{"product_id":"altered-beast-2","title":"Altered Beast","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.25em;font-weight:700;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;\"\u003eItem Condition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a loose Sega Genesis cartridge, including the game itself with no box or manual. The cart shows general signs of use consistent with a well-loved classic — expect light scuffs or wear on the label and some cosmetic marks on the shell. The board and connector have not been inspected or cleaned by us, so a quick wipe of the contacts before your first play is always a good idea. Please refer to the provided photos for a detailed view of the item's condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.25em;font-weight:700;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;\"\u003eItem Description\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAltered Beast is one of those titles that is inseparable from the early identity of the Sega Genesis. Originally an arcade smash from Sega in 1988, it made the jump to the Genesis as a pack-in game at launch, meaning millions of players got their first taste of 16-bit gaming with this exact title. That context alone gives it a special place in console history — it is, in many ways, the game that introduced an entire generation to what Sega was bringing to the table.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe premise is delightfully over-the-top in the best possible way. You play as a centurion warrior resurrected by Zeus himself to rescue Athena from the underworld demon Neff. As you battle through waves of grotesque monsters, you collect Spirit Balls that transform your warrior into increasingly powerful beast forms — a werewolf, a werebear, a weredragon, and more. Each transformation dramatically shifts your moveset and power level, giving the game a satisfying escalation that felt unlike almost anything else available at the time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes Altered Beast stick in the memory beyond its mechanics is its atmosphere. The side-scrolling stages are soaked in Greek mythology crossed with horror imagery — crumbling temples, shambling undead, multi-headed bosses — all rendered with that chunky, aggressive Genesis art style that aged into something genuinely iconic. The digitized voice samples, including the legendary \"Rise from your grave\" intro, were jaw-dropping to ears accustomed to NES audio and remain instantly recognizable to anyone who grew up in the late '80s or early '90s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a collector's piece, a loose Genesis cart of Altered Beast is an essential cornerstone of any serious Genesis library. It represents the ground floor of Sega's 16-bit era, a moment when the company was swinging hard and loud against Nintendo's dominance. Playing it today is a fast, punchy nostalgia trip — rough around some edges by modern standards, but absolutely brimming with personality and historical weight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a perfect pick for Genesis collectors filling out a launch-era shelf, retro gaming enthusiasts who want the authentic '80s arcade experience at home, or anyone who just wants to hear those voice samples one more time on real hardware.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Coolection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56669114269862,"sku":"PCQ-8505-LG","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0651\/7404\/4838\/files\/PCQ-8505-LG-1.webp?v=1781654107","url":"https:\/\/coolection.com\/products\/altered-beast-2","provider":"Coolection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}