Classic Game Room - ALIEN SYNDROME Sega Master System review

Alien Syndrome review. Classic Game Room reviews ALIEN SYNDROME for Sega Master System from 1988 (or 1987 depending which copyright you believe, the arcade game was 1987.) The Sega Master System video review of Alien Syndrome shows gameplay in HD that highlights the look and feel of the SMS version compared to that of the original arcade machine. The Alien Syndrome port on the SMS 8-Bit Sega Master System is a valiant attempt to recreate the original and succeeds for the home console circa 1988, but doesn't have the controls and smooth gameplay of the original Alien Syndrome arcade classic from Sega. Alien Syndrome remains a worthy collectable video game for Sega Master System collections.

[hunkTH]

Awesome review and awesome game! I don't understand why some of these Master system games were on NES. IMO classic Sega games should be played on classic Sega consoles!

[exiledPostman]

I grew up with the NES version of this game, and I think I may have only beaten it once. With savestates. Yeah, I never beat it as a child. Anyway, weren't the bosses actually called "mayor" or "governor" in the instruction booklet?

[TheFloodFourm]

I like this game because whether you live or die the ship still blows up and you win.

[BenJabituya]

I own this game on my SMS as well as the NES, PS2 & PS3! This port plays differently from the arcade version of Alien Syndrome and the NES/Famicom port. All I need is to import the Game Gear port of this game. I got Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection on my PS3, which includes the unlockable arcade version. I also got the NES port, as well as Sega Classics Collection for the PS2, which includes a revamped version of Alien Syndrome.

[AngeliqueStP]

This game drove me insane- he's so right about the controls. In fact I still have the cart and system in some dusty corner. Happiness! . :)

[FoolyCoolyx]

This was one of my favorite games from the Master System, actually you can say I had Love/Hate feelings for the game. From the ages of 5 - 8 (If I remember correctly) I was addicted to this game trying to reach the final boss. and as long as I had the system before my mom secretly sold it one day when I was at school, I tried so hard to reach those last levels. I would end up stressed out and frustrated LOL
I have tried the original, but because I played this one first, it is still my favorite.

[StandingUpForBetter]

Great review for a classic SMS game! I loved this game back in the day. What a lot of people did not know is that is also features a FM soundtrack if you have the ability to hear it.

[johnnyjohnson]

Nice review Mark! I definitely agree. The game is great when you have an upgraded weapon. I prefer the flamethrower as well.

[saigokun]

Thanks for posting this. I played this game on the MSX and it was quite good.

[MrQi]

nice to see your still reviewing classic games

[Guernicaman]

Would LOVE to see the Alien Syndrome arcade game come to GameRoom on Xbox Live (along w/SEGA's arcade collection). That way we have, not only an arcade-perfect rendition of the game, but also a 3D rendition of the arcade cabinet.

[justformysake]

How do you record footage from older consoles in HD??? Really nice review by the way. I still own this game with the Power Base Converter. But now I enjoy playing it on Sonic's UGC because I'm not using the SMS controller... lol Although I guess I could try using the Sega Sports Pad for that retro arcade feel... lol But yeah, how do you record footage from older consoles like the SMS in HD?

[SpinyNormanDinsdale]

@Kousaburo I don't think he reviews emulated games. AVGN said there were only a few arcade cabinets too.

[SteveBrandon]

I never use the Master System pads anymore, I have 2 different kinds of sticks for it, the Epyx one that's red and you grasp the base in your left hand while using the right hand for the stick itself, and that Sega first party stick with the horizontal shifter bar that was obviously mainly designed for OUTRUN but which works great with any kind of Master Systen game.

[DoubleDungeon]

@DiskSystemChronicles It was never released for the Genesis. You're thinking of the Arcade version in the bonus content menu.

[katsujinken]

@TDog14126 You should try the arcade version then. Even though I like this version too, that one's much better. Which leads me to the question, why doens't SEGA release any collections of their arcade games? They're kinda known for them, aren't they? I already have pretty complete collections for all SEGA consoles but I can't exactly own every great arcade cabinet they made.

[sonicmario]

I think it's also downloadable on the Wii's Virtual Console. :)

[TonyTorresTheThird]

Has he already done a Wonder Boy review? I believe that was on the Sega Master System, too.

[BromanEntertainment]

Even though Sega Master System was my first console, I didn't know this was even available on the system. I did have it on NES though, and it was great (and from what I remember it looked way better than this one graphically). The updated version released on PSP in 2007 wasn't so good though. :(

[d]

I would love to have this as a casual game now. Is there an app for that?