Play Altered Beast Online

Altered Beast came to the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990, a port of SEGA's arcade game. It was a time when side scrolling beat 'em ups were everywhere, and this one stood out with its mythological theme. You played as a warrior brought back to life by Zeus, tasked with rescuing his daughter Athena from the underworld.

You control the resurrected hero, moving from left to right across each stage, punching and kicking skeletons and other monsters. Defeating certain enemies drops glowing orbs; collecting three transforms you into a powerful beast like a werewolf, dragon, or bear, each with its own brutal attacks. The goal is straightforward: clear each linear stage and defeat the boss at the end. The game is short but notoriously difficult, with stiff controls and relentless enemy patterns. It feels clunky by today's standards, but there's a raw, simple thrill in building up to a transformation and tearing through waves of enemies with your new claws and fire breath.