Play Altered Beast Online

Summary

The Sega Master System’s take on Altered Beast swaps the arcade’s crisp sprites for a more muted palette, a result of the console’s tighter hardware budget. Several original stages don’t make the cut, leaving the run shorter than its coin‑op counterpart.

Gameplay stays true to the side‑scrolling beat‑’em‑up formula – you can punch, kick and hop over simple platform gaps while battling undead Greeks and the recurring demon Neff. Defeating the two‑headed white wolf spawns a Spirit Ball; collect three and you transform into a creature ranging from lightning‑breathing dragon to fire‑spitting tiger, each with its own special attack.

Critics were split: some slammed the sluggish controls and fuzzy animation, while others praised the faithful mechanics and surprisingly passable soundtrack. I’m still impressed how the beast forms keep the action fresh despite the visual compromises.

Storyline

Altered Beast (often just called Altered Beast) puts you in the role of a Roman centurion who has been brought back to life by Zeus. In ancient Greece, the Olympian god's daughter Athena has been seized by Neff, the ruler of the underworld. Zeus, impressed by the centurion’s courage, grants him divine power so he can battle Neff’s supernatural minions and free Athena. The game’s stages progress through mythic locales, and short cut‑scenes between levels show Athena’s growing peril. Armed with the god‑bestowed abilities, the resurrected hero must fight through each realm to rescue the goddess and restore balance.