Altered Beast: Guardian of the Realms - Game Boy Advance

Altered Beast: Guardian of the Realms for Game Boy Advance resurrects the classic arcade brawler with all-new levels, beast transformations, and side-scrolling action designed specifically for handheld play. Developed by 3d6 Games and published by SEGA, this title acts as a modern reimagining of the 1988 arcade hit, while preserving its mythological tone and power-up-based progression. Often referred to as Altered Beast GBA or Altered Beast Guardian GBA, it’s a nostalgic throwback with a portable twist.

You play as a resurrected centurion once again called upon to battle dark forces threatening the mythical realms. Guided by Zeus, you’ll punch, kick, and transform your way through 15 new stages across multiple environments—from haunted forests and burning temples to frozen wastelands—each packed with demonic enemies, traps, and challenging boss fights.

As in the original, the core mechanic revolves around collecting spirit orbs dropped by enemies. Each orb enhances your strength, and once enough are collected, you’ll transform into one of 13 different mythical beasts, including a dragon, minotaur, werewolf, phoenix, and more. Each form comes with its own unique abilities, adding variety and strategy to the combat. Choosing the right beast for the environment or boss can be the key to survival.

The GBA version adds new gameplay elements such as hidden paths, power-ups, and unlockable content that encourage exploration beyond simple left-to-right brawling. The controls are responsive, and the sprite-based graphics do a solid job of capturing the gritty, supernatural vibe of the original arcade experience.

For fans of old-school beat-’em-ups and mythological themes, Altered Beast: Guardian of the Realms offers a robust, if sometimes overlooked, entry in the Altered Beast franchise—ideal for retro collectors and arcade nostalgia hunters.