Difference between revisions of "Area 51"

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{{sub-stub}}
 
 
{{Bob
 
{{Bob
 
| bobscreen=Area51 title.png
 
| bobscreen=Area51 title.png
−
| publisher=[[Midway]] (US), [[GT Interactive]] (EU), [[Soft Bank]] (JP)
+
| publisher={{company|[[Midway Home Entertainment]]|region=US}}, {{company|[[GT Interactive Software]]|region=EU}}, {{company|[[SoftBank]]|region=JP}}
−
| developer={{SAT}} [[Tantalus Interactive]], [[Perfect Entertainment]]
+
| developer=[[Mesa Logic]], [[Tantalus Entertainment]], [[Perfect Entertainment]]
 +
| licensor=[[Atari Games]]
 
| system=[[Sega Saturn]]
 
| system=[[Sega Saturn]]
−
| romsize=366MB
 
 
| sounddriver=SCSP (1 track)
 
| sounddriver=SCSP (1 track)
 
| peripherals=[[Virtua Gun]]
 
| peripherals=[[Virtua Gun]]
 
| players=1-2
 
| players=1-2
−
| genre=Shoot-'em-Up
+
| genre=Shooting{{fileref|Area51 Saturn JP Box Back.jpg}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20190728123006/https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/soft_licensee3.html}}
−
| originalpublishers=[[Atari Games]]
+
| languages={{LanguageList|en|fr|de|es}}
−
| originaldevelopers=[[Mesa Logic]]
+
| originalsystem=Arcade boards
−
| consolescompilation=Arcade Boards
 
 
| releases={{releasesSat
 
| releases={{releasesSat
−
| sat_date_us=1996-11-20
+
| sat_date_jp=1997-02-07{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20190728123006/https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/soft_licensee3.html}}
 +
| sat_code_jp=T-18613G
 +
| sat_rrp_jp=5,800e{{magref|ssmjp|1996-22|66}}
 +
| sat_rating_jp=all
 +
| sat_date_us=1996-11-20{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/19961215060114/http://sega-saturn.com/software.htm}}
 
| sat_code_us=T-9705H
 
| sat_code_us=T-9705H
−
| sat_date_eu=1997-03-14 {{fileref|CVG UK 185.pdf|page=48}}
+
| sat_rating_us=m
 +
 
 +
| sat_date_eu=1997-03-14
 
| sat_code_eu=T-25408H-50
 
| sat_code_eu=T-25408H-50
−
| sat_date_jp=1997-02-07
+
| sat_rating_eu=bbfc12
−
| sat_code_jp=T-18613G
+
| sat_date_uk=1997-03-14{{magref|ctw|627|29}}{{magref|cvg|185|48}}
−
| sat_rrp_jp=5,800
+
| sat_code_uk=T-25408H-50
 +
| sat_rating_uk=bbfc12
 +
| sat_rrp_uk=44.99{{magref|mms|52|76}}
 +
| sat_date_de=1997-03-14
 +
| sat_code_de=T-25408H-50
 +
| sat_rating_de=16
 
| sat_date_br=1997-04
 
| sat_date_br=1997-04
 
| sat_code_br=191x34
 
| sat_code_br=191x34
 +
| sat_rating_br=18
 +
| sat_date_pl=1997
 +
| sat_rrp_pl=209
 +
| sat_date_au=199x
 +
| sat_code_au=FARE01SSC
 +
| sat_rating_au=ma15
 
}}
 
}}
−
| esrb=m
+
| otherformats={{NonSega|Arcade|PS|PC}}
−
| bbfc=15
 
−
| sega=all
 
−
| usk=16
 
−
| tectoy=18
 
 
}}
 
}}
−
'''''Area 51''''' (エリア５１) is a 1995 arcade light-gun game developed by Mesa Logic and released by [[Atari Games]]. It was ported to the [[Sega Saturn]] in late 1996 by [[Tantalus Interactive]] and [[Perfect Entertainment]] and published by [[Midway]], alongside versions for PlayStation and Windows PCs.
+
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' (エリア５１) is a 1995 arcade light-gun game developed by Mesa Logic and released by [[Atari Games]]. It was ported to the [[Sega Saturn]] in late 1996 by [[Tantalus Interactive]] and [[Perfect Entertainment]] and published by [[Midway Games]], alongside versions for [[PlayStation]] and [[Windows PC]]s.
 +
 
 +
==Story==
 +
Soldiers of the Strategic Tactical Advanced Alien Response (S.T.A.A.R.) military team have been deployed to Area 51 to repel an invading force of aliens, known as the Kronn, and alien-created zombies, who are taking over the facility. The team, led by Lieutenant Stephanie Grant and Sergeant Major Marcus Bradley, must infiltrate penetrate Area 51 and activate the nuclear self-destruct sequence.
 +
 
 +
==Gameplay==
 +
''Area 51'' is an arcade, on-the-rails shooting game using light guns. The player must defeat genetically modified zombie soldiers and aliens without harming allied S.T.A.A.R. team members. The graphics are prerendered, using human actors (similar to ''[[Mortal Kombat]]'') for soldiers, and [[full-motion video]] to simulate moving through the world. The game supports two-player cooperative play. The Arcade mode plays through all the stages of the original arcade game. There is also a Practice mode where players can practice shooting in a room with endlessly spawning enemies; players do not take any damage from enemies in Practice mode.
 +
 
 +
Players can use control pads or [[Virtua Gun]]s. The game can also be played in "Cowboy Mode," where a single player uses two guns. Using a control pad, the D-Pad moves the crosshair, {{C}} shoots, and {{B}} reloads. Players start the game with semi-automatic pistols that hold 8 rounds each. Players are equipped with a limited supply of grenades, which are thrown with {{A}}. Grenades are not aimed but attack every enemy on screen. Using a light gun, pulling the trigger while the gun is pointed at the screen shoots while pulling the trigger while aiming away from the screen reloads. Grenades are thrown by shooting the grenade icon on-screen.
 +
 
 +
The game contains numerous hidden rooms. By shooting certain objects in the correct sequence, players can unlock shooting exercises, weapon stashes, and bonus items. Other backdoors allow players to warp ahead to later stages instead of following the game's otherwise linear path.
 +
 
 +
Players have a limited amount of lives, depicted by crosses on the bottom of the screen. When an enemy appears, players have a limited amount of time to shoot the enemy before taking damage from it and losing a life. Shooting a fellow S.T.A.A.R. member also costs a life. Players lose their weapon upgrades when they lose a life. The game ends if the player runs out of lives but can be continued if the player has a credit remaining.
 +
 
 +
There are five selectable difficulty levels (Novice, Easy, Medium, Hard, and Expert). Players can also set the starting number of lives and credits in the options prior to starting the game. Players can also enable looping, where the game starts over from the beginning when completed.
  
−
==Promotional material==
+
===Objects===
−
{{gallery
+
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=320|
−
|{{galleryPrintAd
+
{{InfoRow
−
|IntelligentGamer US 08.pdf|ig|8|49
+
| title=Power Up
 +
| screenshot=Area 51, Items, Power Up.png
 +
| desc=When equipped with the starting pistol, shooting a Power Up equips players with either a shotgun or a machine gun. Shooting a Power Up when already holding a shotgun equips an automatic shotgun. Shotguns allow a greater field of error for targeting an enemy but only start with 5 rounds. Machine guns fire quickly and start with 10 rounds. Both the machine gun and automatic shotgun allow the player to keep the trigger pressed down to unleash rounds.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Ammo Crate
 +
| screenshot=Area 51, Items, Ammo Crate.png
 +
| desc=Ammo crates can be shot open and can contain extra grenades (each player can hold up to 9 grenades at a time) or extended ammo clips that allow the player to hold more rounds at once (10 for the shotguns or 19 for the machine gun).
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Barrel
 +
| screenshot=Area 51, Items, Barrel.png
 +
| desc=Explosive barrels can be shot to damage nearby enemies.
 +
}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
|{{GalleryPrintAd
+
===Stages===
−
|SSM_JP_19961227_1996-22.pdf|ssmjp|1996-22|66
+
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=320|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Stage 1
 +
| screenshot=Area 51, Stage 1-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Area 51, Stage 1-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=Area 51, Stage 1-3.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Stage 2
 +
| screenshot=Area 51, Stage 2-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Area 51, Stage 2-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=Area 51, Stage 2-3.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Stage 3
 +
| screenshot=Area 51, Stage 3-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Area 51, Stage 3-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=Area 51, Stage 3-3.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Stage 4
 +
| screenshot=Area 51, Stage 4-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Area 51, Stage 4-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=Area 51, Stage 4-3.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Stage 5
 +
| screenshot=Area 51, Stage 5-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Area 51, Stage 5-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=Area 51, Stage 5-3.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Stage 6
 +
| screenshot=Area 51, Stage 6-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Area 51, Stage 6-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=Area 51, Stage 6-3.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Stage 7
 +
| screenshot=Area 51, Stage 7-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Area 51, Stage 7-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=Area 51, Stage 7-3.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Stage 8
 +
| screenshot=Area 51, Stage 8-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Area 51, Stage 8-2.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=Players must destroy the alien craft before it escapes for the good ending.
 +
}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
|{{galleryPrintAd
+
==History==
−
|SSM UK 17.pdf|ssm|17|13
+
===Legacy===
−
|SSM UK 18.pdf|ssm|18|13
+
''Area 51'' was followed by ''[[Maximum Force]]'', produced by the same team at [[Mesa Logic]], but with an entirely different setting. An arcade-exclusive sequel called ''Area 51: Site 4'' was released in 1998.
−
|SSM UK 19.pdf|ssm|19|9
+
 
−
}}
+
==Versions==
 +
The Saturn version of ''Area 51'' is relatively close to its arcade counterpart, but chooses to present itself with an added border (a feature that remains through the entire experience and is absent from other versions). The resulting smaller field of view means that all 2D graphics and full-motion video clips are rendered at a lower resolution than their arcade (and [[PlayStation]]) counterparts.
 +
 
 +
The nature of disc-based media means transitions between scenes have a slight delay as the game loads in new data. This is particularly noticeable in the attract sequence.
 +
 
 +
Like ''[[Virtua Cop (LCD)|Virtua Cop]]'', [[Tiger]] also produced a handheld version of ''Area 51'' as a part of their Laser Games series of miniature light-gun games. The folding gun included with this version is reliant on infrared technology.
  
−
|{{GalleryPrintAd
+
==Production credits==
−
|Playmag FR 13.pdf|playmag|13|39
+
{{multicol|
−
|ConsolesPlus FR 064.pdf|consolesplus|64|69
+
{{creditstable|
 +
{{creditsheader|Midway Home Entertainment Team}}
 +
*'''Producer:''' Ken Humphries
 +
*'''Test Supervisor:''' Mike Kruse
 +
*'''Lead Tester:''' Rob Reininger
 +
*'''Testers:''' Todd Papy, Chris Thornton, Jesse Meza, Pablo Buitrago & Randy Slafsky
 +
*'''Print & Production:''' Debbie Austin, Shawn Murphy, Dave Young & Jon Mongelluzzo
 +
*'''Special Thanks:''' Brian Fritts, Bill Hindorff, Howard Lehr. Tona Hess & Kirby Fong (GT Interactive)
 +
{{creditsheader|Coin Op Team}}
 +
*'''Producer:''' Rob Rowe
 +
*'''Programmer:''' Charlie Grisafi
 +
*'''Game Design:''' Mike Hally
 +
*'''Art & Design:''' Steve Caterson
 +
*'''Video Production:''' Brent Englund
 +
*'''Lead Technician:''' Darrell Robinson
 +
*'''Stop-Motion Animator:''' Jody Burgess
 +
*'''Product Manager:''' Derryl DePriest
 +
*'''Audio & Music:''' Jeanne Parson & Michael Stein
 +
*'''Hardware Engineer:''' Brian McKee
 +
{{creditsheader|Mesa Logic}}
 +
*'''Concept & Game Design:''' Robert Weatherby
 +
*'''3D Animators:''' James Mestemaker, Guy Fumagalli, Hector Silva & James Webb
 +
{{creditsheader|Tantalus Entertainment}}
 +
*'''Programmer:''' Julian Crooke
 +
*'''Artist:''' Alun Bjorksten
 +
*'''Executive Producer:''' Arthur Kakouris
 +
*'''Support Programmer:''' Shane Stevens
 +
*'''Quality Assurance:''' John Szoke
 +
*'''Technical Director:''' Andrew Bailey
 +
{{creditsheader|Perfect Entertainment}}
 +
*'''Producer:''' Colin Fuidge
 +
*'''Quality Assurance:''' Matt Stamps
 +
| source=US manual
 +
| pdf=Area51 sat us manual.pdf
 +
| pdfpage=22
 +
| console=SAT
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
==Magazine articles==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
 +
 +
==Promotional material==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Promotional material}}
 +
 +
==Gallery==
 +
<gallery>
 +
GameProPressDisc14 Area51 Area 51 Logo.jpg
 +
GameProPressDisc14 Area51 Area 51 Boxfront SATURN.jpg
 +
GameProPressDisc14 Area51 Terry014.png
 +
GameProPressDisc14 Area51 Terry015.png
 +
GameProPressDisc14 Area51 Terry016.png
 +
GameProPressDisc14 Area51 Terry017.png
 +
GameProPressDisc14 Area51 Wendy001.png
 +
GameProPressDisc14 Area51 Wendy006.png
 +
GameProPressDisc14 Area51 Wendy008.png
 +
</gallery>
  
 
==Physical scans==
 
==Physical scans==
−
{{ratings
+
{{ratings|SAT}}
−
| icon=SAT
+
{{Scanbox
−
| ig=42
+
| console=Saturn
−
| ig_source={{num|8|page=71|pdf=IntelligentGamer US 08.pdf|pdfpage=73}}
+
| region=JP
−
| mms=73
+
| front=Area51 Saturn JP Box Front.jpg
−
| mms_source={{num|52|page=76/77|pdf=MeanMachinesSega52UK.pdf|pdfpage=76}}
+
| back=Area51 Saturn JP Box Back.jpg
−
| saturnpower=69
+
| square=yes
−
| saturnpower_source={{num|2|page=75|pdf=SaturnPower UK 02.pdf|pdfpage=75}}
+
| spinecard=Area 51 (エリア５１) Saturn JP Spinecard.png
−
| ssm=72
+
| disc=Area51 Saturn JP Disc.jpg
−
| ssm_source={{num|18|page=62/63|pdf=SSM_UK_18.pdf|pdfpage=62}}
 
−
| ssmjp_r=81
 
−
| ssmjp_r_source={{num||page=11|pdf=SnGwSISDRZK Book JP.pdf|pdfpage=13}}
 
−
| ugameplayers=65
 
−
| ugameplayers_source={{num|94}}
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
Line 87: Line 242:
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=Saturn
 
| console=Saturn
−
| region=JP
+
| region=AU
−
| front=Area51 Saturn JP Box Front.jpg
+
| front=Area51 Saturn AU cover.jpg
−
| back=Area51 Saturn JP Box Back.jpg
+
| back=Area51 Saturn AU back.jpg
−
| square=yes
+
| spinemissing=yes
−
| disc=Area51 Saturn JP Disc.jpg
+
| disc=Area51 Saturn EU Disc.jpg
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
Line 100: Line 255:
 
| spinemissing=
 
| spinemissing=
 
| disc=
 
| disc=
 +
}}
 +
 +
==Technical information==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Technical information}}
 +
===ROM dump status===
 +
{{romtable|
 +
{{rom|SAT|sha1= |md5= |crc32= |size=384,102,768|date= |source=CD-ROM (EU)|comments=T-25408H-50 V1.000|quality=good|prototype=}}
 +
{{rom|SAT|sha1= |md5= |crc32= |size=384,102,768|date=1996-12-04|source=CD-ROM (JP)|comments=T-18613G V1.000|quality=good|prototype=}}
 +
{{rom|SAT|sha1= |md5= |crc32= |size=385,942,032|date= |source=CD-ROM (US)|comments=T-9705H V1.000|quality=good|prototype=}}
 +
{{rom|SAT|sha1= |md5= |crc32= |size=|date=1996-06-19|source=CD-R|comments=|quality=|prototype=yes}}
 +
{{rom|SAT|sha1= |md5= |crc32= |size=|date=1996-11-06|source=CD-R|comments=|quality=|prototype=yes}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 +
 +
{{Area51Omni}}

Revision as of 09:19, 14 January 2024

n/a

Area51 title.png

Area 51
System(s): Sega Saturn
Publisher: Midway Home Entertainment (US), GT Interactive Software (EU), SoftBank (JP)
Developer:
Licensor: Atari Games
Original system(s): Arcade boards
Sound driver: SCSP (1 track)
Peripherals supported: Virtua Gun
Genre: Shooting[1][2]

















Number of players: 1-2
Official in-game languages:
  • English
  • Français
  • Deutsch
  • Español
    • Release Date RRP Code
    Sega Saturn
    JP     		¥5,800 (5,974)5,800e[3] T-18613G
    Sega Rating: All Ages
    Sega Saturn
    US     		T-9705H
    ESRB: Mature
    Sega Saturn
    EU     		T-25408H-50
    BBFC: Suitable for 12 years and over (12)
    Sega Saturn
    DE     		T-25408H-50
    USK: 16
    Sega Saturn
    UK     		£44.9944.99[7] T-25408H-50
    BBFC: Suitable for 12 years and over (12)
    Sega Saturn
    PL     		209zł209
    Sega Saturn
    AU     		FARE01SSC
    OFLC: MA15
    Sega Saturn
    BR     		191x34
    Tectoy: 18+
    Non-Sega versions

    Area 51 (エリア５１) is a 1995 arcade light-gun game developed by Mesa Logic and released by Atari Games. It was ported to the Sega Saturn in late 1996 by Tantalus Interactive and Perfect Entertainment and published by Midway Games, alongside versions for PlayStation and Windows PCs.

    Story

    Soldiers of the Strategic Tactical Advanced Alien Response (S.T.A.A.R.) military team have been deployed to Area 51 to repel an invading force of aliens, known as the Kronn, and alien-created zombies, who are taking over the facility. The team, led by Lieutenant Stephanie Grant and Sergeant Major Marcus Bradley, must infiltrate penetrate Area 51 and activate the nuclear self-destruct sequence.

    Gameplay

    Area 51 is an arcade, on-the-rails shooting game using light guns. The player must defeat genetically modified zombie soldiers and aliens without harming allied S.T.A.A.R. team members. The graphics are prerendered, using human actors (similar to Mortal Kombat) for soldiers, and full-motion video to simulate moving through the world. The game supports two-player cooperative play. The Arcade mode plays through all the stages of the original arcade game. There is also a Practice mode where players can practice shooting in a room with endlessly spawning enemies; players do not take any damage from enemies in Practice mode.

    Players can use control pads or Virtua Guns. The game can also be played in "Cowboy Mode," where a single player uses two guns. Using a control pad, the D-Pad moves the crosshair, C shoots, and B reloads. Players start the game with semi-automatic pistols that hold 8 rounds each. Players are equipped with a limited supply of grenades, which are thrown with A. Grenades are not aimed but attack every enemy on screen. Using a light gun, pulling the trigger while the gun is pointed at the screen shoots while pulling the trigger while aiming away from the screen reloads. Grenades are thrown by shooting the grenade icon on-screen.

    The game contains numerous hidden rooms. By shooting certain objects in the correct sequence, players can unlock shooting exercises, weapon stashes, and bonus items. Other backdoors allow players to warp ahead to later stages instead of following the game's otherwise linear path.

    Players have a limited amount of lives, depicted by crosses on the bottom of the screen. When an enemy appears, players have a limited amount of time to shoot the enemy before taking damage from it and losing a life. Shooting a fellow S.T.A.A.R. member also costs a life. Players lose their weapon upgrades when they lose a life. The game ends if the player runs out of lives but can be continued if the player has a credit remaining.

    There are five selectable difficulty levels (Novice, Easy, Medium, Hard, and Expert). Players can also set the starting number of lives and credits in the options prior to starting the game. Players can also enable looping, where the game starts over from the beginning when completed.

    Objects

    Area 51, Items, Power Up.png

    		Power Up
    When equipped with the starting pistol, shooting a Power Up equips players with either a shotgun or a machine gun. Shooting a Power Up when already holding a shotgun equips an automatic shotgun. Shotguns allow a greater field of error for targeting an enemy but only start with 5 rounds. Machine guns fire quickly and start with 10 rounds. Both the machine gun and automatic shotgun allow the player to keep the trigger pressed down to unleash rounds.

    Area 51, Items, Ammo Crate.png

    		Ammo Crate
    Ammo crates can be shot open and can contain extra grenades (each player can hold up to 9 grenades at a time) or extended ammo clips that allow the player to hold more rounds at once (10 for the shotguns or 19 for the machine gun).

    Area 51, Items, Barrel.png

    		Barrel
    Explosive barrels can be shot to damage nearby enemies.

    Stages

    Area 51, Stage 1-1.png

    Area 51, Stage 1-2.png

    Area 51, Stage 1-3.png

    • Area 51, Stage 1-1.png

    • Area 51, Stage 1-2.png

    • Area 51, Stage 1-3.png

    		Stage 1

    Area 51, Stage 2-1.png

    Area 51, Stage 2-2.png

    Area 51, Stage 2-3.png

    • Area 51, Stage 2-1.png

    • Area 51, Stage 2-2.png

    • Area 51, Stage 2-3.png

    		Stage 2

    Area 51, Stage 3-1.png

    Area 51, Stage 3-2.png

    Area 51, Stage 3-3.png

    • Area 51, Stage 3-1.png

    • Area 51, Stage 3-2.png

    • Area 51, Stage 3-3.png

    		Stage 3

    Area 51, Stage 4-1.png

    Area 51, Stage 4-2.png

    Area 51, Stage 4-3.png

    • Area 51, Stage 4-1.png

    • Area 51, Stage 4-2.png

    • Area 51, Stage 4-3.png

    		Stage 4

    Area 51, Stage 5-1.png

    Area 51, Stage 5-2.png

    Area 51, Stage 5-3.png

    • Area 51, Stage 5-1.png

    • Area 51, Stage 5-2.png

    • Area 51, Stage 5-3.png

    		Stage 5

    Area 51, Stage 6-1.png

    Area 51, Stage 6-2.png

    Area 51, Stage 6-3.png

    • Area 51, Stage 6-1.png

    • Area 51, Stage 6-2.png

    • Area 51, Stage 6-3.png

    		Stage 6

    Area 51, Stage 7-1.png

    Area 51, Stage 7-2.png

    Area 51, Stage 7-3.png

    • Area 51, Stage 7-1.png

    • Area 51, Stage 7-2.png

    • Area 51, Stage 7-3.png

    		Stage 7

    Area 51, Stage 8-1.png

    Area 51, Stage 8-2.png

    • Area 51, Stage 8-1.png

    • Area 51, Stage 8-2.png

    		Stage 8
    Players must destroy the alien craft before it escapes for the good ending.

    History

    Legacy

    Area 51 was followed by Maximum Force, produced by the same team at Mesa Logic, but with an entirely different setting. An arcade-exclusive sequel called Area 51: Site 4 was released in 1998.

    Versions

    The Saturn version of Area 51 is relatively close to its arcade counterpart, but chooses to present itself with an added border (a feature that remains through the entire experience and is absent from other versions). The resulting smaller field of view means that all 2D graphics and full-motion video clips are rendered at a lower resolution than their arcade (and PlayStation) counterparts.

    The nature of disc-based media means transitions between scenes have a slight delay as the game loads in new data. This is particularly noticeable in the attract sequence.

    Like Virtua Cop, Tiger also produced a handheld version of Area 51 as a part of their Laser Games series of miniature light-gun games. The folding gun included with this version is reliant on infrared technology.

    Production credits

    Midway Home Entertainment Team
    • Producer: Ken Humphries
    • Test Supervisor: Mike Kruse
    • Lead Tester: Rob Reininger
    • Testers: Todd Papy, Chris Thornton, Jesse Meza, Pablo Buitrago & Randy Slafsky
    • Print & Production: Debbie Austin, Shawn Murphy, Dave Young & Jon Mongelluzzo
    • Special Thanks: Brian Fritts, Bill Hindorff, Howard Lehr. Tona Hess & Kirby Fong (GT Interactive)
    Coin Op Team
    • Producer: Rob Rowe
    • Programmer: Charlie Grisafi
    • Game Design: Mike Hally
    • Art & Design: Steve Caterson
    • Video Production: Brent Englund
    • Lead Technician: Darrell Robinson
    • Stop-Motion Animator: Jody Burgess
    • Product Manager: Derryl DePriest
    • Audio & Music: Jeanne Parson & Michael Stein
    • Hardware Engineer: Brian McKee
    Mesa Logic
    • Concept & Game Design: Robert Weatherby
    • 3D Animators: James Mestemaker, Guy Fumagalli, Hector Silva & James Webb
    Tantalus Entertainment
    • Programmer: Julian Crooke
    • Artist: Alun Bjorksten
    • Executive Producer: Arthur Kakouris
    • Support Programmer: Shane Stevens
    • Quality Assurance: John Szoke
    • Technical Director: Andrew Bailey
    Perfect Entertainment
    • Producer: Colin Fuidge
    • Quality Assurance: Matt Stamps
    Source:
    US manual
    Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: 3663397 Done '/usr/bin/gs' '-sDEVICE=jpeg' '-sOutputFile=-' '-dFirstPage=1' '-dLastPage=1' '-dSAFER' '-r150' '-dBATCH' '-dNOPAUSE' '-q' '/home/sonicret/domains/segaretro.org/public_html/images/b/b9/Area51_sat_us_manual.pdf' 3663398 Segmentation fault | '/usr/bin/convert' '-depth' '8' '-quality' '95' '-resize' '2187' '-' '/home/sonicret/domains/segaretro.org/public_html/images/temp/transform_4052d9d71422.jpg'
    [8]

    Magazine articles

    Main article: Area 51/Magazine articles.

    Promotional material

    Main article: Area 51/Promotional material.

    Gallery

    • GameProPressDisc14 Area51 Area 51 Logo.jpg
    • GameProPressDisc14 Area51 Area 51 Boxfront SATURN.jpg
    • GameProPressDisc14 Area51 Terry014.png
    • GameProPressDisc14 Area51 Terry015.png
    • GameProPressDisc14 Area51 Terry016.png
    • GameProPressDisc14 Area51 Terry017.png
    • GameProPressDisc14 Area51 Wendy001.png
    • GameProPressDisc14 Area51 Wendy006.png
    • GameProPressDisc14 Area51 Wendy008.png

    Physical scans

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    {{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
    Based on
    0 review
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    Ação Games (BR)
    80
    		[9]
    Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
    56
    		[10]
    Freak (IL)
    82
    		[11]
    Gambler (PL)
    66
    		[12]
    GamePro (US) NTSC-U
    73
    		[13]
    Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
    81
    		[14]
    Intelligent Gamer (US)
    42
    		[15]
    MAN!AC (DE) PAL
    56
    		[16]
    Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
    73
    		[7]
    Playmag (FR) PAL
    77
    		[17]
    Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
    66
    		[18]
    Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
    66
    		[19]
    Saturn Power (UK) PAL
    69
    		[20]
    Secret Service (PL)
    40
    		[21]
    Sega Magazin (DE)
    65
    		[22]
    Sega Power (GR)
    69
    		[23]
    Sega Saturn Magazine (UK) PAL
    72
    		[24]
    Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
    67
    		[25]
    Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
    81
    		[26]
    Ultra Game Players (US)
    65
    		[27]
    Sega Saturn
    		 67
    Based on
    20 reviews

    Area 51

    Saturn, JP
    Area51 Saturn JP Box Back.jpgArea51 Saturn JP Box Front.jpg
    Cover
    Area 51 (エリア５１) Saturn JP Spinecard.png
    Spinecard
    Area51 Saturn JP Disc.jpg
    Disc
    Saturn, US
    Area51 Saturn US Box Back.jpgArea51 Saturn US Box Front.jpg
    Cover
    Area51 Saturn US Disc.jpg
    Disc
    Area51 sat us manual.pdf
    Manual
    Area51 Saturn US RegCard.pdf
    Reg Card
    Saturn, EU
    Area51 Saturn EU Box.jpg
    Cover
    Area51 Saturn EU Disc.jpg
    Disc
    Saturn, AU
    Area51 Saturn AU back.jpgNospine.pngArea51 Saturn AU cover.jpg
    Cover
    Area51 Saturn EU Disc.jpg
    Disc
    Saturn, BR
    Area51 Saturn BR Box Front.jpg
    Cover

    Technical information

    Main article: Area 51/Technical information.

    ROM dump status

    System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
    Sega Saturn
    ✔
    CRC32
    MD5
    SHA-1
    		384,102,768 CD-ROM (EU) T-25408H-50 V1.000
    Sega Saturn
    ✔
    CRC32
    MD5
    SHA-1
    		384,102,768 1996-12-04 CD-ROM (JP) T-18613G V1.000
    Sega Saturn
    ✔
    CRC32
    MD5
    SHA-1
    		385,942,032 CD-ROM (US) T-9705H V1.000
    Sega Saturn
     ?
    CRC32
    MD5
    SHA-1
    		1996-06-19 CD-R Page
    Sega Saturn
     ?
    CRC32
    MD5
    SHA-1
    		1996-11-06 CD-R Page

    References

    1. ↑ File:Area51 Saturn JP Box Back.jpg
    2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/soft_licensee3.html (Wayback Machine: 2019-07-28 12:30)
    3. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "1996-22 (1996-12-27)" (JP; 1996-12-13), page 66
    4. ↑ http://sega-saturn.com/software.htm (Wayback Machine: 1996-12-15 06:01)
    5. ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1997-03-03), page 29
    6. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "April 1997" (UK; 1997-03-12), page 48
    7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Mean Machines Sega, "February 1997" (UK; 1997-01-xx), page 76
    8. ↑ File:Area51 sat us manual.pdf, page 22
    9. ↑ Ação Games, "Março 1997" (BR; 1997-xx-xx), page 8
    10. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "February 1997" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 58
    11. ↑ Freak, "2/97" (IL; 1997-xx-xx), page 1
    12. ↑ Gambler, "9/1997" (PL; 1997-xx-xx), page 1
    13. ↑ GamePro, "February 1997" (US; 1997-xx-xx), page 82
    14. ↑ Game Informer, "February 1997" (US; 199x-0x-xx), page 59
    15. ↑ Intelligent Gamer, "January 1997" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 73
    16. ↑ MAN!AC, "02/97" (DE; 1997-01-08), page 80
    17. ↑ Playmag, "Mai 1997" (FR; 1997-0x-xx), page 116
    18. ↑ Saturn Fan, "1997 No. 3" (JP; 1997-01-31), page 177
    19. ↑ Saturn Fan, "1997 No. 6" (JP; 1997-03-14), page 110
    20. ↑ Saturn Power, "July 1997" (UK; 1997-05-28), page 75
    21. ↑ Secret Service, "Kwiecień 1997" (PL; 1997-xx-xx), page 32
    22. ↑ Sega Magazin, "März 1997" (DE; 1997-02-12), page 81
    23. ↑ Sega Power, "Októmvrios-Noemvrios 1997" (GR; 1997-xx-xx), page 61
    24. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "April 1997" (UK; 1997-03-15), page 62
    25. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "1997-03 (1997-02-14)" (JP; 1997-01-31), page 154
    26. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "Readers rating final data" (JP; 2000-03), page 13
    27. ↑ Ultra Game Players, "February 1997" (US; 1997-01-28), page 74


    Area 51

    Area51 title.png

    Main page | Comparisons | Hidden content | Development | Magazine articles | Reception | Promotional material | Technical information


    Sega Saturn
    Prototypes: 1996-06-19 | 07-11 | 11-06
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