Aliens and Predators, Always Fighting

Both the Aliens and Predator movie franchises list really highly among my list of 'most awesome things ever'. However, I tend to distance myself from the movies released after the 90's for personal preferences. When it comes to Aliens, a lot of my exposure to them came from their use in video games... mostly unofficially. The Xenomorphs poped up in almost everything for awhile, or inspired creatures (it was totally them). To be fair, Aliens, Predator, and Terminator all had unlicensed appearances in a lot of video games during the 80's and 90's. So it's probably not a stretch to imagine how I'd appreciate a video game from the 90's that pit Aliens vs Predator in a setting that looked more like the unofficial efforts.

The games story is actually based on an early draft of the Aliens vs Predator comic book that would have tied into the movie. The game was intended to be out around the release of the movie... however things changed and the movie came out a decade later with another script. In this game, San Drad (translation error from San Dorado), California is overrun with Aliens. Major Dutch Schaefer (now a cyborg) and Lieutenant Linn Kurosawa of the US Colonial Marine Corps have been abandoned and are fighting the swarm alone. They are joined by two Predators (Hunter and Warrior) and take on the Aliens leading to facing off with the sinister Weyland-Yutani Corporation. It's a pretty fun story line that fits the game well... but admittedly might have been too far out for a movie (I would probably loved it).

Game play is a 3 player belt fighter with 4 different playable characters (mentioned above). Like other Capcom side scrolling beat 'em ups, it never gets boring thanks to interesting levels and constantly changing enemies. You'll go from fighting Aliens to Space Marines as the scenario changes to fit the story. There's even 'Infectoids', zombies created from face hugger host bodies. They make me think of Masterforce. Like other Alien games, I appreciate the alternating colors on Xenomorphs. It gives them a lot of character rather than just being black. It's a great game and a fun time, but there wasn't any home ports. A 32x version was planned, unfortunately not released. That's a shame, this would have been a great weekend rental.

Quest for Power

Power Quest/Gekitō Power Modeler was a hybrid RPG/fighting game for the Gameboy Color developed by Japan System Supply. Published by Capcom in Japan and Sunsoft in North America in 1998 (1999 in Europe). The game flew under the radar of most folks, I myself was unaware of it until lucking up upon it on sale. At the time I was rarely seen without my Gameboy and Power Quest turned out to be just the game I didn't know I needed. You play as a kid who's summer break from school is just starting. Summer break is about to be spent playing in the modeler tournament.

Players build model robots that they battle against each other. Models can be upgraded with parts allowing for new abilities. Of course models and parts cost money... which a kid usually doesn't have. By battling models, you're able to acquire money and parts for your model. You'll spend the game getting into various scenarios and tournaments with other kids and the villainous Hyena Gang culminating in the big tournament to win the National Championship. Game play is what you'd expect from a JRPG, but the game switches over to a 2D fighting game for battles. There's even a vs. mode if you just want to duke it out with the models. The game is a multiplayer fighting game if you had a link cable handy.

You've probably noticed I like the game. The battle robot models RPG is a game type I've been a fan of. Gundam Breaker on my tablet or Custom Robo on Gamecube and DS are all similar games that I've enjoyed quite a lot. I think it wasn't until Power Quest that I discovered the genre. Is it a genre? Maybe not, but definitely something I like. I played Power Quest for quite some time after getting it. It kept me busy a lot of nights. It's a shame it doesn't have a bigger legacy, I'd love to play a new one.

Weekly Update 4/25/22 Walpurgis Week

 

It's Monday and the start of a special spooky week here on Zone Base! In observance of Walpurgis Night this weekend, every post this week will be spooky flavored! Consider it an early taste of Spooky Summer as we anticipate the big Halloween party later this year!

This weekend was a busy one. Well, Sunday was. The Mrs and I spent Sunday at the zoo. It was a fun day, but now I'm exhausted. A trip to Target Friday morning resulted in some new Bakugan and finally getting the Turbo Changers Shockwave from Cyberverse. It's the Buzzworthy Bumblebee version for what counts. We watched The Batman Saturday night. I really liked it, even though it was way too long. Really good movie and I must get a Riddler figure now. Maybe a Batmobile.

I made a quick trip to Walmart Saturday that resulted in a Legacy Kick-Back and Mech Strike Monster Hunters Black Panther and Dr. Doom! I'm certain at this point that Studio Series Soundwave actually doesn't exist. At the zoo gift shop they had an odd series of transforming animal robots. There was lion, leopard, and a tiger. I got the leopard one. We plan to do another zoo trip in the fall, I'll probably get the others then. Kinda just wanted one this time. 

Hope you all enjoy Walpurgis Week here on Zone Base. Spooky Summer is right around the corner and this week is more what I have in mind to make summer a little scarier before the pumpkin spice mayhem commences. Thanks to each and every one of you for continuing to support Zone Base. There's a ton of bigger and better sites out there. Taking the time to read mine means the world to me. Please don't forget to share with your friends!

New Week - The Famicom

 

It's Monday and you know what that means? It's the start of a new week here on Planet Zone! I spent the weekend running around more than I'd like. However I did get some downtime and enjoyed some sushi while watching 1,000 lbs Sisters. Good food and bizarre TV. I failed to locate a Studio Series Soundwave. Those Bumblebee movie figures are impossible for me to ignore.

I did get a Cybertron Dead End and an Origins Buzz-Off. Not too shabby. Still looking for that Arrow ATV accessory set on the Final Faction front and some new Transformers that are just trickling out. I do plan on stocking up on more MOTU, especially new Eternia Minis. Not to mention some other GIJOE and Power Rangers figures. It never ends.

I've got a fun week in mind. I hope you all enjoy it. Thank you for continuing to support Zone Base and please share with your friends. It's hard to believe it's already Halloween time, but I guess it's January. I'm in a spooky mood as usual. It's as any a good time for something scary.

New Week Dash Plus

It's a new week here on Planet Zone and boy are my arms tired... wait. Anyway, it's a new week! I had a pretty good weekend and I hope you did too. The Mrs and I did our spooky season tradition of exchanging seasonal appropriate gifts and watched Halloween Kills on Peacock. More on that later.  We also went to get the annual Halloween set of doughnuts at Krispy Kreme. There was a Squishmallow event at Five Below with Halloween Squishmallows for $4 each. The Mrs collects those and we got her some good ones. I love a trip to Five Below!

Finally found a Dracodon and in the spooky gift sack I was spoiled rotten. A new Fright Features Ecto-1 and some Mini Pufts. Some Treasure X Monsters, Studio Series 86 Gnaw, candy, and this year's Halloween Star Wars Droid! Spooky fun with half the month to go! I've got a fun week in mind here on the Base for your eyeholes. I'm still a little extra busy, so don't be surprised to see some shorter posts here and there. There's no ads either and I buy my own coffee too! Thank you for your continued support and for reading Zone Base! Please share with your friends!

Bloody Hell, It's Monday

It's a brand new week here on Planet Zone! If you didn't notice, I started posting a chapter a day of the 'Tales of the Beast Hunters' text story that was included in Beast Hunters figures. I thought it'd be fun. There's a new episode of Not As Brightly Lit Up for something spooky in your ears. I've got a fun week of posts in mind for all you readers. Thanks for your continued support and as always share with your friends!

Makaimura

Sweet Home The Famicom

You have once again entered the world of survival horror. 

Good luck!

Street Fighter 2010

Man, the future was a decade ago.

Sell me Strider... or yell at me

I was just thinking about playing some Strider on my Genesis Mini when I get home from work. The Mega Drive commercial for Strider Hiryu doesn't exactly help with that. How in the hell did they sell a single copy with that?

Hitler no Fukkatsu/Bionic Commando

Whoa

Strider (Famicom version)

I was always a bigger fan of the arcade and Genesis versions of Strider more than the NES version. Though admittedly I've played those more. I really should put some time into the NES version sometime.

Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts is mood

It's damn near impossible to not love this commercial for Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts. Back when the Super Nintendo was new, I was entranced by the ad. Here we have some catchy music, clips of classic horror mixed in with game footage. Last weekend before we headed out to ToyLanta, I'd play some of the arcade Ghouls 'n Ghosts while the wife was getting ready. I spent some time trying to figure out which of the original three games was my favorite. As much as I love Ghosts 'n Goblins, the later two are better games. Though both versions of Ghouls rules, it's a hard line to draw which one is better. Though either of the three you play is a safe bet for a good time.

Daimakaimura/Ghouls N Ghosts

Mighty Orbots/GodMars into a New Year

Mighty Orbots/Godmars intros

I'm sure my regular readers are probably noticing the lack of postings the past few days, and as you can probably guess it's due to the holidays. I didn't make a programing note post as I figured most people would have figured that out on their own already (folks stay pretty busy themselves this time of year). I did carve out a little time to refresh the sites look which usually I do around this time of the year. I tried to keep the same overall space station arcade look, but went neon space arcade. Because I like neon, arcades, and space. I'm probably the only person who sees it because I'm crazy.

Where was I?

Oh yeah, some of the things I plan to do during this long holiday weekend (I had one for Christmas and now one for New Years with a few work days in between... I have no clue what day it is right now as result) is watch the Mighty Orbots DVD set my wife got me for Christmas and some episodes of Godmars (since they're super similar looking) that's been on my watch list for a while. Since I got a metric ton of cool stuff for Christmas, I plan on breaking out the light tent for some good picture posts of some (just some) of the neato toys I got for Christmas. That and play some of the great arcade games that came on this neat retro game console my wife got me. I also plan to play some Monster Hunter. Because I like Monster Hunter and got the newest game for my Switch with some gift card money on boxing day. I know you're concerned.

GI JOE Street Fighter 2 commercial

It's been over 20 years since this happened and I'm still excited.

Honestly, I'm getting more whoa

I was already interested in Cyberverse before, looking forward to the show, intend to get a few toys here and there. Though the past few days, I admit, I'm actually getting a little excited for it. Silly as it may be, but there's a lot of joy in this silly little line for me and I'm looking forward to enjoying it when I start finding it. Sure, I still don't plan on buying everything, but I'm leaning towards getting more now than I originally planned. I like the yellow and black packaging. I like the look of the designs. There's just a lot of life and freshness in this, despite being essentially a repackaged G1. Just a lot of energy and I freaking dig that (and flipping the bird at the same old same old negative whiny butts).

Cyberverse feels like it should be a game on my Super Nintendo made by Konami or Capcom, and that's a good thing in my book.

And this is my site, so it's kinda my book.

Vlog 2

Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts SNES box art

Absolutely loved SNES game packaging. 

Sweet Home (1989 Famicom)