Xbox Should Take Cues from Astro Bot and Invest in Platformers

The night of December 12, 2024, turned out to be quite a significant one for the gaming world. The 10th annual Game Awards hosted by Geoff Keighley received an outpouring of positivity online. It’s worth noting that in the past, the event had faced criticism for focusing too much on advertisements instead of celebrating the gaming developers it was supposed to honor.

Last year’s event even faced some backlash when a teleprompter in the theater displayed a message instructing award winners to “Please Wrap it Up.” This moment became viral, but this year it was evident that both Keighley and the Game Awards team took that feedback seriously, implementing some changes in response.

The 2024 Game Awards were nothing short of delightful from start to finish. It was packed with stunning surprises and thrilling announcements. Among them was Elden Ring Nightreign, a fresh cooperative roguelike twist on FromSoftware’s signature souls-like gameplay. Another big reveal that got the online audience buzzing was Hazelight Studio’s Split Fiction. This intriguing cooperative experience weaves together unique mechanics and varied settings. It brought back memories of their previous success, It Takes Two, which was acclaimed as Game of the Year at the 2021 Game Awards. For those tuning in to catch major gaming reveals, this year’s show delivered on all fronts.

One of the significant surprises was how The Game Awards allowed developers and winners to enjoy generous screen time. A case in point was Swen Vincke, Founder and CEO of Larian Studios. His studio, known for Baldur’s Gate 3—which snagged Game of the Year at the 2023 Game Awards—had Vincke delivering an impactful speech. He shared insights on what makes a game truly connect with the gaming community while offering commentary on industry missteps (a snippet of his speech was shared on social media by @Rurikhan).

Another standout moment was when Team Asobi and Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Astro Bot clinched the Game of the Year 2024 award, even when faced with titans like Black Myth: Wukong, which sold a whopping 18 million copies in its first month and captured the “Player’s Voice” award. Astro Bot’s win showed that tapping into gaming’s deeper roots resonates well, both with players and critics. It also served as a reminder to Microsoft and Xbox, which despite a wide range of genres, still miss certain key elements that Sony has successfully exploited with Astro Bot.

Astro Bot is a well-crafted third-person platformer inspired directly by Nintendo’s legendary Super Mario franchise. While simple in design, it ingeniously borrows aspects from several Super Mario games. The gameplay resembles a mix of Super Mario 3D World and Sunshine, with a Pikmin-like twist of collecting Bots to meet objectives in the game’s main hub.

What’s fun is that these Bots can either resemble classic characters like Kratos or Raiden or be nods to lesser-known titles like Alundra or The Legend of Dragoon. Essentially, this creates a nostalgic gallery honoring PlayStation’s rich 30-year legacy in gaming.

As Astro Bot showcases, with its unique style and charm, Sony provides a gaming experience accessible and enjoyable for all ages—a variety Microsoft and Xbox have yet to offer across their platforms.

Microsoft does have its niche franchises, such as Age of Empires and Microsoft Flight Simulator, but with around 40 studios at its disposal, there remains an absence of a standout third-person platformer. This is especially shocking considering the number of classic games they have at their disposal.

Banjo-Kazooie, brought back into the spotlight through Super Smash Bros. Ultimate back in June 2019, represents a nostalgic franchise ripe for revival. Microsoft acquired Rare, the developer, in 2002, but the last game, Nuts & Bolts, was released in 2008. Despite the long gap, fans still long for more—the franchise’s inclusion in Smash Bros. affirmed this desire.

Microsoft could approach this through Banjo-Kazooie, a series that remains lighthearted and straightforward. Alternatively, they might consider a more adventurous path with Conker, a franchise known for its mature themes despite originating from a family-friendly inception with Pocket Tales in 1999.

Banjo-Kazooie and Conker present different challenges. Banjo-Kazooie fans might be wary of modern attempts, while Conker fans may resist a shift away from its unrated content. However, Microsoft could take inspiration from Astro Bot’s success.

Double Fine, acquired by Microsoft in 2019, created Psychonauts 2, a game released in 2021 after delays initially meant to enhance the original content post-acquisition. This move, coupled with a healthy development timeline, proved Microsoft’s capacity to produce top-quality platformers. Perhaps Double Fine’s next project, currently unannounced, could be the game that earns Microsoft similar plaudits that Astro Bot garnered.

If Microsoft needs more, their collaboration with Toys for Bob could capture the nostalgic essence felt with Astro Bot. Known for their involvement with Crash Bandicoot and Spyro, Toys for Bob has the potential to craft new all-ages experiences by breathing new life into these cherished franchises.

Crash received a new game in 2020, but Spyro hasn’t seen fresh adventures since 2008, save for remastering past games. Reimagining Spyro’s tales could deliver the third-person platformer experience Xbox requires.

Alternatively, Microsoft could develop a brand-new mascot similar to Astro Bot, creating an adventurous platformer filled with nods to beloved franchises.

With the multitude of IPs Microsoft owns, they might embark on a novel path, launching a memorable character that could become the face of the next Xbox console, with levels filled with fun references from Xbox history.

While ambitious, this direction could be rewarding. Astro Bot isn’t just a homage to PlayStation’s characters, but a celebration of its history. As Xbox nears its 25-year milestone, perhaps it’s time to highlight and honor its own rich gaming legacy.