Altered Beast – ReToned (Genesis) by Byros

[Viviana Santos]

This patch changes some colours from the original 1988 release, it’s a bit closer to the Arcade in some aspects, some minor details provide enhanced contrast.

Some voice samples from the Megadrive/Genesis version have been cleaned to reduce pops/clicks. Here's the link: https://romhackplaza.org/romhacks/altered-beast-retoned-genesis/

 

[Bonkers225]

Still looking for that patch/hack to turn this into a good game.

 

[Zeb89]

This game deserves the 32X treatment too, mostly to put back the (light) sprite scaling

 

[AnonymousCookieMonster]

Sweet.

For those not up for doing the actual patching, here it is. (didn't test it, but the sha1 hash matched and just used the online patching tool)

 

[Metro City]

This game deserves the 32X treatment too, mostly to put back the (light) sprite scaling

It would be great to have a 32x version more similar to the arcade version

P.S. I wouldn't even mind a megadrive version with the addition of bones coming out of the screen, the final boss opening his arm when the thunder comes out etc etc

 

[RageBurner]

Altered Beast had potential, but it was something akin to some early Neo Geo games wherein the wow factor (which, to be fair it does have) was more important than the quality of the gameplay.

My main nitpick is that the werewolf is recycled in stage 5 instead of giving us a unique monster. Also, balance is generally poor: The Werewolf is an all rounded but unimpressive, The Weredragon is kind of OP for actually being able to fly and having a secondary that is an AoE, The Werebear is kind of bad in that it jumps too low and the jump moves you forward too much, and the Weretiger is a bit of a rehash of the werewolf but with a vertical secondary.

 

[G.L.a.D.O.S.]

I have Altered Beast for M.A.M.E.

It's very good at it, as good as the game can be.

This romhack does make it look closer to the arcade version.

 

[RageBurner]

I have Altered Beast for M.A.M.E.

It's very good at it, as good as the game can be.

This romhack does make it look closer to the arcade version.

No doubt, there's often no substitute for the arcade release in a lot of cases, especially that early on in time, relatively speaking. I just never thought Altered Beast was that good as a core experience, even though I acknowledge its strong points.

 

[_oBSOLEte_]

I have Altered Beast for M.A.M.E.

It's very good at it, as good as the game can be.

This romhack does make it look closer to the arcade version.

Played the arcade version recently, and I'll check this hack. Interestingly, there's also a 3DS version playable in stereoscopic 3D making it play like a diorama.

It's a product of its time, and for many the first megadrive game they ever played, but when put back in context, in arcades it competed easily with Street Fighter and its pressure based buttons.

 

[Kamako]

There's something about AB's design that I just find mesmerizing. Especially the art and music used for the intermission screens between levels.

 

[Lee__Kanker]

There's something about AB's design that I just find mesmerizing. Especially the art and music used for the intermission screens between levels.
View attachment 38943

I always wished it had a proper arcade sequel since the gameplay isnt all that, but the premise and atmosphere and look are so neat..

 

[Metro City]

It would be nice to have a sequel but similar to the original! The work is good, but if it is updated to the level of Golden Axe + it would be the best

 

[Moreno909]

I never really liked Altered Beast, even when I played the arcade version on the emulator for the first time as a child.
The Megadrive version has better controls than the arcade version, but it's still not a great game. The arcade graphics, however, I admit are pretty cool, especially with the enemies that explode into pieces.

 

[Metro City]

I never really liked Altered Beast, even when I played the arcade version on the emulator for the first time as a child.
The Megadrive version has better controls than the arcade version, but it's still not a great game. The arcade graphics, however, I admit are pretty cool, especially with the enemies that explode into pieces.

Yes that's what I meant, the Megadrive version would be better if someone added the explosion of the pieces coming out of the video or the arm of the final boss that extends and doesn't stay fixed like on MD and other small adjustments.

 

[Moreno909]

Yes that's what I meant, the Megadrive version would be better if someone added the explosion of the pieces coming out of the video or the arm of the final boss that extends and doesn't stay fixed like on MD and other small adjustments.

Yeah, I agree. The gameplay is improved on the MD version but the visuals are stripped away

 

[Nelson2001 Nelson2001]

The New Color Selection for the game looks much more lively and colorful than the original color palette of the game and is quite similar to the Arcade version.