Power Strike is one of the Master Systems more impressive titles. It is a highly playable vertical shooter from Compile who have made other shoot em up titles along with games like Dr Robotniks Mean Bean Machine.
It was released in 1988 as a limited edition and thus did not reach a particularly large audience though it is popular amongst both shooter and Master System fans.
Power Strike also goes by the name Aleste.
The planet has been invaded by some sort of vegetable life form. It has since began to take over the planet.
Your ship is a prototype and is the last hope to destroy the green invader.
Stories are not important for shooters really!
Case Quote
Your planet has been overrun by the meanest mutant vegetation ever created in a genetics lab. It's taken over buildings, labs, fighter craft....even people! And it's getting bigger.... and meaner.... with each passing second."
The game is a simple vertical shooter. You must destroy as many enemies and ground targets as possible whilst evading incoming fire and collecting power ups. Blast your way through waves of oncoming enemy ships and destroy the boss at the end of each round.
The D-pad moves your ship left, right, up and down all around the screen. Button 1 is your Vulcan cannon and button 2 is your secondary weapon. Both buttons can be held down for rapid fire.
On screen you will see your score to the top left. When you beat the highest score it will
flash briefly and a sound will play but there is no reward. To the bottom right you will see
the current number of the secondary weapon you have, how much energy it has and how
many lives you have next to the smaller ship.
Your Vulcan cannon is upgraded by collecting the yellow P boxes.
These typically come on to the screen in groups of four by satellites.
Your Vulcan is upgraded to the following;
rapid single shot
single double shot
rapid double shot
single triple shot
rapid triple shot
Your Vulcan canon can only destroy the blue incoming fire whereas your secondary weapon can destroy both the blue and the orange. Some weapons are best suited to certain levels and bosses.
The second weapon on your ship is changeable when collecting the numbers from either bases on the surface or the satellites. Shoot the bases or craft carrying the number to release it. Your secondary weapon can also destroy the orange incoming fire from enemies.
These weapons have a limited amount of energy denoted by the number on the screen. A full weapon is at 79. These weapons can also be powered up collecting the same number in succession. This also replenishes the amount of energy it has. Different weapons use different amounts of energy.
The numbers equate to the following:
 |
Plasma Balls |
 |
Plasma Charge |
 |
Laser Beams |
 |
Barrier |
 |
Homing Shot |
 |
Blade Shot |
 |
Sheilds |
 |
Waving Plasma Bolt |
Beware that weapons 4,5,7 and 8 do not hit ground targets.
Your ship explodes whenever you are hit by incoming fire or collide with an enemy. You start with 3 lives and can continue as many times as you like upon game over. For the first 20,000 points you will receive and extra life then every 100,000 points which is denoted by a jingle.
There are a total of 6 rounds in the game. Having game over on round 6 takes you back to round 5.
At the end of each round there is a boss to defeat. From round 2 there will be larger craft to destroy through out each stage and from round 4 there will be additional bosses as well as larger craft. Extra points are given upon the destruction of a boss which increases as you progress.
You can view screen shots of all the rounds and bosses on this page.
Extra Lives
To start the game with 9 lives on the title screen push down, right, down, down, left, right, up, right when the music begins to play.
Round 0
When you have completed the game if you select continue on the title screen you will be taken to Round 0. This is essentially round 1 with different colours and at a higher speed. Beating Round 0 will take you to Round 6.
Use No 2
By far the best weapon of the game is the No 2. It can be used for both shielding and doing major damage to larger enemies especially the bosses.
Collecting the Ps
The other advantage to the P is that when you collect one your ship will flash briefly. When this happens you are invincible.
There has ever been only 1 sequel, Power Strike 2 was released on the Master System and Game Gear several years later.
An Aleste game was released on the Mega CD in the form of Robo Aleste.
Perfect. Play it with Dega.
A review of Power Strike can be found here.
Another review.
