Random Game O' the Day: Alien Syndrome

[digitalpress]

The Other-worldly Random Game Generator (OWRGG) (tm) has chosen Sega's Alien Syndrome today. The game was released in the US for both NES and Master System and also made an appearance on the Game Gear.

Personally I enjoy the arcade game but haven't put much time into the home versions so I'll leave it to you to make the comparisons both to the arcade original and to each of the home versions. What are your thoughts on the game in general?

DP Guide sez:

Alien Syndrome (Sega Master System, by Sega) $12/R3
Based on the 1986 Sega coin-op. Designed by "Kopharucon". This is a pretty good conversion of the arcade game! A "two mega" game. EASTER EGGS: Collect the question mark boxes from the ships when the counter reads 272, 267, 232, 222, 171, 161, 131, or 121. When you do this, you will be
invincible for a short period of time. #7006.

http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/segamaster/aliensyndrome.gif

[Ascending Wordsmith]

I used to play the crap outta Alien Syndrome on the NES. I became a master of that game. My weapon of choice; the flame thrower. I've never played Master System version, but I did sink many quarters into the arcade cabinet. As expected, the arcade version is leaps and bounds ahead of the NES counterpart in sound, graphics, and control. But they're still fun games.

IMO, it's a good two player game. I'm especially fond of the overhead view since it allows me to see around corners.

[Keir]

One of the few arcade games I actually remember playing as a kid. And I loved it! Neither the SMS nor the NES version does much for me though. I don't know if that's because they're that inferior, or if the game just hasn't stood the test of time.

[Mayhem]

Tough. The C64 conversion is just as harsh. I've managed level 4 and that's about it! O_O

[Raccoon Lad]

You know, I just recently compared the Arcade to SMS to NES versions the other day.

The NES version's a direct port of the arcade game, but the SMS game's different. The SMS version has different enemies and levels, but some of the bosses are similar to the arcade version. also, the levels (as represented by the space craft you infultrate) are in a different order. I think this may be due to the SMS version being made earlier, when ROM chips were more expensive.