Altered Beast (set 8, 8751 317-0078)
About Altered Beast (set 8, 8751 317-0078)
Altered Beast (set 8, 8751 317-0078) is a MAME-compatible ROM of the 1988 arcade beat 'em up originally developed and published by Sega. This particular revision is one of several ROM sets for the original coin-op machine, not the 2005 PlayStation 2 reboot that shares the name. The game dropped into arcades at the tail end of the 1980s, a time when side-scrolling brawlers were exploding in popularity, but Sega gave this one a twist: you don't just punch and kick - you turn into a monster.
You play as a centurion who can power up by collecting spirit orbs dropped by enemies. Once you gather enough orbs, your character mutates into a brute beast - a wolf, a dragon, a bear, or a tiger, depending on the level - gaining new attacks and a longer health bar. The core loop is straightforward: move right, fight waves of ghouls and skeletons, grab orbs, transform, and smash a boss at the end of each stage. Two players can team up, though there's no simultaneous co-op - you take turns or play alone.
What makes this title memorable today is its cheesy voice samples ("Rise from your grave!") and the satisfying crunch of landing a powered-up punch. The transformation mechanic was novel in 1988 and still feels fresh compared to standard brawlers. It's short - about 20 minutes if you know what you're doing - but that makes it a perfect quick-play arcade hit. The ROM here is the original unmodified arcade code, so you get the full, unaltered experience from the cabinets.
How to Play Altered Beast (set 8, 8751 317-0078) Online
Getting Started
Press Enter to insert a virtual coin, then V to start. You control a Roman centurion who moves left and right across two-dimensional stages. Your main attack is the S button - tap it repeatedly to punch and kick. Holding the joystick toward an enemy while pressing S gives you a stronger kick. When you collect three spirit orbs (they look like glowing blue spheres dropped by fallen foes), you transform into one of several beasts. Each beast has unique attacks: the wolf shoots fireballs, the bear delivers a ground pound, the dragon breathes flame, and the tiger spins rapidly. Use these powers to clear tougher enemies and bosses.
The game is simple but has a few tricks. You can jump (X) and attack in mid-air. Some platforms require you to jump up or down. If you die, you revert to human form and lose your beast power, but you can collect orbs again to re-transform. The game ends when you lose all lives - you start with three, and extra lives are earned at score milestones. Since this is the original arcade ROM, there are no continues unless you set them in MAME dip switches. Just keep moving right, smash everything, and listen for that iconic voice sample.
Altered Beast (set 8, 8751 317-0078) 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
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