Area 51

Moby ID: 1542
Arcade Specs
Buy on PlayStation
$13.47 used on Amazon
Buy on SEGA Saturn
$65.00 used, $107.36 new on eBay
Note: We may earn an affiliate commission on purchases made via eBay or Amazon links (prices updated 3/15 10:00 PM )

Description official descriptions

Using a light gun you blast your way through the secret base, Area 51, which has been taken over by mutant aliens. As you work your way to the secrets at the heart of Area 51, you'll need to destroy an increasingly dangerous line of aliens, upgrade your firearm, and cause as much collateral damage as possible. The game rewards the player for destroying windows, light fixtures, computers, explosive barrels, and even fire extinguishers. Each consecutive hit increases your streak rating (which adds to your score) and certain combinations of these collateral hits will open up secret bonus rooms.

The home version has special bonuses and additional secret levels not found in the arcade version and a mouse option is available.

Spellings

  • エリア51 - Japanese spelling

Groups +

Screenshots

Credits (Arcade version)

56 People (28 developers, 28 thanks) · View all

Game Design
Art & Design
Video Production Specialist
Lead Technician
Stop-Motion Animator
Product Manager
Audio & Music
Hardware Engineer
Producer TWI
Programmer TWI
Concept & Game Design Mesa Logic
3D Animators Mesa Logic
Hardware
Software
Industrial Design
[ full credits ]

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 62% (based on 24 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.4 out of 5 (based on 37 ratings with 1 reviews)

Not As Enjoyable As The Arcade!

The Good
For it's time the graphics were the best. It's always fun to give the aliens some smackdown! Bonus secret levels not found in the arcade version. Small install. Easy to play.

The Bad
This can only be played by one player even though it says two player. The transfer from the arcade to the computer has made the graphics more pixelated. Sound is a bit tinny. Not the best game of it's kind out there.

The Bottom Line
Overall this transfer from arcade to computer has made it worse and less playable. The fun factor has been reduced and overall I didn't find it as enjoyable as the arcade. Try it for yourself and you be the judge!

Overall Rating: 70%

Windows · by MasterAbyss-ESB (11) · 2000

Trivia

German index

Area 51 was put on the infamous German index for depicting extreme violence on March 27, 1997. The BPjS / BPjM indexed games provides more information about what that means.

Awards

  • Electronic Gaming Monthly
  • March 1997 (Issue 92) - Arcade Game of the Year runner-up (Readers' Choice)

Analytics

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Related Sites +

Identifiers +

  • MobyGames ID: 1542
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Contribute

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Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Eric Barbara.

Arcade added by Kabushi. PlayStation added by Robbb. Windows, SEGA Saturn added by Terok Nor.

Additional contributors: Alaka, Xoleras, ケヴィン, DreinIX, Patrick Bregger.

Game added June 2, 2000. Last modified December 6, 2023.