Alien vs. Predator (エイリアンVSプレデター) is a 1994 beat 'em up video game developed and released by Capcom for the CPS-2 arcade game system. It is based on the science fiction franchise of the same name. Introducing an original fighter to the game: Lt. Kurosawa, the players take control of up to three from the selection of four cyborgs and Predator characters in a battle against the Xenomorph hordes and rogue human soldiers.

The game was very well received by the public and media publications, and Dutch Schaefer from the 1987 Predator film included as another playable character, alongside two Predators.

A 32X version of the game was planned, but never released. An unrelated Alien vs. Predator beat 'em up game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System was developed by Jorudan and published by Activision. In 2019, Capcom announced that the game would be included on its Capcom Home Arcade dedicated console.

Reception

Alien vs. Predator has been very well received by critics. In Japan, Game Machine listed the game on their July 15, 1994 issue as being the third most-successful table arcade unit of the month, outperforming titles like Fantastic Journey and Puyo Puyo. In North America, RePlay reported AVP to be the most-popular arcade game at the time. Play Meter also listed the game to be the sixth most-popular arcade game at the time. GamePro gave it a maximum score of 5.0 in all four categories (graphics, sound, control, and fun factor). Electronic Gaming Monthly hailed it as "everything you'd expect from the makers of games like Street Fighter 2 and The Punisher." According to a GameSpot retrospective, Alien vs. Predator featured "gorgeous graphics and special effects" and "was quite an adventure and one hell of a coin cruncher."

In 2013, it was ranked as the 12th top beat 'em up video game of all time by Heavy.com and included among the best looking beat 'em up games from the 16-bit era by Kotaku. That same year, Arcade Sushi ranked it as the second best retro game in the genre, stating that "without a doubt, this is one of the greatest looking (and greatest playing), arcade beat 'em ups of all time."

According to Destructoid in 2009, Alien vs. Predator is an "arcade classic still fondly remembered by many today." Retro Gamer called it an "excellent game" and "an unconverted classic, which, in our opinion, stands tall as one of the very best examples of licence mash-up ever seen in a video game." In 2013, Capcom stated that more fans have been asking for it to receive an HD remake than for any other of their "retro" games. In 2015, Hardcore Gamer included it among the 200 best games of all time. In 2023, Time Extension included the game on their top 25 "Best Beat 'Em Ups of All Time" list.

Legacy

Lt. Linn Kurosawa (described by Retro Gamer as "a Taki-resembling [although Taki came after] heroine with ninja reflexes and attacks" Much of her design has been re-used for the Street Fighter series' popular character Ibuki, introduced in 1997 (who, incidentally, has a fellow ninja classmate and friend named Sarai Kurosawa), and she also resembles Simone from Capcom's and Psikyo's 2000 shooter Cannon Spike.

According to former Treasure designer Tetsuhiko "Han" Kikuchi, Mad Stalker: Full Metal Forth and the arcade Alien vs. Predator were the main inspirations for his 1996 beat 'em up Guardian Heroes. It was also one of the inspirations for the makers of River City Ransom: Underground.

In 2017, toy company NECA announced that they had gained the license to the video game, and would be producing figures based on its characters, starting with the Aliens and Predators. The figures came complete with retro packaging inspired by the game's arcade cabinet art. The following year, NECA revealed that they would also be releasing action figures of Linn and Dutch.

References

  • Alien vs. Predator at MobyGames
  • Alien vs. Predator at GameFAQs
  • Alien vs. Predator at Arcade-History