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Altered Beast (set 4, MC-8123B 317-0066)
Getting to Know Altered Beast (set 4, MC-8123B 317-0066)
Altered Beast is a 1988 beat 'em up that Sega put in arcades worldwide. It was developed by Team Shinobi, the same internal team that later worked on Golden Axe. This particular ROM set (MC-8123B 317-0066) is just one of several revisions that exist, but the core game is the same classic you remember from the era. You play as a Roman centurion brought back from the dead by Zeus to rescue his daughter Athena from the demon Neff.
The action is side-scrolling and straightforward. You walk right, punch and kick hordes of undead creatures, zombies, and other mythological enemies. Each level contains three glowing spirit orbs hidden in jars or dropped by enemies. Grab all three and your character transforms into one of five different beasts: a werewolf, a dragon, a bear, a tiger, or a golden wolf. Each beast has its own attack set and special moves like electric blasts or spinning attacks. The transformation is temporary and runs out after a while, so you have to stay aggressive to keep the power flowing.
What makes Altered Beast worth revisiting today is its place in arcade history. It was one of Sega's early hits on the Sega System 16 hardware, known for its catchy voice samples ("Rise from your grave!") and the sheer spectacle of turning into a giant monster. Compared to later beat 'em ups like Final Fight, it feels a bit stiff and repetitive, but the transformation mechanic and mythological theme give it a unique flavor. If you like arcade brawlers from the late '80s, this is a solid piece of that era.
The action is side-scrolling and straightforward. You walk right, punch and kick hordes of undead creatures, zombies, and other mythological enemies. Each level contains three glowing spirit orbs hidden in jars or dropped by enemies. Grab all three and your character transforms into one of five different beasts: a werewolf, a dragon, a bear, a tiger, or a golden wolf. Each beast has its own attack set and special moves like electric blasts or spinning attacks. The transformation is temporary and runs out after a while, so you have to stay aggressive to keep the power flowing.
What makes Altered Beast worth revisiting today is its place in arcade history. It was one of Sega's early hits on the Sega System 16 hardware, known for its catchy voice samples ("Rise from your grave!") and the sheer spectacle of turning into a giant monster. Compared to later beat 'em ups like Final Fight, it feels a bit stiff and repetitive, but the transformation mechanic and mythological theme give it a unique flavor. If you like arcade brawlers from the late '80s, this is a solid piece of that era.
How to Play Altered Beast (set 4, MC-8123B 317-0066) Online
Getting Started: When you start Altered Beast, you are a Roman centurion in the underworld. The first thing to do is walk right and punch the glowing enemies that come at you. Each level has you clearing a path through waves of undead soldiers, giant worms, and other creatures. The core loop is simple: fight your way to the end, collect three spirit balls (they look like little floating orbs), and then transform into a powerful beast that can dish out heavier damage.
Pay attention to the three orbs per stage. They are often hidden in breakable objects like urns or dropped by tougher enemies. Once you have all three, your character morphs into a werewolf (first stage) or another beast depending on the level. While transformed, you can use special attacks: for the werewolf, press the attack button repeatedly for a spinning claw move, or jump and attack for a flying kick. The transformation lasts until the end of the level or until you take enough damage, so use it wisely.
Boss fights appear at the end of each stage - massive monsters like a dragon or a giant Neff himself. The trick is to stay mobile, dodge their attacks, and land hits when they pause. If you lose your beast form, you revert to the weaker centurion, making the fight significantly harder. Try to grab any spare spirit balls that appear during the boss to transform again. The game continues until you run out of credits, so practice the patterns and you will see the final stage.
Altered Beast (set 4, MC-8123B 317-0066) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: Joystick / Movement
- X: Button 1
- S: Button 2
- Z: Button 3
- A: Button 4
- Q: Button 5
- E: Button 6
- Enter: Start / 1P
- V: Coin / Insert
Frequently Asked Questions
Can players save progress in Altered Beast?
No built-in save feature exists in the arcade original. Progress is lost when the machine is turned off or when you run out of credits. Emulated versions on this site allow save states through the browser, but the game itself does not track progress.
Is Altered Beast exclusive to Arcade or did it appear on other systems?
Altered Beast appeared on many home platforms including the Sega Genesis (as a launch title), Amiga, Commodore 64, Master System, and even the NES. The arcade version has the smoothest animation and the original voice samples.
What makes Altered Beast stand out among Arcade titles of its era?
The transformation mechanic was a big draw - turning into a beast halfway through a level felt fresh compared to standard brawlers. The game also used Sega's System 16 hardware well, with large sprites and the iconic "Rise from your grave" sample that stuck in players' heads.
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