Alien Soldier: too difficult to even bother with.

[tim333]

I've seen many describe Alien Soldier as another Treasure classic, so I was excited to play it. But when I gave it a try, I found a game that I absolutely could not enjoy because of its difficulty. I can't, after over a dozen attempts, even get past the first boss - even get CLOSE to getting past the first boss. Even on the easy setting. And I'm not that bad at these kinds of games - I've gotten pretty far in Gunstar Heroes and done Metal Slug 2 on ten credits.

You don't get much health, the boss gets INSANE health, the one-life thing is ludicrous, and the time limit makes a mostly-dodging strategy impossible. If the first boss is like this, I don't even want to think about the rest of the game.

I tried really hard to give Alien Soldier a chance, but I just can't. Am I the only person who feels this way?

[evildragon]

i personally like games with 1 health..

in real life, what do you get? surely not 3 lives. ;) it adds to the challenge!

i say, keep trying.. i've never gotten past it either, but that's because i didn't try..

[108 Stars]

Well, I actually DID get past the first boss, but you´re right, the trial-and-error-gameplay is highly repetitive.
Also the visuals are good but they push the MD too far. The sprites keep flimmering and tearing when the action takes place.
It´s not a bad game, but not a true classic either. It´s cult-status comes mainly from it´s non-US-release, from the not-so-good sales and from the Treasure-hype.

[Zebbe]

Use good weapons, zero teleport at his weakest point when you are at full health and get more health by making his shots into health balls (or whatever they're called).

I think this game is a classic.

[Alianger]

Like you I thought the game sucked at first, but after seeing a gameplay vid on the net I discovered that you really need to learn the moves, like in a fighting game.

The levels are mostly there so you can get your health back to full and use the zero teleport move on the next boss, but the bossfights do offer a lot of variety.

My only real gripe with the game, after beating it, is that it didn't use the 6-button controller which would've made some moves easier to figure out and pull off.

[retrosega]

A seller on ebay has a copy "on sale" at the moment at US $139......if you can call it a sale price!

http://stores.ebay.com.au/Superb-Articles-From-Japan-SHOP_TODAYS-SPECIAL_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ11767485QQftidZ2QQt Zkm

Not bad though considering its the jap version.

[evildragon]

A seller on ebay has a copy "on sale" at the moment at US $139......if you can call it a sale price!

http://stores.ebay.com.au/Superb-Articles-From-Japan-SHOP_TODAYS-SPECIAL_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ11767485QQftidZ2QQt Zkm

Not bad though considering its the jap version.
there was never a US version ;)

[Tweaker]

I completely agree. I made it past the first boss ONCE, but I died immediately after and just shut the game off. Cool music, though.

[Alianger]

There's an easy mode and if you press start, you can slow the game down. That should be enough to finish it. I suck at these games and I still finished it!

[Benjamin]

there was never a US version ;)

Yes, but there was a European version, hence the need to specify.

I'm not a big fan of the game myself due to the high difficulty, but I admit I've hardly given it a chance.

[Joe Redifer]

That's interesting that the Japanese box has a hanging tab. The majority of JP MD boxes don't.

[retrosega]

Yes that is why I specified....I have the Pal version (without instructions :( )

All the newer MD boxes have the tabs. I think the newer jap/asian MD box art designs look the best. Followed by the blue pal mega drive box art. The red genesis boxes look the worst.

[Joe Redifer]

Anything cardboard looks the worst.

[David J.]

The Japanese MD games with the blue spine that says "Mega Drive" have hanging tabs.

[Silanda]

Alien Soldier's pretty tough, but it isn't really up there with the hardest games ever. It can seem impossible at first., but once you have learned how to play well it isn't too bad. Saving your zero teleport for the bosses is pretty vital.

[GeckoYamori]

Zero teleports are very hard to keep, it's better to use them at the best opportunity. You can convert enemy projectiles to health anyway so there's plenty of chances to restock.

[megabomberman]

Just wondering guys, on the whole one kill thing, I've played 2 different roms of contra hardcorps and am going to add it to my collection soon,

In one version you could take 3 hits before you lost one of 3 lives and in the other you could only take 1 hit on your 3 lives, the one with one hit, was so so hard even on the first level.

what way is the game in reality?

I've always preffered the MUSHA, steel empire and Xenon 2 style of being able to take a few hits,
even though games like fireshark and thunder hawk are more exciting with 1 hit deaths as it makes it more exciting.

[108 Stars]

In the jap version you can take 3 hits, in the US- and PAL-versions it´s one hit and your dead.
This makes the western versions pretty unfair and only suited for hardcore players (or owners of an Action Replay Pro like me).

[megabomberman]

Thanks man, I'd say even though I won't know whats going on with the storyline, the fact that it'll probably be more expensive because its japanese (is this logic correct?) and I'll need to pop it into my game genie every time I'll still get it in that version, because the game seems amazing, beautiful and with fantastic music.

But I just wouldn't be able to play it with just the one hit deaths, its hard and that could make it tedious and hard to progress in the game.

First I'll go check is there a code for lives on the game genie anyway.

Thoughts?

[108 Stars]

Well,at least there are codes for the Action Replay(so I guess for the Game Genie too), so you may as well take the US version (or the PAL version with the robots). I think the japanese HC is very expensive, you´ll have to spend well over 100,-€ I guess...

[megabomberman]

Is the pal version different aswell, robots you say? A difference again, so I'm European maybe the pal would be the best.

Also will a European Pal game work on my genesis game genie, sorry for all the qs you'd be entitled to tell me go check it out myself, but its a little confusing at times, I've had my game genie since xmas but with my megadrive being in the sitting room of my college apartment alls we do is play multiplayer games and stuff like that so I havent had the chance to try out is game boosting capabilites, and it didn't work for my european streets of rage 2.

[Nazza]

Like you I thought the game sucked at first, but after seeing a gameplay vid on the net I discovered that you really need to learn the moves, like in a fighting game.


I agree, I have a few friends who tried it and didn't like it because they didn't get the control system. Homing Force and the second laser one are the best weapons for beginners, I used them solely for the first few years I had the game. :)

[Blaze]

Freakin hard, but you gotta love it still :cool:

[Dartagnan1083]

Alien Soldier is a game that requires a control pad as well as an intimate knowledge of the gameplay mechanics.

The 'dash' manuver will carry you through crap and make it possible to last longer.
I once made it to the end of level 3, but couldn't get past a certain boss due to having to struggle too much with the controls.

I got close, but I ran out of ammo at the same time my health went critical.

[Mr Smith]

Isn’t Alien Soldier that bloody expensive game that uses the word Terrorlist? Either way I’ve never played it although the way you guys describe it sounds like I would either love it or hate it. If the game can be played on instinct (Shinobi III style) then I would love it. If it played liked a memory retention game where you need to know the patterns of enemies in order to progress (Shadow Dancer style) I would hate it.

[Zebbe]

I think it's a mixture of both. The word is "terrolist" btw.

[Alianger]

It also has a beautiful, futuristic sounding OST which I'm listening to right now.

[Elusive]

Like Gunstar Heroes, it's a shame a decent run-and-gun is hidden under GREAT BIG EXPLOSIONS and BOSS RUSHes and REALLY REALLY LOUD SOUNDTRACK.

[nineallday00]

Too hard? This guy beats it in 12 minutes on super hard without dying...: http://speeddemosarchive.com/AlienSoldier.html#sh

[Alianger]

I see no shame in setting THE 68000 HEART ON FIRE!!

[j_factor]

Maybe you're too difficult to even bother with.

[Zebbe]

Too hard? This guy beats it in 12 minutes on super hard without dying...: http://speeddemosarchive.com/AlienSoldier.html#sh

Do you know what a tool-assisted speed run is?

[Alianger]

It's not a TAS, they don't have those on SDA.

[Obviously]

Alien Soldier succeeds at what it was made to do, be one of the most blatantly difficult games on the Genesis.

[Zebbe]

It's not a TAS, they don't have those on SDA.

Oh, pardon me then. I just thought it was too good to be true.

[Mr Smith]

Maybe you're too difficult to even bother with.
:huh:

[nineallday00]

Oh, pardon me then. I just thought it was too good to be true.

Its pretty fricking amazing watching it. The game definately rapes me, so seeing it get raped was very nice.

And yes, I do know what a TAS is, they are over at TASvideos.org, not speeddemosarchive.com

[Sega Uranus]

I see Alien Soldier as one of the best games on the Genesis, it's one of those rare games that stole my life... I just had to beat it.

IMHO it was harder then BattleToads.

[108 Stars]

I really fail to see what would make this one of the best MD-games. Play Contra, it´s so much better. Or Gunstar Heroes.
It´s just so...boring after a while. And the graphics are not that great because of all the sprite-flickering. It may set the 68000 heart on fire. But the flames are too much for the heart to handle.

[tim333]

Maybe you're too difficult to even bother with.

Oh snap. I believe that, in the parlance, I have just been 'pwned'.

[Nazza]

I really fail to see what would make this one of the best MD-games. Play Contra, it´s so much better. Or Gunstar Heroes.
It´s just so...boring after a while.

Just wondering, what in particular makes it boring after a while? I get tired of playing Gunstar Heroes mostly because the characters aren't fast enough (level 5 comes to mind). Alien Soldier, on the other hand, is all about speed. I find Contra Hard Corps too difficult, but I've only played it emulated.

[The Sports Guy]

you know, i found alien soldier to be extremely difficult, even to the point to where it isnt fun anymore. I played it because i saw a review of it and this guy said it was one of the best sidescrollers for the MD hed ever played. I knew it couldnt have been that great because it wasnt released in the US. I know there are those games which are amazing but they never came overseas, but most of the time if they didnt come over here they arent very good. I couldnt even beat the first level. Its just too dang hard and I am a guy who likes easy games.

[108 Stars]

Just wondering, what in particular makes it boring after a while? I get tired of playing Gunstar Heroes mostly because the characters aren't fast enough (level 5 comes to mind). Alien Soldier, on the other hand, is all about speed. I find Contra Hard Corps too difficult, but I've only played it emulated.

It´s so damn repetetive. You walk from left to right, kill all enemies and every 5 or so minutes there´s a new boss. Then you get killed a few times ´till you get the hang of how to defeat him. You beat him and it continues.
No cool ideas like in Contra or Gunstar Heroes to add some variety. And for being a simple shooter, the controls are too complicated. To sum it up:
Repetetive gameplay with over-complicated controls.

[Alianger]

^The variety is in the bossfights. It would've benefited from a six button control pad though. I guess you really hate fighting games btw?

[108 Stars]

Fighting games? You mean stuff like Street Fighter?
I love them. I´m even about to import Fatal Fury 2 from the US although the shipping will make it a bit expensive. SF II is the game I played for the longest time ever; about 4 years it was my main-game (SF II, SCE, SSF II)
But I still find the boss battles in Alien Soldier pretty boring. It´s one on one, but I prefer to have fewer, but better designed bosses.
Alien Soldier is really one of the most overrated games ever imho; not meaning it is bad, it´s really okay I guess, but so damn far from being nearly as great as many people think it is.

[highlandcattle]

Japanese version, european version? pah, I got the russian bootleg

[Alianger]

The reason for asking that is because I felt Alien Soldier was a lot like a fighting game, which I said before. Well I still think you should finish it :) Most of the bosses are very well designed and it's usually possible to stay alive by making their bullets, spawn or whatever into health, then using the charge move to dodge them until you figure them out.

[megabomberman]

This thing costs a fortune on ebay, what a nightmare for the collector who at some stage wants everything, ie me!! Damn this is going to test my desire, it looks amazing though.

[Alien_Soldier]

I bought the PAL version of this game recently. I haven't played it that much yet, but I guess I have to learn it and finish it, since it was very expensive. haha... :)

The difficulty of this game might be intimidating, but the design (visuals, animations, audio) is absolutely superb!

[Genesis Knight]

This is humorous - Alien_Soldier has never beaten Alien Soldier.

[Alien_Soldier]

Hey everybody, I need help with my copy of the Alien Soldier cart.

I bought a PAL version, and the seller said that it was all complete and original. However I suspect that at least the booklet is fake; some kind of copy. It is not even a proper booklet with glossy paper, it is some kind of fold out of "regular" (not glossy) paper, printed in shades of blue color only.

Could someone help me and out and determine if this is a fake or not? I would appreciate it.

I tried to take some pictures of it, the pics are a bit blurry, but here goes:

Box with cart and inlay (http://www.imperious.net/Alien_Soldier-Picture_1.JPG)
Inlay, pic 1 (http://www.imperious.net/Alien_Soldier-Picture_4.JPG)
Inlay, pic 2 (http://www.imperious.net/Alien_Soldier-Picture_5.JPG)
Inlay, pic 3 (http://www.imperious.net/Alien_Soldier-Picture_6.JPG)
Inlay, pic 4 (http://www.imperious.net/Alien_Soldier-Picture_7.JPG)
Inlay, pic 5 (http://www.imperious.net/Alien_Soldier-Picture_8.JPG)
Inlay, pic 6 (http://www.imperious.net/Alien_Soldier-Picture_9.JPG)
Inlay, pic 7 (http://www.imperious.net/Alien_Soldier-Picture_10.JPG)

Pictures of the box:

Box pic 1 (http://www.imperious.net/Alien_Soldier-Picture_2.JPG)
Box pic 2 (http://www.imperious.net/Alien_Soldier-Picture_3.JPG)

Is it possible that the box and cart also are fakes?

:confused:

[Genesis Knight]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Alien-Soldier-MINT-Complete-Sega-Genesis-Mega-Drive-Pal_W0QQitemZ130133875213QQihZ003QQcategoryZ62053Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

That one has a black and white manual... But I'm no PAL master, so I'll wait for the Euros to find this thread.

[Alien_Soldier]

This is humorous - Alien_Soldier has never beaten Alien Soldier.

Haha, yes, I admit, this is really, really bad! I will have work hard to beat this game now, I guess! :D



http://cgi.ebay.com/Alien-Soldier-MINT-Complete-Sega-Genesis-Mega-Drive-Pal_W0QQitemZ130133875213QQihZ003QQcategoryZ62053Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

That one has a black and white manual... But I'm no PAL master, so I'll wait for the Euros to find this thread.

Yes, that booklet looks similar to the japanese versions that I have seen on Ebay. There are a couple for sale there now. The Japanese ones have a front page in full color, though.

Picture of Japanese version of Alien Soldier on Ebay (http://i11.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/a4/65/2829_1.JPG)

[playgen]

I think you probably have the Australian version of the game. I know that Master System games often have different fold out manuals in Australia, so it wouldnt be surprising for megadrive manuals to be the same.

[Genesis Knight]

The difference is that the JAP on is vertically oriented and the others are horizontal.

Actually, that Australian = Blue Foldout rings a bell now.

[Alien_Soldier]

Interesting. Does anyone happen to know if there are pictures of these fold-out manuals somewhere online?

Or if anyone here owns such a game + manual, maybe you could post a photo of it? That would be great!

[playgen]

Just had a quick look on Australian ebay, theres loads with fold out manuals. Sega didn't distribute stuff themselves in Austalia, but a company called Ozisoft did, they also manufactured the games there. They didnt need multi-lingual manuals so they ditched the other languages and made them fold out for ease of production..

For example:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Aladdin-Complete-MegaDrive-Game_W0QQitemZ170146214449QQihZ007QQcategoryZ11060 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Alien_Soldier]

Ah, looks like the same kind of printing as my Alien Solider manual. Maybe that is the answer then.

Thanks a lot for the link, playgen! I did a quick search on the US Ebay and found nothing, I didn't know Australia had a separate division of Ebay.

[playgen]

Several games are more common in Australia, so a lot of people look on Australian ebay to buy games to resell in other countries, since the games are PAL theres no compatability issues in Europe.

Most countries have their own ebay site, you find much more stuff by seraching each one, as not everything is listed on ebay.com

[Alien_Soldier]

Ah okay, cool! :)

[winona]

This thing costs a fortune on ebay, what a nightmare for the collector who at some stage wants everything, ie me!! Damn this is going to test my desire, it looks amazing though.


Everything? Alien Soldier costs next to nothing compared to the truly rare titles like Outback joey.

[Genesis Knight]

Everything? Alien Soldier costs next to nothing compared to the truly rare titles like Outback joey.

That's just a technicality. Alien Soldier is one of the most expensive G/MD games out there, alongside Melf's Forgotten Five and whatever.

[megabomberman]

Forgotten five?

[Zebbe]

Battlemania 2, Eliminate Down, Gleylancer, Panorama Cotton and Undead Line.

Five shmups only released in Japan. I can't see why Twinkle Tale isn't among them making a "Forgotten Six"... but then again there are probably quite a few more exclusive JP shooters.

http://www.sega-16.com/Genre%20Spotlight-%20Shmups%20Extravaganza.php

[megabomberman]

Thanks zebbe, I really think it would be great if someeone did a feature on 10 of the most expensive megadrive games to get that are essential to your collection (eg tetris is not realistic) sticking to the likes of alien soldier and stuff would be great....

[Zebbe]

Yeah, that would be cool, but the problem is that everyone has their own opinions of what is expensive or not. Some people are like "$30 for a Genesis game!? No way, that is far too expensive for a game to an old 16-bit system!" and others like "Haha, you think $70 is a lot? Then you should see my collection, there isn't a single game under $150 in it!"

A feature of ultr@ r@re games would be better, but there is problem there too. You have to consider regions, prices, demand etc. and that would force to include games that aren't really rare, but only expensive. People would probably want max prices in that kind of feature, which is even harder, as it changes over time, may be cheaper in certain places and be very different overall.

[Genesis Knight]

Most I've ever spent on a Genesis game is $50 for Beggar Prince. Other than that the most has been $35 for Crusader of Centy. (Stupidly overpaid, I know.)

[megabomberman]

Still though if someone did a feature of great games, that megadrive game owners should have that are (a) hard to get or (b) expensive (around 80$) it would make a great feature, if opinions are divided we all hop on the forums and debate about it, which is actually a good thing and a good reason to do this article!

[Zebbe]

I'll see if I can do something in the future. I'm already full with school and have some other stuff coming for the site first. The topic needs to be discussed and researched first.

[Blaze]

this game got mad adrenaline rush. If ur jus angry enuff, u might make it thru the entire game. Its alot about keepin dat rage up. u also need to rely on ur animal instincts and quik reflexes



man thats why I loved Sega bak in the 16bit days. U can always come bak to playin those games like they were Speed pillz or something. Sega knew how to make a gamer up for countless days

[winona]

I agree with the complicity of making an "rare" list. For exaple. PAL punisher usually goes for 80$ when sold on tradera. Which is pretty much close to never. Its American version is readily available at all time.

Someone said that they would pay over 75£ for a PAL non classic copy of World Championship Soccer 2. Should that make the list despite the fact that the classic version can be had fo 2$?

I think I would like to see a PAL vs US vs Japanese list of games that can be found without TOO much trouble. I.e Eliminated Down, Snow Bros and such for the japanese systems and games like Body Count, Punisher and Death & Rebirth of Superman for PAL systems. Spiderman web of Fire & others for the genesis.

And then there could be a silly list. With games such as outback joey (I think its a 1000$ game) Tetris and Darxide.

Here is an example of a RARE but not all that goodgame:
http://cgi.ebay.com/fatal-fury-special-cd-sega-mega-cd-etat-new-rare-ver-fr_W0QQitemZ250160382251

And an example of its opposite, good but not all that rare (pay no attention to seller trying to tell you its one of the rarest games for the system, its far from true):
http://cgi.ebay.com/SHINING-FORCE-CD-SEGA-MEGA-CD-UK-PAL-INC-SPINE-NR-MINT_W0QQitemZ300148170210

[108 Stars]

What game is outback joey? Never heard of it.

[winona]

Its a personal trainer game that came bundled with some excercise gadget that you connect to your bike or whatever. Very few copies are known to exist. And apparently its not a 1000$ game but still quite pricey:

http://www.sega-16.com/Features/Genesis%20Accessory%20&%20Peripheral%20Guide/Outback%20Joey%20Auction.htm

[Sixfortyfive]

Man, the first few pages of this thread make me sad. Alien Soldier is my favorite Genesis action game. Probably my favorite Treasure game too, and I own all of them except for Rakugaki Showtime. It doesn't have the wide appeal of a game like Gunstar Heroes, which you can either play seriously or just relax and goof around with the weapons, but it never failed to entertain.

I wasn't able to give it a proper play-through until it was re-released on PS2 as part of that Sega Ages mini-compilation, though. (Didn't feel like plunking down $100+ for the original cart at the time.) When I had tried playing the game previously (through... ahem... alternative means) I couldn't get past the first boss for the life of me either. A proper gamepad is vital. Keyboard doesn't cut it for AS.

Like others have said, it's just a matter of figuring out all of the techniques and which weapons are the most practical (sword force for best all-purpose weapon; lancer and flamethrower for superplayers). Learn how to use zero teleport, counter force, and budget your ammo properly. Most bosses require nothing more than good reflexes and simple pattern recognition skill once you know what you're doing. AS isn't easy, but it's never cheap.

I recorded a short video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XPOUxRmyv0) a while back to show another person how the game played. Even though I make a lot of dumb simple mistakes in this vid, I think it's useful because it shows how a beginner should be approaching the game. Superplays are cool to watch, but all sorts of glitches are exploited in those and an intimate knowledge of the game is required to pull off some of those tricks.

I spent about a week's worth of my free time gradually improving my performance at this game, from simply being able to clear easy mode to 1-credit clearing hard mode. The challenge and progression is perfect once you get past that initial hurdle. I actually thought Contra Hard Corps was a lot tougher than AS, and Ranger-X is waaaay more unfair on its hardest setting than this game.

[Alien_Soldier]

Sixfortyfive, that was a great post! I agree with you. This is an amazing game, and they way to play it is definately working on it for hours at a time, honing your skills to perfection. I am only at stage 10 or so right now.

Cool video, btw.

[Zebbe]

Have full HP (it damages you a little).

[Genesis Knight]

"I actually thought Contra Hard Corps was a lot tougher than AS, and Ranger-X is waaaay more unfair on its hardest setting than this game."

I agree that Hard Corps is more difficult. But Ranger X is actually ridiculously easy on Heavy mode, assuming you know how to get the hidden weapons. I'm a bad gamer in terms of skill, yet I've 1cc-ed it repeatedly on Heavy.

EDIT: Wait a sec, you're the guy who beat Seven Force on hardest without taking damage. I remember now. Impressed was I when I saw your vid. :D

[Joe Redifer]

Question: Are there any differences between the Japanese version and the EU version (ie: is the EU version retimed for PAL systems and would therefore play at warp 9.2 on a US system)?

[Zebbe]

Yes, the PAL version plays too fast in 60 Hz. It also misses the legendary "SPEEDSHOCK! GRAPHICSHOCK! SOUNDSHOCK! NOW IS THE TIME TO THE 68000 HEART ON FIRE" quote, as well as "terrolist" and mayhaps some story segments (there are almost none in the PAL version). I suggest you have some Japanese dude pick it up for you cheap in Japan (a hundred dorrals or so).

[Joe Redifer]

See? This is why America separated from Europe.

[TmEE]

Yes, the PAL version plays too fast in 60 Hz. It also misses the legendary "SPEEDSHOCK! GRAPHICSHOCK! SOUNDSHOCK! NOW IS THE TIME TO THE 68000 HEART ON FIRE" quote, as well as "terrolist" and mayhaps some story segments (there are almost none in the PAL version). I suggest you have some Japanese dude pick it up for you cheap in Japan (a hundred dorrals or so).

I clearly remember having these legendary quotes when I tried AS... but I might have tried the US version... but I usually have PAL ROMs... bah... must re-check...

[Joe Redifer]

Yeah, the US version of Alien Soldier is probably the best. Too bad it's so rare, though. Rumor has it that they only produced zero copies of the game. You can only imagine how seldom they pop up on eBay.

[evildragon]

Lol yea, there's no such thing as a US version. :p

[Zebbe]

See? This is why America separated from Europe.

No, it was because we always got the shitty censored versions from you. Thanks a bunch for removing the pentagrams in Dragon's Fury!

[Elusive]

No, it was because we always got the shitty censored versions from you. Thanks a bunch for removing the pentagrams in Dragon's Fury!
Germany has incredibly strict rules about videogame content; as such, developers will usually release one version of their game to please everyone. Which is why PAL games have six or eight languages in the manual, too.

[edit] Alien Soldier's up there with Comix Zone, Sonic 2 (music), Sonic 3, and Phantasy Star IV (i think) as games that are retimed to take into account the NTSC->PAL speed difference.

[Zebbe]

Yes, those retarded German politicans. They ruin for everyone!

Phantasy Star IV did NOT have that issue fixed, neither did Mega Man: The Wily Wars. With a 60 Hz-switch they work like a charm though.

[108 Stars]

Ahem, at least the pentagramm thing is surely not a German matter; we are so damn unreligious, this cut must have been for Italy maybe.

[buzz_clik]

One day I sat down and made a concerted effort to at least get to grips with Alien Soldier. And I did. For some reason, the game just clicked with me and I got through about 3/4 through. I then died and switched the console off, figuring it would be a bitch to get back to that point.

I was right. I recently tried to reconnect with the game, and just found myself floundering. And it wasn't like Probotector (or Contra Hard Corps, if you will) where I could learn and master the levels bit by bit, getting further and further with each game. Oh no, this time around Alien Soldier seemed so... uh, alien. I just couldn't get to grips with how to handle a dangerous situation on the fly. Instead of the zipping, nimble player I was in the previous outing, this time I was a bumbling, klutzy clown shoe.

So, yes Alien Soldier can be bastard tough. But I don't think it's too difficult to bother with. You just gotta get in the zone with it.

P.S. I'm with Genesis Knight - Ranger X is pretty easy on the hardest setting. Still one of my all time faves, though! :)

[Genesis Knight]

Funny - I was just playing Ranger X to commemorate reorganizing my entertainment center to make way for my soon-to-arrive XBox. Still love it to death; vies with Oasis as my favorite Genesis game of all time. Don't think there are any other games on the system that convey such a feel of intense *skill*. When you play the game you don't feel like you're just twitching, you feel like you're an action god.

[Joe Redifer]

Actually there weren't any pentagrams in Devil's Crush. They were Stars of David. Dead serious. At least that's what I remember.

[ThunderForce]

Actually there weren't any pentagrams in Devil's Crush. They were Stars of David. Dead serious. At least that's what I remember.

They were.

I paid $98 for the game in Japan complete (Alien Soldier).

[buzz_clik]

All this talk of Alien Soldier has given me the mischievous idea of starting a poll, asking how you have your status bars / numbers set up... :twisted:

Man, that'd be an industrial-sized can of worms right there. How many radio buttons would that require for the various options? Eek.

[Zebbe]

The hexagrams were also censored out. Also some coffins with crosses you can destroy. America just seems to hate all religions except the Christian one (or the thousands versions of it).

[Iron Lizard]

The hexagrams were also censored out. Also some coffins with crosses you can destroy. America just seems to hate all religions except the Christian one (or the thousands versions of it).
:bang:

[Joe Redifer]

America just seems to hate all religions except the Christian one (or the thousands versions of it).
We hate all religions equally. We took the crucifixes out of Splatterhouse 1 for the Turbo, so Christians get equal hate.

[kylera]

Any of the Castlevania games on the earlier Nintendo systems is proof enough (no cross of any sort.)

[Kogen]

8-bit SEGA games had crosses; extreme!

[TmEE]

Hmmmmm...... I think my game can get banned in US....... damn christianity....... everything not it is evil and must be wiped out......

[evildragon]

I got the 8088/8086 version of Castlevania for the IBM PC XT, and it has a cross in it. With lightning effects. :p

[KnightWarrior]

I played the game with PGEN though the PS2 with the Action Replay...Games Hard

[Aarzak]

I've heard that emulator is horrendous and incomplete. Go with a modded XBox for your TV emulation needs. As a matter of fact, Genesis Knight's thread over at the "Insert Coin" board has almost inspired me to go pick up a bawks myself and go to town with it.

[KnightWarrior]

I want a Modded Xbox but I don't have $$$ to spend on it...I want someone to put the emulators & ROM's fo me..That will cost money also

Alien Soldier plays ok on the PS2...But I notice playing Sonic, Sonic 2 & Sonic 3..While running it was jerky..But that's all I could do, Gunstar Heroes plays smoothing on PGEN

[japancollector]

alien soldier difficult ?.

I remember when i was around 11-13 years .I visited fleemarkets to buy secondhand games (snes,megadrive ).Someone was selling a lot boxed megadrive games for 1 gulden (this was before the euro ).1 gulden is around 50 dollar cent .So i buyed then alien soldier ,megaman the willy wars , street of rage 3 for 50 dollarcent witch allot of other megadrive games.

In that time i played alien soldier i wasnt very good at action games like now .But i remeberd i get trough the the first stage airport in one time ?.And i was stuck at the cave stage .I quite the game because it was taking too long too complete it.But i remeber it was a very easy game .Its too bad when i get a n64.I dindt look at the megadrive for a while and never completed alien soldier .And also megaman the willy wars i dindt complete .Because i completed the first 3 parts on the nes when i was 3-7years.And in that time i was less a gamer then now .(in that time i played games for playing .Now i play games too finish them and getting better in games )

rockman mega world i have completed a few weeks ago on japan megadrive.Still need to buy alien soldier for japan megadrive.its just too bad i dind complete it the because the games i buy now is japanese version.And dont understand the storyline/text in game

[Dirt Ball Gamer]

I love alien soldier, It took me a second to get the moves down and the timing\level memorization etc, but its one heck of a game! Super Easy is for Super Wimps!!

[Dirt Ball Gamer]

People talk about Contra Hardcorps being way too hard especially the us version, but I think its perfect! Great challenge and not at all cheap just insane!!

[Dirt Ball Gamer]

The video Game critic . net gives contra like a C- or something!!Blasphemy!!! sorry for all the posts im drinking coffee at work it makes me jittery, thoughts come in rapid bursts!!

[Joe Redifer]

Would you mind explaining why you just made 3 posts in a row instead of simply using the EDIT button like you should be doing?

[Zebbe]

If you drink coffee at work, it disables the EDIT button.

[Mr Smith]

The video Game critic . net gives contra like a C- or something!!Blasphemy!!! sorry for all the posts im drinking coffee at work it makes me jittery, thoughts come in rapid bursts!!
What a model employee you are, viewing a retro gaming website at work and drinking so much coffee you are "jittery". In saying that, drinking coffee excessively and slacking off work is what I aspire to, so I won't mock. :cool:

[Dirt Ball Gamer]

Didn't know about the edit button, nice I'll have to try that sometime. Graveyard shift requires mucho coffee!

[Sega Genesis]

I plan on buying a repro one day but playing it on rom on the computer with the keyboard I only get to the 2nd level just past the first boss. I only play emulation lightly to test if I want to buy a game. This is one of those games where a regular controller would help but I'm still not sure whether I will be able to beat it without some cheat code.

[OldSchool]

A seller on ebay has a copy "on sale" at the moment at US $139......if you can call it a sale price!

http://stores.ebay.com.au/Superb-Articles-From-Japan-SHOP_TODAYS-SPECIAL_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ11767485QQftidZ2QQt Zkm

Not bad though considering its the jap version.

bah


$9 on VC
:owned:

[salsays]

Download a rom that = free