Asterix: Operation Getafix

Last updated: January 11, 2026

Overview

Asterix: Operation Getafix is an action-adventure game released in 1989 by French developer Coktel Vision, based on the beloved Franco-Belgian comic series created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo¹. The game adapts elements from the animated film “Astérix et le coup du menhir” (known in English as “Asterix and the Big Fight”), combining action platforming with adventure game mechanics in a side-scrolling format². As one of several Asterix games produced by Coktel Vision during this era, alongside adaptations of other French comic properties like Blueberry and Lucky Luke, Operation Getafix represented the studio’s efforts to bring iconic European comic characters to home computers³.

“Operation Getafix (1989) is what happens when you turn a beloved comic series into a game with the precision of a wild boar wearing gloves,” noted one retrospective review, capturing the game’s chaotic yet charming nature⁴. The game places players in control of Asterix as he searches for ingredients to brew a potion that will cure the village druid Getafix of amnesia caused by a menhir strike to the head⁵. While praised for its colorful graphics that faithfully captured the visual style of the comics, the game received mixed reviews for its problematic collision detection and unresponsive controls⁶.

The game was released across multiple platforms including DOS, Amiga, and Atari ST, with localized versions appearing in several European markets under different titles: “Asterix: Le Coup du Menhir” in France, “Asterix: Operation Hinkelstein” in Germany, and “Astérix: El Golpe del Menhir” in Spain¹. Despite being described as “one of the most obscure Coktel Vision games ever,” Operation Getafix found an audience among fans of the comic series and has since achieved cult status in the abandonware community⁷.

Game Info

Developer: Coktel Vision / Inférence¹ Designer: Muriel Tramis (Concept)⁸ Publisher: Coktel Vision¹ Engine: Proprietary Platforms: DOS, Amiga, Atari ST¹ Release Year: 1989 Series: Asterix Protagonist: Asterix Sierra Lineage: Third Party

Story Summary

The year is 50 BC, and Gaul is entirely occupied by the Romans—well, almost entirely⁹. One small Gaulish village continues to defy the occupying forces, its villagers protected by a magic potion brewed by the venerable druid Getafix that grants them superhuman strength⁹. The game’s plot begins with a catastrophic accident: Obelix, while aiming a menhir at Roman soldiers, accidentally strikes Getafix on the head⁵.

The impact leaves poor Getafix completely out of his mind: he calls Asterix “Sir,” finds Obelix hilarious, and inexplicably loves the terrible music played by the village bard Cacofonix⁵. With the druid unable to remember the formula for the magic potion, the village faces imminent danger from Caesar’s legions, who would quickly overrun the defenseless Gauls². The situation is further complicated by the appearance of Prolix, a dishonest soothsayer who takes advantage of the crisis⁵.

Knowing the village will easily fall without the magic potion, Chief Vitalstatistix sends Asterix on a perilous mission to find a cure for Getafix’s madness⁹. Players must collect ingredients from the surrounding forest, which is infested with wild boar and Roman patrols, and discover the correct combination that will restore the druid to his sanity¹⁰. Among the twenty or so possible combinations of ingredients, only one mixture can cure the druid and save the village from Roman conquest⁵.

Gameplay

Interface and Controls

Asterix: Operation Getafix is played from a side-view perspective, combining platforming action with adventure game item collection¹. The game uses keyboard controls for movement and item interaction, with specific keys assigned to different functions: players must press ENTER to retrieve items from trees and SPACEBAR to pick up objects from the ground³. Mouse support is also available as an alternative input method¹.

The control scheme has been frequently criticized in retrospective reviews, with one commenter noting “annoyingly unprecise controls” that make navigation frustrating⁸. The game’s side-scrolling mechanics suffer from poor sprite scrolling, and the collision detection has been described as “awful,” ensuring that “Asterix is forever getting stuck” on environmental obstacles⁸.

Structure and Progression

The game takes place across various locations drawn from the Asterix universe, including the Gaulish village and surrounding forest areas¹¹. Players must explore these environments while avoiding or confronting Roman soldiers and wild boar—a running gag from the original comic series where flying fish frequently appear³. The main objective involves systematically collecting ingredients scattered throughout the game world.

A significant gameplay limitation is that Asterix can only carry one ingredient at a time, requiring multiple trips to gather all necessary components³. This restriction extends the gameplay considerably, with one reviewer noting it as a “Nice way to make the game last longer”³. The game combines exploration with light puzzle-solving as players attempt to deduce which ingredient combinations will successfully cure Getafix.

Puzzles and Mechanics

The core puzzle of Operation Getafix involves experimentation with collected ingredients to discover the correct potion recipe¹⁰. With approximately twenty possible combinations available, players must use trial and error to find the single mixture that will restore the druid’s sanity⁵. This creates an adventure game layer atop the action-platforming foundation.

“Action and strategy combine to form an explosive cocktail in this great game,” proclaimed the original marketing materials, though modern assessments are more measured². While the adventure aspects of collecting and combining items work reasonably well, reviewers consistently note that “the action mechanics are quite bad” due to imperfect programming and unresponsive controls⁶. Combat encounters with Roman soldiers and wild boar become repetitive, and one reviewer observed that “by the time you meet a twentieth boar or Roman, it all gets very tiring”⁷.

Reception

Contemporary Reviews

Asterix: Operation Getafix received polarized reviews upon release, with scores varying dramatically depending on the publication and region. French gaming magazine Joystick gave the game an enthusiastic 92% in their January 1990 issue, reviewed by Kaaa¹². However, German publication Amiga Joker was far less impressed, awarding only 45% in their January 1990 review by Stefan Robijn¹².

French magazine Génération 4 provided a moderately positive assessment with a 78% score in November 1989¹². UK publications reviewing later budget re-releases were similarly mixed: CU Amiga gave 72% in July 1991 (reviewed by Fiona Keating), while Zero magazine awarded 70% in August 1991 (reviewed by David Wilson)¹². The game was later re-released by Monkey Business at a budget price of £7.99¹².

Modern Assessment

Modern retrospectives tend to appreciate the game’s visual fidelity to the source material while criticizing its gameplay mechanics. “The graphics are the game’s best aspect: very colorful, a perfect conversion of the comics,” noted Games Nostalgia, though the same review concluded that “while Operation Getafix works well enough as an adventure game, the action mechanics are quite bad”⁶. The Home of the Underdogs described it as “a decent action/adventure similar to Infogrames’ Tintin games,” though ultimately recommended those games as superior alternatives⁷.

User communities have been more forgiving, with Abandonware DOS users rating the game 3.96 out of 5.00 based on 28 votes⁴. MyAbandonware shows a user rating of 4.26 out of 5 from 23 votes⁷. Lemon Amiga’s user community rates it 5.19 out of 10⁵, while MobyGames displays a Moby Score of 6.3 with a player rating of 3.4 out of 5 based on 7 ratings¹. GameFAQs categorizes it as “Playable” based on 8 user ratings².

Aggregate Scores:

• MobyGames: 6.3/10 (Moby Score), 3.4/5 (7 player ratings)¹
• Games Nostalgia: 56/100 (11 editorial reviews aggregated)⁶
• Lemon Amiga: 5.19/10 (user average), 70% (magazine average)⁸
• Abandonware DOS: 3.96/5 (28 votes)⁴
• MyAbandonware: 4.26/5 (23 votes)⁷

Development

Origins

Asterix: Operation Getafix emerged from Coktel Vision’s strategy of adapting popular French comic book series for home computers during the late 1980s³. The game was conceptualized by Muriel Tramis, a pioneering game designer who would later gain recognition for her adventure games exploring Caribbean history and culture⁸. The project drew inspiration from the 1989 animated film “Astérix et le coup du menhir,” which itself combined story elements from two Asterix comic albums: “Asterix and the Soothsayer” and “Asterix and the Big Fight”¹³.

Coktel Vision had established relationships with French comic publishers, having already developed games based on Blueberry and Lucky Luke, with three Asterix games eventually being produced³. The English title “Operation Getafix” was considered by some reviewers to be an improvement over the original French name, as it more clearly conveyed the game’s objective³.

Production

Development was handled primarily by Coktel Vision with programming assistance from Inférence⁷. The graphics team worked to faithfully translate the distinctive visual style of Uderzo’s artwork to the limited palette of home computers, achieving results that reviewers consistently praised as the game’s strongest element⁶.

Development Credits:¹⁸

• Concept: Muriel Tramis
• Programming: Inférence
• Graphics: Christian Laly, Joseph Kluytmans, Kaki Chapoullié, Pierre Gilhodes
• Music/Sound: Robin Aziosmanoff

Technical Achievements

The graphical presentation was widely recognized as Operation Getafix’s greatest accomplishment. “The graphics are colorful, the logic is… well, Gallic, and the learning curve resembles a spiral staircase,” observed one reviewer, highlighting how the visuals captured the comic’s distinctive aesthetic⁴. The character sprites and backgrounds successfully evoked the look of Uderzo’s original illustrations, making it instantly recognizable to fans of the series⁶.

The music, composed by Robin Aziosmanoff, received more modest praise. Comparisons were drawn to the European demoscene sound pioneered by composers like Chris Hülsbeck and Bjørn Lynne, though critics noted “the compositions are not as strong as what they would have offered”¹⁴. The audio design incorporated sound effects appropriate to the comic’s slapstick humor.

Technical Specifications

DOS Version:⁷

• File Size: 315 KB
• Media: 1 × 3.5” DD (720KB)¹⁵
• Input: Keyboard, Mouse¹
• DOSBox Support: Version 0.70⁷

Amiga Version:⁸

• Hardware: OCS
• Disks: 1
• Players: 1 Only
• Language: English
• File Size (ROM): 445 KB⁷

Atari ST Version:⁷

• File Size (ROM): 768 KB

Technical Issues

The game’s technical shortcomings were a frequent point of criticism. Reviews consistently noted “poorly coded” collision detection that resulted in Asterix frequently becoming stuck on scenery⁸. The sprite scrolling was described as “poor” and the controls as “iffy” and “not-so-responsive”⁶⁸.

Modern emulation presents additional challenges. MyAbandonware warns that browser-based play “may not work properly” and notes that “playing experience can be poor due to your browser or your computer”¹⁶. The game reportedly runs slowly in DOSBox without specific configuration adjustments⁷.

Version History

Version	Date	Platform	Notes
Original	1989	DOS, Amiga, Atari ST	Initial release by Coktel Vision1
German	1989	All platforms	Released as “Asterix: Operation Hinkelstein”1
Spanish	1989	All platforms	Released as “Astérix: El Golpe del Menhir”1
Italian	1989	DOS	Localized version available7
Budget Re-release	1991	Amiga	Released by Monkey Business at £7.9912

Easter Eggs and Trivia

• The game features the running gag of flying fish from the Asterix comics, which appear throughout gameplay³
• The English title “Operation Getafix” was considered more effective than the literal French translation by some reviewers³
• The game incorporates the character Prolix, the dishonest soothsayer from “Asterix and the Soothsayer” comic album⁵
• Getafix’s amnesia causes him to exhibit completely reversed personality traits, including loving the terrible music of Cacofonix⁵

Legacy

Sales and Commercial Impact

While specific sales figures are not available, the game received sufficient distribution to warrant a budget re-release by Monkey Business in 1991, priced at £7.99¹². The game was also distributed by additional publishers including Pactronics and Tenstar in various territories¹²¹⁷. The game was collected by 17 players on MobyGames, indicating modest but persistent interest¹.

Collections

Asterix: Operation Getafix has not been included in any official compilation releases. The game remains available through abandonware preservation sites including MyAbandonware, Internet Archive, and various retro gaming platforms⁷¹⁵.

Fan Projects

No significant fan remakes or modifications have been documented. The game is primarily preserved through abandonware distribution and browser-based emulation services that allow modern players to experience it without original hardware¹⁶.

Related Publications

• Game Manual: Included original documentation explaining controls and gameplay mechanics⁵
• The game was based on comics by Goscinny and Uderzo, licensed from Les Éditions Albert René⁹

Critical Perspective

Asterix: Operation Getafix occupies an interesting position in the history of licensed video games, representing both the potential and pitfalls of adapting beloved comic properties to interactive media. The game successfully captured the visual charm of Uderzo’s artwork, earning consistent praise for its graphical fidelity—a significant achievement given the hardware limitations of 1989⁶. However, the gameplay mechanics failed to match this visual quality, resulting in a product that appealed primarily to existing fans of the franchise rather than gaming audiences at large⁷.

The game’s mixed reception highlights a recurring challenge in licensed game development: balancing faithful adaptation of source material with engaging gameplay design. Later Asterix games, particularly those developed by Japanese studios for Sega platforms, would be cited as more successful attempts to capture “the mood and feel” of the comics while delivering competent action gameplay¹⁴. Nevertheless, Operation Getafix remains a curiosity for collectors and a nostalgic artifact for European gamers who grew up with both the Asterix comics and home computers of the late 1980s.

Downloads

Download / Preservation

• Internet Archive
• MyAbandonware

Online Play

• Classic Reload
• Play Classic Games

Manuals & Extras

• Lemon Amiga Manual Documentation

Series Continuity

Asterix: Operation Getafix was part of Coktel Vision’s series of Asterix game adaptations, though it stands as a relatively standalone title within the broader franchise of Asterix video games. The game’s plot draws from elements of the 1989 animated film “Astérix et le coup du menhir,” which combined story elements from two comic albums¹³. While numerous Asterix games have been produced by various developers over the years, Operation Getafix represents Coktel Vision’s particular approach to the license, emphasizing adventure game mechanics alongside action platforming³.

The game shares thematic connections with other Coktel Vision adaptations of French comic properties, including their Blueberry and Lucky Luke games³. For Asterix specifically, the game features familiar characters including Obelix, Chief Vitalstatistix, the bard Cacofonix, and the soothsayer Prolix, all drawn from the established comic universe⁵.

References

Footnotes

1. MobyGames – Asterix: Operation Getafix – credits, platforms, ratings, alternate titles ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵

2. GameFAQs – Asterix: Operation Getafix – plot description, user ratings, film inspiration ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

3. Adventure Gamer – Missed Classic 29: Asterix Operation Getafix – development context, gameplay mechanics, controls ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹²

4. Abandonware DOS – Asterix: Operation Getafix – review quotes, user ratings, genre tags ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

5. Lemon Amiga – Game Manual Documentation – story details, gameplay mechanics, character descriptions ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹

6. Games Nostalgia – Asterix: Operation Getafix – review, technical specs, platform releases ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸

7. MyAbandonware – Asterix: Operation Getafix – HOTUD review, technical specifications, alternate names ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴

8. Lemon Amiga – Asterix: Operation Getafix – credits, magazine reviews, user comments ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹

9. GameFAQs – Asterix SMS Walkthrough – story background, game intro text ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

10. Metacritic – Asterix: Operation Getafix – game summary description ↩ ↩²

11. Play Classic Games – Asterix: Operation Getafix – gameplay description ↩

12. Amiga Magazine Rack – Review Archive – contemporary magazine scores, reviewers, publication dates ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸

13. TV Tropes – Asterix and the Big Fight (1989) – film adaptation details, alternate titles ↩ ↩²

14. Hardcore Gaming 101 – Asterix and the Great Rescue – comparative analysis, music commentary ↩ ↩²

15. Internet Archive – Asterix Operation Getafix – preservation record, media specifications ↩ ↩²

16. MyAbandonware – Online Play – emulation warnings, version availability ↩ ↩²

17. GameSpot – Asterix: Operation Getafix – publisher information ↩