Arcade Vs Master System - Alien Storm

In Season 17 of Retro Comparisons we take a look every arcade game that made its way over to the Sega Master System

[@baronhausenpheffer]

You know, I saw the arcade version here and thought to myself that, "Oof, this is another SMS mission impossible. Let's see how they turned this into a completely different game." However, I found myself a bit shocked when A) they didn't go that route and instead went for a faithful conversion, and B) the SMS was surprisingly close to the arcade in terms of the way the game actually worked and played! There's clearly a graphical demake from a 16-bit-looking title to an 8-bit console in terms of resolution and frame rate, but still, I am mightily impressed with the Master System port of this title, and I think it deserves huge kudos.

[@RetroComparisons]

I totally agree, this was a fantastic port for what it was. I mean it's obviously not the version to play today but back then if you only owned a SMS this would have been a fantastic home experience of a great arcade game. When it comes to SMS beat em up renditions of Sega arcade games I'd put it leagues ahead of Altered Beast & Golden Axe and maybe on par if not better than Streets Of Rage, though to be fair it has been a while since I've played the SMS or Game Gear versions of SOR so maybe my mind will change when I get to the S games.

[@oldfan4049]

Wow...! That's actually very good. Like, the Contra's arcade-to-8bit level of very good)) The only thing that looks like a some kind of joke are those inside-the-grossery levels 'cause no scrolling and the aliens can't trasspass from one side to the other. Faithful demake is always a neat thing to see/play^^

[@RetroComparisons]

The SMS is great for what it is especially considering how good the arcade original looked. I love demakes so this season along with the NES vs Arcade season is already shaping up to be quite cool to see. Haha yeah the grocery store level does leave a bit to be desired but I get that their hands were pretty tied with the technology.

[@oldfan4049]

@@RetroComparisons agree^^)

[@mikec3260]

The only time I have seen this game is in your comparisons. It looks like a fun older beat 'em up. The Master System holds up insanely well. Winner: Arcade Another reason why I like this channel. It constantly adds to my back log. It is all the reason why I need to retire sooner than later.. lol. Nice job man!

[@RetroComparisons]

I'd never played this one until doing the channel so we're in the same boat on this one. I love this game on any system it's on and while it's not as good as Golden Axe or Streets Of Rage it's still a really fun beat em up with the same feel of those games. Actually this channel may be a bad thing for you considering your back log must be out of control lol!

[@mikec3260]

@@RetroComparisons That makes sense lol. Duuuuude the back log is way out of control and I haven't viewed all the videos yet lol!

[@RetroComparisons]

@@mikec3260 Lol!

[@MKF30]

Nice vid. I would say it's a decent attempt if you don't have an arcade with this game. I played this a few times as a kid in the arcades, fun game.

[@RetroComparisons]

Thanks buddy! The arcade game is so great and while the SMS port can't come close it does as good of a job as it can on an 8 bit console.

[@MKF30]

@@RetroComparisons Yeah, for sure since it's 8 bit era I don't blame the arcade to MS and NES ports being a little flawed since at the time they could only do so much. I'm surprised that they were even able to port some of these arcade games to the 8 bit consoles. Pretty cool.

[@shotgunl]

I've only ever played the Genesis port of Alien Storm, neither the arcade nor SMS versions. Obviously, since the Genesis version doesn't hold up perfectly to the arcade version, the Master System just doesn't have much chance of doing so either. But, it looks pretty decent for the system and sounds okay. Yeah, the arcade is definitely the winner, but hopefully the SMS plays pretty well.

[@f.k.b.16]

I bought Alien Storm on my Genesis not knowing it was an arcade port... and honestly after seeing the arcade, the Genesis one is really impressive in my eyes. I bet if ROM space wasn't so expensive, it could have been nearly 1:1. The SMS port looks a bit weak but it looks like one I would have enjoyed on my Game Gear on long car rides!

[@RetroComparisons]

The SMS version does play well. It's obviously the worst way to play this of the 3 but back then if all you owned was the SMS then this would have been a great game to own.

[@RetroComparisons]

@@f.k.b.16 The Genesis port is another good example that had it been released in like 93/94 it probably would have been nearly arcade perfect but even still it's a fantastic port.

[@user-ek7hp2er8v]

The SMS Port Is Surprisingly Smooth And Really Good, Considering The Limited Sega Máster System Hardware, The Graphics Are Colorfull And Like A 2D Version Of The Game, The Presentarion Is Not Bad, The Sound Is Surprisingly Kinda Good And The Gameplay Is Smooth, Winner: Not Need It Since It Counts As Not Giving Weak Hardware A Chance

[@RetroComparisons]

I totally agree, I think the SMS does a great job all things considered and is really well done for a graphically demanding game ported to an 8 bit system.

[@sobesons]

Arcade

[@johnmp3828]

Beware. This is not to be confused w alien syndrome

[@RetroComparisons]

This is the cure for Alien Syndrome.

[@juststatedtheobvious9633]

So, everyone complains when Golden Axe gets turned into an okay Street Fighter game, but turn Alien Syndrome into a 6 out of 10 Golden Axe, and we're all going to pretend hack and slashing used bubble gum with a flame thrower makes for a hidden gem? I mean, obviously Sega of Japan understands how to code for a Xenophobe in a mid sort of way, that still effortlessly shamed an American arcade rival... But look at the goofy pajamas. Men in Black, this isn't. And what happened with that Master System palette? Did they read the comments on your Alex Kidd video, and hitchhike back to the 20th century just to overcompensate? This kind of ugly is supposed to be saved for the HD era. Also, I'm pretty sure the aliens in the store were just underpaid refugees. They didn't seem to be fighting back very hard.

[@RetroComparisons]

Haha! I'm pretty sure those aliens in the store were non-union extras in Men In Black. While this isn't on the same level as the original Golden Axe I do really love this game even if it's not perfect. Though I didn't play this growing up I always had a love for these Sega games where you get the jump, punch, forward forward punch, and a screen clearing special. Couple that with an alien theme and I probably rate this game higher than it should be but I'm a sucker for it.

[@mtshark7]

Arcade😊

[@RetroComparisons]

Same:)