ALF

From Sega Retro

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ALF title.png

ALF
System(s): Sega Master System
Publisher: Sega of America
Developer:
Distributor: Tonka
Licensor: Alien Productions
Genre: Action[1]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Master System
US
5111

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ALF is a Sega Master System platform adventure game developed by Nexa and published by Sega. Released exclusively in the United States in May 1989, it is one of the first games produced under supervision of Sega of America, and one of the system's first Western-developed games. Based on the titular 1986 American sitcom ALF, the game is infamous for its poor control, gameplay, and production values, and has gained a reputation as one of the worst games released for the Sega Master System.

Story

Everybody knows Alf; that 229 year-old, furry, lovable alien life form from the planet Melmac! He's everywhere ... even on your Sega system in an all new exclusive adventure.

It all started in 1986 when Alf left Melmac to find a space-age candy store. Everyone on Melmac plugged in their hair dryers at the same time ... and the planet exploded! Only two other Melmacians escaped, Alf's good friends Skip and Rhonda. They ended up on Mars. The Alfer crash-landed on Earth in the Tanner family's yard. Now he's getting home-sick for his two pals. Especially for Rhonda, who is the cutest little ball of fur!

The problem is, Alf's spaceship has seen better days. It needs to be fixed before he can go zooming off into space. But to do it he needs your help.

Next to the Tanner's house is a space scooter. It will take you into the sky .…. if you figure out what it needs to go ... and where to get it! This game will take you from deep space to the bottom of lakes ... from city streets to dark caves ... up-stairs and downstairs! Collect all the necessary items and you'll be able to make it to the moon!

But remember ... the Alien Task Force knows the Alfer is around ... and they're out to get you! And they aren't the only obstacle to your success!

So sit back, grab your Control Pad and get ready for a rockin' good time with the Alien Bad Boy himself!

US manual[3]


Gameplay

ALF's goal is to collect all the scattered pieces of his spaceship so he may reassemble it and return to his home planet. As a side-scrolling platformer, ALF can move along a horizontal plane with Left or Right, and jump with 1. The 2 button serves as a general-purpose "use" button, utilized to operate the menu, open doors, and pick up items.[4]

Stages

Home
Cave
Street
Lake
Sky

History

Development

Main article: ALF/Development.

As one of the poorest-received Master System games ever released, the development of ALF has piqued the gaming community's interest for some time. Thankfully, the game's lead programmer Kevin Seghetti has provided a wealth of knowledge on the title's troubled production cycle and insight into the kind of game design choices that resulted in the game's eventual reputation.

Release

ALF received overwhelmingly negative reviews upon release, and is often cited as one of the worst games released for the Sega Master System. Lead programmer Kevin Seghetti has, in good humor, agreed with this evaluation. Being only twenty years old at the time, and with only a single previous game as development experience (Monopoly), his inexperience compounded upon the fact that virtually all sections of the game were notably rushed to meet deadlines. Seghetti has suggested that, as he felt the ALF television series was just as bad, its Sega Master System counterpart is at least in line with its source material.

Production credits

Programmed by Nexa. A division of Sphere
  • Musician: Randy Roseberry
  • Programmers: Kevin Seghetti, Jinda Pan
  • Producers: John Sauer, John Emerson
  • Artists: Jody Sather, George Kanalias
Source:
In-game credits
ALF SMS credits.png
[5]


Hints

Magazine articles

Main article: ALF/Magazine articles.

Promotional materials

MDMS MX advert.png
MX advert (1991)
MDMS MX advert.png

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer Action (DK)
25
[6]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-U
0
[7]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-U
16
[8]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-U
16
[9]
Sega Master System
14
Based on
4 reviews

ALF

Master System, US
Alf SMS US Box.jpg
Cover
ALF SMS US Cart.jpg
Cart
Alf sms us manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 82038ad4
MD5 bc1360afa99cd89fbab4ea55bef08aae
SHA-1 7706485b735f5d7f7a59c7d626b13b23e8696087
128kB Cartridge (US)

External links

References


ALF

ALF title.png

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