Amstroids

The game

A clear target

You pilot a triangular white ship and fire at red and green asteroids in a space-shooting arena. The contrasting shapes make the central relationship easy to read: the little craft is yours to steer, while the rocks provide the targets.

Separate steering and movement

Turning, thrusting, and firing have separate controls, so aiming and travel are distinct actions. The display also includes SC, LEVEL, LIVES, and HI readouts, keeping score, stage, remaining lives, and the high score visible alongside the action.

This edition

The CPC edition

This guide covers Amstroids for the Amstrad CPC, a separate game from Atari's arcade Asteroids. Its original instructions credit Robin Nixon and carry the CPC Computing copyright notice.

Start here

1. Find your heading

   Locate the ship's pointed nose before making your first move. Use that shape as your reference when learning which way you are facing.

2. Try a small movement

   Make a brief turn, then apply thrust briefly. Practicing the actions separately should make their effects easier to distinguish.

3. Practice an aimed shot

   Choose one visible asteroid and turn toward it before firing. Give yourself a simple aiming exercise before trying several actions together.

Original controls

These are the original game's controls. For keyboard, controller and touch settings in this player, see Controls & help.

Z / X

Rotate left / rotate right.

SHIFT

Apply thrust.

ENTER

Fire.

COPY

Pause. This is the original Amstrad CPC keyboard's COPY key.

SPACE

Begin play.

Playing tips

• Leave room to maneuver

  Favor open areas when choosing where to head. Extra space gives you more time to turn toward your next target.

• Correct gently

  If you turn past a target, try a short correction in the opposite direction instead of continuing a long rotation.

• Keep your eyes on the arena

  Check the readouts during quieter moments. While maneuvering among rocks, give the ship and its immediate surroundings your attention.