Alien Crush

Ready for some pinball action? Alien Crush literally redefined how "video game pinball" is made today. At first glance, you'll notice the H.R. Geiger inspired theme. When this game came out back in 1989, there was nothing like it (save maybe Contra)! Don't mistake Alien Crush for a pinball game simply dressed in slimy, extra terrestrial clothing. The ambiance it shares with those alien movies continues as soon as you release your ball from your "face hugger's" egg. Smash the cocoons and obliterate the emerging aliens with your ball before they can get away! Keep an eye on the queen alien on the bottom stage, she'll occasionally spew out drones that you can smash for points. Do enough damage to her and her spawn and she'll open her jaws. Smack the ball in there and you'll be given a bevy of bonus points.

In true pinball fashion, Alien Crush offers gameplay spanning two screens (one on top and one on the bottom), giving you lots of real estate to rack in points, multipliers, and bonuses. Alien heads decorate the upper walls of the lower stage. As you knock them down they'll cycle colors. Depending on which colors you knock out, you'll be given different types of awards. For instance, if you take out the grey aliens on the left side of the screen, a skull will appear below your bumpers for a limited time - giving you added insurance that your ball won't fall into the gutter. Other power ups include a "trap door" that allows you to "reset" the ball and a guard rail that keeps your ball out of the left and right gutters.

Alien Crush was the first video pinball game to offer "bonus stages" - four of which are only accessible by meeting certain conditions. In these bonus stages, you're confined to a smaller playing field where you face off against a myriad of foes. Some might be skulls and aliens trying to disrupt you, forcing your ball into the gutter, while in other instances you'll combat a worm-like boss or even a trio of "Slimer-like" creatures from GhostBusters! If you're good enough, some bonus stages offer extra balls if you can survive long enough! It's interesting scenarios like this that keep Alien Crush refreshing every time you play it.

For options, Alien Crush sports two different modes of play: Fast, for those who like their action at a frantic pace, and Slow for those who like their pinball at a more methodical and strategic pace. There's also two different soundtracks to choose from: "Lunar Eclipse", an action-packed and explosive track that's perfect for the "Fast" play mode and "Demon's Undulate", which carries an eerie, sinister tone.

You'll be surprised at how well the graphics have held up (thanks to the TurboGrafx's brilliant color palette). With addictive pinball gameplay and loads of features, Alien Crush is one game that'll keep you coming back for more.

Source:

www.hudsonentertainment.com – Wii Virtual Console (US)

Alien Crush™ (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points): Alien Crush is a fan-favorite pinball game that features a sinister sci-fi theme. Play through a two-level playing field that comes to life with pulsating alien creatures. Rack up a high enough score, clear the board of these extraterrestrials and discover secret bonus stages. The game features realistic pinball action, complete with a tilt function and two selectable soundtracks. Do you have what it takes to fight back against this alien infestation?

Source:

Nintendo Press Release - Wii (US)

Imagine a LIVING pinball machine...with aliens and outlandish worlds to throw at you. And turbo-charged, speed-of-light pinball action. You control the flippers and ball speed to defeat the Slime, the Tentacloid and Scorpion. Go for the eyes! This is full-tilt, out-of-this-world action! Surrealistic graphics plus true-to-life, earsplitting arcade pinball sound.

Source:

Back of Box - TurboGrafx-16 (United States)