From 80s TV to modern action perfection
By Paul Hunter
If you grew up around 80s anime or just like tight run-and-gun action, Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening will surely grab you. Microids has taken the first chunk of the TV series and turned it into an action side-scroller that laces original clips from the show into the levels.
You control Cobra with a neat mix of tools: a psychogun that lets you guide shots through the air, a revolver for specific problems, a grappling hook for movement and some explosive for theatrics. As you progress you pick up upgrades and collectibles, and unlocking new gear lets you loop back into older stages to find secrets, and there’s even a ship gallery to poke around in.
Checkpoints are friendly and the soundtrack borrows from the anime while adding catchy new pieces. The whole package pairs modern levels with classic footage, so it often feels like a playable tribute more than a simple tie-in.
So, is Space Adventure Cobra worth your time for its fast-paced combat and anime-filled presentation—should you give it a spin? Let’s find out!
I came to Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening expecting a neat nostalgia trip and the story absolutely delivers just that. The campaign adapts the show’s early episodes, starting with Cobra erasing his memory and altered his look years ago, and now he's an adventurer and archenemy of the Space Pirate Guild. That setup gives the game a clear forward push and a pulp sensibility that runs through each stage.
A major part of the narrative is original anime footage. You unlock and watch roughly an hour of vintage clips that are woven into the campaign as mid-stage beats and bookends. These sequences were re-recorded to line up with the in-game audio, and you can pick English, French or the original Japanese track. Including the original animations shows a genuine care for the source.
Cutscenes tend to appear at sensible moments: You finish a sequence, watch a short clip that explains motivation or next steps, and then jump back into the run-and-gun action. That gives the campaign an episodic rhythm I appreciated.
The story also adds variety through small side segments where you control supporting cast like your robot assistant Lady and the blond beauty Jane Royal. Collectibles and the ship gallery reveal extra context and a few neat callbacks for long-time fans.
Overall the plot doesn’t aim to be big or twisty; it’s pulpy, brisk and often witty. I found it a faithful and enjoyable retelling of the anime’s early chapters that keeps the tone of the show intact while fitting neatly into a game format.
I found the gameplay in Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening to be a fun mix of classic run-and-gun with a neat aiming twist. Most of the time you’re moving fast through levels, but the psychogun gives you a moment of puzzle-like calm. Stand still or use the aim-lock and you can bend shots around corners; the game slows time enough to set up satisfying chains.
Cobra’s kit is compact but effective. The revolver punches through shields, the grappling hook gets you up high, and exploding cigars add chaos when you need it. Upgrades and collectibles come at a steady clip, and I liked going back to older stages when new gear let me reach secret areas or snag extra loot.
Movement feels super slick. You can dash, slide and grab ledges reliably. Combat keeps you on your toes, too, mixing in normal fire where you press a button repeatedly, or holding it down to charge a stronger blast.
Enemies frequently soak up a lot of damage and sometimes spawn in big numbers, which boosts the intensity. Thankfully checkpoints are usually forgiving so retrying is quick. Bosses are a highlight; these multi-pattern fights demand using your whole toolkit and stay exciting, and boss designs are generally big and bold.
All told, the guided psychogun and slick movement make combat encounters feel clever and challenging.
Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening really nails the look and feel of the series while keeping today's standards. The stages are colourful and cel-shaded, while the original footage keeps its vintage grain and palette. The contrast between old and new gives the game personality and makes you feel connected to the source.
Character animations are generally smooth. Cobra moves cleanly through dashes, slides and ledge grabs, while bosses are big and clear, so it’s easy to read their attacks even when things get hectic. Environments are varied enough to make each stage feel distinct without feeling repetitive.
The audio is solid too. The music blends anime themes with new tracks that accentuate action and boss fights. Weapon and environmental sounds are crisp and make each shot or explosion feel satisfying.
Menus and the interface are easy to navigate. Extras like the ship gallery are simple to navigate, which is a nice bonus that adds replay value.
Overall, the game manages to capture the anime’s charm visually and audibly, while keeping the presentation clean. It’s a superb combination of nostalgia and contemporary polish.
Final Score: 8/10 - Great
Developer: Magic Pockets
Publisher: Microids
Genre: Platformer, Action, Shooter
Modes: Single-player
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
If you grew up around 80s anime or just like tight run-and-gun action, Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening will surely grab you. Microids has taken the first chunk of the TV series and turned it into an action side-scroller that laces original clips from the show into the levels.
You control Cobra with a neat mix of tools: a psychogun that lets you guide shots through the air, a revolver for specific problems, a grappling hook for movement and some explosive for theatrics. As you progress you pick up upgrades and collectibles, and unlocking new gear lets you loop back into older stages to find secrets, and there’s even a ship gallery to poke around in.
Checkpoints are friendly and the soundtrack borrows from the anime while adding catchy new pieces. The whole package pairs modern levels with classic footage, so it often feels like a playable tribute more than a simple tie-in.
So, is Space Adventure Cobra worth your time for its fast-paced combat and anime-filled presentation—should you give it a spin? Let’s find out!
I came to Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening expecting a neat nostalgia trip and the story absolutely delivers just that. The campaign adapts the show’s early episodes, starting with Cobra erasing his memory and altered his look years ago, and now he's an adventurer and archenemy of the Space Pirate Guild. That setup gives the game a clear forward push and a pulp sensibility that runs through each stage.
A major part of the narrative is original anime footage. You unlock and watch roughly an hour of vintage clips that are woven into the campaign as mid-stage beats and bookends. These sequences were re-recorded to line up with the in-game audio, and you can pick English, French or the original Japanese track. Including the original animations shows a genuine care for the source.
Cutscenes tend to appear at sensible moments: You finish a sequence, watch a short clip that explains motivation or next steps, and then jump back into the run-and-gun action. That gives the campaign an episodic rhythm I appreciated.
The story also adds variety through small side segments where you control supporting cast like your robot assistant Lady and the blond beauty Jane Royal. Collectibles and the ship gallery reveal extra context and a few neat callbacks for long-time fans.
Overall the plot doesn’t aim to be big or twisty; it’s pulpy, brisk and often witty. I found it a faithful and enjoyable retelling of the anime’s early chapters that keeps the tone of the show intact while fitting neatly into a game format.
I found the gameplay in Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening to be a fun mix of classic run-and-gun with a neat aiming twist. Most of the time you’re moving fast through levels, but the psychogun gives you a moment of puzzle-like calm. Stand still or use the aim-lock and you can bend shots around corners; the game slows time enough to set up satisfying chains.
Cobra’s kit is compact but effective. The revolver punches through shields, the grappling hook gets you up high, and exploding cigars add chaos when you need it. Upgrades and collectibles come at a steady clip, and I liked going back to older stages when new gear let me reach secret areas or snag extra loot.
Movement feels super slick. You can dash, slide and grab ledges reliably. Combat keeps you on your toes, too, mixing in normal fire where you press a button repeatedly, or holding it down to charge a stronger blast.
Enemies frequently soak up a lot of damage and sometimes spawn in big numbers, which boosts the intensity. Thankfully checkpoints are usually forgiving so retrying is quick. Bosses are a highlight; these multi-pattern fights demand using your whole toolkit and stay exciting, and boss designs are generally big and bold.
All told, the guided psychogun and slick movement make combat encounters feel clever and challenging.
Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening really nails the look and feel of the series while keeping today's standards. The stages are colourful and cel-shaded, while the original footage keeps its vintage grain and palette. The contrast between old and new gives the game personality and makes you feel connected to the source.
Character animations are generally smooth. Cobra moves cleanly through dashes, slides and ledge grabs, while bosses are big and clear, so it’s easy to read their attacks even when things get hectic. Environments are varied enough to make each stage feel distinct without feeling repetitive.
The audio is solid too. The music blends anime themes with new tracks that accentuate action and boss fights. Weapon and environmental sounds are crisp and make each shot or explosion feel satisfying.
Menus and the interface are easy to navigate. Extras like the ship gallery are simple to navigate, which is a nice bonus that adds replay value.
Overall, the game manages to capture the anime’s charm visually and audibly, while keeping the presentation clean. It’s a superb combination of nostalgia and contemporary polish.
The Verdict
Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening is a blast to play, blending classic anime with fun, tactical platforming. I loved bending shots with the psychogun and the grappling hook gameplay was a snap to get into. Movement feels quick and clean, and revisiting levels for upgrades is satisfying. Cel-shaded stages and old anime clips give it personality, while music and voices match the retro tone perfectly. It’s a nostalgic adventure that’s just plain fun from start to finish.Final Score: 8/10 - Great
Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening details
Platform: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PCDeveloper: Magic Pockets
Publisher: Microids
Genre: Platformer, Action, Shooter
Modes: Single-player
A key was provided by the publisher.