joyful. Each level on Astro’s journey is filled with charm—from the zany power-ups, to the picturesque photo spots, to the surprising cameos.
It’s a sublime game—one that quickly captured the hearts of many here at The Punished Backlog. But which Astro Bot levels are the best? (And which made us want to hurl our DualSense controllers?)
We’ll have much more to share on Astro Bot as we approach GOTY season. For now, however, here are our 10 favorite levels (and one we wish stayed on the cutting room floor).
Spoiler alert! If you haven’t played Astro Bot yet, and don’t want its many surprises ruined, turn back now.
Honorable Mentions
Go-Go Archipelago!
Located in the Tentacle System, “Go-Go Archipelago!” deserves mention as the sole Astro Bot level that uses the monkey gloves power-up. As Astro, you’ll scale the cliffs of a pirate complex, collecting bots themed after the PlayStation 2 classic ICO. In fitting fashion, the level ends with a thrilling mini-boss encounter whose scale harks back to another Team ICO gem: Shadow of the Colossus.
Despite its interesting ideas, “Go-Go Archipelago!” suffers from finicky DualSense controls used to control the monkey’s motions. Even still, it’s an enjoyable level with an exceptional ending.
Free Big Brother!
Part of the Serpent Starway, “Free Big Brother!” is a loving homage to collectathons like Banjo-Kazooie and Super Mario Odyssey. After landing on a remote island, you must navigate a small sandbox environment to break various shackles restraining a massive robot who’s been imprisoned by enemies.
Unlike other Astro Bot levels, which are decidedly linear, “Free Big Brother!” lets players loose in the environment to tackle objectives at their own pace. Each section of the island contains well-hidden secrets that require careful inspection, making for an exciting deviation from the Astro Bot formula.
Although great, “Free Big Brother!” is eclipsed by another open-ended sandbox, which we’ll detail later on in this piece.
Spooky Time
Astro Bot contains several terrific “haunted” levels throughout its 10- to 15-hour runtime. However, the best of the bunch would have to be “Spooky Time.” Located in the Camo Cosmos, “Spooky Time” puts players in control of the slo-mo power-up. And you’ll need it; the ghosts in this level aren’t playing around, and are happy to make things a nightmare for Astro.
To succeed, you’ll need to slow down knives, debris, and other traps laid out before you. It’s a spectacular level, yet one other slo-mo level takes the cake. For that reason, and that reason alone, “Spooky Time” is merely an honorable mention.
The 10 Best Astro Bot Levels
10. Trapped in Time
At first glance, “Trapped in Time” is a fairly rudimentary level. It’s one of several set in a desert environment, and doesn’t offer a ton in the way of zany ideas. But this level makes up for the lack of creativity in one novel way: its power-up.
The first level to introduce players to the chicken boost, “Trapped in Time” revolves around a simple concept. Nearly every aspect of the environment is designed with verticality in mind. With a tap of the L2/R2 button, players will shoot Astro into the air, letting him reach platforms and footholds that would normally be out of reach.
Perhaps we’re biased, but “Trapped in Time” impresses due to how well it emulates another platforming masterclass: Super Mario Sunshine. Specifically, the rocket nozzle. It’s been years since we’ve played Sunshine, but “Trapped in Time” harks back to the days of zipping around Delphino Plaza, seeing how high we could go.
If only this level featured a sandbox as sprawling as Isle Delphino. Alas, a few minutes of fun will have to do.
9. Luna Sola
“Luna Sola” plays with a wacky concept. As Astro navigates a storybook-esque environment, he will encounter buttons that change day into night, and vice versa. As you might expect, this impacts everything from the visual aesthetic to the background music.
Alone, that wouldn’t be terribly interesting—but Team Asobi’s one step ahead. Hit the switch, and the level rotates 90 degrees, forcing players to adjust to the new environment. Suddenly, a bot who was once dangling in the distance falls within reach. A descending staircase now leads to a new vantage point.
Playing through “Luna Sola,” I couldn’t help but be reminded of Super Paper Mario. The rotate-the-world hook feels right at home here—just as it did back then. Of course, this is but a morsel compared to Nintendo’s RPG epic, but it’s certainly a nice morsel.
8. Bathhouse Battle
The samurai level has already been done in the Astro Bot franchise, but “Bathhouse Battle” adds a unique new twist in the form of a sponge power-up. Hop into a pond or another water source, and Astro will absorb the contents, making him larger than life. Use the added size to mow through obstacles and enemy minions. Tap L2/R2, and you’ll shrink back to normal size while praying water everywhere—perfect for dousing fires and cleaning up goop.
It’s an adorable mechanic that fits right in with the series’ charm. Heck, even the sponges in the environment smile back at you! Team Asobi: We need some “sponge bot” DLC pronto. (SpongeBob crossover optional but encouraged.)
7. Apes on the Loose
The first of Astro Bot’s themed levels, “Apes on the Loose” is also one of the game’s best. Inspired by PlayStation royalty Ape Escape, the level puts players into the shoes of franchise mainstay Spike. With his trusty net, you’ll set off to search for escaped monkeys. (Insert your favorite Chimp Crazy reference.)
If you’ve never played an Ape Escape game before, “Apes on the Loose” will give you a taste. In a semi-open environment, you’ll scour bushes, grind rails, and traverse dangerous heights in pursuit of these crafty primates. The action caps off with a short but sweet mini-boss in the form of Specter, the series’ recurring antagonist.
It’s not the longest level, but it’s a welcome one. Now, if only we could get an Ape Escape remake…
6. Machine Learning
Another themed level, “Machine Learning” gives the people what they want: robot dinosaurs, gorgeous scenery, and arrow-flinging action.
Modeled after—you guessed it—Guerilla’s Horizon franchise, “Machine Learning” lets players control Aloy for some of Astro Bot’s best moments. As the Nora seeker, you’ll do battle with Horizon-inspired robots, complete with glowing neon-green weak points. The DualSense serves its purpose with aplomb here, letting players carefully aim arrows before letting them fly.
Although “Machine Learning” is on the short side, it does everything it needs to do. There are fun battles, exciting platforming segments, and an explosive end-of-level boss. Of course, it also lets you scale a Tallneck—and that’s all we ever really asked for.
5. Dude Raiding
The last of the themed levels included on this list, “Dude Raiding” is everything you’d expect from an Uncharted-themed level. As Nathan Drake, you’ll take cover in a lush forest, returning fire as waves of bots descend upon your position. You’ll also scale ships, swing from vines, and solve puzzles.
The first half of “Dude Raiding” does enough to merit its inclusion here. However, Team Asobi didn’t stop there, opting to include a second portion complete with a dungeon and fast-paced boss encounter. Add in an electronic riff on the classic Uncharted theme, and you have all the ingredients for platforming perfection.
4. Djinny of the Lamp
“Djinny of the Lamp” is a near-perfect Astro Bot level. It opens with your DualSense landing in a semi-open desert environment, complete with an elephant to save and a photo op in which to partake. The exploring is fun, but the real draw is what comes after.
Soon, you’ll discover a magic lamp. Upon rubbing it, you’ll summon a djinn who sends you to a death-riddled platforming segment at the center of a desert tornado. Thankfully, you soon come across the trusty dog power-up, which lets you dash forward for a few seconds.
If the opening of “Djinny of the Lamp” focuses on exploration, then this segment focuses on sheer platforming joy. After hopping and dashing your way to the top of the tornado, you’ll face the djinn himself in combat. What follows is perhaps the best mini-boss in the entire game, with tough attack patterns that’ll test your reflexes.
Just when you think you’re done, there’s one last secret to uncover. (But we’ll let you find that solution for yourself.) Taken in totality, “Djinny of the Lamp” leaves an indelible mark on an unforgettable game.
3. Slo-Mo Casino
With “Slo-Mo Casino,” we have reached Astro Bot’s truly elite levels. The first to introduce the slo-mo mechanic, “Slo-Mo Casino” uses the power-up to its utmost potential.
After cruising through traffic on your DualSense, you’re introduced to the slo-mo clock by way of a congested crosswalk and synchronous dolphin formation. But the real show’s inside the casino, where you’ll play the slots, throttle enemies, hop between electrified roulette tables, and more.
The casino is a vibrant place, with neon lights, palm trees, and expressive background jazz. A level of its grandeur deserves only the best cameos—and Team Asobi understood the assignment. Here, you’ll save Sly Cooper, Little Devil (from the PS1 title Devil Dice), and the original Phantom Thief, Joker.
It may not be a themed level, but “Slo-Mo Casino” feels like a Persona 5 palace all the same.
2. Bubbling Under
Astro Bot is a sublime game, but if there’s one place where Mario has it clearly beat, it’s sandbox levels. Games like Odyssey and Sunshine are filled with massive sandboxes that challenge the player’s platforming prowess and sleuthing abilities. By comparison, Astro Bot’s levels look bite-sized.
Not “Bubbling Under,” though. This gem comes late-game and is—of all things—an underwater level. Typically, water levels are the worst that video games have to offer, so you’d be excused for expecting the worst here. Surprisingly, “Bubbling Under” bucks the trend, providing a truly massive sandbox level that’s also a blast to play.
Like “Free Big Brother!” before it, the goal is to break the shackles restraining Astro’s ally—this time a starfish. With a Penguin power-up, you’ll dive into the depths of the water, rescuing bots from a sunken ship and even a fish’s belly. There are tons of secrets to behold, from hidden coins to a certain PSN trophy (which we won’t spoil here).
It’s a shame Astro Bot doesn’t take a few more cues from the house of Mario. But “Bubbling Under” is proof that Team Asobi has what it takes to compete with—if not surpass—Nintendo’s best.
1. Downsize Surprise
There is only one “correct” answer as to the best level in Astro Bot. It’s “Downsize Surprise.” That’s it—open and shut.
Seriously, though. Just when Astro Bot feels like it’s settling into a steady formula, Team Asobi drops a massive curveball. This level is brimming with ingenuity, and easily Asobi’s best effort to date.
The sole level to use the shrink power-up, “Downsize Surprise” uses it to maximum effect. With the tap of L2/R2, Astro will shrink to the size of an ant. Suddenly, what once was a normal level becomes Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. The flowers of a potted plant become footholds. A hole in a tree stump yields a puzzle piece. An air bubble in a blanket serves as a crucial opening to catch a pair of enemies by surprise.
That’s just the beginning of what “Downsize Surprise” has to offer—and frankly, it’d be criminal for us to spoil the rest for you. If you’ve already experienced this one, you know why it’s number one. If you haven’t, time to pick up Astro Bot and give it a whirl for yourself.
Seriously. The level’s that good.
The Worst Level in Astro Bot: Splashing Sprint
Astro Bot doesn’t have bad levels. That is, except for “Splashing Sprint.”
One of Astro Bot’s challenge levels, “Splashing Sprint” is designed to test players’ mettle. Unfortunately, it takes that raison d’être much too far. Every aspect of this kaizo gauntlet is a mess—from the cumbersome duck power-up, to the annoying homing missiles, to the lava-spewing goop enemies.
Every moment of this level is meant to break your spirit. And what’s worse? Unlike other challenge levels, which are tough, but brief, “Splashing Sprint” goes on for what feels like double the normal length. And with zero checkpoints (again, by design), you’re out of luck if you make a mistake.
“Splashing Sprint” can be overcome with a steady hand and some patience. We just wish it didn’t have to feel like a chore.
What Are Your Favorite Astro Bot Levels? Least Favorite?
And that’s the list! Agree? Disagree? Let us know your top Astro Bot levels in the comments below.
