Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
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Gameplay recorded by Retronomicon (NVSGamer)
Name: Alien Storm
Manufacturer: Sega
Year: 1990
Genre: Beat'em Up
Alien Storm is a fast, weird, and energetic arcade action game from Sega, released in 1990. It feels like a spiritual cousin to Golden Axe, but instead of fantasy warriors fighting monsters, you control a team of alien hunters blasting through streets, stores, and cities overrun by strange extraterrestrial creatures.
The gameplay mixes several styles together. Most of the game plays like a side-scrolling beat-’em-up where you move across the screen, attack enemies, and clear waves of aliens. But Alien Storm also changes things up with shooting-gallery sections and forced-scrolling run-and-gun stages. This variety helps the game stand out from other arcade brawlers of the time.
You can choose between three characters: Garth, Karen, and Scooter, each with their own look and attack style. Combat is simple but satisfying, with melee attacks, ranged weapons, and powerful special attacks that clear the screen at the cost of energy. The action is quick and chaotic, making it feel very much like a coin-op designed to keep players moving.
One of the best parts of Alien Storm is its personality. The aliens are bizarre, goofy, and sometimes creepy, popping out of trash cans, mailboxes, vending machines, and store shelves. That strange sense of humor gives the game a lot of charm and helps separate it from more serious sci-fi action games.
Visually, the arcade version looks excellent. The sprites are colorful and expressive, the animations are smooth, and the environments are packed with little details. Sega’s arcade hardware gives the game a polished look, with big enemy designs and a strong Saturday-morning sci-fi horror vibe.
The soundtrack is energetic and fits the action well, with upbeat Sega arcade-style music that keeps the pace moving. The sound effects also add to the impact, especially during the shooting sections where enemies burst onto the screen from every direction.
The biggest downside is that the game is fairly short and can feel repetitive despite the genre-switching. The combat does not have the depth of later beat-’em-ups, and some sections feel designed more for arcade spectacle than long-term replay. Like many arcade games of the era, it is best enjoyed in short bursts or with a second player.
Overall, Alien Storm is a fun and memorable Sega arcade title with great presentation, fast pacing, and a wonderfully strange alien invasion theme. It may not be as deep as the best beat-’em-ups, but its variety, humor, and arcade energy make it a classic worth revisiting.
Score: 8/10
#retronomicon #arcadegames #alienstorm #sega #retrogaming #retroreview #beatemup #shootemup #classicgames #90sgaming #segaclassics
My Music Channel @VØLTEKAS
Support This Channel on: Patreon - patreon.com/RetronomiconGames
Visit my site for Reviews and Info: Retronomicon - retronomicongames.com
Gameplay recorded by Retronomicon (NVSGamer)
Name: Alien Storm
Manufacturer: Sega
Year: 1990
Genre: Beat'em Up
Alien Storm is a fast, weird, and energetic arcade action game from Sega, released in 1990. It feels like a spiritual cousin to Golden Axe, but instead of fantasy warriors fighting monsters, you control a team of alien hunters blasting through streets, stores, and cities overrun by strange extraterrestrial creatures.
The gameplay mixes several styles together. Most of the game plays like a side-scrolling beat-’em-up where you move across the screen, attack enemies, and clear waves of aliens. But Alien Storm also changes things up with shooting-gallery sections and forced-scrolling run-and-gun stages. This variety helps the game stand out from other arcade brawlers of the time.
You can choose between three characters: Garth, Karen, and Scooter, each with their own look and attack style. Combat is simple but satisfying, with melee attacks, ranged weapons, and powerful special attacks that clear the screen at the cost of energy. The action is quick and chaotic, making it feel very much like a coin-op designed to keep players moving.
One of the best parts of Alien Storm is its personality. The aliens are bizarre, goofy, and sometimes creepy, popping out of trash cans, mailboxes, vending machines, and store shelves. That strange sense of humor gives the game a lot of charm and helps separate it from more serious sci-fi action games.
Visually, the arcade version looks excellent. The sprites are colorful and expressive, the animations are smooth, and the environments are packed with little details. Sega’s arcade hardware gives the game a polished look, with big enemy designs and a strong Saturday-morning sci-fi horror vibe.
The soundtrack is energetic and fits the action well, with upbeat Sega arcade-style music that keeps the pace moving. The sound effects also add to the impact, especially during the shooting sections where enemies burst onto the screen from every direction.
The biggest downside is that the game is fairly short and can feel repetitive despite the genre-switching. The combat does not have the depth of later beat-’em-ups, and some sections feel designed more for arcade spectacle than long-term replay. Like many arcade games of the era, it is best enjoyed in short bursts or with a second player.
Overall, Alien Storm is a fun and memorable Sega arcade title with great presentation, fast pacing, and a wonderfully strange alien invasion theme. It may not be as deep as the best beat-’em-ups, but its variety, humor, and arcade energy make it a classic worth revisiting.
Score: 8/10
#retronomicon #arcadegames #alienstorm #sega #retrogaming #retroreview #beatemup #shootemup #classicgames #90sgaming #segaclassics
