Alien Storm

From Sega Retro

For the Sega Mega Drive game, see Alien Storm (Mega Drive).

n/a

  • System 18
  • Master System
  • Amiga
  • Amstrad CPC
  • Atari ST
  • Commodore 64
  • ZX Spectrum

Alien Storm Title.png

AlienStorm SMS Title.png

AlienStorm Amiga Title.png

AlienStorm CPC Title.png

AlienStorm AtariST Title.png

AlienStorm C64 Title.png

AlienStorm Spectrum Title.png

Alien Storm
System(s): Sega System 18, Sega Master System, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
Publisher:
Arcade (System 18)
Sega Master System
Sega
Amiga
Amstrad CPC
Atari ST
Commodore 64
ZX Spectrum
U.S. Gold (UK)
Amstrad CPC
Erbe Software (ES)
Developer:
Licensor:
Amiga
Amstrad CPC
Atari ST
Commodore 64
ZX Spectrum
Sega
Genre: Action[2]

















Number of players:
Arcade
1-3
Sega Master System
1
Amiga
Amstrad CPC
Atari ST
Commodore 64
ZX Spectrum
1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Arcade (System 18)
JP
¥? ?
Arcade (System 18)
US
$? ?






























Amiga
ES
Amiga
UK
Atari ST
UK
Amstrad CPC
ES
(Cassette)
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Cassette)
Amstrad CPC
UK
(Disk)
Commodore 64
UK
(Cassette)
ZX Spectrum
UK
(Cassette)
£10.9910.99[5]
ZX Spectrum
UK
(Disk)
£15.9915.99[5]
Sega Master System
EU
7075
Sega Master System
BX
Sega Master System
UK
£29.9929.99[8][7] 7075
Sega Master System
GR
Sega Master System
TR
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
MX
Sega Master System
BR
Sega Master System
KR
GB-2008

Alien Storm (エイリアンストーム) is a 1990 beat 'em up game released by Sega for Sega System 18 hardware (supposedly the second game for that platform).

Story

When aliens invade earth, it's up to a special forces team known as the "Alien Busters," to get rid of them.

Gameplay

Alien Storm is very similar in nature to Sega's earlier title, Golden Axe, though sports a futuristic setting and occasional bonus rounds, and the pace of play is much faster.

Playable characters

Alien Storm has three playable characters, however for unknown reasons their appearance and names differ between ports and regional variants of the game.

AlienStorm Gordon Sprite.png
Gordon/Garth (ゴードン)
Cook of the Alien Burger when not killing xenos. Uses a lightning gun (or an oversized taser) as a main weapon. Also uses a rocket launchers (which he hilariously fires point blank range) and a machine pistol. Also punches or stomps on aliens as attack animations. In the Master System version he uses what manual calls a "Fire Blazer", a flamethrower. His special weapon is a futuristic US Air Force fighter which strafes the screen with energy weapons. (In the Master System version he uses Karla's special weapon.)
AlienStorm Karla Sprite.png
Karla/Karen (カーラ)
Karla is missing from the Master System version. Karla takes orders in Alien Burger van. She uses a flamethrower as her main weapon. She also uses a heavy caliber pistol as a part of her attack animation. Her special weapon is a ballistic missile. (Which for some reason does not obliterate the city they are in.)
AlienStorm Scooter Sprite.png
Scooter (スクーター) / Slammer
The overseas Master System versions of the game rename this character "Slammer". Scooter acts as the waiter of the Alien Burgers. He (It?) uses an energy whip as a main weapon. His other weapons inclue: ankle machineguns, wrist guns and very short range back mortar. In his special attack he self-destructs while leaving only his head. A replacement body runs along and grabs the head, re-attaching it to his body. (Majority of the Alien Hunters' budget must be spent on Scooter's replacement frames.)

Missions

Notavailable.svg

Mission 1

Notavailable.svg

Mission 2

Notavailable.svg

Mission 3

Notavailable.svg

Mission 4

Notavailable.svg

Mission 5

Notavailable.svg

Mission 6

History

Legacy

Alien Storm was ported to a variety of platforms, including the Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Sega Master System and ZX Spectrum, most of which being released in 1991.

Versions

Master System version

On the Master System, Alien Storm is a one-player only game.

Commodore 64 version

The Commodore 64 version was produced by Tiertex, and like other home ports of the game, only allows two players on screen at any given time (and to save on memory, both players control the same character). Introduction sequences were cut to save space, while some sections of the game were altered to reduce the impact of multi-loading (i.e. having to load data from the cassette mid-play)[10].

Tiertex used Atari STs to program the C64 game[10], but relied on Amiga computers for the graphics. For the Commodore 64 version, all sprites were re-drawn by hand, using ripped sprites from the arcade board as guidelines[10], while the backgrounds were converted through a bespoke Amiga program[10].

Music was composed on a synthesizer, imported to an Atari ST with help from the system's built-in MIDI ports, and then adjusted for use with the Commodore 64[10].

Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum versions

The Amstrad and Spectrum versions, also produced by Tiertex, are largely the same game, however the Spectrum is played in monochrome with higher resolution graphics. Neither feature in-game music.

Production credits

Main article: Alien Storm/Production credits.

Magazine articles

Main article: Alien Storm/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Alien Storm/Promotional material.

Physical scans

System 18 version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
88
[11]
Svet Kompjutera (YU)
88
[12]
User (GR)
87
[13]
Arcade (System 18)
88
Based on
3 reviews

Alien Storm

System 18, US
AlienStorm System18 US Manual.pdf
Manual
System 18, JP
AlienStorm System18 JP InstructionCard 2.jpg
"Long" instructions
Notavailable.svgAlienStorm System18 JP InstructionCard.jpg
Instuction card(s)

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
25
[14]
Consoles + (FR)
80
[15]
Console XS (UK) PAL
80
[16]
Computer & Video Games (UK) PAL
71
[8]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
38
[17]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
18
[18]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
62
[19]
Joypad (FR)
82
[20]
Joystick (FR)
86
[21]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
70
[22]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
38
[23]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
38
[24]
Player One (FR)
69
[25]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
59
[26]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
80
[27]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
78
[28]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
87
[29]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
80
[30]
Video Games (DE)
60
[31]
Sega Master System
63
Based on
19 reviews

Alien Storm

Master System, EU
AStorm ms eu cover.jpg
Cover
AlienStorm SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BX
AStorm SMS BX box front.jpg
Cover
AlienStorm SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, GR (Zegetron)

AlienStorm SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, TR

AStorm ms tr box back.jpeg

AlienStorm SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU
AlienStorm SMS AU cover.jpg
Cover
AlienStorm SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (Wide sticker)
AlienStorm SMS AU widesticker cover.jpg
Cover
AlienStorm SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR
AlienStorm SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
AlienStorm SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
AlienStormSMSBRManual.PDF
Manual
Master System, KR
AlienStorm SMS KR cover.jpg
Cover
AlienStorm SMS KR cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, MX
AlienStorm SMS MX Box.jpg
Cover
AlienStorm SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart

Amiga version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Amiga Joker (DE)
42
[32]
Amiga Power (UK)
44
[33]
Games-X (UK)
70
[34]
Génération 4 (FR)
69
[35]
Joystick (FR)
83
[36]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
60
[37]
Power Play (DE)
44
[38]
User (GR)
61
[39]
Amiga
59
Based on
8 reviews

Alien Storm

Amiga, UK

Amiga, ES

AlienStorm Amiga ES Disk.jpg
Disk

Amstrad CPC version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Joystick (FR)
83
[40]
Amstrad CPC
83
Based on
1 review

Alien Storm

Amstrad CPC, UK (cassette)

Amstrad CPC, UK (disk)

Amstrad CPC, ES (cassette)
AlienStorm CPC ES Box Front Cassette.jpg
Cover
AlienStorm CPC ES Cassette.jpg
Cassette
Amstrad CPC, ES (disk)
AlienStorm CPC ES Box Front Disk.jpg
Cover

Atari ST version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Génération 4 (FR)
69
[35]
Atari ST
69
Based on
1 review

Alien Storm

Atari ST, UK

Commodore 64 version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Commodore Format (UK)
86
[41]
Commodore 64
86
Based on
1 review

Alien Storm

Commodore 64, UK
AlienStorm C64 UK Box Back.jpgNospine.pngAlienStorm C64 UK Box Front.jpg
Cover
AlienStorm C64 UK Cassette.jpg
Cassette

ZX Spectrum version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Crash (UK)
89
[5]
Your Sinclair (UK)
75
[42]
ZX Spectrum
82
Based on
2 reviews

Alien Storm

ZX Spectrum, UK

ZX Spectrum, ES

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 7f30f793
MD5 c60380642a89805f569124a875248d71
SHA-1 aece64ecbfbe08b199b29df9bc75743773ea3d34
256kB Cartridge (EU)

References

  1. Credited in the in-game ending
  2. File:AStorm ms eu cover.jpg
  3. Sega Arcade History, Enterbrain, page 103
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Computer & Video Games, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-15), page 16
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Crash, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-xx), page 56
  6. Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 9
  7. 7.0 7.1 Computer & Video Games, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-10-15), page 83
  8. 8.0 8.1 Computer & Video Games, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-15), page 20
  9. Supergame, "Fevereiro 1992" (BR; 1992-02-xx), page 28
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Zzap!64, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-13), page 29
  11. Computer & Video Games, "September 1990" (UK; 1990-08-16), page 66
  12. Svet Kompjutera, "Jun 1992" (YU; 1992-xx-xx), page 64
  13. User, "Septémvrios 1991" (GR; 1991-0x-xx), page 94
  14. Aktueller Software Markt, "Februar 1992" (DE; 1992-01-10), page 129
  15. Consoles +, "Février 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 110
  16. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 137
  17. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 127
  18. Game Zone, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-21), page 38
  19. Hobby Consolas, "Abril 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 100
  20. Joypad, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1991-12-1x), page 44
  21. Joystick, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 135
  22. Mega Force, "Septembre/Octobre 1991" (FR; 1991-09-13), page 89
  23. Mean Machines, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-27), page 104
  24. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 132
  25. Player One, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 93
  26. Sega Power, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-06), page 48
  27. Sega Pro, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-20), page 34
  28. Sega Pro, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-08), page 25
  29. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70
  30. Sega Force, "Februrary 1992" (UK; 1992-01-23), page 72
  31. Video Games, "4/91" (DE; 1991-12-06), page 40
  32. Amiga Joker, "November 1991" (DE; 1991-10-31), page 45
  33. Amiga Power, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-19), page 97
  34. Games-X, "29th August-4th September 1991" (UK; 1991-08-29), page 22
  35. 35.0 35.1 Génération 4, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 108
  36. Joystick, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 242
  37. Micromanía (segunda época), "Diciembre 1991" (ES; 1991-1x-xx), page 26
  38. Power Play, "12/91" (DE; 1991-11-13), page 133
  39. User, "Aprílios 1992" (GR; 1992-0x-xx), page 46
  40. Joystick, "Octobre 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 204
  41. Commodore Format, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-19), page 36
  42. Your Sinclair, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 54


Alien Storm

Alien Storm Title.png

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