Altered Beast#Legacy

Image:altbeastplay.png

Altered Beast is a side scrolling beat 'em up game with light 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.{{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}}{{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}} Players can punch, kick and jump.{{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}}

The game's premise is that Neff, ruler of the underworld, captures the goddess Athena. Angry, her father, the Olympian god Zeus, decides to choose a champion to save her. Respecting the bravery of Roman Centurions, Zeus resurrects one of them and empowers him as a champion. The game's player character is the resurrected Roman Centurion, given extra power by Zeus so they can battle Neff and his supernatural minions.{{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}} In the original arcade game, the end credits include the revelation that the whole game actually depicted a staged film production.{{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}}

Whenever a player defeats a white 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 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 throw fireballs in a zig-zag 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 of the game, available beast forms also include a shark, lion, and phoenix form.{{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}}

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

One of Uchida's goals was to create flashy visuals that would surprise players, so he asked his lead artist to focus just on the player character's transformation sequences for one month. Additionally, he and his team used the System 16 arcade system board for its ability to add great detail to large character sprites, as well as the visual effects it could provide, such as limbs flying off characters during combat. 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. Altered Beast includes Easter eggs that are references to other System 16 titles Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars and Shinobi, as a nod to members on Uchida's team that had worked on those titles previously.

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 claims that the reduced complexity of the game caused by this caused players to tire of Altered Beast quickly. Despite this, Uchida was proud of the reactions he was getting from players during play testing.

File:Sega-Mega-Drive-EU-Mk1-wController-FL.jpg in North America and the Mega Drive (pictured above) in Europe and Brazil.]]

Released in June 1988, 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 ported and made the pack-in game for the 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. Because 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, which replaced Altered Beast in part over concerns the latter's themes of zombies and magic were not popular in the Bible Belt.{{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}}

In addition to the Genesis and Master System, Altered Beast was ported to several platforms, including for PC Engine, PC Engine-CD, 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 a humanoid lion, shark, and phoenix forms as well as additional levels. Due to its rivalry with Nintendo, Sega did not publish the game on the platform.

The Genesis version is included in the compilations Sega Smash Pack,{{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}} Sega Genesis Collection,{{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}} and Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection,{{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}} with the latter two also including the arcade version as an unlockable game. The Wii's Virtual Console service, the Xbox 360's Xbox Live Arcade, and the PlayStation 3's PlayStation Network all received a version of the game.{{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}}{{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}}{{Cite web|url=https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP0177-NPUB30459_00-SVCALTEREDBEASTX|title=Altered Beast on PS3|website=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}} In 2017, Altered Beast was rereleased on iOS and Android as a part of the Sega Forever collection.{{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}} M2 released a 3D port for the Nintendo 3DS as a digital download on the Nintendo eShop.{{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}} The game was also included as one of the pre-loaded games on the SEGA Genesis Mini.{{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 }} This game has also been released on the Nintendo Classics service on December 16, 2021.{{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}}

{{Video game reviews

| ARC = true

| SMD = true

| SMS = true

| AMI = true

| AST = true

| TG16 = true

| GR_SMD = 51% {{small|(4 reviews)}}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/586022-altered-beast/index.html |title=Altered Beast for Genesis |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=2018-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029191538/https://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/586022-altered-beast/index.html |archive-date=2018-10-29 |url-status=dead }}

| ACE_AMI = 825{{cite magazine |last1=Scotford |first1=Laurence |title=Altered Beast (Amiga Version) |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}}

| ACE_SMD = 940

| Allgame_ARC = {{rating|3.5|5}}

| Allgame_SMD = {{rating|3|5}}

| Allgame_SMS = {{rating|2.5|5}}

| CVG_AMI = 69%{{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}}

| CVG_AST = 68%

| CVG_SMD = 87%{{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}}

| CVG_SMS = 60%

| HC_SMS = 45%{{cite magazine|magazine=Hobby Consolas|language=es|page=104|issue=6|title=En Cartel: Altered Beast|date=March 1992}}

| TGM_ARC = Positive

| TGM_SMD = 87%

| TGM_SMS = 43%

| TGM_AMI = 69%

| TGM_AST = 70%

| TGM_C64 = 64%

| TGM_TG16 = 60%

| rev1 = Commodore User

| rev1_ARC = 7/10{{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}}

| rev2 = GamesPreview (DK)

| rev2_SMS = 43%{{cite magazine|magazine=GamesPreview|language=da|title=Konsol Tests|page=48|issue=6|date=June 1989}}

| rev3 = PowerPlay (DE)

| rev3_SMD = 53%{{cite magazine|magazine=PowerPlay|language=de|page=54|title=Videospiele|issue=16|date=July 1989}}

| rev3_SMS = 17%

| rev4 = Sega Power

| rev4_SMD = {{rating|2|5}}

| rev4_SMS = {{rating|2|5}}

| rev5 = Sega Pro

| rev5_SMS = 68%

| rev6 = S: The Sega Magazine

| rev6_SMS = 53%

| rev7 = VideoGame (BR)

| rev7_SMS = {{rating|5|5}}{{cite magazine|magazine=VideoGame|language=pt|volume=1|issue=3|page=49|title=Sistema Sega Master System|date=May 1991}}

}}

In Japan, Altered Beast was the second highest-grossing arcade game of the month in July 1988.{{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=Game Machine|publisher=Amusement Press, Inc.|issue=336|page=29|lang=ja}}

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." Computer and Video Games criticized the game's plot as being unoriginal and the graphics as "large and clumsily drawn".{{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}} Your Sinclair stated the game was "not recommended to those that are still living".{{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}} By contrast, Crash called the graphics "nifty" and suggested that despite the repetitive plot, the gameplay is compelling.{{Cite magazine|date=September 1988|title=Arcade Action: Altered Beast|url=https://archive.org/details/crash-magazine-57/page/n75/mode/2up|magazine=Crash|issue=57|page=77}} 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 the game worth a play.{{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}}

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.{{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}} In 1989, 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.{{cite magazine |title=Console Wars |magazine=ACE |date=October 1989 |issue=26 (November 1989) |page=144 |url=https://archive.org/details/ace-magazine-26/page/n143}} Sega Power, however, criticized the same version for jerky gameplay and bad scrolling.{{Cite magazine|date=October 1991|title=The Hard Line|magazine=Sega Power|issue=23|pages=52–55}} 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.{{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}}

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.{{Cite magazine|last=Rignell|first=Julian|date=May 1989|title=Mean Machines|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=91|page=86}} 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".{{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}} 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." Sega Pro called the Master System version "a shame, since the Mega Drive version was a great success."{{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}} S: The Sega Magazine stated that there are better arcade conversions on the Master System and that Altered Beast, while having a passable soundtrack, suffers from poor animation and control issues.{{Cite magazine|date=August 1990|title=Game Test: Altered Beast|magazine=S: The Sega Magazine|issue=9|page=12}}

Mega placed the game at #10 in their list of the 10 Worst Mega Drive Games of All Time.{{Cite magazine|date=October 1992|title=Worst Mega Drive Video Games|magazine=Mega|publisher=Future Publishing|issue=1|page=85}} Its re-release for the Wii's Virtual Console was given a lukewarm reception by GameSpot and IGN, describing the game as merely decent with some nostalgic value.{{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}}{{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}} 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".{{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}}

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 game's Genesis port, and has called the game "one of the more memorable concepts Sega conceived." 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 games. It proves to me that, if the game is good, people will still pay good money to play it."

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 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.{{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}} While the graphics are improved compared to the original game, the scrolling mechanic remains the same. A PlayStation 2 title known as Jūōki: Project Altered Beast in Japan and Altered Beast in Europe was released by Sega in 2005. It was planned for a North American release as well, but was later cancelled.{{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}} Rather than serving as a sequel to the original game, 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.

In 2014, Sega announced a partnership with Evan Cholfin for film and TV projects based on their games.{{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}} Altered Beast was announced as a live action project in 2016, which has not materialized as of 2025.{{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}}

Altered Beast has been referenced in other media. In 1993, Matthew Sweet named his album Altered Beast after the game. Sweet told Spin magazine that 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".{{Cite magazine|last=Kelly|first=Christina|date=September 1995|title=King of Pop|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ra1GApGshtQC|magazine=Spin|page=73}} 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.

On October 31, 2019, ZeeGee_ of New York achieved the world record for fastest speedrun at 6 minutes 10 seconds on the Sega Genesis,{{cite web |url=https://www.speedrun.com/altered_beast |title=Beat the Game (Single Player) |website=Speedrun |publisher=Elo Entertainment Inc. |access-date=2022-07-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720061222/https://www.speedrun.com/altered_beast |archive-date=2022-07-20 |url-status=dead }} while thu_ox placed second with 6 minutes 12 seconds on the Virtual Console version for the Wii. Apostle Studios achieved the world record of highest score with 6,621,500 on the Sega Genesis, while Samuel Clemens of California placed second with 1,008,300 points on July 19, 2022, on the PlayStation 4.{{cite web |url=https://www.video-games-records.com/en/altered-beast-highest-score-sega-genesis-classics-video-v9827 |title=Altered Beast: Highest Score (Sega Genesis Classics) |website=Video Games Records |access-date=2022-07-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720063551/https://www.video-games-records.com/en/altered-beast-highest-score-sega-genesis-classics-video-v9827 |archive-date=2022-07-20 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://recordsetter.com/submit/review?pend=1bc04c43-9daf-431a-9c29-43ae5abb7d55 |title=Altered Beast for Genesis |website=Recordsetter |access-date=2022-07-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720061222/https://www.speedrun.com/altered_beast |archive-date=2022-07-20 |url-status=dead }}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{KLOV game|id=6873}}
• {{MobyGames|id=/altered-beast}}
• {{WoS_game|id=0000173}}

{{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