Zeus
The god who resurrects the warrior and sends him to rescue Athena.
Documented for this version
Arrow LeftArrow Right | Move left or right |
|---|---|
Arrow Down | Crouch |
A | Punch or use the primary attack |
B | Kick or use the secondary attack |
C | Jump |
Start | Pause the game |
The exact Genesis button layout can vary by controller configuration.
Beast forms replace the normal attacks with their own attacks.
How it plays
The game uses a side-scrolling perspective. Move through five stages, defeat waves of monsters, collect spirit balls from special white-headed enemies, and reach the stage guardian.
Collecting three spirit balls changes the warrior into that stage's beast form. The transformation grants stronger attacks and different movement options, but it is temporary. Players can walk, crouch, jump, punch, kick, and use beast attacks while advancing through each linear stage.
Plan your run
Prioritize the white-headed enemies that carry spirit balls, but avoid taking unnecessary damage while collecting them. Three balls are required for the transformation, and the powered-up form is usually the safest way to handle dense enemy groups.
Save the transformed attacks for difficult enemy patterns and the stage guardian. Learn when to crouch or jump rather than attacking continuously, since enemies can surround the warrior quickly.
Meet the cast
The god who resurrects the warrior and sends him to rescue Athena.
Zeus's daughter, whose rescue is the central objective of the game.
The player character, who transforms into a different mythological beast in each stage.
Documented inputs
Title screen input: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A (may not work on every version)A commonly cited secret input for some early releases, but compatibility varies across versions and ports.
Before you begin
Stay near the center of the screen so incoming enemies have less opportunity to trap you.
Collect three spirit balls before the stage scrolls too far ahead.
Use crouching attacks against low or approaching enemies.
The game is short, but later stages demand careful positioning.
Altered Beast is a side-scrolling action game developed and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis in 1989. The player controls a resurrected warrior summoned by Zeus to rescue Athena from the underworld. Its arcade-style structure combines platforming, close-range combat, enemy waves, and temporary transformations into creatures such as a werewolf, dragon, bear, or tiger. Each stage is a compact combat gauntlet with a distinctive mythological setting and a large guardian at the end. The game was widely recognized for its dramatic opening, memorable speech, and unusual transformation system, although critics also noted its short length and repetitive action. It remains an emblematic early Genesis title.
Catalog entry maintained by EmuGamers Editorial Team
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