imported>NounVerber: minor grammar error corrected

2025-03-28T11:34:06Z

minor grammar error corrected

New page

{{Short description|1988 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Alien Crush
| image = Alien Crush Coverart.png
| series = ''[[Crush Pinball]]''
| developer = [[Compile (publisher)|Compile]]
| publisher = {{vgrelease|JP|[[Kaga Create|NAXAT Soft]]|NA|[[NEC]]}}
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|September 14, 1988|NA|August 29, 1989}}
| genre = [[Pinball]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| platforms = [[TurboGrafx-16]]
}}

'''''Alien Crush''''' is a [[pinball]] [[video game]] developed by [[Compile (publisher)|Compile]] for the [[PC Engine]]/[[TurboGrafx-16]]. It was released in 1988. The game is the first installment in the ''[[Crush Pinball]]'' series. It was followed by three sequels, ''[[Devil's Crush]]'', ''[[Jaki Crush]]'', and ''[[Alien Crush Returns]]''. ''Alien Crush'' was later re-released via emulation on the [[Virtual Console]] for [[Wii Virtual Console|Wii]], [[3DS Virtual Console|3DS]], and [[Wii u virtual console|Wii U]], and for [[PlayStation 3]] through [[PlayStation Network]].

''Alien Crush'' garnered generally favorable reception from critics, some of which reviewed it as an [[Parallel importing in video games|import title]]; praise was given to the unusual and original graphical design reminiscent of the ''[[Alien (franchise)|Alien]]'' films, realistic physics, accessibility towards less experienced players and playability but some felt divided regarding its audio, while the transition between the two screens and lack of variety in gameplay aside from the bonus rounds were seen as negative points. Retrospective commentary has been mostly positive.

== Gameplay ==
{{Expand section|date=April 2022}}
''Alien Crush'' features a science fiction theme reminiscent of the film ''[[Alien (film)|Alien]]''. Essentially, the player is "fighting" against the aliens with their [[pinball]] skills.

The playfield of ''Alien Crush'' consists of two main screens arranged vertically, with a pair of flippers at the bottom of each. The play stops momentarily as the ball shifts from one screen to the next. There are also several hidden/bonus rooms. These hidden rooms mainly involve destroying all the aliens (or several waves of aliens) for bonus points. Should the player achieve the maximum possible score of 10 less than 1 billion, the game ends with the destruction of the table and a congratulatory message.<ref>{{cite video game|title=''Alien Crush'' |developer=Compile|date=September 14, 1988|platform= PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16|level=Ending|quote="Congratulations!! You are the greatest player"}}</ref>

The player is given the choice of a fast or slow ball speed and two different music tracks.

== Development and release ==
{{Expand section|date=April 2022}}

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
|Fam = 33/40<ref name="FamPCEac">{{cite magazine|title=NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: エイリアンクラッシュ (PCエンジン)|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|issue=57|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation]]|date=September 16, 1988|lang=ja}}</ref>
|GI = 8.75/10<ref name="GITG-16ac">{{cite magazine|title=Retro Reviews: Alien Crush (TurboGrafx-16)|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|issue=110|publisher=Sunrise Publications|date=June 2002}}</ref>
|rev1 = ''[[Computer and Video Games|CVG]] [[Mean Machines]]''
|rev1Score = 90%<ref name="CVGMMTG-16ac">{{cite magazine|last=Rignall|first=Julian|author-link=Julian Rignall|url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Complete_Guide_to_Consoles_1/page/47/mode/1up|title=Complete Guide to Consoles: Complete Games Guide – Alien Crush (PC Engine)|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] [[Mean Machines]]|issue=1|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=October 1989|pages=46–77}}</ref>
|rev2 = ''[[The Games Machine]]''
|rev2Score = 75%<ref name="TGMTG-16ac">{{cite magazine|last=Lapworth|first=Warren|url=https://archive.org/details/the-games-machine-21/page/n93/mode/2up|title=Reviews: Monster pinball for masochists - Alien Crush (PC Engine)|magazine=[[The Games Machine]]|issue=21|publisher=[[Newsfield Publications]]|date=August 1989|pages=94–95}}</ref>
|rev3 = ''Power Play''
|rev3Score = 73%<ref name="PPTG-16ac">{{cite magazine|last=Gaksch|first=Martin|url=https://archive.org/details/Power.Play.N09.1988.12-KCz/page/n69/mode/1up|title=Power Videospiele: Alien Crush (PC-Engine)|magazine={{ill|Power Play (magazine)|lt=Power Play|de|Power Play (Zeitschrift)}}|issue=9|publisher=[[Markt & Technik]]|date=December 1988|page=70|lang=de}}</ref>
|rev4 = ''[[TurboPlay]]''
|rev4Score = {{Rating|8|10}}<ref name="TPTG-16ac">{{cite magazine|last=Nauert|first=Donn|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ATurboPlay_US_05.pdf&page=24|title=TurboPlay Rates the Games - Alien Crush|magazine=[[TurboPlay]]|issue=5|publisher=[[Larry Flynt Publications]]|date=February–March 1991|page=24}}</ref>
|award1Pub = ''[[Famitsu]]'' (1988)
|award1 = Gold Hall of Fame<ref name="FamPCEac"/>
}}

''Alien Crush'' garnered generally favorable reception from critics,<ref name="GITG-16ac"/> some of which reviewed it as an [[Parallel importing in video games|import title]]. It was given the "Gold Hall of Fame" award from ''[[Famitsu]]'' and ranked at the number 110 spot with a 22.66 out of 30 score in a public poll taken by ''[[PC Engine Fan]]''.<ref name="FamPCEac"/><ref name="PCEFv6i10">{{cite magazine|title=PC Engine All Catalog '93 10月号特別付録 - エイリアンクラッシュ|magazine=[[PC Engine Fan]]|volume=6|issue=10|publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]]|date=October 1, 1993|page=138|lang=ja}}</ref> [[Julian Rignall]] of ''[[Computer and Video Games]] [[Mean Machines]]'' highlighted its graphics reminiscent of the ''[[Alien (franchise)|Alien]]'' films, atmospheric soundtrack and wide variety of bonus screens, writing that "This stunning pinball simulation is the best yet seen on any machine."<ref name="CVGMMTG-16ac"/> ''Power Play''{{'}}s Martin Gaksch concurred with Rignall, lauding its well-drawn visuals and atmospheric sound design. Gaksch also commended the game's realistic physics and accessibility towards less experience players, but expressed dislike regarding the transition between the two screens.<ref name="PPTG-16ac"/> ''[[The Games Machine]]''{{'}}s Warren Lapworth found its graphical design unusual and original when compared to titles such as ''[[Captain Blood (video game)|Captain Blood]]'' and ''[[Purple Saturn Day]]''. Lapworth commented that the music was competent but forgettable, while noting its lack of variety in gameplay aside from the bonus rounds.<ref name="TGMTG-16ac"/> ''[[TurboPlay]]''{{'}}s Donn Nauert gave the title positive ratings for its audiovisual presentation and playability.<ref name="TPTG-16ac"/>

=== Retrospective coverage ===
Retrospective reviews for ''Alien Crush'' have been mostly positive.<ref name="PCECG">{{cite book|title=PCエンジンソフト完全カタログ 1988年 - エイリアンクラッシュ|work=PC Engine Complete Guide 1987-1999|series=Nostalgic Game Console Encyclopedia|volume=1|publisher=Standards|date=June 15, 2018|page=35|language=ja|isbn=9784866362670}}</ref> ''[[Nintendo Life]]''{{'}}s Corbie Dillard praised its addictive gameplay, ''Alien''-themed visuals and audio.<ref name="NLifeVCac">{{cite web|last=Dillard|first=Corbie|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2006/12/alien_crush_virtual_console|title=Alien Crush Review (TG-16) — Alien Crush is a fan-favorite pinball game that features a sinister sci-fi theme|work=[[Nintendo Life]]|publisher=Nlife Media|date=December 11, 2006|access-date=2022-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830223422/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2006/12/alien_crush_virtual_console|archive-date=2014-08-30|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[IGN]]''{{'}}s Lucas M. Thomas commended the game's presentation, graphics, audio and engaging gameplay, but noted its limited scope. Nevertheless, Thomas stated that "This Turbo title is an important installment in the industry's pinball genre, and set the bar high for the games to come after it in later years."<ref name="IGNVCac">{{cite web|last=M. Thomas|first=Lucas|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/12/12/alien-crush-review|title=Alien Crush Review — TurboGrafx pinball starring Sigourney Weaver's friends|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=December 12, 2006|access-date=2022-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924010018/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/12/12/alien-crush-review|archive-date=2014-09-24|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[GameSpot]]''{{'}}s Aaron Thomas gave positive remarks to its addictive and fun gameplay, catchy music tracks, colorful visuals, interesting table design reminiscent of [[H.R. Giger]]{{'}}s artwork, depth and controls, but the lack of save support for high scores and single table were seen as negative points.<ref name="GSpotVCac">{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Aaron|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/alien-crush-review/1900-6163444/|title= Alien Crush Review — The Virtual Console breathes new life into this obscure, but very good, pinball game|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|date=December 21, 2006|access-date=2022-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221042444/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/alien-crush-review/1900-6163444/|archive-date=2019-02-21|url-status=live}}</ref> In contrast, ''[[Eurogamer]]''{{'}}s Kristan Reed felt that "this is a game that even hardcore pinball nutters will (or should) tire of after a few minutes", criticizing its lack of "neat" ideas and single table restriction.<ref name="EuroGVCac">{{cite web|last=Reed|first=Kristan|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/virtual-console-turbografx-16-review|title=Virtual Console: TurboGrafx-16 – PC-Ingenuity? — Alien Crush|work=[[Eurogamer]]|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|date=January 24, 2007|access-date=2022-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413194408/https://www.eurogamer.net/virtual-console-turbografx-16-review|archive-date=2022-04-13|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Retro Gamer]]''{{'}}s Darran Jones wrote that "This wonderfully polished pinball title has a decent main table, solid ball physics and plenty of excellent table features".<ref name="RGVCac">{{cite magazine|last=Jones|first=Darran|title=Retro Rated - Virtual Console: Alien Crush|magazine=[[Retro Gamer]]|issue=35|publisher=[[Imagine Publishing]]|date=March 1, 2007|page=89}}</ref> ''[[Hardcore Gaming 101]]''{{'}}s Kurt Kalata found it to be the most balanced entry in the ''[[Crush Pinball]]'', labeling it as a "fun experience to both newcomers as well as experts."<ref name="AChg101">{{cite web|last=Kalata|first=Kurt|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/alien-crush/|title=Alien Crush|work=[[Hardcore Gaming 101]]|date=July 15, 2008|access-date=2022-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109234717/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/alien-crush/|archive-date=2018-11-09|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Sequels==
''Alien Crush'' was the first game in the ''Crush Pinball'' series developed by [[Compile (company)|Compile]] and distributed by [[Kaga Create|Naxat Soft]] and later [[Hudson Soft]]. A common theme amongst all installments in the series that sets them apart from other pinball games is the presence of [[sci-fi]], [[fantasy]] or [[occult]] themes.

''[[Devil's Crush]]'' was released in 1990 also for the TurboGrafx-16, which featured an occult theme with skulls, skeletons, and demons. ''Devil's Crush'' was ported to the [[Sega Genesis]], retitled ''Dragon's Fury'' (''Devil Crash MD'' in Japan), by developer [[Technosoft]]. A third game was later developed for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]] called ''[[Jaki Crush]]'' that contained a Japanese demon/ogre mythology theme, although the game was never released outside Japan.

The series was revived in 2008 when Hudson Soft published a [[sequel]]/[[remake]] to ''Alien Crush'' called ''[[Alien Crush Returns]]'' for [[WiiWare]].

While ''Jaki Crush'' became largely obscure, ''Alien Crush'' and ''Devil's Crush'' were well received and have both been re-released on the [[Virtual Console]].

''[[Demon's Tilt]]'' was released in 2019. The game has been called a [[spiritual successor]] to the ''Crush Pinball'' series, namely ''[[Devil's Crush]]''.<ref name="NLPreview">{{cite web |last1=McFerran |first1=Damien |title=Devil's Crush Spiritual Successor Demon's Tilt Is Coming To Switch |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/12/devils_crush_spiritual_successor_demons_tilt_is_coming_to_switch |website=Nintendo Life |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=11 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217003138/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/12/devils_crush_spiritual_successor_demons_tilt_is_coming_to_switch |archive-date=17 December 2019 |date=11 December 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Games list===
*''Alien Crush'' - 1988 - [[TurboGrafx-16|TG16]]
*''[[Devil's Crush]]'' - 1990 - [[TurboGrafx-16|TG16]]
*''[[Jaki Crush]]'' - 1992 - [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]]
*''[[Dragon's Revenge]]'' - 1993 - [[Mega Drive]] (a follow-up to ''Devil's Crush'', developed by [[Tengen (company)|Tengen]])
*''[[Alien Crush Returns]]'' - 2008 - [[WiiWare]] (developed by [[Tamsoft]])

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070904183851/http://hudsonentertainment.com/gamedetail.php?game_id=49&console=1 Hudson's Official Site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071012044721/http://www.nintendo.com/gamemini?gameid=huU83RH_q3Vwlw_CKJvl2bLubqVCZTZ6 Nintendo's Virtual Console Alien Crush Site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110522083422/http://wii.ign.com/articles/750/750690p1.html IGN's Review of Alien Crush]
* [http://www.gamespot.com/tg16/action/aliencrush/index.html?tag=stats;title Gamespot's Alien Crush Review]
* [http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/crushpinball/crushpinball.htm Hard Core Gaming 101 - Crush Pinball] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170514210830/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/crushpinball/crushpinball.htm |date=2017-05-14 }}
{{Crush Pinball video games}}

[[Category:1988 video games]]
[[Category:Compile (company) games]]
[[Category:Crush Pinball]]
[[Category:Kaga Create games]]
[[Category:Pinball video games]]
[[Category:TurboGrafx-16 games]]
[[Category:Video games about extraterrestrial life]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Toshiaki Sakoda]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Nintendo 3DS]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U]]
[[Category:PlayStation Network games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Science fiction video games]]
[[Category:TurboGrafx-16-only games]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii]]

Alien Crush - Revision history

imported>NounVerber: minor grammar error corrected