An endless desert adventure sliding on a sandboard. The charming graphics are also a highlight of "Alto's Odyssey – Remastered" (Start today with Apple Arcade #51)
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/958/G095884/20251104051/
| 2025/11/04 14:55 (UTC)
Image Gallery No.015 thumbnail / Endless desert adventure on a sandboard. The charming graphics are also a highlight of “Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered” (Start Today with Apple Arcade #51)
Apple Arcade is a game subscription service provided by Apple, available for ¥900 per month (tax included) or ¥6,000 per year (tax included), supporting iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision.
In this series, we introduce titles selected by 4Gamer from the current catalog of over 200 games that can be played without ads or in-app purchases.
For issue #51, we present “Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered,” an action game where you speed across a desert on a sandboard.
“Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered”
Release Date: July 16, 2021
Publisher: Snowman
Developer: Team Alto
Supported Devices: iPhone / iPad / iPod touch / Mac / Apple TV / Apple Vision
Gamepad Support: Yes Image Gallery No.001 thumbnail / Endless desert adventure on a sandboard. The charming graphics are also a highlight of “Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered” (Start Today with Apple Arcade #51)
Recommended Features
- Thrilling board action with tap-and-hold controls only
- Desert adventure full of extreme stunts
- Stages rendered in charming, distinctive graphics
Official Website for “Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered”
Download Page for “Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered”
“Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered” is the Apple Arcade version of the original title developed by Team Alto, a collaboration between British game creator Harry Nesbitt and Canadian developer Snowman.
It serves as a sequel to “Alto’s Adventure,” released in 2015, inheriting the same gameplay system while shifting from snowy landscapes to an adventure through vast deserts.
Players control Alto, riding a board as he speeds across the desert in side-scrolling view. Obstacles such as rocks and canyons block the path—jumping over them is key to progressing.
Tapping the screen makes Alto jump; the distance varies based on speed and terrain. Holding after tapping triggers a backflip from the jump, with body position changing depending on how long you hold it. If not properly aligned at landing, mistakes occur. While backflips carry risk, successful ones add score points and grant acceleration upon landing—making them worth attempting when possible.
After jumping, holding initiates a backflip until the board aligns with the ground Image Gallery No.003 thumbnail / Endless desert adventure on a sandboard. The charming graphics are also a highlight of “Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered” (Start Today with Apple Arcade #51)
Tricks are activated not by manual input, but by specific objects in the desert environment. They trigger during jumps or landings at designated spots—no complex inputs required.
The game features a scoring system based on tricks; crashing into rocks, falling into canyon bottoms, or mistimed landings result in instant game over. Nevertheless, the core experience remains firmly centered around “desert adventure.”
Riding along ropes stretched between hot air balloons creates a bungee-like effect Image Gallery No.014 thumbnail / Endless desert adventure on a sandboard. The charming graphics are also a highlight of “Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered” (Start Today with Apple Arcade #51)
Collecting the “Sandboard” equipment unlocks wall rides and wall jumps at specific locations Image Gallery No.005 thumbnail / Endless desert adventure on a sandboard. The charming graphics are also a highlight of “Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered” (Start Today with Apple Arcade #51)
Three conditions displayed at game start represent “levels.” Completing all three advances you to the next level, while meeting specific criteria unlocks progression to the next stage.
Though background elements don’t directly affect gameplay, day and night cycles and changing weather create a sense of time passing. Gradually advancing through stages makes players feel like they’re truly on an adventure—sometimes triggering events tied to each level.
The rising sun glows pink; the setting sun shines orange Image Gallery No.006 thumbnail / Endless desert adventure on a sandboard. The charming graphics are also a highlight of “Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered” (Start Today with Apple Arcade #51)
Rain showers or sandstorms may occur—but weather itself doesn’t impact gameplay Image Gallery No.007 thumbnail / Endless desert adventure on a sandboard. The charming graphics are also a highlight of “Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered” (Start Today with Apple Arcade #51)
Stages progress through dunes, canyons, and temples. Background elements and objects vary between stages Image Gallery No.008 thumbnail / Endless desert adventure on a sandboard. The charming graphics are also a highlight of “Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered” (Start Today with Apple Arcade #51)
Various items lie scattered across stages, providing advantages. The most common is “coins,” used to purchase gear in the shop.
While not necessary to collect all coins—especially when they’re hard to reach—their placement often indicates safe paths or jump trajectories, serving as useful visual cues.
Even in dark areas, coins are easily visible and also act as markers for navigable zones Image Gallery No.009 thumbnail / Endless desert adventure on a sandboard. The charming graphics are also a highlight of “Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered” (Start Today with Apple Arcade #51)
The shop accessible from the title screen. Items are quite expensive, so it’s best to play and collect coins over time Image Gallery No.010 thumbnail / Endless desert adventure on a sandboard. The charming graphics are also a highlight of “Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered” (Start Today with Apple Arcade #51)
“Magnet” and “Lotus Flower” are occasional collectibles. The magnet pulls nearby coins toward Alto, while the Lotus Flower grants temporary invincibility—allowing you to pass through rocks without damage. Both effects last for a set duration after pickup, with their length extendable by purchasing upgrades in the shop.
The Magnet attracts nearby coins around Alto Image Gallery No.011 thumbnail / Endless desert adventure on a sandboard. The charming graphics are also a highlight of “Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered” (Start Today with Apple Arcade #51)
The Lotus Flower creates a pink barrier, allowing passage through rocks without breaking Image Gallery No.012 thumbnail / Endless desert adventure on a sandboard. The charming graphics are also a highlight of “Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered” (Start Today with Apple Arcade #51)
This game delivers a thrilling, board-based adventure with simple controls. While not easy—deserts are full of elevation changes and obstacles that make mistakes quick and tense—the experience is enhanced by features like the “ZEN” mode, where players instantly respawn after failing, allowing uninterrupted runs. Additionally, other playable characters beyond Alto offer different playstyles, providing plenty to explore.
In ZEN mode, you can continue racing immediately after a mistake—no score or distance display, making it a calm practice mode with reduced tension Image Gallery No.013 thumbnail / Endless desert adventure on a sandboard. The charming graphics are also a highlight of “Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered” (Start Today with Apple Arcade #51)
As levels increase, new characters unlock. Maya, for example, has slower acceleration but performs backflips more easily.
The game has already been released on PC and consoles; however, if you’re trying it for the first time, we recommend experiencing its feel through this Apple Arcade version.
Official Website for “Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered”
Download Page for “Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered”
Apple Arcade: ¥900 per month (tax included) / ¥6,000 per year (tax included)
Apple One: ¥1,200 per month (tax included)
※ Includes access to “iCloud Plus (50GB)”, “Apple TV+”, “Apple Music”, and “Apple Arcade”
Apple Arcade Subscription Page
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