Alien Syndrome

From Sega Retro

For the Western home computer versions, see Alien Syndrome (home computers).
n/a
  • System 16
  • Master System
  • Game Gear
  • Famicom
  • NES
  • X68000

Alien Syndrome Sys16 Title.png

AlienSyndrome SMS title.png

AlienSyndrome GG Title.png

AlienSyndrome Famicom Title.png

AlienSyndrome NES Title.png

AlienSyndrome X68000 Title.png

Alien Syndrome
System(s): Sega System 16, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear, NES, X68000
Publisher:
Arcade (System 16)
Sega Enterprises, Ltd.[1]
Arcade (System 16)
Sega Enterprises, Inc. (USA)[2]
Sega Master System
Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
Sega Game Gear
SIMS (JP)
Sega Game Gear
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. (Europe)
Famicom
Sunsoft
Nintendo Entertainment System
Tengen
X68000
Dempa Micomsoft
Developer:
Distributor:
Arcade (System 16)
Sun Corporation of America (US) (conversion kit)
Sega Master System
Tonka (US)
Sega Master System
Brio (SE)
Sega Master System
Zegetron (GR)
Sega Master System
Tec Toy (BR)
Sega Master System
Samsung (KR)
Licensor:
Famicom
Nintendo Entertainment System
X68000
Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
Peripherals supported:
Sega Master System
FM Sound Unit
Genre: Action[4][5]

















Number of players:
Arcade
Sega Master System
Nintendo Entertainment System
1-2,
Sega Game Gear
1
Release Date RRP Code
Arcade (System 16)
JP 		¥? ?
Arcade (System 16)
US 		$? ?
Arcade (Mega 6)
JP 		¥? ?
Arcade (Mega-Tech System)
UK 		£? ?


Sega Master System
JP 		¥5500 G-1339
Sega Master System
US 		7006
Sega Master System
EU 		MK-7006-50
Sega Master System
UK 		£24.95[10][11][12] MK-7006-50
Sega Master System
SE
Sega Master System
GR
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR
Sega Master System
KR 		GB-2339
Sega Game Gear
JP 		¥4,500 (4,635)[13] T-44037
Sega Game Gear
EU 		2324
Sega Game Gear
UK 		£29.99[15] 2324


Famicom
JP		 1988-12-02 ¥5,940 ?
Nintendo Entertainment System
US		 1989-12[16] $? ?
X68000
JP 		¥5800

Alien Syndrome (エイリアンシンドローム) is a 1987 arcade game released by Sega. It runs on Sega System 16 hardware. The user plays as either Ricky and Mary rescuing hostages within a set time limit while blasting aliens. There are numerous weapons and two players can play simultaneously.

Compared to other Arcade ports to the Master System, Alien Syndrome shows some very poor production values. It's incompatible with the Mega Drive controller (since the Master System D-pad is terrible for the diagonals), lacks a cooperative 2P mode (it only have the competitive one) and lacks a scrolling camera.

Gameplay

Rounds

Notavailable.svg

Round 1

The round's boss is named Hugger[1] (ハガー)[17], named after artist Haga. A similar boss with the same name appears in one of the developer's next games Altered Beast. In the Western Master System release they are renamed Squime[18].

Notavailable.svg

Round 2

The round's boss is named Asophy[1] (アソフィー)[17], named after designer Hiroshi Aso (also known as Asohi). In the Western Master System release they are renamed Aargh[18].

Notavailable.svg

Round 3

The round's boss is named Tacapy[1] (タカピー)[17], likely named after a developer.

Notavailable.svg

Round 4

The round's boss is named Minnow[1] (ミノ)[19], named after artist Minoru Matsuura (also known as Minow). In the Master System release they are replaced with アッシィー[17], renamed Masher in the West[18].

Notavailable.svg

Round 5

The round's boss is named Yocotie[20] (ヨコティエ)[19], named after programmer Makihito Yokota. In the Master System release they are replaced with ハリファー[17], renamed Haggah in the West[18].

Notavailable.svg

Round 6

The round's boss is named Minemor[20] (ミナモーレ)[17], likely named after a developer whose name begins with MIN. In the Western Master System release they are renamed Minesar[18].

Notavailable.svg

Round 7

The round's boss is named Mizzy (ミズィー)[19], likely named after a developer. In the Famicom release they are replaced with King Core (キングコアー)[21] and in the Master System release are replaced by an unnamed boss[17][18].

History

Legacy

The game was ported to the Famicom (by Sunsoft and Sanritsu), Sega Game Gear (published by Sims) and Sega Master System. In 1988, Tengen brought Sunsoft's port over to the United States with an unlicensed release, removing both Sunsoft's and Sanritsu's names. Due to technical restrictions, some versions are single-player only. It was also re-released as part of the Sega Ages 2500 series and as part of Sega Classics Collection (however it was removed from the European release to keep the PEGI rating down). The Sega Classics Collection port is notable for its two joysticks control scheme, similar to Robotron 2084 and Smash TV.

A scrapped sequel was planned for the Sega System 24 by the first game's designer Hiroshi Aso, set to include more strategic elements and branching stages[22]. Instead, a sequel with the same name was released for the Wii and PSP in 2007.

Versions

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English Alien Syndrome Alien Syndrome
English (US) Alien Syndrome Alien Syndrome
Japanese エイリアン シンドローム Alien Syndrome
Portuguese (Brazil) Alien Syndrome
Korean 에이리언 신드롬 Alien Syndrome

Comparisons

Main article: Alien Syndrome/Comparisons.

Production credits

Main article: Alien Syndrome/Production credits.

Hints

  • Master System US hints

  • Master System US hints

Digital manuals

  • Judgment manual

Magazine articles

Main article: Alien Syndrome/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

AlienSyndrome Arcade US Flyer.pdf
PDF
System 16 US flyer
AlienSyndrome Arcade US Flyer.pdf
AlienSyndrome System16 US Flyer Kit.pdf
PDF
System 16 US flyer (conversion kit)
AlienSyndrome System16 US Flyer Kit.pdf
Alien Syndrome Arcade JP Flyer.pdf
PDF
System 16 JP flyer
Alien Syndrome Arcade JP Flyer.pdf
Tengen NES US PrintAdvert.jpg
NES US print advert
Tengen NES US PrintAdvert.jpg
MD GG PS advert 1993.png
PS print advert (1993)
MD GG PS advert 1993.png
Famitsu JP 0061.pdf
PDF
Print advert in Weekly Famitsu (JP) #61: "1988-11-11" (1988-1x-xx)
Famitsu JP 0061.pdf
BeepMD JP 1992-03.pdf
PDF
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1992-03: "March 1992" (1992-02-08)
BeepMD JP 1992-03.pdf
ACE UK 06.pdfACE UK 06.pdf
PDF
Master System print advert in ACE (UK) #6: "March 1988" (1988-02-04)
also published in:
ACE UK 06.pdf
CTW UK 229.pdf
PDF
Print advert in Computer Trade Weekly (UK) #229 (1989-03-27)
CTW UK 229.pdf

Photo gallery

  • System 16 motherboard PCB (top)

  • System 16 motherboard PCB (bottom)

  • System 16 ROM board PCB (top)

  • System 16 ROM board PCB (bottom)

Artwork

  • AlienSyndrome NES Art.jpg

Physical scans

System 16 version

System 16, US
AlienSyndrome System16 US Marquee.jpg
Alien Syndrome System 16 US Manual.pdf
Manual
System 16, JP
Notavailable.svgNotavailable.svg
Instuction card(s)

Mega-Tech version

Mega-Tech,
AlienSyndrome MegaTech Cart Back.jpgAlienSyndrome MegaTech Cart.jpg
Cart

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
ACE (UK)
56
[10]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
73
[24]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
73
[25]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
73
[26]
Computer Action (DK)
50
[27]
Console XS (UK) PAL
85
[28]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
80
[29]
The Games Machine (UK)
61
[11]
Games Preview (DK)
60
[30]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
73
[31]
Power Play (DE)
70
[32]
S: The Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
57
[33]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
25
[34]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
81
[35]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
85
[36]
Software Gids (NL)
60
[37]
Sega Master System
 66
Based on
16 reviews

Alien Syndrome

Master System, JP
AlienSyndrome SMS JP Box Back.jpgNospine.pngAlienSyndrome SMS JP Box Front.jpg
Box
Aliensyndrome sms jp cart.jpg
Cart
AlienSyndromeSMSJPManual.pdf
Manual
Master System, US
Aliensyndrome sms us cover.jpg
Cover
Aliensyndrome sms us cartridge.jpg
Cart
Aliensyndrome sms us manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU
Aliensyndrome sms eu cover.jpg
Cover
AlienSyndromeSMSEUCartridge.jpg
Cart
Master System, EU ("No Limits")
AlienSyndrome SMS EU Box NoLimits.jpg
Cover
Master System, SE (Brio)
AlienSyndromeSMSSEManual.jpg
Manual
Master System, GR (Zegetron)
AlienSyndromeSMSEUCartridge.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU
AlienSyndrome SMS AU cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, BR
AlienSyndrome SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
Aliensyndrome sms br manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, KR
AlienSyndrome SMS KR cart.jpg
Cart

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
58
[38]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
68
[39]
Consoles + (FR)
78
[40]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
70
[41]
digitiser
60
[42]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
72
[43]
Weekly Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
55
[44]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
50
[45]
Joypad (FR)
85
[46]
Joystick (FR) NTSC-U
85
[47]
Mega Force (FR)
85
[48]
Player One (FR)
78
[49]
Play Time (DE)
72
[50]
Play Time (DE)
77
[51]
Power Play (DE)
69
[52]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
43
[53]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-U
83
[54]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
83
[55]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
68
[56]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
79
[57]
Supersonic (FR)
91
[58]
Video Games (DE)
67
[59]
Sega Game Gear
 72
Based on
22 reviews

Alien Syndrome

Game Gear, JP
AlienSyndrome GG JP Box Front.jpg
Box
AlienSyndrome GG JP Cart.jpg
Cart
AlienSyndrome GG JP Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
AlienSyndrome GG EU Box Back.jpgAlienSyndrome GG EU Box Spine.jpgAlienSyndrome GG EU Box Front.jpg
Box
AlienSyndrome GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Aliensyndrome gg eu manual.pdf
Manual

NES version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Cool Gamer (RU)
50
[60]
Nintendo Entertainment System
 50
Based on
1 review

Alien Syndrome

NES, US
AlienSyndrome NES US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngAlien Syndrome NES US Box.jpg
Box
Alien Syndrome NES US Cart.jpg
Cart
Aliensyndrome nes tengen manual.pdf
Manual
NES, JP
AlienSyndrome NES JP Box Back.jpgAlienSyndrome NES JP Box Spine.jpgAlien Syndrome NES JP Box.jpg
Box
AlienSyndrome NES JP Cart.jpg
Cart
AlienSyndrome NES JP Manual.pdf
Manual

X68000 version

X68000, JP
Alien Syndrome X68000 JP cover.jpg
Cover

Technical information

Main article: Alien Syndrome/Technical information.

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Nintendo Entertainment System
✔
CRC32 5b837e8d
MD5 e91b3e0ad255eeae1823d2372a4b21da
SHA-1 f116eb809c5a46017807335e11dc1d89ffa63e8c
256kB Cartridge (JP)
Nintendo Entertainment System
✔
CRC32 cbf4366f
MD5 66f4d31a0a0d66b2a85a88212ce159fe
SHA-1 7955dbe5ec63f71ba591a9237d113aaa90849263
256kB Cartridge (US) (Unl)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 File:Alien Syndrome Arcade JP Flyer.pdf, page 2
  2. ↑ File:AlienSyndrome Arcade US Flyer.pdf
  3. ↑ @tsurumy on Twitter (Wayback Machine: 2020-09-04 15:45)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://sega.jp/fb/segahard/gg/soft_licensee.html (Wayback Machine: 2013-01-01 20:24)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/segamark3/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2019-06-21 03:44)
  6. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "May 1992" (JP; 1992-04-xx), page 103
  7. ↑ Arcade TV Game List: Kokunai Kaigai-hen (1971-2005), Masumi Akagi, page 133
  8. ↑ Computer Entertainer, "April 1988" (US; 1988-04-16), page 07
  9. ↑ File:BristolEveningPost UK 1988-09-09 Page 89.jpg
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 ACE, "May 1988" (UK; 1988-xx-xx), page 63
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 The Games Machine, "March 1988" (UK; 1988-02-18), page 55
  12. ↑ The Mastertronic Catalogue (UK; 1988), page 2
  13. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "March 1992" (JP; 1992-02-08), page 22
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Computer Trade Weekly, "414" (UK; 1992-11-23), page 18
  15. ↑ Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 71
  16. ↑ Computer Entertainer, "January 1990" (US; 1990-01-20), page 22
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 File:AlienSyndromeSMSJPManual.pdf, page 10
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 File:Aliensyndrome_sms_us_manual.pdf, page 9
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 https://www.mui-2.com/alien_syndrome/ (Wayback Machine: 2023-10-16 08:54)
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 https://www.arcadequartermaster.com/aliensyn_bosses.html (Wayback Machine: 2025-12-06 06:29)
  21. ↑ https://www.mui-2.com/alien_syndrome/fc.html (Wayback Machine: 2023-10-16 09:01)
  22. ↑ File:SegaAges2500_V14_PS2_JP_Leaflet.pdf, page 2
  23. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "March 1988" (UK; 1988-02-15), page 10
  24. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "1" (UK; 1989-10-16), page 47
  25. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 90
  26. ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "1" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 52
  27. ↑ Computer Action, "Juli/August 89" (DK; 1989-0x-xx), page 34
  28. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 137
  29. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "April 1988" (UK; 1988-03-15), page 123
  30. ↑ Games Preview, "7 1989" (DK; 1989-xx-xx), page 42
  31. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 132
  32. ↑ Power Play, "Ausgabe 3" (DE; 1988-02-22), page 97
  33. ↑ S: The Sega Magazine, "April 1990" (UK; 1990-03-01), page 8
  34. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 55
  35. ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-xx-xx), page 19
  36. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70
  37. ↑ Software Gids, "Mei/Juni 1990" (NL; 1990-05-xx), page 36
  38. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Juli 1992" (DE; 1992-06-12), page 129
  39. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "April 1992" (JP; 1992-03-07), page 38
  40. ↑ Consoles +, "Mai 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 128
  41. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "June 1992 (Go! Issue 8)" (UK; 1992-05-15), page 6
  42. ↑ DIGITISER, "1993-02-10"
  43. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "1" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 164
  44. ↑ Weekly Famitsu, "1992-03-27" (JP; 1992-03-13), page 38
  45. ↑ Hippon Super, "April 1992" (JP; 1992-03-04), page 87
  46. ↑ Joypad, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-05-1x), page 84
  47. ↑ Joystick, "Mai 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 201
  48. ↑ Mega Force, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 94
  49. ↑ Player One, "Janvier/Février 1993" (FR; 1993-01-10), page 134
  50. ↑ Play Time, "(8/9)/92" (DE; 1992-07-08), page 96
  51. ↑ Play Time, "3/93" (DE; 1993-02-10), page 109
  52. ↑ Power Play, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-13), page 158
  53. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-04), page 52
  54. ↑ Sega Pro, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-16), page 32
  55. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  56. ↑ Sega Zone, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-xx), page 29
  57. ↑ Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 70
  58. ↑ Supersonic, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 29
  59. ↑ Video Games, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-29), page 122
  60. ↑ Cool Gamer, "10" (RU; 2003-01-30), page 20
Alien Syndrome

Alien Syndrome Sys16 Title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Credits | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Technical information
Music: Sega System 16 Complete Soundtrack Vol. 1 (2010)



Games in the Alien Syndrome series
Arcade
Sega Master System
 Alien Syndrome (1987)
Nintendo Entertainment System
 Alien Syndrome (1988)
Amiga
Atari ST
Amstrad CPC
Commodore 64
MSX
ZX Spectrum
 Alien Syndrome (1988)
IBM PC compatibles
 Alien Syndrome (1989)
Sega Game Gear
 Alien Syndrome (1992)
X68000
 Alien Syndrome (1992)
Sony PlayStation 2
 Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 14: Alien Syndrome (2004)
Sony PlayStation Portable
Nintendo Wii
 Alien Syndrome (2007)
Retrieved from "https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=Alien_Syndrome&oldid=1148292"