Altered Beast sucks.

[popsicle]

There's really nothing more.  I just wanted to say that.  That game looked so awesome as a youngster (cool I can turn into a werewolf!) but really it just sucks.

[BadMouth]

That's a common opinion.

I had the same response to Pit Fighter after playing it in MAME for the first time.

[Well Fed Games]

Imagine getting a brand new Genesis while Altered Beast was the pack-in... (shudder)

[Le Chuck]

Imagine getting a brand new Genesis while Altered Beast was the pack-in... (shudder)

What's to imagine, I lived it.  Played the bejeesus out of that game. 

[drventure]

Imagine getting a brand new Genesis while Altered Beast was the pack-in... (shudder)

I +got+ a brand new genesis that came with Altered Beast in the box.

My brother and I played for about ten minutes before we both asked my dad if there were any other games because this one sucked 

On the other hand, we got a (I think) magnavox Pong type game several years before that, and played the crap out of it.

[Gray_Area]

Yup, the only cool thing about AB was the graphics, and it sold short very quick.

@drventure: the simplicity of Pong was such that it was easy to get over the lack of graphics, and easy to get into playing the game.

[Xiaou2]

No.  Its because AB has no real skill requirements.

 Its slow. Its easy. And you can just keep continuing.   Had they made no continue feature, it would have at least
added to the value of trying to get to the end.  But even then, its longevity isnt good due to its lack of depth.

 Pong may have simple graphics, but its much more difficult.  A fast reflex challenge.  A game of skill.

 Game of skill, always maintains value.  People still Bowl. Play skeeball.  Darts.  Etc.

[monkey puzzle]

  I always loved (and still do) playing Altered Beast. It was the reason I bought a Megadrive. Each to their own I suppose. 

[Well Fed Games]

Thankfully my wife's Genesis came with Sonic. Every time I play Altered Beast it feels like I am playing one of those Tiger LCD handheld versions of a video game. But it had a certain cool factor back in the day.

[dekar24k]

I agree. Never been a fan of Altered Beast myself. Horrible, quirky gameplay. It's just nostalgia for me, that's all.

[TOK]

I just tried it on the Genesis (actual hardware) and the arcade version in MAME. The problem with the game for me is that it requires precise controls and doesn't have them. During the first boss, its really important to place yourself between where the thrown heads are dropping and its really difficult to do.

Once you're a "beast" and can throw fireballs its a little less tedious, but still not a ton of fun.

[rCadeGaming]

Agreed.  I also can't believe this was a pack in.

[popsicle]

There must be really specific reasons why it sucks.  Some have hit on that the controls are a little loose, which for me means your guy moves in slow motion while enemies charge at you from out of nowhere. 

The graphics and sound are solid, as well as the premise (rise from your grave and rescue some maiden by morphing into creatures). 

The kick the white wolf for powerup idea doesn't work for me.  From what I remember, if you miss one, which is pretty easy if you are me, you have to repeat the whole board over again, which is lame.

I think the destructible platforms rising and falling on the first level, which sounds cool in theory, adds to the frustration and futility.   

The bosses aren't fun to battle.  Why?  Is it because they are cheap?  Are they too big?  (I'm sure one of the selling points of the hardware were the ultra large sprites)

There are lots of games with flaws that people play over and over again.  Why does this one just leave a bitter taste?  Is it specifically because it was the Genesis pack-in game and so many were forced to play it over and over again?
 
Also, what's with the vaginas that you kick on level 2?
 

[paigeoliver]

I hate Altered Beast because I used to have one in my gameroom, and it was a turd magnet. People would vaguely remember the name because it was a Genesis pack in title so they would play it and then they would continue their way through the entire thing, while better games sat all around them unplayed.

[WindDrake]

If you want a morphing game to play that's worth a poo, play Metamorphic Force.

I agree, AB is terrible.

[Cynicaster]

My brother and I were actually excited that Altered Beast was packed in with the Genny.  We played it a lot.  I don’t know how we were able to stand it, but we did.   
 
I’m thinking the game got a “pass” just because it looked good for the time.  I remember it popping up at the bowling alley, and thinking it was the coolest thing ever.
 
But playing it now, I agree, the game is a freakin’ hot mess.  The way your character kind of “accelerates” and slips and slides around when you change directions, the unfair hit detection, the way your guy flies back when hit, the white lion leaping across the top of the screen giving you no chance to hit him… gah, it’s horrifying.
 
Still, I love the music on the title screen and first level. 

[kahlid74]

I entered the Genesis Party late and got Streets of Rage 2 which was awesome.  The whole reason I got the genesis was because of seeing altered beast in Toy's R Us and then once I actually had the genesis I never bought Altered Beast.  Go figure lol.

[lordnacho]

Well, I still say "welcome to your doom" sometimes.  Can't say I quote too many other cruddy games.

[dgame]

Wise fwom your gwave!

[DeLuSioNal29]

On the other hand, we got a (I think) magnavox Pong type game several years before that, and played the crap out of it.

Ha ha!  I remember that we had both a Pong and a Genesis in my dorm room.  The Genesis got dusty.  The pong...  Was KING!  We played for bragging rights!

D

[Gray_Area]

I have to re-write what I posted. Though perhaps playing it in my early MAME days, I didn't really remember what the game was like. It still blows, but for the reasons mentioned above. Or, in short, it's really slow. And clunky.

[secret80sman]

The music may have been the only redeeming factor. I found a killer remake of the theme song and it plays in my arcade cabinet.

[ebo0763]

Wise fwom your gwave!

LOL you stole the post I was going to make!

[DEIVIONCRX]

I must be the minority, its one of my favorite games.  About once a year I'll sit down on my Genesis and play it start to finish.  Takes less than a hour usually.