Another port from Sega.  This one features the same full- and GBA-size screen format, leading me to believe that there were GBA versions of both these games.  (If there were, somehow I must've missed them in the crowd of ports that the Game Boy Advance endures each year.)

I like this one a lot more than Golden Axe.  It moves slow and looks pixelated in full-screen format, but when playing on the condensed screen the game is surprisingly good.  Not many of the simplistic retro games are fun to play these days, but Altered Beasts holds up pretty well.  Altered Beast constantly moves forward (like R-Type and other arcade-style games of the past).  This means the experience is short-lived, but it also means you'll never have to worry about backtracking.

The best part is transforming into the beast and using your projectile attacks to defeat the huge bosses.  I wouldn't go out and buy a Zodiac for it, but if you've already got one or plan to buy the system for another reason, Altered Beast is worth altering your wallet for.

Gameplay: 7.6
Altered Beast’s unique gameplay doesn’t stand out as much today.  When it was first released, however, no other game had the same transformation capability.  You wouldn’t want to buy a Zodiac for it and for it alone, but if you’ve already got one, Altered Beast is a good way to take a trip down memory lane.

Graphics: 6

Sound: 6
No new music or sound effects were added – just the same beats you heard a decade ago.

Difficulty: Easy/Medium

Concept: 7
An old Sega game brought to an all-new handheld console.

Overall: 7.5
Worth checking out if you want a little nostalgia to go with your Zodiac.