An absolute gem, nearly impossible to find outside Japan. Spectacular action, faithful to the manga, technically stunning on GBA. A must-have for rare game collectors.
Your verdict
Category
Action Adventure1 player12+
Description
Action game based on the 2003 Astro Boy anime series on GBA. Published by Sega in the United States in December 2003. Atom battles enemy robots using his built-in laser cannons, propelled flight and Astro Boy powers. Varied levels from futuristic city to secret laboratories, imposing bosses and visuals faithful to Osamu Tezuka's work. Multiple unlockable special abilities.
Astro Boy - Omega Factor review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
Faithful to Tezuka's universe, the game unfurls lively, expressive sprites, dazzling colours and teeming backdrops. Treasure breathes a wild energy into it, where every clash becomes a moving firework. This graphic vitality, generous and polished, pays brilliant tribute to the master.
Gameplay
"Masterful"
Charging into the fray, chaining blows and shots, then deflecting projectiles makes for a beat-'em-up of joyous ferocity. The variety of situations and the hero's growing power keep a rhythm that never lets up. Elevated by Tezuka's art style, this overlooked title remains an action treat that fans rediscover with delight.
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Captivating"
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Average"
Technical info
💾5 MB📅04/12/2003
Published by Sega
Astro Boy - Omega Factor (GBA) price, value & rarity
Cartridge developed by Treasure and Hitmaker for Sega, regarded by enthusiasts as one of the finest demonstrations of the Yaiba Kamikaze team on a handheld, with art supervision in cooperation with Tezuka Productions. Western run came in short against a subject deemed too niche, a balance that flipped on the collector side over time. A clean European cardboard box with Sega manual has become a notably coveted piece for portable shoot action and Treasure enthusiasts.
Memorable bosses
Made by Treasure, this homage to Osamu Tezuka's manga unleashes battles of insane briskness against giant robots and automatons drawn from across the creator's universe. Sumptuous animation, tight dodges and dense patterns chain without respite. The density of the action and the love for its emblematic figures make these fights as gorgeous as they are supercharged.
An underrated gem
Treasure turned an anime license into a firework display: snappy combat, a vibrant tribute to Tezuka's work, and a structure that reinvents itself once the credits roll. A quiet release on a property dismissed as kiddie fare robbed it of deserved attention. A gem of action for anyone who loves pixel-precise challenge and games that reveal new layers on a second run.
Is Astro Boy - Omega Factor still worth playing in 2026?
A genuinely rare beat them up by Treasure, Astro Boy Omega Factor blends punchy 2D action, horizontal shooting sequences and a flexible metroidvania style progression, all wrapped in staging that pays homage to Osamu Tezuka. The non linear branching event structure pushes the player to replay chapters to unlock the true ending. The massive sprites and the fluid animation still impress twenty years later. A tough cart to find, yet a must for fans of precise 2D action and the distinctive Treasure touch.
