Alien Soldier Romhacks Enhance SEGA Genesis Classic with 6-Button Support and Game-Saving Features

Alien Soldier Romhacks Enhance SEGA Genesis Classic with 6-Button Support and Game-Saving Features Since its release in 1995, Treasure’s Alien Soldier for the SEGA Genesis (also known as the Mega Drive) has been celebrated as a standout entry in the run-and-gun genre.

Renowned for its fast-paced action and challenging gameplay, Alien Soldier remains a cult favorite among retro gaming enthusiasts.

Now, nearly three decades later, a series of innovative romhacks are breathing new life into this classic title, significantly improving accessibility and the player experience for both long-time fans and newcomers alike. In June 2023, the retro gaming community took note of a particularly notable enhancement: a romhack introducing comprehensive Sega Genesis 6-button controller support to Alien Soldier.

Developed collaboratively by NaOH (hacking), MiniMacro (graphics), and TwistC (design), this patch reimagines and simplifies Alien Soldier’s demanding control scheme by utilizing the additional buttons of Sega’s 6-button controller.

Instead of juggling complex button combinations, players can now dash, parry, and switch shooting modes with dedicated buttons, creating a more intuitive, arcade-style experience. According to the project description on romhacking.net, the modification enables players to dash using the Z button, execute the “Counter Force” parry with Y, and toggle shooting modes with either X or the Mode button.

The original control configuration is preserved and can be toggled based on the player’s choice of controller, while a hybrid mode accommodates those accustomed to the traditional layout. In the weeks following this release, three additional hacks were uploaded to romhacking.net, all designed for cross-compatibility with the 6-button mod.

Notably, BillyTimeGames introduced two quality-of-life improvements: a Password SRAM hack allowing game-saving on Super Easy difficulty, enabling players to resume progress at their convenience, and a weapon regeneration hack that gradually replenishes ammunition as in-game time passes.

Complementing these enhancements, developer i_hate_drm released a weapon cycling hack, letting players seamlessly switch between weapons at the top of the screen with the A button, providing an alternative to the original weapon wheel interface. Players interested in applying these patches will need a Japanese version of the Alien Soldier ROM and a utility such as Lunar IPS.

The main 6-button controller patch comes in two versions: "alien-soldier-6-button-toggle.ips" for standard 6-button setups and a variant tailored for controllers featuring shoulder buttons.

Full instructions and patch downloads can be found on romhacking.net. These advancements demonstrate the enduring appeal and ongoing evolution of Alien Soldier within the SEGA Genesis community.

Through the combined efforts of talented modders, this legendary action game is now more accessible and enjoyable than ever before, ensuring its legacy continues for future generations of retro gamers.

SEGA Genesis SEGA Genesis Alien Soldier Sega Mega Drive Treasure romhacking.net BillyTimeGames i_hate_drm NaOH MiniMacro TwistC