Aleste
Aleste (アレスタ) is a 1988 shoot 'em up video game developed by Compile for the Master System and the MSX2.
| Aleste | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Compile |
| Publisher(s) | Sega (MS) CP Communications (MSX2) D4Enterprise (WVC) Square Enix Mobile (JM) |
| Director(s) | Masamitsu Niitani |
| Designer(s) | Koji Teramoto Kazunari Komehika |
| Programmer(s) | Takayuki Hirono (MSX) Kenji Shintani (SMS) |
| Artist(s) | Koji Teramoto Hiromichi Sueyoshi (SMS) |
| Composer(s) | Masamoto Miyamoto Takeshi Santo |
| Series | Power Strike  |
| Platform(s) | Master System, MSX2, Wii Virtual Console, Java Midlet[1] |
| Release | Master SystemMSX2
|
| Genre(s) | Vertical scrolling shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Plot
The story of Aleste concerns the manmade supercomputer DIA 51, which has been infected by a hybrid virus that is spreading like wildfire, eventually leading DIA 51 to eliminate the human race. When Yuri, Ray's girlfriend, gets injured in DIA's assault, Raymond Waizen has all the reason in the world to get rid of DIA 51 once and for all in his Aleste fighter.[2]
Releases
The game was originally released for the Master System in February 1988. This version was released outside Japan, as Power Strike. The US release was initially a mail-only limited edition, however it did see some retail distribution at Toys R' Us. The European release was a normal retail package.
An MSX2 version was released in July of that year, featuring two new stages, lowered difficulty, and a series of cutscenes.
A version of the game has been released on phones by Square Enix, presumably based on the MSX2 version. The MSX2 version has been rereleased on Nintendo's Wii Virtual Console service in Japan. It along with Aleste 2 had also been rereleased through the now-defunct WOOMB service.
Aleste series
| Official timelines |
|---|
| Aleste (MSX2) timeline |
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| GG Aleste timeline |
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| No timeline known |
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Aleste was followed by several sequels.
- Aleste Gaiden (MSX2, 1989)
- Aleste 2 (MSX2, 1989)
- Musha Aleste (Mega Drive, 1990)
- GG Aleste (Game Gear, 1991)
- Super Aleste (SNES, 1992)
- Dennin Aleste (Mega-CD, 1992)
- GG Aleste II (Game Gear, 1993)
- GG Aleste 3 (Game Gear Micro, 2020)
- Aleste Branch (TBA)
- Senjin Aleste (Arcade, 2021)
Related games
There is also a number of similar games, some of which various Aleste entries are based on; for example, Gunhed would inspire Super Aleste on the SNES. Zanac is the game that set down the template for the Aleste series and nearly all of Compile's future shooters.[3]
- Zanac (MSX, FDS, NES, 1986)
- The Guardian Legend (NES, 1988)
- Gunhed (PC Engine, 1989)
- Gun-Nac (NES, 1990)
- Seirei Senshi Spriggan (PC Engine CD, 1991)
- Spriggan mark2: Re-Terraform Project (PC Engine CD, 1992)
- Power Strike II (Master System, 1993)
- Sylphia (PC Engine CD, 1993)
- Spriggan Powered (Super Famicom, 1996)
Finally, it is known that around 1993, various employees left Compile and joined Raizing, where they made some similar games.
- Mahou Daisakusen (Arcade, 1993)
- Shippu Mahou Daisakusen (Arcade, 1994)
References
- "Square Enrix and Macrospace Team Up to launch mobile versions of Aleste, Actraiser and Drakengard in Europe". Midlet-review.com. 8 July 2004. Archived from the original on 16 November 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
- Zanac USA Manual
- "Zanac". at Hardcore Gaming 101.