- For the Sega System 32 arcade game, see Alien 3: The Gun.
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Alien3 (エイリアン3) is a sidescrolling video game loosely based on the movie of the same name. It was developed by Probe Software and published by Arena Entertainment for the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear, Amiga and Commodore 64 in 1992. Different games based on the movie were released on the Super NES and the Game Boy.
Gameplay
The player's task in game is to rescue hostages and defeat aliens which have taken over human colonies. There is a set amount of time to complete this task in each level. Failing to rescue all hostages results in instant death, as well as not reaching the exit before time runs out. Some hostages are extraordinarily well hidden, e.g. in chambers behind fully solid walls. Only stage 2-2 requires the player to not rescue hostages and run straight for the exit. Stages 3-2 and 5-1 are basically just rescuing hostages with no enemies to fight (5-1 has one Alien just before the last Elevator)
The player carries all 4 available weapons by default with a limited supply of ammunition: Machine gun, flamethrower, rockets and grenades, all of these are shot with
aiming with the D-pad and holding down
for rapidfire. It is possible to also pick up limited supplies of other ammunition throughout the levels, cycling between each weapon (and the standard gun) with
and using them with
.
jumps. To rescue a hostage or pick up an item, simply touch it.
There are 5 worlds with 4 stages each. A boss type Alien waits in the 4th stage of each world, although the same boss is recycled for all encounters.
The game has no continues and no password system and must thus be cleared in one sitting, which can take ~1 hour when familiar with the stages.
The difficulty level affects the amount of ammunition and time granted to clear a stage.
Due to a slight delay before firing and moving, the high amount of rescue missions and rather weak firepower in general, the game puts heavy focus on memorization.
Versions
- The game is not region protected and runs on any region hardware.
- The Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear versions are basically identical in terms of content to the Sega Mega Drive.
- The Sega Mega Drive version appears to be the "definitive" version as it contains parallax scrolling backgrounds and additional stage details (e.g. animated lights and flowing liquids in world 4) not found in any other version. Sound quality is only marginally inferior to the Amiga release.
Production credits
Mega Drive version
- Design and Production by: Probe Software
- Programmer: Tim Round of Eden Software
- Producer: Joe Bonar
- Graphics: Lee Ames, Lloyd Baker, Richard Beston, Jason Green, Joe Bonar, Tim Round, Hugh Riley
- Mapping: Richard Beston, Lloyd Baker, Joe Bonar
- Music and Sound Effects: Matt Furniss
- Sound Driver: Shaun Hollingworth
- Design Support: Fergus McGovern, Tony Beckwith, Neil Young, Keith Burkhill, Tim Round, Mike Archer
- Quality Assurance in the UK: Adrian Curry, Ian Wickenden
- And in the US: Tom Gibson, Joe Libertella, Dan Feinstein, Don Nauert, Lucy Fenn, Jane Biddle, Seth Rubine
- Technical Support: Carl Muller, Stuart Middleton
Source: In-game credits
Master System and Game Gear versions
- Alien 3™
- ©™1992 Twentieth Century Fox
- ©1992 Acclaim Entertainment Inc
- Design and Production by: Probe Software
- Producer: Joe Bonar
- Design Support: Fergus McGovern, Tony Beckwith, Neil Young, Keith Burkhill, Tim Round, Mike Archer
- Programmer: Keith Burkhill
- Graphics: Hugh Riley, Lisa Wand, Mark Jones
- Mapping: Hugh Riley, Lisa Wand, Keith Burkhill
- Music and Sound Effects: Matt Furniss
- Technical Support: Carl Muller, Stuart Middleton
- Quality Assurance in the UK: Adrian Curry
- And in the US: Tom Gibson, Dan Feinstein, Don Nauert, Seth Rubine and many others
Source: In-game credits
Magazine articles
- Main article: Alien 3/Magazine articles.
Promotional material
- Main article: Alien 3/Promotional material.
Physical scans
Mega Drive version
Mega Drive, US
|
![Alien3 MD US Box.jpg](/images/thumb/2/28/Alien3_MD_US_Box.jpg/191px-Alien3_MD_US_Box.jpg) Cover
|
![Alien 3 MD US Cart.jpg](/images/thumb/5/59/Alien_3_MD_US_Cart.jpg/50px-Alien_3_MD_US_Cart.jpg) Cart ![Alien3 md us manual.pdf](/images/thumb/3/3e/Alien3_md_us_manual.pdf/page1-28px-Alien3_md_us_manual.pdf.jpg) Manual
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Mega Drive, EU
|
![Alien 3 MD EU Box.jpg](/images/thumb/e/eb/Alien_3_MD_EU_Box.jpg/190px-Alien_3_MD_EU_Box.jpg) Cover
|
![Alien3 MD EU Cart.jpg](/images/thumb/a/a0/Alien3_MD_EU_Cart.jpg/50px-Alien3_MD_EU_Cart.jpg) Cart
|
Mega Drive, BR
|
![Alien3 MD BR Box.jpg](/images/thumb/6/64/Alien3_MD_BR_Box.jpg/189px-Alien3_MD_BR_Box.jpg) Cover
|
![Alien3 MD BR Cart.jpg](/images/thumb/1/15/Alien3_MD_BR_Cart.jpg/50px-Alien3_MD_BR_Cart.jpg) Cart ![Alien3 md br manual.pdf](/images/thumb/8/8d/Alien3_md_br_manual.pdf/page1-35px-Alien3_md_br_manual.pdf.jpg) Manual
|
Master System version
Master System, EU
|
![Alien 3 SMS EU Box.jpg](/images/thumb/2/28/Alien_3_SMS_EU_Box.jpg/188px-Alien_3_SMS_EU_Box.jpg) Cover
|
![Alien3 SMS EU Cart.jpg](/images/thumb/1/19/Alien3_SMS_EU_Cart.jpg/50px-Alien3_SMS_EU_Cart.jpg) Cart ![Alien3 SMS EU Manual.pdf](/images/thumb/2/24/Alien3_SMS_EU_Manual.pdf/page1-50px-Alien3_SMS_EU_Manual.pdf.jpg) Manual
|
Master System, GR
|
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:Expression error: Unexpected < operator.px">
320x120px Cover
|
![Alien3 SMS EU Cart.jpg](/images/thumb/1/19/Alien3_SMS_EU_Cart.jpg/50px-Alien3_SMS_EU_Cart.jpg) Cart ![Alien3 SMS EU Manual.pdf](/images/thumb/2/24/Alien3_SMS_EU_Manual.pdf/page1-50px-Alien3_SMS_EU_Manual.pdf.jpg) Manual
|
Master System, AU
|
|
![Alien3 SMS AU Cart.jpg](/images/thumb/a/ad/Alien3_SMS_AU_Cart.jpg/50px-Alien3_SMS_AU_Cart.jpg) Cart
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Master System, BR
|
![Alien 3 SMS BR Box.jpg](/images/thumb/7/79/Alien_3_SMS_BR_Box.jpg/186px-Alien_3_SMS_BR_Box.jpg) Cover
|
![Alien3 SMS BR Cart.jpg](/images/thumb/4/4a/Alien3_SMS_BR_Cart.jpg/50px-Alien3_SMS_BR_Cart.jpg) Cart ![Alien3 sms br manual.pdf](/images/thumb/5/5e/Alien3_sms_br_manual.pdf/page1-35px-Alien3_sms_br_manual.pdf.jpg) Manual
|
Game Gear version
Game Gear, JP
|
|
![Alien3 gg jp cart.jpg](/images/thumb/8/88/Alien3_gg_jp_cart.jpg/50px-Alien3_gg_jp_cart.jpg) Cart
|
Game Gear, US
|
|
![Alien3 GG US Cart.jpg](/images/thumb/9/9b/Alien3_GG_US_Cart.jpg/49px-Alien3_GG_US_Cart.jpg) Cart ![Alien 3 GG US Manual.pdf](/images/thumb/1/14/Alien_3_GG_US_Manual.pdf/page1-50px-Alien_3_GG_US_Manual.pdf.jpg) Manual
|
Game Gear, EU
|
|
![Alien 3 GG EU cart.jpg](/images/thumb/5/56/Alien_3_GG_EU_cart.jpg/49px-Alien_3_GG_EU_cart.jpg) Cart
|
Technical information
ROM dump status
System |
Hash |
Size |
Build Date |
Source |
Comments |
|
|
|
✔
|
CRC32
|
a3b00d6e
|
MD5
|
f9e32be60028206b3716f64f2ba0ab00
|
SHA-1
|
1f4b969592f98d2692cb06eca550da9c03062593
|
|
512kB
|
|
Cartridge (US/EU)
|
|
|
|
|
✔
|
CRC32
|
b327fd1b
|
MD5
|
793b92cd4a66921db6ca4f582a690db5
|
SHA-1
|
26959752d0683298146c2a89599fa598d009651b
|
|
512kB
|
1992-10
|
Cartridge
|
Rev. 01
|
|
|
|
✔
|
CRC32
|
b618b144
|
MD5
|
7d6b3351e820b6afa7cf80713dc139e3
|
SHA-1
|
be40ffc72ee19620a8bac89d5d96bbafcefc74e7
|
|
256kB
|
|
Cartridge (EU)
|
|
|
|
|
✔
|
CRC32
|
11a68c08
|
MD5
|
653310b476cab68eeb8d3520c26b9755
|
SHA-1
|
f3b976fefc331f37c3e4d883791eba68890279a5
|
|
256kB
|
|
Cartridge (US/EU)
|
|
|
|
|
✔
|
CRC32
|
06f6eebb
|
MD5
|
25decd5633847246b38fb9188496d2c8
|
SHA-1
|
f09885d76ea7af75fb605261a08143d3ccdc4ca8
|
|
256kB
|
|
Cartridge (JP)
|
|
|
|
|
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://sega.jp/fb/segahard/gg/soft_licensee.html (Wayback Machine: 2013-01-01 20:24)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 GamePro, "October 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 49
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 MegaTech, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-20), page 10
- ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 33
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Sega Magazin, "September/Oktober 1993" (DE; 1993-09-01), page 86
- ↑ Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 47
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Sega Magazin, "September/Oktober 1993" (DE; 1993-09-01), page 87
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 GamePro, "December 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 169
- ↑ GamesMaster, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-03), page 14
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Sega Force, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-14), page 80
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Computer & Video Games, "March 1993 (Go! Issue 17)" (UK; 1993-02-15), page 6
- ↑ Computer & Video Games, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-15), page 26-27 (26)
- ↑ Console Mania, "Novembre 1992" (IT; 1992-1x-xx), page 44-47/49 (44)
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 18
- ↑ GameFan, "Volume 1, Issue 1: October 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 6/20-21 (6)
- ↑ GamePro, "October 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 46-47 (48)
- ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 74-77 (74)
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Joystick, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 145
- ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 32-33 (32)
- ↑ Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 86-87 (86)
- ↑ Mean Machines, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-27), page 16-18 (16)
- ↑ Player One, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-10-10), page 72-73 (72)
- ↑ Sega Force, "1/93" (SE; 1993-01-14), page 10-11 (10)
- ↑ Sega Force, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 68-69 (68)
- ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 16
- ↑ Ação Games, "Outubro 1992" (BR; 1992-10-01), page 20
- ↑ Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-06-xx), page 80
- ↑ Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 72
- ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "November 1992" (DE; 1992-10-09), page 144
- ↑ Console Mania, "Novembre 1992" (IT; 1992-1x-xx), page 44
- ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 12
- ↑ Computer & Video Games, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-15), page 26
- ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 287
- ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 5, "" (RU; 200x-xx-xx), page 91
- ↑ FX (UK) (+0:00)
- ↑ GameFan, "Volume 1, Issue 1: October 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 6
- ↑ Game Power, "Novembre 1992" (IT; 1992-1x-xx), page 65
- ↑ GamePro, "October 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 48
- ↑ Gamers, "Dezember/Januar 1993" (DE; 1992-11-19), page 36
- ↑ Game Zone, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-24), page 18
- ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 74
- ↑ Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2001-08-27), page 19
- ↑ Joypad, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-10-xx), page 54
- ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 32
- ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 90
- ↑ Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 87
- ↑ Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 65
- ↑ Mega Fun, "09/92" (DE; 1992-09-22), page 32
- ↑ MegaTech, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-20), page 26
- ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Diciembre 1992" (ES; 1992-1x-xx), page 44
- ↑ Mean Machines, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-27), page 66
- ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 137
- ↑ OK Consolas, "xxxx 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 36
- ↑ Player One, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-10-10), page 72
- ↑ Play Time, "12/92" (DE; 1992-11-04), page 88
- ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, October 03, 1992" (UK; 1992-10-03), page 1
- ↑ Power Play, "11/92" (DE; 1992-10-14), page 153
- ↑ Sega Power, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-06), page 22
- ↑ Sega Pro, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-10), page 30
- ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 64
- ↑ Sega Force, "1/93" (SE; 1993-01-14), page 10
- ↑ Sega Force, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 68
- ↑ Supergame, "Novembro 1992" (BR; 1992-11-xx), page 20
- ↑ Supersonic, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 20
- ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 7
- ↑ User, "Mártios 1993" (GR; 1993-0x-xx), page 48
- ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "November 1992" (US; 1992-1x-xx), page 45
- ↑ Video Games, "10/92" (DE; 1992-09-30), page 94
- ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 78-79 (78)
- ↑ Player One, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-12-10), page 132 (128)
- ↑ 71.0 71.1 Sega Force, "2/93" (SE; 1993-03-18), page 20
- ↑ Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 46-47 (46)
- ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "August 1993" (DE; 1993-07-12), page 136
- ↑ Consoles +, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 150
- ↑ Digitiser (UK) (1993-01-04)
- ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 78
- ↑ Joypad, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 74
- ↑ Joystick, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 177
- ↑ Megablast, "4/93" (DE; 1993-09-29), page 46
- ↑ Player One, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-12-10), page 132
- ↑ Sega Power, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-06), page 24
- ↑ Sega Pro, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-12), page 70
- ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70
- ↑ Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 46
- ↑ Supergame, "Janeiro 1993" (BR; 1993-01-xx), page 39
- ↑ Video Games, "11/92" (DE; 1992-10-28), page 55
- ↑ 87.0 87.1 Consoles +, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 118
- ↑ Computer & Video Games, "March 1993 (Go! Issue 17)" (UK; 1993-02-15), page 6-7 (6)
- ↑ 89.0 89.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 164
- ↑ GamePro, "December 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 180 (169)
- ↑ 91.0 91.1 GamesMaster, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-18), page 80
- ↑ 92.0 92.1 Joypad, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 112
- ↑ 93.0 93.1 Joystick, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 185
- ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-28), page 80-82 (80)
- ↑ 95.0 95.1 Player One, "Février/Mars 1993" (FR; 1993-02-10), page 94
- ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "June 1994" (JP; 1994-05-07), page 21
- ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "December 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 38
- ↑ Famitsu, "1994-06-03" (JP; 1994-05-20), page 40
- ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Marzo 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 50
- ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-28), page 80
- ↑ Sega Pro, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-14), page 44
- ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
- ↑ Sega Zone, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-20), page 1
- ↑ Video Games, "3/93" (DE; 1993-02-24), page 107