Altered Beast Genesis Patch Adds SRAM High Score Saving Feature

Altered Beast Genesis Patch Modernizes High Score Saving Altered Beast, the iconic Sega Genesis and Mega Drive title, has received a significant update from the retro gaming community.

Renowned for its original release in arcades before becoming a flagship pack-in title for the Genesis across North America and Europe, Altered Beast has cemented its status as a classic in Sega’s storied catalog.

However, like many 16-bit era titles, it lacked modern conveniences such as high score saving between sessions. A new patch developed by BillyTime! Games has now addressed this limitation.

Officially released on March 20, 2024, the patch introduces SRAM high score saving to Altered Beast, allowing players to preserve their best performances and return to them across multiple play sessions.

This enhancement is particularly notable for fans and collectors who often revisit Genesis classics on original hardware or through ROMs. The update works by implementing a straightforward SRAM saving process: after a Game Over, the current high score is written to SRAM memory and restored upon subsequent boots.

According to the ROM Hacking project page, if the checksum verification does not pass or it’s the user's first time launching the patched game, default scores will be loaded automatically.

This ensures integrity and a smooth first-time experience while maintaining historical gameplay standards. Altered Beast holds a unique place in Sega's lineage.

Despite a high-profile debut as a pack-in title, it never secured a direct sequel on home consoles.

Its attempt at a revival with a PlayStation 2 release in 2005 was met with criticism, reinforcing the original’s cult status on the Genesis and Mega Drive. The release of this SRAM saving patch represents a meaningful enhancement for retro gaming enthusiasts, especially as interest in preserving and updating classic gaming experiences continues to grow.

By allowing high scores to persist across sessions, BillyTime! Games has brought a fan-favorite feature to Altered Beast, bridging a key gap between classic gameplay and modern expectations. Players interested in applying the patch can find it on the ROM Hacking community website.

This development underscores the vibrant work of independent developers in enhancing the legacy of iconic titles, ensuring the continued relevance of games like Altered Beast on classic hardware and through emulation platforms such as the Nintendo Switch Online service and other digital eShops.

Sega Genesis Mega Drive High Score