Altered Beast is Poised for a Re-birth

[Essay]

30 years goes by spectacularly fast.  As of this month, Altered Beast--the nostalgic yet oft-maligned--side scrolling beat-em-up is turning 30.  Released in the arcades, followed by ports to the Genesis and near-countless others, Altered Beast has never been a favored franchise by Sega, historically.  Nor particularly by fans.

There have been attempts at revivals--Altered Beast:  Guardian of the Realms--which was an accurate homage with some good ideas, yet was a slog to complete, and Project Altered Beast, which was a re-imagining that failed on gameplay and even nostalgia.

Despite this, there have been signs that Altered Beast is ready to re-emerge once more:

1.  With the 30th anniversary upon us, Sega and Funko Pop have released werewolf figures.  Accompanying these figures are a new logo; it would seem an odd choice to go through the trouble of making a logo solely for Funko.

2.  About two years ago, Sega inked a deal with a media company to produce a show or movie about Altered Beast, and we should be seeing the fruits of that labor soon.  https://variety.com/2016/film/asia/altered-beast-streets-of-rage-sega-movies-shows-1201933661/

3.  In an older Sega Blogs interview with M2, who ported 3D Altered Beast to the 3DS, the developers stated that there was no outstanding reason to port the game other than the fact that they looked at what sold on the Wii Virtual Console, and Altered Beast was high atop the charts.  Clearly, the game still sells.

4.  Altered Beast was one of--if not the--first games featured on Sega Forever, and has been downloaded 500-thousand times on Android alone.

5.  In the Sega Genesis Collection trailer for PS4, XBox One, and PC, Altered Beast was featured heavily.

6.  Despite not having a featured game since 2005, Sega has kept the series somewhat in our collective conscience with guest appearances of Neff's rhino form in Wreck-It Ralph and the werewolf appearing in Project X-Zone 2 for 3DS.

7.  Sega recently said they were looking to bring back old franchises, and they have three unannounced digital games for Q3 2018.

I know this might not mean much to many, and that it could all be circumstantial.  Yet, it means a lot to myself from a gaming perspective.  Altered Beast--along with Sonic, of course--cemented my fondness of the Genesis and Sega as a whole.  While a short, sometimes crude ride, playing as different beasts co-op with a friend was incredible fun as an adolescent (and if there's anything cooler than turning underworld demons to stone with your werebear-breath, I don't want to know about it).

Optimistically, I'd love for Altered Beast to be featured in Smash Bros. as a fighter or assist trophy (I even created a thread for it: https://smashboards.com/threads/wise-fwom-your-gwave-altered-beast-for-smash.453847/ ), I realize that this is unrealistic.

While the window of opportunity to announce a game to coincide with anniversary is closing, in Sega even acknowledging Altered Beast with figures and a possible movie, it's enough.  It's more than the series has had in a while.  Yet Sega now has a Altered Beast section on the Sega Store paying tribute to the anniversary:  https://shop.sega.com/collections/altered-beast-30th-anniversary-collection. However, I'd gladly take more from one of my favorite games.

[Berto]

Well since now that we got the revival of some classic games :

Sonic Mania
Wonder Boy : Dragon's Trap
Shenmue 3
Monster Boy and Cursed Kingdom
Phantasy Star Saga: Idola
Toe Jam & Earl : Back in The Groove
Streets of Rage 4
SEGA Ages for Nintendo Switch
SEGA Heroes mobile game featuring classic SEGA chars

then we could be optimistic for the future of Altered Beast and Golden Axe. 

[Essay]

Well since now that we got the revival of some classic games :

Sonic Mania
Wonder Boy : Dragon's Trap
Shenmue 3
Monster Boy and Cursed Kingdom
Phantasy Star Saga: Idola
Toe Jam & Earl : Back in The Groove
Streets of Rage 4
SEGA Ages for Nintendo Switch
SEGA Heroes mobile game featuring classic SEGA chars

then we could be optimistic for the future of Altered Beast and Golden Axe. 

It really has been something.  Nothing's quite off the table.

[Berto]

SEGA's 60th Anniversary Celebration
Save 91% on SEGA Mega Drive and Genesis Classics BUNDLE on Steam
Over 50 classic games in one great bundle including Altered Beast.
Offer ends 20 October 2020



Link : https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/13945/SEGA_Mega_Drive_and_Genesis_Classics/

[Berto]

Analogue Duo All-in-One NEC System Will Launch in 2021

The Analogue Duo is described as an all-in-one NEC system, as it can use CD Roms, HuCards, Super CD Roms, and TurboChips to play PC Engine, SuperGrafx, and TurboGrafx-16 games. (It is region-free.)

Some of SEGA games on PC Engine, SuperGrafx, and TurboGrafx-16 :   
After Burner II, Altered Beast, Columns, Fantasy Zone, Golden Axe, OutRun, Power Drift, Shinobi, Space Harrier, and Thunder Blade

Article : https://www.siliconera.com/analogue-duo-all-in-one-nec-system-will-launch-in-2021/

[Berto]

3D Altered Beast (3DS) Interview with Developer M2

When we looked at what games to port from the MegaDrive, we started with the games that were performing well on Wii Virtual Console, and from there narrowed down candidates based on popularity.
One of those titles was Altered Beast.
Maybe it’s because people find the bear really funny, I don’t know, but Altered Beast seems to be a pretty popular game!
Keep in mind that there’s an arcade version of Altered Beast, but unlike the arcade version, the MegaDrive version has two layer scrolling, and without those two layers, you really don’t have a foothold to start working on stereoscopic 3D.
The arcade version basically doesn’t have any parallax scroll at all.

Full interview : https://web.archive.org/web/20131209192818/http://blogs.sega.com/2013/12/05/sega-3d-classics-%e2%80%93-3d-altered-beast-interview-with-developer-m2/

[Berto]

Altered Beast Fan Game Roars To Life

The game contains three different modes – normal, hard, and battle mode –  each with their own respective rules and ideas.
Battle mode is perhaps the most radical of all, slightly more story-orientated and featuring what is essentially a boss rush.

Article : https://www.heypoorplayer.com/2020/02/26/altered-beast-fangame-roars-to-life/

[Berto]

SEGA's 60th Anniversary Sale Celebration
For a limited time save up to 50% on some of Officially Licensed SEGA Products on SEGA SHOP UK
All of your favourite brands including : Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, Altered Beast, and Sonic The Hedgehog
Free delivery on all orders over £50



Link : https://www.segashop.co.uk/collections/sale

[Berto]

"Astro City Mini" store-specific pre-order bonuses detailed
Acrylic key chain set, Clear Files, Miniature, Smartphone Wallpaper, and Cleaner Cloth



Source : https://sega.jp/topics/201015_2/

[Berto]

Al Nielsen : "Part of my interview was they sat me down in front of a Genesis and said okay start playing.
I had to play Altered Beast and I guess I did pretty well."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTkok1NzG-A

Taken from interview with the amazing SEGA of America Genesis Team! Tom Kalinske, Diane Fornasier, and Al Nilsen.

[Berto]

Limited Run Games releasing an English package version of the SEGA Astro City Mini

The Limited Run version of the SEGA Astro City Mini will only be limited to 3,500 units, which will probably make this version sought after in the collectors market compared to the regular Japanese version.
As far as I know, the SEGA Astro City Mini unit included inside the English packaging is exactly the same as the Japanese retail unit.

Article : http://segabits.com/blog/2021/03/22/limited-run-games-releasing-an-english-package-version-of-the-sega-astro-city-mini/

[Berto]

SEGA PlayStation 3 PSN Titles To Buy Before Sony Shuts Down the Store

Most of the titles we talked about here are available via the English PlayStation Network Store, since that is how most of us buy games.
But if you are daring and want to dive into some Japanese PSN goodies, you should totally check out some of the PS2 Japanese only releases especially the long running ‘SEGA Ages 2500’ titles:
- Phantasy Star Generation Complete Collection
- Bonanza Bros.
- Gain Ground
- Dragon Force
- Space Harrier Complete Collection
- SEGA Memorial Selection (Obscure titles!)
- Gunstar Heroes Treasure Box (MUST HAVE)
- Dynamite Deka
- Galaxy Force II – Special Extended Edition
- Fantasy Zone Complete Collection (MUST HAVE)
- SEGA Vintage Comix Zone
- SEGA Vintage Juoki (Altered Beast)
- SEGA Vintage Golden Axe
- SEGA Vintage Bare Knuckle II (SOR2)

Article : http://segabits.com/blog/2021/04/13/sega-playstation-3-psn-titles-to-buy-before-sony-shuts-down-the-store/

[Berto]

SEGA Talk #68: Altered Beast (1988)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDy4EGTxG68

SEGA Talk goes back to 1988, as we alter our inner beasts to talk about the SEGA 16-bit “classic” Altered Beast!
One thing is for sure, this game is heavy metal in a cartridge (or arcade)!
Sit back and let’s talk all things Altered Beast! 

Article : http://segabits.com/blog/2021/04/16/sega-talk-68-altered-beast-1988/

[Berto]

Chinese Exclusive Astro City Mini Revealed,
Red Buttons and Gold Limited Edition

You thought SEGA was done releasing variants of the Astro City Mini? Think again!
China will be seeing a release of the machine, featuring a red joystick and buttons as well as an accompanying controller. 

Article : http://segabits.com/blog/2021/04/23/chinese-exclusive-astro-city-mini-revealed-red-buttons-and-gold-limited-edition/

[Berto]

SEGA GOLDEN WEEK SALE Until May 7, 2021
Including SEGA Mega Drive and Genesis Classics Bundle

The Steam Golden Week sale is here!
Feeling bored? Get up to 85% off amazing titles like Shenmue I & II, Puyo Puyo Tetris, Binary Domain, Yakuza 0, Sonic Mania, Shining Resonance Refrain, and many more.
Offer ends 7 May 2021.

Link : https://store.steampowered.com/curator/36333614-Sega-Promotions/sale/segagoldenweek