Alien 3
Alien 3 — frequently asked questions
- What platforms is Alien 3 on?
- Alien 3 was released on Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Super Famicom, Sega Master System/Mark III, Amiga, Commodore C64/128/MAX, Game Boy, Sega Game Gear, Nintendo Entertainment System, PC (Microsoft Windows).
- When did Alien 3 release?
- Alien 3 was first released on October 1, 1992.
About Alien 3
Alien³ was released after the Alien 3 film. After success on the Super Nintendo and Genesis platforms, the game was built and ported to other systems, including the Commodore 64 and Game Gear. The game is set on the world of the film, Fury 161, but the gameplay has more in common with the film Aliens, throwing wave after wave of enemies at the player.
Summary via IGDB.
Alien 3 on Wikipedia
Alien 3 (stylized as ALIEN3) is a 1992 run and gun video game based on the film of the same name. It was released for the Sega Genesis and Amiga in 1992, then for the Commodore 64, Game Boy, Game Gear, Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and Master System.
Source: Wikipedia (text under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Game details
- Platforms
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Super Famicom, Sega Master System/Mark III, Amiga, Commodore C64/128/MAX, Game Boy, Sega Game Gear, Nintendo Entertainment System, PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developer
- Probe Entertainment
- Publisher
- Playtronic
- Game modes
- Single player
- Themes
- Action, Science fiction, Horror
- Series
- Alien
Details via IGDB.
Reception
Every version compared
Prices, contemporary reception and the studio credited for each release
| Platform | Year | Loose | Complete | Sealed | Period reviews | Built by | Fake risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sega Master SystemDetails ↓ | 1992 | $11 | $28 | — | 8 reviews | Probe Software | Low (look-alike) |
| Sega GenesisDetails ↓ | 1992 | $15 | $36 | $68 | 8 reviews | — | Low |
The cheapest way to own it loose is the Sega Master System version ($11).
Also released on: Super Nintendo Entertainment System · Sega Mega Drive/Genesis · Super Famicom · Sega Master System/Mark III · Amiga · Commodore C64/128/MAX · Game Boy · Sega Game Gear · Nintendo Entertainment System · PC (Microsoft Windows). We haven’t priced or authenticated those versions yet.
Prices are per version and are not interchangeable, and neither are the reviews: conversions in this era were often built by a different studio than the original, so a score earned on one machine says nothing about how another plays.
Collector value & authenticity
Sega Master System · PriceCharting sold data · Verified 2026-10-28
How often it sells
- Loose: about once a month
- Complete: about 2 times a month
- Sealed: about once a year
Sales frequency from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, as of 2026-10-28.
Price over time
- Loose
- Complete
A loose copy sold for about $11.50 in Jan 2010, $8.71 five years ago, and $11.43 as of Oct 2026.
Show as table
| Month | Loose | Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2010 | $11.50 | — |
| Jan 2011 | $9.99 | — |
| Jan 2012 | $1.50 | — |
| Jan 2013 | $10.95 | — |
| Jan 2014 | $8.00 | $19.99 |
| Jan 2015 | $5.48 | $23 |
| Jan 2016 | $11.16 | $19.95 |
| Jan 2017 | $11.16 | $30 |
| Jan 2018 | $7.85 | $15.53 |
| Jan 2019 | $7.45 | $12.75 |
| Jan 2020 | $7.08 | $14.05 |
| Jan 2021 | $6.77 | $11.06 |
| Jan 2022 | $9.05 | $15.56 |
| Jan 2023 | $8.32 | $14.75 |
| Jan 2024 | $9.41 | $23 |
| Jan 2025 | $7.06 | $27 |
| Jan 2026 | $9.40 | $24 |
| Oct 2026 | $11.43 | $29 |
Monthly price estimates from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, sampled quarterly, through Oct 2026.
Release record
| Territory | Date | Product number |
|---|---|---|
| Europe / PAL | 21 October 1992 | MK-27043-50 |
- Region
- EU
- Released
- 1992
- Authenticity
- Low
The Sega Master System version
A licensed run-and-gun that reached the Master System with the Genesis version's level layouts plus a two-player option.
Alien 3 is a run-and-gun game based on the film, developed by Probe Software and published in Europe by Arena Entertainment on 21 October 1992. The Master System version uses the same level layouts as the Genesis version but adds a two-player option.
Sega Force praised the Master System version for graphics that look close to the Genesis game, plus its music, sound effects and controls, though it noted that the gameplay sometimes becomes repetitive.
How it was made
Probe Software developed the Master System version, with Matt Furniss credited as composer.
What the press said at the time
| Sega Master Force Issue 3 | October 1993 | Rating: 77% |
| Sega Master Force Issue 5 | November 1993 | 77% |
| Sega Pro Issue 27 | December 1993 | 90% |
| Sega Pro Issue 26 | December 1993 | 90% |
| Sega Pro Issue 33 | June 1994 | 90% |
| Sega Pro Issue 34 | July 1994 | 90% |
| Sega Pro Issue 43 | April 1995 | 80% |
| Sega Force | 77% |
“Presentation's good and the challenge's just right. The sound isn't spectacular but, naturally, this doesn't affect the tense, exciting gameplay.”
“Neat presentation, well shaded backgrounds and ’orrible Aliens make mediocre gameplay fun.”
“As with the MD and GG versions, this is brilliant. Guide Ripley through the treacherous space-ship in a stunning platform adventure.”
“As with the MD and GG versions, this is brilliant. Guide Ripley through the treacherous space-ship in a stunning platform adventure. Loads to do and power-ups galore make it a definite winner.”
Undated scores are from the review table in the game's Wikipedia article, limited to reviews of the Sega Master System version.
In the sales charts
In 12 sales charts, December 1992 to November 1993; highest position #1.
Show all 12 placings
- #1 in the Master System chart — Mean Machines Sega, Issue 3, December 1992
- #4 in the HMV Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 18, April 1993
- #10 in the Our Price Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 19, May 1993
- #4 in the HMV Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 19, May 1993
- #4 in the Our Price Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 21, July 1993
- #4 in the Our Price Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 22, August 1993
- #8 in the HMV Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 22, August 1993
- #4 in the Our Price Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 23, September 1993
- #2 in the Our Price Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 24, October 1993
- #9 in the HMV Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 24, October 1993
- #5 in the Our Price Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 25, November 1993
- #9 in the HMV Master System chart — Sega Pro, Issue 25, November 1993
Sales charts as printed in the magazines of the time.
Also on other platforms
Amiga · Commodore 64 · Game Boy · Game Gear · NES · Genesis · Super NES · Windows
| Sega Master System | Probe Software |
| Game Boy | Bits Studios |
- Game Boy. The Game Boy version is played from an overhead perspective, unlike the other versions.
- Super NES. The Super NES version has six stages and a password feature.
How the other versions reviewed
| Game Gear | AllGame | 3/5 |
| NES | AllGame | 3.5/5 |
| Super NES | AllGame | 4.5/5 |
| Game Gear | Electronic Gaming Monthly | 7/10, 7/10, 8/10, 7/10 |
| Game Gear | Mean Machines Sega | 90% |
| Super NES | Nintendo Power | 3.85/5 |
| Game Boy | Official Nintendo Magazine | 90/100 |
| Super NES | Official Nintendo Magazine | 94/100 |
| Super NES | Sega Power | 84% |
| Windows | Commodore Force | 93% |
| Windows | Commodore Format | 78% |
| Windows | CU Amiga | 92% |
| Game Gear | Sega Force | 84% |
These are the other versions’ scores, not this one’s. Ports of this era were frequently built by different studios, so they do not transfer.
Before you buy
This is a European release, so buy the European cart and expect a European-style box. It sits slightly below the middle of the European-only carts, which makes it an easy, low-risk pickup. Check that the manual is included if you want a complete copy.
Collector value & authenticity
Sega Genesis · PriceCharting sold data · Verified 2026-10-29
Other releases and variants
| Release | Loose | Complete | Sealed |
|---|---|---|---|
| European (PAL) release | $12 | $27 | — |
How often it sells
- Loose: about once a week
- Complete: about 2 times a week
- Sealed: about 3 times a year
Sales frequency from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, as of 2026-10-29.
Price over time
- Loose
- Complete
A loose copy sold for about $1.94 in Oct 2007, $15.36 five years ago, and $15.43 as of Oct 2026.
Show as table
| Month | Loose | Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2008 | $1.29 | — |
| Jan 2009 | $2.00 | — |
| Jan 2010 | $1.99 | — |
| Jan 2011 | $0.75 | — |
| Jan 2012 | $1.38 | — |
| Jan 2013 | $2.22 | — |
| Jan 2014 | $5.75 | $10.00 |
| Jan 2015 | $7.25 | $9.86 |
| Jan 2016 | $6.49 | $15.63 |
| Jan 2017 | $7.49 | $14.99 |
| Jan 2018 | $8.99 | $16.97 |
| Jan 2019 | $9.57 | $17.51 |
| Jan 2020 | $9.64 | $19.28 |
| Jan 2021 | $12.49 | $24 |
| Jan 2022 | $14.59 | $24 |
| Jan 2023 | $14.37 | $28 |
| Jan 2024 | $11.73 | $27 |
| Jan 2025 | $14.09 | $27 |
| Jan 2026 | $15.00 | $32 |
| Oct 2026 | $15.43 | $36 |
Monthly price estimates from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, sampled quarterly, through Oct 2026.
Release record
| Territory | Date | Barcode |
|---|---|---|
| North America | October 1992 | 734549001043 |
| Europe / PAL | October 1992 | 5023843008816 |
- Region
- NA+EU
- Released
- 1992
- Authenticity
- Low
The Sega Genesis version
A tense, film-faithful Genesis run-and-gun that is priced a little above the middle among US carts, with the European cart cheaper.
This is the Genesis version of Alien 3, a run-and-gun based on the film. Probe Software developed it and Arena Entertainment published it, and it came out in both North America and Europe in October 1992. The Genesis game has 15 stages, and its Alien models are larger than the ones in the Super NES version.
Sega Force praised the Genesis game for its controls, its graphics, its large number of levels and a suspenseful soundtrack. GamePro also liked the music and felt the game balances arcade-style action with enough tension to capture the film's mood.
How it was made
Probe Software developed the Genesis version and Matt Furniss is credited as its composer.
What the press said at the time
| MegaTech Issue 17 | May 1993 | 94% |
| MegaTech Issue 23 | November 1993 | 94% |
| MegaTech Issue 26 | February 1994 | 94% |
| MegaTech Issue 27 | March 1994 | 94% |
| MegaTech Issue 30 | June 1994 | 94% |
| MegaTech Issue 33 | September 1994 | 94% |
| AllGame | 3.5/5 | |
| Sega Force | 92% |
“This is an absolute belter of game, with smart graphics and extremely challenging gameplay. While it's not very close to the movie, there are plenty of Aliens, a shaven-headed Ripley and loads of weapons. One of the best action games on the Megadrive.”
“Excellent sound effects, music, graphics and gameplay. Really challenging too. It's so good it's suspicious.”
“Excellent sound effects, music, graphics and gameplay. Really challenging too. … It's so good it's suspicious.”
“Nothing like the film, this puts you in control of a megaweapons-toting Ripley on a platform crusade to waste the aliens and rescue the cocCooned humans. Excellent sound effects, music, graphics and gameplay. Really challenging too.”
Undated scores are from the review table in the game's Wikipedia article, limited to reviews of the Genesis version.
How the Sega Genesis version differs
The Genesis version has 15 stages and larger Alien character models than the Super NES version, and the two differ in design and graphics.
The Genesis version was planned for a summer 1992 US release but came out in October 1992 in both North America and Europe.
Also on other platforms
Master System · Amiga · Commodore 64 · Game Boy · Game Gear · NES · Super NES · Windows
| Game Boy | Bits Studios |
- Super NES. The Super NES version has six stages and a password feature.
- Game Boy. The Game Boy version is played from an overhead perspective, unlike the other versions.
- Amiga. The Amiga version has 14 levels and plays slightly slower than the Genesis version but is otherwise nearly identical.
How the other versions reviewed
| Game Gear | AllGame | 3/5 |
| NES | AllGame | 3.5/5 |
| Super NES | AllGame | 4.5/5 |
| Game Gear | Electronic Gaming Monthly | 7/10, 7/10, 8/10, 7/10 |
| Game Gear | Mean Machines Sega | 90% |
| Super NES | Nintendo Power | 3.85/5 |
| Game Boy | Official Nintendo Magazine | 90/100 |
| Super NES | Official Nintendo Magazine | 94/100 |
| Super NES | Sega Power | 84% |
| Windows | Commodore Force | 93% |
| Windows | Commodore Format | 78% |
| Windows | CU Amiga | 92% |
| Game Gear | Sega Force | 84% |
These are the other versions’ scores, not this one’s. Ports of this era were frequently built by different studios, so they do not transfer.
Before you buy
Among US carts it sits a little above the middle, and the risk of a fake is low. The European cart usually costs less than the US one, both loose and complete. A complete US copy means the case, cartridge and manual.
Alien 3 screenshots
Watch on YouTube
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