With Alien prequel Prometheus nearing its release, Retro Gamer looks back at some of its favourite videogame aliens, both friendly and hostile.  

A run and gunner like few others, Alien Soldier is typical Treasure. With a large number of short and easy levels working at odds with many super-tough bosses, it’s a boss rush that has little time for casual gamers, and seems proud of the fact.

Epsilon Eagle is part of a parasitic race of genetically created beings that are able to link themselves to animals and machinery, and this explains why his appearance is comprises an odd mix of bird feathers and metal. Originally the leader of a criminal outfit called ‘Scarlett’ (Treasure often likes to link elements of its games to light and colour), the game explains that Epsilon turned on his team after bonding with a boy with paranormal powers, setting the scene for this unique and challenging Mega Drive title.

Alien Solider never recieved a physical release in North America and was instead only made available through Sega’s short-lived Sega Channel, a cable games service for Genesis. The same thing also happened to the Genesis games Golden Axe III, Pulseman and Mega Man: The Wily Wars in the region.