Editing Altered Beast (section)

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| ARC = true
| SMD = true
| SMS = true
| AMI = true
| AST = true
| TG16 = true
| GR_SMD = 51% {{small|(4 reviews)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/586022-altered-beast/index.html |title=Altered Beast for Genesis |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=2018-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029191538/https://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/586022-altered-beast/index.html |archive-date=2018-10-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| ACE_AMI = 825<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Scotford |first1=Laurence |title=Altered Beast (Amiga Version) |magazine=[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]] |date=November 1989 |issue=26 |page=64 |url=https://ia800604.us.archive.org/view_archive.php?archive=/1/items/World_of_Spectrum_June_2017_Mirror/World%20of%20Spectrum%20June%202017%20Mirror.zip&file=World%20of%20Spectrum%20June%202017%20Mirror/sinclair/magazines/ACE/Issue26/Pages/ACE2600064.jpg}}</ref>
| ACE_SMD = 940<ref name="ACE"/>
| Allgame_ARC = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="ag1"/>
| Allgame_SMD = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="ag3"/>
| Allgame_SMS = {{rating|2.5|5}}<ref name="ag2"/>
| CVG_AMI = 69%<ref name="CVG96">{{cite magazine |last1=Rand |first1=Paul |title=Altered Beast |magazine=[[Computer + Video Games]] |date=November 1989 |issue=96 |page=80 |url=https://ia800604.us.archive.org/view_archive.php?archive=/1/items/World_of_Spectrum_June_2017_Mirror/World%20of%20Spectrum%20June%202017%20Mirror.zip&file=World%20of%20Spectrum%20June%202017%20Mirror/sinclair/magazines/Computer-and-Video-Games/Issue096/Pages/CVG09600080.jpg}}</ref>
| CVG_AST = 68%<ref name="CVG96"/>
| CVG_SMD = 87%<ref>{{cite journal |title=Complete Games Guide |journal=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=16 October 1989 |issue=Complete Guide to Consoles |pages=46–77 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf#page=46}}</ref>
| CVG_SMS = 60%<ref name="cvg"/>
| HC_SMS = 45%<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Hobby Consolas]]|language=es|page=104|issue=6|title=En Cartel: Altered Beast|date=March 1992}}</ref>
| TGM_ARC = Positive<ref name="TGM12"/>
| TGM_SMD = 87%<ref name="gm1"/>
| TGM_SMS = 43%<ref name="gm3"/>
| TGM_AMI = 69%<ref name="gm2"/>
| TGM_AST = 70%<ref name="gm2"/>
| TGM_C64 = 64%<ref name="gm2"/>
| TGM_TG16 = 60%<ref name="gm2"/>
| rev1 = ''[[Commodore User]]''
| rev1_ARC = 7/10<ref name="CU60">{{cite magazine |title=Arcades: Altered Beast |magazine=[[Commodore User]] |date=August 1988 |issue=60 (September 1988) |pages=94–5 |url=https://archive.org/details/commodore-user-magazine-60/page/n93/mode/2up}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''GamesPreview'' (DK)
| rev2_SMS = 43%<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=GamesPreview|language=da|title=Konsol Tests|page=48|issue=6|date=June 1989}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''PowerPlay'' (DE)
| rev3_SMD = 53%<ref name="pp1">{{cite magazine|magazine=PowerPlay|language=de|page=54|title=Videospiele|issue=16|date=July 1989}}</ref>
| rev3_SMS = 17%<ref name="pp1"/>
| rev4 = ''[[Sega Power]]''
| rev4_SMD = {{rating|2|5}}<ref name="spower1"/>
| rev4_SMS = {{rating|2|5}}<ref name="spower1"/>
| rev5 = ''[[Sega Pro]]''
| rev5_SMS = 68%<ref name="pro"/>
| rev6 = ''[[Sega Power|S: The Sega Magazine]]''
| rev6_SMS = 53%<ref name="ssega"/>
| rev7 = ''VideoGame'' (BR)
| rev7_SMS = {{rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=VideoGame|language=pt|volume=1|issue=3|page=49|title=Sistema Sega Master System|date=May 1991}}</ref>
}}

In Japan, ''Altered Beast'' was the second highest-grossing arcade game of the month in July 1988.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=15 July 1988|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|url=https://archive.org/details/game-machine-magazine-19880715p/page/n13/mode/2up|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|issue=336|page=29|lang=ja}}</ref>

Upon its initial arcade release, ''Altered Beast'' received mixed reviews. ''[[Commodore User]]'' called it "a clever game, and well worth a few tens of anybody's money."<ref name="CU60"/> ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' criticized the game's plot as being unoriginal and the graphics as "large and clumsily drawn".<ref name="CVG82">{{cite magazine |last1=Edgeley |first1=Clare |title=Arcade Action |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=15 July 1988 |issue=82 (August 1988) |publisher=[[EMAP]] |location=United States |page=106 |url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/238/19}}</ref> ''[[Your Sinclair]]'' stated the game was "not recommended to those that are still living".<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=October 1988|title=Slots of Fun|url=https://archive.org/details/your-sinclair-34/page/n89/mode/2up|magazine=[[Your Sinclair]]|issue=34|page=103}}</ref> By contrast, ''[[Crash (magazine)|Crash]]'' called the graphics "nifty" and suggested that despite the repetitive plot, the gameplay is compelling.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=September 1988|title=Arcade Action: Altered Beast|url=https://archive.org/details/crash-magazine-57/page/n75/mode/2up|magazine=[[Crash (magazine)|Crash]]|issue=57|page=77}}</ref> ''[[The Games Machine]]'' offered a positive review, stating that while the game is not highly visual like ''[[Out Run]]'' or ''[[Space Harrier]]'', the gameplay makes the game worth a play.<ref name="TGM12">{{Cite magazine|last=Hogg|first=Robin|date=October 1988|title=Confrontation: Coin-Op|url=https://archive.org/details/the-games-machine-12/page/n29/mode/2up|magazine=[[The Games Machine]]|issue=12|pages=30–31}}</ref>

The various ports of ''Altered Beast'' received more mixed reviews. ''The Games Machine'' gave the Mega Drive version a positive review on the faithful arcade conversion.<ref name="gm1">{{cite magazine |title=Sega Mega Drive: Altered Beast |magazine=[[The Games Machine]] |date=18 May 1989 |issue=19 (June 1989) |page=17 |url=https://archive.org/details/the-games-machine-19/page/n15/mode/2up}}</ref> In 1989, ''[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]]'' praised the Mega Drive conversion as never having played better on any home system, and they rated it as the best Mega Drive game available at the time.<ref name="ACE">{{cite magazine |title=Console Wars |magazine=[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]] |date=October 1989 |issue=26 (November 1989) |page=144 |url=https://archive.org/details/ace-magazine-26/page/n143}}</ref> ''[[Sega Power]]'', however, criticized the same version for jerky gameplay and bad scrolling.<ref name="spower1">{{Cite magazine|date=October 1991|title=The Hard Line|magazine=[[Sega Power]]|issue=23|pages=52–55}}</ref> The [[PC Engine CD]] conversion was panned by ''The Games Machine'', which called the port "a disappointment" and suggested players who want to play the game try the Mega Drive version instead.<ref name="gm2">{{Cite magazine|date=January 1990|title=Version Updates|url=https://archive.org/details/the-games-machine-26/page/n19/mode/2up|magazine=[[The Games Machine]]|issue=26|page=21}}</ref>

Julian Rignall of ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' criticized the Master System version, stating that while he is a fan of the arcade version, the reduced graphics, slow gameplay of the port, and fussy collision detection are significant issues.<ref name="cvg">{{Cite magazine|last=Rignell|first=Julian|date=May 1989|title=Mean Machines|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|issue=91|page=86}}</ref>  Contrary to their praise for the Mega Drive port, ''The Games Machine'' called the Master System version "a middling conversion of a nice coin-op".<ref name="gm3">{{Cite magazine|date=May 1989|title=Altered Beast|url=https://archive.org/details/the-games-machine-18/page/n47/mode/2up|magazine=[[The Games Machine]]|issue=18|page=49}}</ref>  ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' was more positive, claiming the game "does a good job of capturing most of the familiar play mechanics of its arcade cousin."<ref name=":5" />  ''[[Sega Pro]]'' called the Master System version "a shame, since the Mega Drive version was a great success."<ref name="pro">{{Cite magazine|date=November 1991|title=Sega Software Showdown|url=https://archive.org/details/sega-pro-01/page/18/mode/2up|magazine=[[Sega Pro]]|issue=1|page=19}}</ref> ''S: The Sega Magazine'' stated that there are better arcade conversions on the Master System and that ''Altered Beast'', while having a passable soundtrack, suffers from poor animation and control issues.<ref name="ssega">{{Cite magazine|date=August 1990|title=Game Test: Altered Beast|magazine=[[Sega Power|S: The Sega Magazine]]|issue=9|page=12}}</ref>

''[[Mega (magazine)|Mega]]'' placed the game at #10 in their list of the 10 Worst Mega Drive Games of All Time.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=October 1992|title=Worst Mega Drive Video Games|magazine=[[Mega (magazine)|Mega]]|publisher=[[Future Publishing]]|issue=1|page=85}}</ref> Its re-release for the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] was given a lukewarm reception by ''[[GameSpot]]'' and ''[[IGN]]'', describing the game as merely decent with some nostalgic value.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kasavin|first=Greg|author-link=Greg Kasavin|date=2006-11-19|title=Altered Beast for Wii Review|url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/alteredbeastgen/review.html?sid=6162039|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930151413/http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/alteredbeastgen/review.html?sid=6162039|archive-date=2007-09-30|access-date=2007-01-14|website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/862/862758p1.html|title=Altered Beast for Wii Review|access-date=2007-01-16|last=Thomas|first=Lucas M.|date=2006-11-19|work=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516233549/http://retro.ign.com/articles/862/862758p1.html|archive-date=2008-05-16|url-status=live}}</ref> The Xbox Live Arcade re-release was even described by ''IGN'' as a "relic of the arcade heyday that just doesn't hold up today".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/993/993662p1.html|title=Altered Beast for Xbox 360 Review|access-date=2007-01-16|last=Hatfield|first=Daemon|date=2009-10-09|work=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090614094514/http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/993/993662p1.html|archive-date=2009-06-14|url-status=dead}}</ref>