Very broad term referring to any type of item whose purpose is to directly increase the abilities of your craft. These include different types of secondary weapons , enhancements for those weapons, and some types of options, speed ups and shields, plus others. Some players also group score items and other unrelated collectables under “power-ups,†but most don't. The act of utilizing power-up items, or other types of power-up systems (such as an “experience†system) to enhance one's craft, i.e. I powered-up my ship by collecting the red icon. Also spelled as “Power Up†and “Power up.
Often an object available in a game which, when used, will significantly enhance the avatar's abilities temporarily. Power-ups may, for example, be a way of buffing up (see buff) before an important battle.
The act of turning a digital camera on. The time taken to power-up a camera, from the time of switching it on, until it is ready to take a picture, is an important measure of the cameras abilities.
An item that gives you special abilities or makes you more powerful. Power-ups usually only last for a limited time.
An object (such as a health packet or weapon) within a game that, when picked up by a player, gives special powers or extra lives.
In computer and video games, power-ups are objects that instantly benefit or add extra abilities to the game character. This is contrast to an item, which may or may not have a benefit and can be used at a time chosen by the player. Although often collected directly through touch, power-ups can sometimes only be gained by collecting several related items, such as the letters of the word 'EXTEND' in Bubble Bobble.