I haven’t felt this excited for a platformer since Super Mario Odyssey.

As someone who loves Nintendo and grew up on Super Mario and Kirby games, I was skeptical about going into Astro Bot. Two minutes into the game, I found myself genuinely surprised by how much I fell in love with Astro and this game as a whole. It’s reached the point where I can’t stop thinking about finishing this review so I can go back and play some more!

PlayStation has found its new superstar, and his adorable little name is Astro. I was immediately drawn in by the charm of this robot and the world Team Asobi built around him. Every level feels like a fresh, new adventure, packed with cameo surprises and fun gameplay mechanics that had me grinning from ear to ear the entire time.

The thing that blew me away was the variety in the levels. One minute, I was running through a mouth-watering Ice Cream level with sprinkles across the floor, and the next I was in a jungle swinging through the trees. It’s actually crazy how each world feels so unique, and the little surprises scattered everywhere made me want to explore every corner – which I honestly hope do not get spoiled for you, as I went in completely blind.

An aspect of the game that I’m sure PS5 players will appreciate is just how fun the controls are incorporated into the gameplay of Astro. The controls are buttery smooth, and Astro’s moves feel so precise and specific. The platforming feels just as tight as games I’ve loved, like Super Mario Odyssey and Kirby and the Forgotten Land – which is a huge compliment coming from me. The way the DualSense controller is used makes the experience so much livelier. You tilt the controller, blow into the mic, and use adaptive triggers for actions that make it so immersive.

Now, the story isn’t anything groundbreaking but honestly the gameplay and platforming is what carries the experience. This is bursting with personality and humor. Even when I wasn’t doing anything crazy, I was entertained just by the little details and hidden easter eggs. There’s always something to discover, whether it’s finding familiar bots that remind you of classic PlayStation icons or collecting puzzle pieces, and I loved every second of it.

I am a completionist when it comes to games, and I love to get platinum trophies after finishing the initial run of every game I’ve ever played. But I’ve found over the years that some games are more tedious than others to complete, and luckily, Astro Bot feels the exact opposite. Going back to collect items I’ve missed does not feel like a chore here, but instead, a total blessing that allowed me to continue playing in the levels I adored.

The first boss battle I played wasn’t overly difficult, but it had just the right amount of challenge to keep me on my toes. I love how the mechanics kept changing as the giant enemy got weaker – it was never boring or repetitive. Astro may be small, but he’s got the heart of a hero, and you’ll feel that in every part of the game and his story.

What I appreciate most about Astro Bot is how accessible the game is for players of all ages. The difficulty is balanced perfectly – challenging enough to be rewarding but never frustrating at all. I also think younger players would have a blast with it, but let’s be real, adults who adore platforming games will probably get just as much out of it.

Astro Bot is now one of my favorite gaming experiences ever. It’s like Team Asobi took all the best parts of classic platformers, added a ton of charm, and made something truly special that can now be identified as a classic PlayStation experience. It reminds me of the magic I felt playing Super Mario games as a kid on my GameBoy, but with a modern twist and insane technological advancements.

If you haven’t played Astro Bot yet, you’re seriously missing out on one of PlayStation’s best platformers to come out in recent memory.