Major John Blake
One of the playable operatives sent into the base to contain the outbreak.
Documented for this version
Light-gun trigger | Fire Supported light-gun play uses the trigger to shoot. |
|---|---|
D-pad | Aim The controller can be used to move the aiming cursor. |
Compatible light-gun hardware is required for light-gun play.
How it plays
The camera moves automatically through military corridors, laboratories, and other sections of the facility. The objective is to shoot aliens, mutants, explosive objects, and selected targets before they attack or obstruct progress.
Players can use a compatible light gun or the PlayStation controller. Stages are built around set-piece encounters and branching paths, with the route changing according to some successful or missed targets. The campaign is designed for repeated attempts, score improvement, and learning enemy appearances.
Plan your run
Keep the aiming reticle moving across likely entry points instead of staring at one target. Prioritize enemies that attack immediately, throw projectiles, or appear in groups.
Shoot explosive objects only when they are safe to trigger, and watch for civilians or non-hostile targets in scenes where accuracy matters. Replaying stages helps reveal target patterns and improves route selection.
Meet the cast
One of the playable operatives sent into the base to contain the outbreak.
A second playable operative who fights alongside his partner through the Area 51 complex.
Before you begin
Use a light gun if available; the game’s rapid target timing is more comfortable with direct aiming.
Learn enemy entry points and branching targets through repeated runs.
Area 51 is a science-fiction rail shooter developed by Mesa Logic for the PlayStation and based on Atari Games’ arcade title. The player is sent into the heavily guarded Area 51 facility after an alien outbreak, using a light gun or controller to eliminate hostile creatures and infected personnel. The game emphasizes quick target recognition, reactive shooting, and repeated runs rather than exploration or character development. Its short arcade-style stages, branching scenes, and large enemy encounters reflect its coin-operated origins. Reception was mixed: reviewers generally praised the straightforward shooting and arcade atmosphere, while criticizing the dated visuals, repetition, and limited depth of the home conversion.
Catalog entry maintained by EmuGamers Editorial Team
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