Play Altered Beast | Commodore 64 Online Game (1989)

'Altered Beast' is a side-scrolling beat-'em-up game originally developed by SEGA for arcades in 1988. The Commodore 64 version, written by Michael J. Archer and published by Activision in 1989, is a home computer adaptation of the arcade classic. The game follows a resurrected warrior tasked by Zeus to rescue his daughter, Athena, from the underworld. Players control the warrior, who gains enhanced abilities by collecting spirit balls, eventually transforming into powerful beasts like a werewolf, dragon, or bear.

The Commodore 64 version retains the core gameplay of the original, with players battling through five levels filled with enemies and bosses. Each level culminates in a transformation into a unique beast, granting new attacks and abilities. The game features a two-player mode, allowing cooperative play, though the C64 version is limited by the hardware's capabilities compared to the arcade original.

Lemon64 notes that the C64 port faced challenges in replicating the arcade's detailed graphics and smooth animations. Despite these limitations, the game attempted to capture the essence of the original with its atmospheric music and sound effects. LaunchBox highlights the game's historical significance as one of the early attempts to bring arcade-quality experiences to home computers.

The Commodore 64 version of 'Altered Beast' is remembered for its ambitious attempt to adapt a visually demanding arcade game to a less powerful system. While it struggled to match the arcade's fidelity, it remains a notable entry in the C64 library, showcasing the era's efforts to bridge the gap between arcade and home gaming.