Alien vs Predator (SNES)

Alien vs Predator is a beat ’em up game released in 1993 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It was developed by Jorudan and published by Information Global Service in Japan and by Activision overseas. The Japanese version was titled Aliens vs. Predator and has a few gameplay differences. An arcade game called Alien vs Predator was released a few months later but the console and arcade games are very different.

Story & Gameplay

Based on the Alien vs Predator comic book series. During the 25th century, mankind has colonized many planets. On one of these, New Shanghai, strange creatures have been discovered. These Aliens cause much havoc. New Shanghai initiates a distress call to other planets in the galaxy. A cloaked ship belonging to hunting creatures known as Predators intercepts the message.

The Predators on board decide that these strange Alien creatures might make worthy trophies for the collection. The player takes the role of one of the Predators. The Predator will fight through several levels of alien creatures in a side-scrolling manner. The Predator’s ability includes attacking, jumping, sliding and firing bolts from its shoulder cannon.

Additionally, the shoulder cannon can be charged up to unleash a devastating attack that also harms the Predator. Most aliens will drop power-ups which include health, trophy skulls, a double-edged throwing weapon, throwing spears and active camouflage. Boss aliens wait at the end of most levels.

Development

The Japanese version of the game is titled Aliens vs. Predator. Note the ‘s’ at the end of Alien.  The player Predator is coloured orange and moves slowly, though he can run if you tap the direction button twice. The international version is called Alien vs. Predator and the player Predator is brown in colour, moves faster, and is unable to run. The charging meter for the player’s energy weapon is also shorter in the international version. The Japanese version also includes an exclusive 2-player battle mode where one player controls a Predator and the other controls an Alien.

Covers

SNES (UK Cover)

SNES (US Cover)

Screenshots

Magazine Articles

SNES Buyers Guide (May 1993)

Gamepro (June 1993)

unknown

N-Force (April 1993)

Super Play (April 1993)

Nintendo Zone (July 1993)

Super Play (August 1993)

Nintendo Power (August 1993)

Video Games (August 1993)

Hyper [Australia]

Advert

Gameplay Footage

Release and Reception

Aliens vs Predator was released in 1993 to a mixed to negative reception. N-Force scored it 39/100 while SuperPlay gave it 28% calling it a generic beat ’em up: “Not quite in the same dire league as Pitfighter and it’s motley chums, but severely lacking all the same. Don’t buy it. The name is probably the best thing about the whole sorry project.” Video Games & Computer Entertainment gave it 4/10 just calling it very average: “The game play is out-and-out boring… The sound effects and music are average, and there just isn’t anything at all to make this game exciting, or worth finishing more than once. Let’s hope the next move isn’t to combine three movies into one game.”