View source for Astro Boy: Omega Factor

{{Short description|2003 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Astro Boy: Omega Factor
| image = Astro Boy - Omega Factor Coverart.png
| developer = [[Treasure (company)|Treasure]]<br>[[Sega AM3|Hitmaker]]
| publisher = [[Sega]]{{vgrelease|EU|[[THQ]]}}
| director = Tetsu Okano
| producer = [[Mie Kumagai]]
| designer = Mitsuru Yaida
| writer = Tetsu Okano
| programmer = Mitsuru Yaida
| artist = 
| composer = Norio Hanzawa<br>Tsuyoshi Kaneko
| platforms = [[Game Boy Advance]]
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|December 18, 2003|NA|August 17, 2004|EU|February 18, 2005}}
| genre = [[Beat 'em up]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}

'''''Astro Boy: Omega Factor'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Astro Boy: Tetsuwan Atomu'''''|アストロボーイ・鉄腕アトム|lead=yes}} The packaging gives a subtitle of {{nihongo|'''''Atom Heart no Himitsu'''''|アトムハートの秘密|lead=yes}}.}} is a [[beat 'em up]] [[video game]] developed by [[Treasure (company)|Treasure]] and [[Sega AM3|Hitmaker]], and published by [[Sega]] ([[THQ]] in Europe). The game was released for the [[Game Boy Advance]] on December 18, 2003 in Japan; August 17, 2004 in North America; and February 18, 2005 in Europe. The game is based on [[Osamu Tezuka]]'s [[manga]] and [[anime]] franchise ''[[Astro Boy]]''. However, it also features characters and plotlines from the artist's [[Osamu Tezuka's Star System|entire canon]] of work.

While ''Astro Boy'' had been well known for decades in Japan, the North American release was delayed to coincide with the premiere of the [[Astro Boy (2003 TV series)|''Astro Boy'' TV series]] in 2004. During this delay, Treasure made some game improvements to the North American version of the game. The game received positive reviews from critics, with strong praise focused on the game's visuals, and limited criticism on level design. In 2010, the game was included as one of the titles in the book ''[[1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die]]''.<ref>{{cite book|title=1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die|last=Mott |first=Tony |year=2010 |publisher=Quintessence Editions Ltd.|location=London |isbn=978-1-74173-076-0 |page=522}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
[[File:Omega factor screenshot.png|thumb|left|Astro defeats aerial enemies.]]
''Omega Factor'' is a [[beat 'em up]] game starring [[Astro Boy (character)|Astro Boy]], who must travel through stages to defeat enemies.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Astro Boy: Omega Factor|url=https://www.popmatters.com/astro-boy-omega-factor-2496232691.html|magazine=[[PopMatters]]|date=October 6, 2004|last=Subramanian|first=Arun|access-date=June 19, 2019}}</ref> Astro can punch and kick away enemies,<ref>{{cite web|title=Retrospective: Astro Boy Omega Factor|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-10-16-retrospective-astro-boy-omega-factor-article?page=2|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=October 16, 2011|last=Robinson|first=Martin|access-date=June 19, 2019|archive-date=June 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619205750/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-10-16-retrospective-astro-boy-omega-factor-article%3Fpage%3D2|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as fire at them with a laser. Doing damage to the enemies will slowly fill the EX gauge at the top of the screen.<ref>{{cite web|title=Astro Boy: Omega Factor Review|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/4266/astro-boy-omega-factor-game-boy-advance|publisher=Nintendo World Report|date=September 19, 2004|last=Cole|first=Michael|access-date=June 19, 2019|archive-date=June 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607092848/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/4266/astro-boy-omega-factor-game-boy-advance|url-status=live}}</ref> Once the gauge is filled, Astro is able to perform a special attack, including a high-power laser, charging into the enemies, or guns that deal damage to every enemy on screen.<ref>{{cite web|title=Retrospective: Astro Boy Omega Factor |url=http://gameboy.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r23472_GBA.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327085916/http://gameboy.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r23472_GBA.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 27, 2008 |publisher=GameZone|date=August 24, 2004|last=Bedigian|first=Louis|access-date=June 19, 2019}}</ref> Astro is also able to fly using rocket power, which is also sometimes necessary.<ref name="IGN"/>

Every [[non-player character]] the player meets gets added to the titular Omega Factor, the representation of Astro's soul. Some characters grant a point that can be used to improve one of Astro's stats, such as health, strength or flight speed,<ref>{{cite web|title=Astro Boy: Omega Factor|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/000385/astro-boy-omega-factor/|publisher=[[Pocket Gamer]]|date=October 21, 2005|last=Sanchez|first=Joao|access-date=June 19, 2019|archive-date=June 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619205751/https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/000385/astro-boy-omega-factor/|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as allowing the player to find hidden areas in levels.<ref name="IGN"/> The game features two difficulty levels in the Japanese version, and three in the North American and European versions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Astro Boy: Omega Factor|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/astro-boy-omega-factor/|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|date=February 28, 2009|last=Kalata|first=Kurt|access-date=June 19, 2019|archive-date=June 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604084555/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/astro-boy-omega-factor/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Plot==
''Omega Factor'' features elements from ''[[Astro Boy]]''{{'}}s different incarnations. The concept of robot rights, Dr. Tenma's ultimate plan for Astro and the robot city of Robotonia in [[Antarctica]] are lifted from the ''[[Astro Boy (2003 TV series)|Astro Boy]]'' 2003 TV series. Plotlines from other Tezuka series include a time travel plot lifted from ''[[Undersea Super Train: Marine Express|Marine Express]]'', a journey to the lost continent of [[Mu (lost continent)|Mu]], and a subplot involving Duke Red's daughter and her role in the "Death Mask" orbital platform. The game is divided into two episodes: Birth and Rebirth. The Birth episode follows Astro's adventures and other characters he interacts with, and ends with robots being destroyed by a device called Death Mask, after it determines that the robots are too dangerous to be left alive, leaving Sharaku able to conquer the Earth. In Rebirth, Astro is revived by a being called [[Phoenix (manga)|Phoenix]], and has Astro go back to the beginning of the story and try to stop the Death Mask, giving him the ability to go back and forward in time to do so.

The story includes characters from Tezuka's [[Osamu Tezuka's Star System|entire canon]] of work. The characters are listed in the "Omega Factor", an in-game encyclopedia of the ''Astro Boy'' [[fictional universe]], which provides a detailed character biography, including each character's appearances and roles in Tezuka's works.<ref>{{cite web|title=Virtually Overlooked: Astro Boy: Omega Factor|url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/04/10/virtually-overlooked-astro-boy-omega-factor/|publisher=[[Engadget]]|date=April 10, 2008|last=Fletcher|first=JC|access-date=June 19, 2019}}</ref>

==Development and release==
''Astro Boy: Omega Factor'' was co-developed for the [[Game Boy Advance|GBA]] by [[Treasure (company)|Treasure]] and [[Sega AM3|Hitmaker]]  produced as part of a collaboration between game publisher [[Sega]] and [[Tezuka Productions]]. After a suggestion by Hitmaker president [[Mie Kumagai]], Sega acquired the rights to create games based on the characters of manga artist [[Osamu Tezuka]] around the time the [[Astro Boy (2003 TV series)|2003 ''Astro Boy'' TV series]] started production to celebrate the in-universe birthday of April 7, 2003 of the [[Astro Boy (character)|titular character]].<ref name="Play">{{cite magazine | author=Fletcher, Brady | date=July 2004 | title=Feature: ''Astro Boy'' |  url=https://archive.org/details/Play_031_July_04/page/n67/mode/2up | magazine=Play | publisher=Fusion Publishing | issue=31 | pages=66–7 | issn=1537-7539}}</ref><ref name="PrimasGuide">{{cite book | author=Mylonas, Eric | date=August 24, 2004 | title=''Astro Boy'' and ''Astro Boy: Omega Factor'' Prima's Official Strategy Guide | section=Interview with Hitmaker <nowiki>[</nowiki> ''Astro Boy: Omega Factor'' Developer<nowiki>]</nowiki> | publisher=[[Prima Games]] | pages=93–4 | isbn=0-761-54599-9}}</ref><ref name="GMR">{{cite magazine | author=''GMR'' staff | date=April 2004 | title=Your First Look At ''Astro Boy: Omega Factor'' |  url=https://archive.org/details/GMR15Apr2004/page/n45/mode/2up | magazine=[[GMR (magazine)|GMR]] | publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] | issue=15 | pages=46–7 | issn=1544-6816}}</ref> This would also coincide with the 40th anniversary of the [[Astro Boy (1963 TV series)|1963 ''Astro Boy'' anime adaptation]].<ref>{{cite web | author=''Retro Gamer'' Team | date=December 3, 2012 | title=Future Classics: ''Astro Boy: Omega Factor'' | url=https://www.retrogamer.net/future_classics/future-classic-astro-boy-omega-factor/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814052508/https://www.retrogamer.net/future_classics/future-classic-astro-boy-omega-factor/ | archive-date=August 14, 2014 | website=[[Retro Gamer]] | publisher=[[Future plc]] | accessdate=October 7, 2022 | url-status=live}}</ref> ''Omega Factor'' was developed in conjunction with ''[[Astro Boy (2004 video game)|Astro Boy]]'' on the [[PlayStation 2]] from [[Sonic Team]]. After learning that this latter title would have [[3D computer graphics|3D]] graphics, Kumagai signed on as [[video game producer]] of ''Omega Factor'' and proposed that it be a [[2D computer graphics|2D]] side-scroller because its director, Tetsu "Tez" Okano, was very knowledgeable about this style of game and animation.<ref name="Play"/> As a long-time fan of Treasure's [[action game]]s on the [[Sega Genesis]], Okano was eager to involve the studio in the project and replicate the feeling and tone of these earlier releases.<ref name="Play"/><ref name="PrimasGuide"/><ref name="GMR"/>

Okano claimed that the development schedule was tight and that the staff consisted of about ten individuals. He took on the responsibility of overall direction including rough specs, stage structures, and narrative writing while Treasure focused on other aspects.<ref name="GMR"/> Although its graphics matched the art style of the 2003 series, Okano took some liberties with regards the plot.<ref name="Tezuka 
Productions1">{{cite web | author=Tezuka Productions staff | date=December 2003 | title=アトムを適え! ゲームボーイアドバンス 「ASTRO BOY 鉄腕アトム アトムハートの秘密」(1) | trans-title=Meet Atom! Game Boy Advance ''Astro Boy: Secret of the Atom Heart'' (1) | url=http://ja-f.tezuka.co.jp/news/special/200312/event.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040406061209/http://ja-f.tezuka.co.jp/news/special/200312/event.html | archive-date=April 6, 2004 | publisher=[[Tezuka Productions]] | language=ja | accessdate=October 8, 2022 | url-status=dead}}</ref> As a self-proclaimed Tezuka fanatic, the director wished to "balance a different kind of consistency, between the black and white and the color". This meant introducing new story elements while maintaining what he thought late ''Astro Boy'' author [[Osamu Tezuka]] would have wanted.<ref name="Play"/> The inclusion of 47 characters from Tezuka's other manga titles was an homage to the mangaka penchant for having [[recurring character]]s throughout his works.<ref name="PrimasGuide"/><ref name="GMR"/><ref name="Tezuka 
Productions2">{{cite web | author=Tezuka Productions staff | date=December 2003 | title=アトムを適え! ゲームボーイアドバンス 「ASTRO BOY 鉄腕アトム アトムハートの秘密」(2) | trans-title=Meet Atom! Game Boy Advance ''Astro Boy: Secret of the Atom Heart'' (2) | url=http://ja-f.tezuka.co.jp/news/special/200312/event02.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040406151401/http://ja-f.tezuka.co.jp/news/special/200312/event02.html | archive-date=April 6, 2004 | publisher=[[Tezuka Productions]] | language=ja | accessdate=October 8, 2022 | url-status=dead}}</ref> Okano intended the main theme to be Astro Boy cultivating the human side of his heart by meeting these other characters and accumulating impressions.<ref name="Tezuka 
Productions1"/>

''Omega Factor'' was chiefly [[video game designer|designed]] and [[video game programmer|programmed]] by Mitsuru Yaida, who notably worked on Treasure's [[Shoot 'em up#Scrolling shooters|run and gun shooter]] ''[[Gunstar Heroes]]''.<ref name="PrimasGuide"/><ref name="GMR"/><ref name="Sega1">{{cite web | author=Sega staff | date=December 11, 2003 | title=Creators Note 第25回 (1) | trans-title=Creators Note Vol. 25 (1) | url=http://sega.jp/community/creators/vol_25/1.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040202091016/http://sega.jp/community/creators/vol_25/1.html | archive-date=February 2, 2004 | publisher=[[Sega]] | language=ja | accessdate=October 8, 2022 | url-status=dead}}</ref> Yaida explained that because ''Omega Factor'' only had one [[player character|playable character]], they wished to give the player freedom of movement and emphasized the dash mechanic to give the controls more variety.<ref name="Sega1"/> He admitted that he and Okano did not get along in the planning phase of the game. Whereas Yaida wanted to program specifications like points, times, and [[Score (game)|high scores]] as development progressed, Yaida wanted them implemented at the start.<ref name="Sega2">{{cite web | author=Sega staff| date=December 11, 2003 | title=Creators Note 第25回 (2) | trans-title=Creators Note Vol. 25 (2) | url=http://sega.jp/community/creators/vol_25/2.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040214033133/http://sega.jp/community/creators/vol_25/2.html | archive-date=February 14, 2004 | publisher=[[Sega]] | language=ja | accessdate=October 8, 2022 | url-status=dead}}</ref> Yaida said they were added early to satisfy the director but that it was difficult to make them "meaningful" towards the end of production. Due to the GBA's limited [[Random-access memory|RAM]] and [[Video RAM (dual-ported DRAM)|video RAM]], he said it was also challenging to program a mechanic which allowed switching between gameplay and menu screens while maintaining event and status displays.<ref name="Sega2"/> Okano said that ''Omega Factor'' ultimately played most like ''Gunstar Heroes'' but recognized similarities with Treasure's ''[[Alien Soldier]]'', including how that game's composer, Norio Hanzawa, also contributed to ''Omega Factor''{{'}}s soundtrack.<ref name="PrimasGuide"/> The developers added references from these two games for Treasure fans.<ref name="GMR"/><ref name="Sega2"/>

''Omega Factor'' was released in Japan on December 18, 2003.<ref name="famitsu">{{cite magazine | author=''Famitsu'' staff | date=December 26, 2003 | magazine=[[Famitsu|Weekly Famicom Tsūshin]] | publisher=[[ASCII Corporation]] | number=784 | language=ja | title=ASTRO BOY 鉄腕アトム アトムハートの秘密 | trans-title=Astro Boy: Secret of the Atom Heart | url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=2998&redirect=no | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001105259/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=2998&redirect=no | archive-date=October 1, 2022| accessdate=October 1, 2022 | oclc=85244248 | url-status=live}}</ref> Sega waited until the overseas premiere of the new TV series before releasing the game outside Japan.<ref>{{cite web|title=''Astro Boy'' Preview for GBA|url=http://www.1up.com/previews/astro-boy-omega-factor|website=1UP.com|author=1UP Staff|date=July 12, 2004|accessdate=May 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629153459/http://www.1up.com/previews/astro-boy-omega-factor|archive-date=June 29, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Business Wire staff | date=January 27, 2004 | title=Sega Brings ''Astro Boy'' games to America | url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2004-01-27/sega-brings-astro-boy-games-to-america | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714042751/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2004-01-27/sega-brings-astro-boy-games-to-america | archive-date=July 14, 2019 | publisher=[[Anime News Network]] | accessdate=October 9, 2022 | url-status=live}}</ref> During this six-month wait, the developers took the opportunity to rework some aspects for the localized version. Some level layouts were filled with more enemies, certain enemies were given different attacks, [[frame rate]] slowdown was improved, and a new third difficulty setting was added.<ref name="gamespot"/> Sega released ''Omega Factor'' in North America on August 17, 2004 while [[THQ]] published it in Europe on February 18, 2005.<ref>{{cite web | author=Harris, Craig | date=July 20, 2004 | title=Games of Summer 2004: Game Boy Advance | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/07/20/games-of-summer-2004-game-boy-advance | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402021104/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/07/20/games-of-summer-2004-game-boy-advance | archive-date=April 2, 2022 | website=[[IGN]] | accessdate=October 1, 2022 | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Astro Boy games blast off |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/astro-boy-games-blast-off/1100-6105052/ |access-date=2023-11-25 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Bramwell, Tom | date=February 18, 2005 | title=What's New? | url=https://www.eurogamer.net/whatsnew-180205 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001114558/https://www.eurogamer.net/whatsnew-180205 | archive-date=October 1, 2022 | publisher=[[Gamer Network]] | website=[[Eurogamer]] | accessdate=October 1, 2022 | url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 86.72%<ref name="gamerankings">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/918953-astro-boy-omega-factor/index.html|title=Astro Boy: Omega Factor for Game Boy Advance|publisher=[[GameRankings]]|access-date=January 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221225801/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/918953.asp |archive-date=December 21, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>
| MC = 85/100<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/astro-boy-omega-factor/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance|title=Astro Boy: Omega Factor Critic Reviews for Game Boy Advance|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=January 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515070414/http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/astro-boy-omega-factor/critic-reviews|archive-date=May 15, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
| 1UP = A−<ref name="1up">{{cite web|title=Astro Boy: Omega Factor|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/astro-boy-omega-factor_5|website=[[1UP.com]]|last=Kennedy|first=Sam|date=August 14, 2004|access-date=April 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018194154/http://www.1up.com/reviews/astro-boy-omega-factor_5|archive-date=October 18, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
| Edge = 8/10<ref name="edge">{{cite magazine|title=Astro Boy: Omega Factor|author=EGM staff|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|issue=133|date=February 2004|page=107}}</ref>
| EGM = 8.67/10<ref name="egm">{{cite magazine|title=Astro Boy: Omega Factor|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/astro-boy-omega-factor|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|author=EGM Staff|issue=183|date=September 2004|page=110|access-date=January 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316025903/http://www.1up.com/reviews/astro-boy-omega-factor|archive-date=March 16, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
| Fam = 34/40<ref name="famitsu"/>
| GI = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Astro Boy: Omega Factor|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/ABE53E1B-3D25-4656-B78C-4F691BDF07B9.htm|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|last=Helgeson|first=Matt|issue=136|date=August 2004|page=107|access-date=January 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404112424/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/ABE53E1B-3D25-4656-B78C-4F691BDF07B9.htm|archive-date=2008-04-04|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GamePro = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="gamepro">{{cite magazine|title=Astro Boy: Omega Factor|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/37493/astro-boy-omega-factor/|magazine=[[GamePro]]|author=Rice Burner|date=September 2004|page=92|access-date=April 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008000853/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/37493/astro-boy-omega-factor/|archive-date=2010-10-08}}</ref>
| GSpot = 9.2/10<ref name="gamespot">{{cite news|title=Astro Boy: Omega Factor Review|website=[[GameSpot]]|last=Provo|first=Frank|date=August 13, 2004|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/astro-boy-omega-factor-review/1900-6104819/|access-date=January 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527054006/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/astro-boy-omega-factor-review/1900-6104819/|archive-date=May 27, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
| GSpy = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="gamespy">{{cite web|title=Astro Boy: Omega Factor (GBA)|url=http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/astro-boy-omega-factor/541158p1.html|publisher=[[GameSpy]]|last=Turner|first=Benjamin|date=August 20, 2004|access-date=January 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050408014711/http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/astro-boy-omega-factor/541158p1.html|archive-date=2005-04-08|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GameZone = 8.5/10<ref name="gamezone">{{cite web|title=Astro Boy: Omega Factor - GBA - Review|url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/astro_boy_omega_factor_gba_review|publisher=GameZone|last=Bedigian|first=Louis|date=August 23, 2004|access-date=January 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603103124/http://gameboy.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r23472_GBA.htm|archive-date=2009-06-03|url-status=live}}</ref>
| IGN = 8.8/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|title=Astro Boy: Omega Factor|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/08/17/astro-boy-omega-factor|website=[[IGN]]|last=Harris|first=Craig|date=August 16, 2004|access-date=January 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603224604/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/08/17/astro-boy-omega-factor|archive-date=June 3, 2014|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
| NP = 4.5/5<ref name="np">{{cite magazine|title=Astro Boy: Omega Factor|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|volume=184|date=October 2004|page=124}}</ref>
| XPlay = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="XPlay">{{cite web|url=http://www.g4techtv.com/xplay/features/49770/Astro_Boy_Omega_Factor_Review.html|title=Astro Boy: Omega Factor Review|publisher=[[X-Play]]|access-date=September 28, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041012032811/http://www.g4techtv.com/xplay/features/49770/Astro_Boy_Omega_Factor_Review.html|archive-date=October 12, 2004|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
''Omega Factor'' received positive reviews, with aggregate scores of 85 out of 100 from [[Metacritic]] and 86.72% from [[GameRankings]].<ref name="gamerankings"/><ref name="metacritic"/> [[GameSpot]]'s Frank Provo stated that "[e]veryone, regardless of age, simply must own and play ''Astro Boy: Omega Factor'' – because it is one of the best action games on the Game Boy Advance."<ref name="gamespot"/> The publication named it the best Game Boy Advance game of August 2004,<ref name=gotm>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050414042111/http://www.gamespot.com/features/6106526/index.html | url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/6106526/index.html | title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Month in Review for August 2004 | date=September 3, 2004 | author=GameSpot staff | work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=April 14, 2005 | url-status=dead }}</ref> and later of the year overall.<ref name=bestworst2004>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050307021607/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2004/ | url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2004/ | title=Best and Worst of 2004 | author=GameSpot staff | date=January 5, 2005 | work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=March 7, 2005 | url-status=dead }}</ref> [[GameSpy]] writer Benjamin Turner likewise listed it as one of the best Game Boy Advance games of the year.<ref name="gamespy"/>

The game was highly praised for its visuals. Provo called the game, overall, "a delight for the senses," and praised the detail and lavish animation of the background and character sprites.<ref name="gamespot"/> Geoffrey Winter of Nintendojo stated that the environments are "beautiful and look as if they were built to be admired, not just walked through." He went on to say that ''Omega Factor'' has more seductively detailed visuals than any other Game Boy Advance game.<ref name="nintendojo">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendojo.com/archives/reviews/GBA/view_item.php?1100133894|title=Astro Boy: Omega Factor|publisher=Nintendojo|last=Winter|first=Geoffrey|date=November 10, 2004|access-date=January 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716184834/http://www.nintendojo.com/archives/reviews/GBA/view_item.php?1100133894|archive-date=July 16, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[IGN]]'s Craig Harris called it a "technical marvel," especially praising the fluid animation of the bosses, and reserving criticism for the game's occasional framerate slowdown.<ref name="IGN"/> ''[[The New York Times]]''{{'}} Charles Herold called it a "memorable experience".<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news|title=GAME THEORY; The Art of the Takedown, by Car, Fist or Robot|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0C15FE3E5C0C738FDDA00894DC404482|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|last=Herold|first=Charles|date=September 30, 2004|access-date=January 22, 2014}}</ref>

The few instances of criticism the game received were mainly directed at the repetitiveness of the levels. Turner listed this repetitiveness, specifically for the shooter stages, as one of the game's "cons."<ref name="gamespy"/> Harris stated that some of the levels "are the absolute pits and feel completely out of place because of their slapped-together feel."<ref name="IGN"/> [[1UP.com]]'s Sam Kennedy stated that the levels are "more of a formality than anything – you casually battle a set of enemies until you reach a boss, which is where the real gameplay begins."

''[[Nintendo Power]]'' named this their 38th best game of all time in their final issue, saying that it "captures the essence of Astro Boy perfectly and melds it with developer Treasure's trademark brand of pulse-pounding action." In 2013, ''[[Game Informer]]'' listed ''Omega Factor'' as one of the "Best Anime and Manga-Based Games" released in English.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2013/03/20/the-best-manga-and-anime-based-games.aspx?PageIndex=2&PostPageIndex=2 | title=The Best Manga And Anime-based Games | magazine=[[Game Informer]] | access-date=2013-07-06 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113025058/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2013/03/20/the-best-manga-and-anime-based-games.aspx?PageIndex=2&PostPageIndex=2 | archive-date=2013-11-13 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{Clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919090010/http://astroboy-gba.sega.jp:80/|date=September 19, 2008 |title=Official website}} {{in lang|ja}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040401200514/http://www.sega.com/games/game_temp.php?game=astroboyomega ''Astro Boy: Omega Factor''] on the official Sega of America site
*{{moby game|id=/astro-boy-omega-factor}}

{{Astro Boy}}
{{Tezuka Productions}}
{{Treasure video games}}

[[Category:2003 video games]]
[[Category:Astro Boy video games|Omega Factor]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance-only games]]
[[Category:Sega beat 'em ups]]
[[Category:Sega video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Sony Pictures video games]]
[[Category:Superhero video games]]
[[Category:Tezuka Productions]]
[[Category:THQ games]]
[[Category:Treasure (company) games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games set in Antarctica]]
[[Category:Video games set in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games set in Oceania]]
[[Category:Video games set on the Moon]]