View source for Altered Beast

{{short description|1988 video game}}
{{for-multi|the 2005 video game|Altered Beast (2005 video game){{!}}''Altered Beast'' (2005 video game)|the Matthew Sweet album|Altered Beast (album){{!}}''Altered Beast'' (album)|}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Altered Beast
| image = AlteredBeastFlyer.png
| caption = Japanese arcade flyer
| developer = [[Sega AM1|Team Shinobi]]
| publisher = [[Sega]]
| designer = [[Makoto Uchida (game developer)|Makoto Uchida]]
| artist = [[Rieko Kodama]]
| composer = Tohru Nakabayashi
| series = ''Altered Beast''
| platforms = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Arcade video game|Arcade]]}}|[[Sega Genesis|Genesis/Mega Drive]], [[Master System]], [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]], [[Amstrad CPC]], [[Commodore 64]], [[ZX Spectrum]], [[PC Engine CD-ROM²]], [[TurboGrafx-16|PC Engine]], [[MS-DOS]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]], [[MSX]]}}
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|June 14, 1988}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|JP|June 14, 1988<ref>{{cite web |title=Altered Beast (Registration Number PA0000370979) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |website=[[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date=10 June 2021}}</ref>|NA/EU|June 1988<ref>{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971–2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971–2005) |date=October 13, 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |language=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |page=131 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n132}}</ref><ref name="CVG82"/>}} '''Genesis/Mega Drive'''{{vgrelease|JP|November 27, 1988<ref name="Sega titles - Sega JP">{{cite web |title=Software List (Sega Release) |url=https://www.sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html |website=Sega Hard Encyclopedia |publisher=[[Sega|Sega Corporation]] |access-date=May 15, 2023 |language=ja}}</ref>|NA|August 1989<ref name="EarlyGenesis">{{cite magazine |title=Early Response to Sega GENESIS |magazine=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=8 |issue=6 |date=September 1989 |page=10 |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/12ad9feb-28e7-4caa-bb8c-deccdb32f6fd}}</ref>|PAL|September 1990<ref>{{cite magazine |date=September 1990 |title=Megadrive – Official at Last |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_106_1990-09_EMAP_Publishing_GB/page/n12/mode/1up?view=theater |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |issue=106 |page=13}}</ref>}} '''Master System'''{{vgrelease|NA/PAL|June 1989<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Availability Update |magazine=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=8 |issue=4 |date=July 1989 |page=13 |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/ff4e632c-0048-4245-b769-eb0b04fd9f41}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Games Coming |url=https://archive.org/details/official-sega-club-uk-04/page/n1/mode/2up|work=The Official Sega Club UK #4|date=1989 |publisher=[[Mastertronic]]}}</ref>}} '''Amiga'''{{vgrelease|EU| 1989<ref name="tgmjun89">{{cite magazine |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=June 1989 |title=A change for the beastlier |url=https://archive.org/details/the-games-machine-19/page/n11/mode/2up |magazine=[[The Games Machine]] |publisher=[[Newsfield]] |issue=19 |page=12}}</ref>|NA|March 1990<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/17157094-bc0c-45b7-8447-d4e398ee6a1c |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=9 |issue=1 |date=April 1990 |page=14}}</ref>}} '''Atari ST, CPC'''{{vgrelease|EU|1989<ref name="tgmjun89"/>}} '''C64'''{{vgrelease|EU|1989<ref name="tgmjun89"/>|NA|February 1990<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/9175790f-7ac7-4c23-977f-faa7efae3b81 |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=8 |issue=12 |date=March 1990 |page=14}}</ref>}} '''CD-ROM²'''{{vgrelease|JP|September 22, 1989<ref name="gdr">{{cite web |title=PC Engine Software List 1989 |url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NEC1_PCE1989.html |website=GAME Data Room |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827210551/http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NEC1_PCE1989.html |archive-date=August 27, 2018 |language=ja}}</ref>}} '''PC Engine'''{{vgrelease|JP|September 29, 1989<ref name="gdr"/>}} '''ZX Spectrum'''{{vgrelease|UK|1989<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=October 1989 |title=Altered Beast |url=https://archive.org/details/Your_Sinclair_046/page/14/mode/2up |magazine=[[Your Sinclair]] |publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]] |issue=46 |pages=14–15}}</ref>}} '''MS-DOS'''{{vgrelease|NA|June 1990<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/9a3697b8-7d6a-4b5b-930d-de71424b73ce |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=9 |issue=3 |date=June 1990 |page=14}}</ref>}} '''Famicom'''{{vgrelease|JP|July 20, 1990<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|title=All Famicom games sorted from the latest release to the earliest|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|archive-date=October 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015061257/https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
}}
| genre = [[Beat 'em up]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| arcade system = [[Sega System 16]]
}}

'''''Altered Beast'''''{{efn|{{nihongo||{{ruby|獣王記|じゅうおうき}}|Jūōki|"Beast King's Chronicle"}}}} is a 1988 [[beat 'em up]] [[video game]] developed by [[Sega AM1|Team Shinobi]] and published by [[Sega]] for [[Arcade video game|arcades]]. Set in [[Ancient Greece]], the game follows a Roman [[centurion]] who is resurrected by the Olympian god [[Zeus]] to rescue his daughter [[Athena]] from Neff, the demonic ruler of the [[underworld]]. By collecting three [[power-up]]s in a level, the player character can transform into one of five mythical beasts.

The game's development was led by [[Makoto Uchida (game developer)|Makoto Uchida]], and marked his first role as a project lead. Uchida and his team used the [[List of Sega arcade system boards|System 16]] [[arcade system board]]. ''Altered Beast'' was ported to several consoles and [[home computer]]s, and was the original [[pack-in game]] for the [[Sega Genesis|Sega Genesis/Mega Drive]] when the console was launched in North America in 1989 and Europe in 1990.

''Altered Beast''{{'}}s arcade release and its ports received generally positive reviews, with mainly praising the gameplay and graphics. The game has been re-released several times for various consoles and as part of [[video game compilation]]s, and there has been one [[Altered Beast: Guardian of the Realms|sequel]] and one [[Altered Beast (2005 video game)|reboot]].

==Gameplay==
[[Image:altbeastplay.png|thumb|220px|left|The player, with two [[power-up]]s obtained, fights a group of the undead to progress forward. Once the player obtains another power-up, they can transform into a beast.]]

''Altered Beast'' is a [[side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] [[beat 'em up]] game with light [[platform game|platform]] elements. It has five levels and can be played by up to two players simultaneously. Combat takes place across five levels set in [[Ancient Greece]] and populated by aggressive [[undead]] creatures and monsters resembling those from Greek mythology. The demonic god Neff waits at the end of each level. Between each level are small animations giving the player glimpses of Athena's peril.<ref name="ag2">{{Cite web|last=Sutyak|first=Jonathan|title=Altered Beast - Overview - SMS|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1766|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114111239/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1766|archive-date=November 14, 2014|access-date=February 6, 2020|website=[[AllGame]]}}</ref><ref name="ag3">{{Cite web|last=Marriott|first=Scott Alan|title=Altered Beast - Overview - Genesis|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=66|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114131331/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=66|archive-date=November 14, 2014|access-date=February 6, 2020|website=[[AllGame]]}}</ref> The player can punch, kick and jump.<ref name="ag1">{{Cite web|last=Dean|first=Michael W.|title=Altered Beast - Overview - Arcade|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=9491|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114131403/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=9491|archive-date=November 14, 2014|access-date=February 6, 2020|website=[[AllGame]]}}</ref>

The game's premise is that Neff, ruler of the [[Greek underworld|underworld]], captures the goddess [[Athena]]. Her angered father, the Olympian god [[Zeus]], decides to choose a champion to save her. Respecting the bravery of [[Centurion|Roman Centurions]], Zeus resurrects one of them and empowers him as a champion. The player character is the resurrected Roman Centurion, given extra power by Zeus so they can battle Neff and his supernatural minions.<ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine|last=Bevan|first=Mike|date=January 2014|title=The Making Of: Altered Beast|url=https://archive.org/stream/retro_gamer/RetroGamer_124#page/46/mode/2up|magazine=[[Retro Gamer]]|publisher=[[Imagine Publishing]]|issue=124|pages=46–49}}</ref> In the original arcade version, the end credits include the revelation that the whole game actually depicted a staged film production.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Horowitz |first=Ken |title=The Sega Arcade Revolution: A History in 62 Games |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |year=2018 |isbn=9781476631967 |pages=134–136}}</ref>

Whenever the player defeats a white [[Orthrus|two-headed wolf]], a Spirit Ball [[power-up]] appears. Each obtained Spirit Ball increases the player character's strength and size. Collecting three Spirit Balls allows the player character to transform into a powerful beast form, increasing their combat abilities before having to face Neff at the end of the level. The player character's beast forms include a [[European dragon|weredragon]], a werebear, a weretiger, a [[werewolf]], or a golden werewolf. Each beast form grants its own abilities. The dragon can unleash lightning bolts and an electric barrier, the bear has a petrifying breath that turns enemies into stone, the tiger can hurl fireballs in a zigzag pattern, the wolf can throw direct, but weak fireballs and has a powerful thrust attack, while the golden werewolf has the same abilities as the wolf form. In the [[Famicom]] version, available beasts also include a shark, lion, and phoenix form.<ref name=":5">{{Cite magazine|date=July 1989|title=Altered Beast - Top Secret!|url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_02/page/n67/mode/2up|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=2|page=67}}</ref>

== Development ==
''Altered Beast'' was directed by [[Makoto Uchida (game developer)|Makoto Uchida]]. He took inspiration for the game from ''[[The Howling (film)|The Howling]]'' and the [[Michael Jackson's Thriller (music video)|music video]] for the [[Michael Jackson]] song "[[Thriller (song)|Thriller]]",<ref name=":1" /> as well as movies by [[Ray Harryhausen]], and chose the Greek setting for the powerful characters he had in mind.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Stuart|first=Keith|title=Sega Mega Drive/Genesis Collected Works|publisher=Read-Only Memory|year=2014|isbn=9780957576810|location=London}}</ref> Uchida admitted he struggled during production because it was his first game he developed. He relied on his lead programmer to help create balance in the gameplay.<ref name=":1" />

One of Uchida's goals was to create flashy visuals that would surprise players, so he asked his lead artist to only focus on the player character's transformation sequences for one month. Additionally, he and his team used the [[List of Sega arcade system boards|System 16]] [[arcade system board]] for its ability to add great detail to large character [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]], as well as the visual effects it could provide, such as limbs flying off during combat.<ref name=":1" /> Uchida was not impressed by the initial concept art, so he worked with an artist to sketch out his specific ideas on character design. While the results of this were positive, Uchida's lead designer quit the team over this situation.<ref name=":2" /> ''Altered Beast'' includes [[Easter egg (media)|Easter eggs]] which are references to other System 16 titles ''[[Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars]]'' and ''[[Shinobi (1987 video game)|Shinobi]]'', as a nod to members on Uchida's team that had worked on those titles previously.<ref name=":1" />

There were planned features for the game that Uchida did not have the opportunity to implement, namely a pressure-sensitive button. Discussions took place, but a deal could not be reached with the owner of the patent of the pressure-sensitive device over the small number to be ordered. The failure to secure the button meant that half of the planned character actions had to be removed. Uchida claimed that the reduced complexity of the game caused by this resulted in players quickly becoming bored of ''Altered Beast''. Despite this, Uchida was proud of the reactions he was getting from players during playtesting.<ref name=":1" />

==Release==
[[File:Sega-Mega-Drive-EU-Mk1-wController-FL.jpg|alt=A European PAL Mega Drive video game console with a controller|thumb|''Altered Beast'' became the pack-in title for the [[Sega Genesis]] in North America and the Mega Drive (pictured above) in Europe and Brazil.]]
Released in June 1988,<ref name=":0" /> ''Altered Beast''{{'s}} arcade version proved to be more popular overseas than it did in Japan. As a result of its popularity, it was selected to be [[Porting|ported]] and made the [[pack-in game]] for the [[Sega Genesis|Sega Genesis and Mega Drive]] in North America and Europe. Uchida was not involved directly with either the Genesis or the [[Master System]] port, though he did give some advice and noted he was not worried about the Genesis port because its hardware was based on the System 16 arcade system board he used. He had hoped to implement the pressure-sensitive button for the Genesis port, but could not due to tight development time and the lack of the button in Genesis hardware. Since ''Altered Beast'' was not the pack-in game in Japan, Uchida did not get to see his game included with the console. By the time he went to the US three years later, all of the available consoles instead included [[Sonic the Hedgehog (1991 video game)|''Sonic the Hedgehog'']],<ref name=":1" /> which replaced ''Altered Beast''. The main reason for this change was because of concerns over themes of [[zombie]]s and magic, which were not popular in the [[Bible Belt]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2009/04/21/ign-presents-the-history-of-sega?page=3|title=IGN Presents the History of SEGA|last=Fahs|first=Travis|date=April 21, 2009|website=[[IGN]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125144901/http://uk.ign.com/articles/2009/04/21/ign-presents-the-history-of-sega?page=3|archive-date=January 25, 2016|access-date=February 7, 2020}}</ref>

In addition to the Genesis and Master System, ''Altered Beast'' was ported to several platforms, including the [[TurboGrafx-16|PC Engine]], [[PC Engine CD-ROM²]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]], [[Atari ST]], [[Commodore 64]], [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Amstrad CPC]], and [[Amiga]]. Several of the conversions for European systems were completed by [[Activision]]. Certain differences are seen between the several versions of the game. Some of them, like the Master System version, were missing levels. Interlink developed the Famicom edition, which was released only in Japan by [[Asmik Corporation]]; it includes unique forms such as a humanoid lion, shark, and phoenix as well as additional levels. Due to its rivalry with [[Nintendo]], Sega did not publish the game on the platform.<ref name=":1" />

The Genesis version is included in the compilations ''[[Sega Smash Pack]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sega-smash-pack-volume-1-review/1900-2705680/|title=Sega Smash Pack Volume 1 Review|last=Gerstmann|first=Jeff|date=April 6, 2001|website=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208193420/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sega-smash-pack-volume-1-review/1900-2705680/|archive-date=February 8, 2014|access-date=July 31, 2012}}</ref> ''[[Sega Genesis Collection]]'',<ref name=":3">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sega-genesis-collection-review/1900-6162290/|title=Sega Genesis Collection Review|last=Kasavin|first=Greg|date=November 22, 2006|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004090003/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sega-genesis-collection-review/1900-6162290/|archive-date=October 4, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection]]'',<ref name=":4">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/02/12/sonics-ultimate-genesis-collection-review|title=Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection Review|last=Miller|first=Greg|date=February 12, 2009|publisher=[[IGN]]|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920110549/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/02/12/sonics-ultimate-genesis-collection-review|archive-date=September 20, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> with the latter two also including the arcade version as an [[unlockable game]].<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> The [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] service, the [[Xbox 360]]'s [[Xbox Live Arcade]], and the [[PlayStation 3|PS3]]'s [[PlayStation Network]] all received a version of the game.<ref name="nlifewii">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/06/altered_beast_virtual_console|title=Altered Beast Review (VC Arcade)|last=Newton|first=James|date=June 26, 2009|website=[[NintendoLife]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503220650/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/06/altered_beast_virtual_console|archive-date=May 3, 2019|access-date=February 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/altered-beast/c12853zxs6pf?activetab=pivot:overviewtab|title=Altered Beast|date=June 10, 2009|website=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=February 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP0177-NPUB30459_00-SVCALTEREDBEASTX|title=Altered Beast on PS3|website=[[PlayStation|Playstation]].com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325223204/https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP0177-NPUB30459_00-SVCALTEREDBEASTX|archive-date=March 25, 2018|access-date=February 11, 2020}}</ref> In 2017, ''Altered Beast'' was re-released on [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] as a part of the [[Sega Forever]] collection.<ref name="Eurogamer1">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-06-21-segas-back-catalogue-is-headed-to-mobile-with-sega-forever|title=Sega's back catalogue is headed to mobile with Sega Forever|last=Donlan|first=Christian|date=June 21, 2017|website=[[Eurogamer]]|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216025656/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-06-21-segas-back-catalogue-is-headed-to-mobile-with-sega-forever|archive-date=February 16, 2019|access-date=February 11, 2020}}</ref>  [[M2 (game developer)|M2]] released a [[Stereoscopy|3D]] port for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] as a digital download on the [[Nintendo eShop]].<ref name="nlife3ds">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds-eshop/3d_altered_beast|title=3D Altered Beast Review|last=McFerran|first=Damien|date=December 9, 2013|website=[[NintendoLife]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801014528/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds-eshop/3d_altered_beast|archive-date=August 1, 2019|access-date=February 11, 2020}}</ref> The game was included as one of the pre-loaded games on the [[Sega Genesis Mini|SEGA Genesis Mini]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=SEGA |title=Genesis Mini |url=https://genesismini.sega.com/ |access-date=2022-06-09 |website=genesismini.sega.com |archive-date=2019-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817185456/https://genesismini.sega.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was also released on the [[Nintendo Classics]] service on December 16, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|first=|date=December 16, 2021|title=SEGA Genesis Switch Online adds five new games for December 2021|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/sega-genesis-switch-online-adds-five-new-games-for-december-2021/|url-status=live|access-date=December 24, 2021|website=Nintendo Everything|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217010928/https://nintendoeverything.com/sega-genesis-switch-online-adds-five-new-games-for-december-2021/ |archive-date=2021-12-17}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| ARC = true
| SMD = true
| SMS = true
| AMI = true
| AST = true
| TG16 = true
| ACE_AMI = 825/1000<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Scotford |first1=Laurence |title=Altered Beast (Amiga Version) |magazine=[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]] |date=November 1989 |issue=26 |page=64 |url=https://ia800604.us.archive.org/view_archive.php?archive=/1/items/World_of_Spectrum_June_2017_Mirror/World%20of%20Spectrum%20June%202017%20Mirror.zip&file=World%20of%20Spectrum%20June%202017%20Mirror/sinclair/magazines/ACE/Issue26/Pages/ACE2600064.jpg }}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>
| ACE_SMD = 940/1000<ref name="ACE"/>
| Allgame_ARC = 3.5/5<ref name="ag1"/>
| Allgame_SMD = 3/5<ref name="ag3"/>
| Allgame_SMS = 2.5/5<ref name="ag2"/>
| CVG_AMI = 69%<ref name="CVG96">{{cite magazine |last1=Rand |first1=Paul |title=Altered Beast |magazine=[[Computer + Video Games]] |date=November 1989 |issue=96 |page=80 |url=https://ia800604.us.archive.org/view_archive.php?archive=/1/items/World_of_Spectrum_June_2017_Mirror/World%20of%20Spectrum%20June%202017%20Mirror.zip&file=World%20of%20Spectrum%20June%202017%20Mirror/sinclair/magazines/Computer-and-Video-Games/Issue096/Pages/CVG09600080.jpg }}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>
| CVG_AST = 68%<ref name="CVG96"/>
| CVG_SMD = 87%<ref>{{cite journal |title=Complete Games Guide |journal=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=16 October 1989 |issue=Complete Guide to Consoles |pages=46–77 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf#page=46}}</ref>
| CVG_SMS = 60%<ref name="cvg"/>
| HC_SMS = 45%<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Hobby Consolas]]|language=es|page=104|issue=6|title=En Cartel: Altered Beast|date=March 1992}}</ref>
| TGM_ARC = 
| TGM_SMD = 87%<ref name="gm1"/>
| TGM_SMS = 43%<ref name="gm3"/>
| TGM_AMI = 69%<ref name="gm2"/>
| TGM_AST = 70%<ref name="gm2"/>
| TGM_C64 = 64%<ref name="gm2"/>
| TGM_TG16 = 60%<ref name="gm2"/>
| rev1 = ''[[Commodore User]]''
| rev1_ARC = 7/10<ref name="CU60">{{cite magazine |title=Arcades: Altered Beast |magazine=[[Commodore User]] |date=August 1988 |issue=60 (September 1988) |pages=94–5 |url=https://archive.org/details/commodore-user-magazine-60/page/n93/mode/2up}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''GamesPreview'' (DK)
| rev2_SMS = 43%<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=GamesPreview|language=da|title=Konsol Tests|page=48|issue=6|date=June 1989}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''PowerPlay'' (DE)
| rev3_SMD = 53%<ref name="pp1">{{cite magazine|magazine=PowerPlay|language=de|page=54|title=Videospiele|issue=16|date=July 1989}}</ref>
| rev3_SMS = 17%<ref name="pp1"/>
| rev4 = ''[[Sega Power]]''
| rev4_SMD = 2/5<ref name="spower1"/>
| rev4_SMS = 2/5<ref name="spower1"/>
| rev5 = ''[[Sega Pro]]''
| rev5_SMS = 68%<ref name="pro"/>
| rev6 = ''[[Sega Power|S: The Sega Magazine]]''
| rev6_SMS = 53%<ref name="ssega"/>
| rev7 = ''VideoGame'' (BR)
| rev7_SMS = 5/5<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=VideoGame|language=pt|volume=1|issue=3|page=49|title=Sistema Sega Master System|date=May 1991}}</ref>
}}

In Japan, ''Altered Beast'' was the second highest-grossing arcade game of July 1988.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=15 July 1988|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|url=https://archive.org/details/game-machine-magazine-19880715p/page/n13/mode/2up|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|issue=336|page=29|lang=ja}}</ref>

Upon its initial arcade release, ''Altered Beast'' received mixed reviews. ''[[Commodore User]]'' called it "a clever game, and well worth a few tens of anybody's money."<ref name="CU60"/> ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' criticized the game's plot as being unoriginal and the graphics as "large and clumsily drawn".<ref name="CVG82">{{cite magazine |last1=Edgeley |first1=Clare |title=Arcade Action |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=15 July 1988 |issue=82 (August 1988) |publisher=[[EMAP]] |location=United States |page=106 |url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/238/19}}</ref> ''[[Your Sinclair]]'' stated the game was "not recommended to those that are still living".<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=October 1988|title=Slots of Fun|url=https://archive.org/details/your-sinclair-34/page/n89/mode/2up|magazine=[[Your Sinclair]]|issue=34|page=103}}</ref> By contrast, ''[[Crash (magazine)|Crash]]'' called the graphics "nifty" and suggested that despite the repetitive plot, the gameplay is compelling.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=September 1988|title=Arcade Action: Altered Beast|url=https://archive.org/details/crash-magazine-57/page/n75/mode/2up|magazine=[[Crash (magazine)|Crash]]|issue=57|page=77}}</ref> ''[[The Games Machine]]'' offered a positive review, stating that while the game is not highly visual like ''[[Out Run]]'' or ''[[Space Harrier]]'', the gameplay makes it worth a play.<ref name="TGM12">{{Cite magazine|last=Hogg|first=Robin|date=October 1988|title=Confrontation: Coin-Op|url=https://archive.org/details/the-games-machine-12/page/n29/mode/2up|magazine=[[The Games Machine]]|issue=12|pages=30–31}}</ref>

The various ports of ''Altered Beast'' received more mixed reviews. ''The Games Machine'' gave the Mega Drive version a positive review on the faithful arcade conversion.<ref name="gm1">{{cite magazine |title=Sega Mega Drive: Altered Beast |magazine=[[The Games Machine]] |date=18 May 1989 |issue=19 (June 1989) |page=17 |url=https://archive.org/details/the-games-machine-19/page/n15/mode/2up}}</ref> In 1989, ''[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]]'' praised the Mega Drive conversion as never having played better on any home system, and they rated it as the best Mega Drive game available at the time.<ref name="ACE">{{cite magazine |title=Console Wars |magazine=[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]] |date=October 1989 |issue=26 (November 1989) |page=144 |url=https://archive.org/details/ace-magazine-26/page/n143}}</ref> ''[[Sega Power]]'', however, criticized the same version for jerky gameplay and bad scrolling.<ref name="spower1">{{Cite magazine|date=October 1991|title=The Hard Line|magazine=[[Sega Power]]|issue=23|pages=52–55}}</ref> The [[PC Engine CD]] conversion was panned by ''The Games Machine'', which called the port "a disappointment" and suggested players who want to play the game try the Mega Drive version instead.<ref name="gm2">{{Cite magazine|date=January 1990|title=Version Updates|url=https://archive.org/details/the-games-machine-26/page/n19/mode/2up|magazine=[[The Games Machine]]|issue=26|page=21}}</ref>

Julian Rignall of ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' criticized the Master System version, stating that while he is a fan of the arcade version, the reduced graphics, slow gameplay of the port, and fussy collision detection are significant issues.<ref name="cvg">{{Cite magazine|last=Rignell|first=Julian|date=May 1989|title=Mean Machines|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|issue=91|page=86}}</ref> Contrary to their praise for the Mega Drive port, ''The Games Machine'' called the Master System version "a middling conversion of a nice coin-op".<ref name="gm3">{{Cite magazine|date=May 1989|title=Altered Beast|url=https://archive.org/details/the-games-machine-18/page/n47/mode/2up|magazine=[[The Games Machine]]|issue=18|page=49}}</ref> ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' was more positive, claiming the game "does a good job of capturing most of the familiar play mechanics of its arcade cousin."<ref name=":5" /> ''[[Sega Pro]]'' called the Master System version "a shame, since the Mega Drive version was a great success."<ref name="pro">{{Cite magazine|date=November 1991|title=Sega Software Showdown|url=https://archive.org/details/sega-pro-01/page/18/mode/2up|magazine=[[Sega Pro]]|issue=1|page=19}}</ref> ''S: The Sega Magazine'' stated that there are better arcade conversions on the Master System and ''Altered Beast'', while having a passable soundtrack, suffers from poor animation and control issues.<ref name="ssega">{{Cite magazine|date=August 1990|title=Game Test: Altered Beast|magazine=[[Sega Power|S: The Sega Magazine]]|issue=9|page=12}}</ref>

''[[Mega (magazine)|Mega]]'' placed the game at #10 in their list of the 10 Worst Mega Drive Games of All Time.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=October 1992|title=Worst Mega Drive Video Games|magazine=[[Mega (magazine)|Mega]]|publisher=[[Future Publishing]]|issue=1|page=85}}</ref> Its re-release for the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] was given an indifferent reception by ''[[GameSpot]]'' and ''[[IGN]]'', describing the game as merely decent with some nostalgic value.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kasavin|first=Greg|author-link=Greg Kasavin|date=2006-11-19|title=Altered Beast for Wii Review|url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/alteredbeastgen/review.html?sid=6162039|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930151413/http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/alteredbeastgen/review.html?sid=6162039|archive-date=2007-09-30|access-date=2007-01-14|website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/862/862758p1.html|title=Altered Beast for Wii Review|access-date=2007-01-16|last=Thomas|first=Lucas M.|date=2006-11-19|work=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516233549/http://retro.ign.com/articles/862/862758p1.html|archive-date=2008-05-16|url-status=live}}</ref> The Xbox Live Arcade re-release was even described by ''IGN'' as a "relic of the arcade heyday that just doesn't hold up today".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/993/993662p1.html|title=Altered Beast for Xbox 360 Review|access-date=2007-01-16|last=Hatfield|first=Daemon|date=2009-10-09|work=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090614094514/http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/993/993662p1.html|archive-date=2009-06-14|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Legacy==
Video game journalist Ken Horowitz stated that video gamers identify the "rise from your grave" opening from the game, whether they are fans of Sega's games or not. According to Horowitz, ''Altered Beast''{{'s}} biggest attraction is its charm, which was reduced in the modifications to the Genesis port, and has called the game "one of the more memorable concepts Sega conceived."<ref name=":0" /> Uchida has expressed surprise over the sustained popularity around his arcade games, stating "When I occasionally visit videogame arcades in the US, I still see people playing my ''Altered Beast'' and ''[[Golden Axe (video game)|Golden Axe]]'' games. It proves to me that, if the game is good, people will still pay good money to play it."<ref name=":1" />

===Sequels===
''Altered Beast'' has received two sequels. ''[[Altered Beast: Guardian of the Realms]]'', developed by [[3d6 Games]] and published by [[THQ]], is a 2002 sequel for the [[Game Boy Advance]] in the style of the original arcade game. It adds new features like power-ups and beast forms, as well as 15 levels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/12/12/altered-beast-guardian-of-the-realms|title=Altered Beast: Guardian of the Realms|last=Harris|first=Craig|date=December 12, 2002|website=[[IGN]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011155642/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/12/12/altered-beast-guardian-of-the-realms|archive-date=October 11, 2016|access-date=February 13, 2020}}</ref> While the graphics are improved compared to the original game, the scrolling mechanic remains the same.<ref name=":1" /> A [[PlayStation 2]] title known as ''Jūōki: Project Altered Beast'' in Japan and ''[[Altered Beast (2005 video game)|Altered Beast]]'' in Europe was released by Sega in 2005.<ref name=":1" /> It was also planned for a North American release, but was later cancelled.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/FEA10CE2-5C27-46BD-858C-082B344D7285.htm|title=Sega's Altered Beast Cancelled For The US|last=Cook|first=Chris|date=2004-11-01|magazine=Game Informer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060305034700/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/FEA10CE2-5C27-46BD-858C-082B344D7285.htm|archive-date=March 5, 2006|url-status=dead|access-date=2009-08-22}}</ref> Rather than serving as a sequel, the newer title features a more modern setting that is unconnected to the original game, with a darker and more violent tone. Uchida advised on the project, and stated, "We really couldn't steer away from the violence aspect. The American marketing side was cheering us on, so we did it as best we could." The 2005 ''Altered Beast'' received mixed reviews for its camera system and poor graphics.<ref name=":1" />

==Film adaptation==
In 2014, Sega announced a partnership with Evan Cholfin for film and TV projects based on their games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/sega-taps-evan-cholfin-to-adapt-its-videogames-for-films-tv-digital-platforms-exclusive-1201377268/|title=Sega Taps Evan Cholfin to Adapt its Videogames for Films, TV, Digital Platforms (EXCLUSIVE)|author=Graser|first=Marc|date=December 11, 2014|work=Variety|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216044851/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/sega-taps-evan-cholfin-to-adapt-its-videogames-for-films-tv-digital-platforms-exclusive-1201377268/|archive-date=December 16, 2014|access-date=December 11, 2014}}</ref> ''Altered Beast'' was announced as a live action project in 2016, which has not materialized as of 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/asia/altered-beast-streets-of-rage-sega-movies-shows-1201933661/|title=Sega's 'Altered Beast,' 'Streets of Rage' Games to Be Adapted for Film, TV|author=McNary|first=Dave|date=December 5, 2016|work=Variety|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161206153914/http://variety.com/2016/film/asia/altered-beast-streets-of-rage-sega-movies-shows-1201933661/|archive-date=December 6, 2016|access-date=December 5, 2016}}</ref>

===Popular culture===
''Altered Beast'' has been referenced in other media. In 1993, [[Matthew Sweet]] named his album ''[[Altered Beast (album)|Altered Beast]]'' after the game. Sweet told ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' magazine the title meant "whatever is inside you that someday might explode, and maybe you don't know it's there", which he found similar to the game, where "you have to find these little [[power-up]] things, and when you eat them you become the Altered Beast, this other creature that's really powerful and violent".<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Kelly|first=Christina|date=September 1995|title=King of Pop|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ra1GApGshtQC|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|page=73}}</ref> The character Neff, in his Rhino form as the boss of the game's final level, appeared in the 2012 [[Disney]] film ''[[Wreck-It Ralph]]'', along with ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' villain [[Doctor Eggman]].<ref name=":1" />

''[[King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard]]''’s 2017 album ''[[Murder of the Universe]]'' is divided into three ‘suites’, the first of which being called ‘The Tale of The Altered Beast’. The lyrics make reference to the character Neff with lines such as ‘Half made of man, half of bear’ and ‘He came from underneath, I met an altered beast’.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{KLOV game|id=6873}}
* {{MobyGames|id=/altered-beast}}
* {{WoS_game|id=0000173}}

{{Altered Beast}}
{{Franchises owned by Sega Sammy Holdings}}

[[Category:1988 video games]]
[[Category:Amiga games]]
[[Category:Amstrad CPC games]]
[[Category:Android (operating system) games]]
[[Category:Atari ST games]]
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]]
[[Category:Cooperative video games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance games]]
[[Category:IOS games]]
[[Category:Master System games]]
[[Category:MSX games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo 3DS eShop games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Pack-in video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Network games]]
[[Category:Sega arcade games]]
[[Category:Sega beat 'em ups]]
[[Category:Sega video game franchises]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]]
[[Category:Sega video games]]
[[Category:Side-scrolling beat 'em ups]]
[[Category:Tiger Electronics handheld games]]
[[Category:Transforming heroes]]
[[Category:TurboGrafx-16 games]]
[[Category:Video games about shapeshifting]]
[[Category:Werewolf video games]]
[[Category:Video games based on Greek mythology]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Alberto Jose González]]
[[Category:Video games scored by David Lowe]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Kenji Eno]]
[[Category:Video games set in ancient Greece]]
[[Category:Video games set in antiquity]]
[[Category:Video games set in cemeteries]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii]]
[[Category:Xbox 360 games]]
[[Category:Xbox 360 Live Arcade games]]
[[Category:ZX Spectrum games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Athena in fiction]]
[[Category:Greek underworld in popular culture]]