Power Strike

From Sega Retro

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Powerstrike title.png

Aleste SMS JP Title.png

Power Strike
System(s): Sega Master System
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Distributor: Tonka (US)
Peripherals supported: FM Sound Unit
Genre: Shooting[1], Action[2]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Master System
JP
¥5,0005,000 G-1352
Sega Master System
US
5109
Sega Master System
EU
MK-5109-50
Sega Master System
UK
£24.9924.99[5] MK-5109-50
Sega Master System
SE
Sega Master System
AU
$69.9569.95[6]
Sega Master System
MX
Sega Master System
BR
Sega Master System
KR
GB-1004
Non-Sega versions

Power Strike, known as Aleste (アレスタ) in Japan, is a shoot-'em-up by Compile released in 1988 by Sega for the Sega Master System. It is the first game in Compile's Aleste series of shoot-'em-ups. Compile released the game to the MSX computer in Japan.

In North America, Power Strike was initially only available through mail order from Sega[7], but it eventually had a limited retail release. While the MSX game received two sequels, Compile would take the franchise further on other platforms through 1994. Most Aleste games released outside Japan would use the Power Strike moniker, with a few exceptions (MUSHA, Robo Aleste, the SNES game Space Megaforce). The Master System game was followed by Power Strike II in 1993; this is an outlier in the series and was only released in Europe.

Story

In Space Year 6180, the planet Rimar entrusts its environmental maintenance to the supercomputer DIA51. One day, while DIA51 is genetically engineering a new plant for oxygen synthesis, a massive earthquake occurs that causes DIA51 to malfunction and alter the DNA sequence of the plant.

A month later, DIA51 begins to go haywire, severing communication with the military base in which it is located, and the temperature of the planet begins to rise. The planetary defense forces learn that DIA51 is creating intelligent plant life to infect human brains, and they dispatch the advanced Aleste fighter to eliminate the DIA51.

Gameplay

The game is a vertically scrolling shooter. The player pilots the Aleste (or the Power Strike in the English localizations), which is moved in any direction with the D-Pad. The Aleste is equipped with a standard pulse beam that is fired with 1 and a special weapon that is fired with 2. Either can be held down for continuous fire. Both weapons have unlimited ammunition and can be fired simultaneously. The standard weapon can be upgraded by collecting Power Chips. The special weapon can be switched or upgraded by picking up numbers corresponding to each weapon. All of the special weapons except the first, which is initially equipped, only last a certain duration and revert back to the starting special weapon once their timers run out.

The Aleste is destroyed if it takes damage from an enemy, costing the player a life. The ship respawns after a moment, but the player loses any power-up effects after losing a life. The game ends if the player runs out of lives, but it can be continued from the title screen as long as the player has continues remaining. The player gains an extra life at 20,000 and 100,000 points and then every 100,000 points after that.

Weapons

Power Strike SMS, Special Weapon 1.png

Directional Shot (1)
Initially equipped. Shoots energy balls in the direction that the Aleste was last moved, including sideways, backwards, and diagonal directions. Shoots two energy balls faster when upgraded.

Power Strike SMS, Special Weapon 2.png

Web Gun (2)
Fires a potent shot that penetrates through multiple targets. Hold 2 to charge and release to fire. When upgraded, the time to charge is reduced.

Power Strike SMS, Special Weapon 3.png

Laser Cannon (3)
Shoots a laser beam. Shoots two parallel beams when upgraded.

Power Strike SMS, Special Weapon 4.png

Rolling Fire (4)
A ball of plasma that revolves around the Aleste. The sizes of the ball and the revolutions increase when upgraded.

Power Strike SMS, Special Weapon 5.png

Homing Flame (5)
Releases two revolving energy balls that seek out targets. Upgrading improves speed and power.

Power Strike SMS, Special Weapon 6.png

Swing Web (6)
Shoots arc-shaped projectiles forwards or in diagonal directions when moving left or right.

Power Strike SMS, Special Weapon 7.png

Plasma Ball (7)
Generates a large plasma ball that stays front of the Aleste and protects the front of the ship. Attacks ground targets as well when upgraded.

Power Strike SMS, Special Weapon 8.png

Wipe Laser (8)
Fires a laser that moves forward in a helical pattern.

Items

Items are dropped by item carriers when they are destroyed and can then be collected by flying over them.

The Aleste is temporarily invincible after collecting an item.

Power Strike SMS, Items.png
Power Chip
Upgrades the attack speed and power of the standard pulse beam. The standard weapon eventually grows to two and then three parallel beams. Drops down when released from an item carrier.
Power Strike SMS, Items.png
Special Weapon
Changes the special weapon to one of the eight special weapons. Picking up a number of a weapon that is already equipped upgrades the weapon. Floats upward when released from an item carrier.

Rounds

Power Strike SMS, Stage 1.png

Power Strike SMS, Stage 1 Boss.png

  • Power Strike SMS, Stage 1.png

  • Power Strike SMS, Stage 1 Boss.png

Power Strike Takeoff
Map: 1️⃣ 

Power Strike SMS, Stage 2.png

Power Strike SMS, Stage 2 Boss.png

  • Power Strike SMS, Stage 2.png

  • Power Strike SMS, Stage 2 Boss.png

Deep Forest
Map: 1️⃣ 

Power Strike SMS, Stage 3.png

Power Strike SMS, Stage 3 Boss.png

  • Power Strike SMS, Stage 3.png

  • Power Strike SMS, Stage 3 Boss.png

Great River
Map: 1️⃣ 

Power Strike SMS, Stage 4.png

Power Strike SMS, Stage 4 Boss.png

  • Power Strike SMS, Stage 4.png

  • Power Strike SMS, Stage 4 Boss.png

Mu-Plant
Map: 1️⃣ 

Power Strike SMS, Stage 5-1.png

Power Strike SMS, Stage 5-2.png

Power Strike SMS, Stage 5 Boss 1.png

Power Strike SMS, Stage 5 Boss 2.png

  • Power Strike SMS, Stage 5-1.png

  • Power Strike SMS, Stage 5-2.png

  • Power Strike SMS, Stage 5 Boss 1.png

  • Power Strike SMS, Stage 5 Boss 2.png

Invaded
Map: 1️⃣ 

Power Strike SMS, Stage 6-1.png

Power Strike SMS, Stage 6-2.png

Power Strike SMS, Stage 6 Boss 1.png

Power Strike SMS, Stage 6 Boss 2.png

  • Power Strike SMS, Stage 6-1.png

  • Power Strike SMS, Stage 6-2.png

  • Power Strike SMS, Stage 6 Boss 1.png

  • Power Strike SMS, Stage 6 Boss 2.png

HQ
Map: 1️⃣ 

Versions

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English Power Strike Power Strike
English (US) Power Strike Power Strike
Japanese アレスタ Aleste

Production credits

Source:
In-game credits
Power Strike SMS credits.pdf
[8]


Magazine articles

Main article: Power Strike/Magazine articles.

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
90
[9]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
90
[10]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
90
[11]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
90
[12]
Console XS (UK) PAL
90
[13]
Game Mania (UK)
90
[14]
Génération 4 (FR)
91
[15]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
50
[16]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
90
[17]
Megazone (AU) PAL
70
[6]
Power Play (DE)
80
[18]
S: The Sega Magazine (UK)
90
[19]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
100
[20]
Sega Pro (UK)
89
[21]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[22]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
89
[23]
Tilt (FR)
60
[24]
Sega Master System
85
Based on
17 reviews

Power Strike

Master System, JP
Aleste SMS JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
PowerStrike SMS JP cart.jpg
Cart
AlesteSMSJPManual.pdf
Manual
Master System, US
PowerStrike SMS US Box.jpg
Cover
Powerstrike sms us manual.pdf
Manual
SegaAdventure SMS US Poster Back.jpgSegaAdventure SMS US Poster Front.jpg
Poster
Master System, EU
PowerStrike SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
Master System, EU (Sega®)
PowerStrike SMS EU Box R.jpg
Cover
Master System, EU ("No Limits")
PowerStrike SMS EU Box NoLimits.jpg
Cover
Master System, SE

Master System, AU
PowerStrike SMS AU cover.jpg
Cover
PowerStrike SMS AU cart.jpg
Cart
PowerStrikeSMSAuManual.pdf
Manual
Master System, BR
PowerStrike SMS BR cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, MX

PowerStrike SMS MX Box Back.jpg

Mega Drive, KR
PowerStrike SMS KR backcover.jpgPowerStrike SMS KR spine.jpgPowerStrike SMS KR cover.jpg
Cover
PowerStrike SMS KR cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 4077efd9
MD5 8d9f02dcfea8f9728a3665ca12b044d1
SHA-1 f6f245c41163b15bce95368e4684b045790a1148
128kB Cartridge (EU/US)
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 d8c4165b
MD5 810f65d7a7a8462c40c01bea3d5d7d01
SHA-1 cba75b0d54df3c9a8e399851a05c194c7a05fbfe
128kB Cartridge (JP)

References


Power Strike

Powerstrike title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Reception


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Aleste/Power Strike games for Sega systems/published by Sega
Sega Master System
Power Strike (1988) | Power Strike II (1993)
Sega Mega Drive
M.U.S.H.A. (1990)
Sega Game Gear
GG Aleste (1991) | Power Strike II (1993) | GG Aleste 3 (2020)
Sega Mega-CD
Robo Aleste (1992)
Wii Virtual Console
M.U.S.H.A. (2008)
Sony PlayStation 4
Nintendo Switch
Aleste Collection (2020)
Aleste-related media
Music
Aleste Collection: Music Album (2022)