アレスタ Aleste on Sega Mark III is great SHMUP game from Compile. Aleste series remind of Zanac overall. This one also has some similarities with MUSHA on Sega Genesis.
It has similar powerup system with Zanac for special weapons. Tho in Zanac most of weapons are forever until you die. In Aleste they end over time. Upgrading the main weapon is like in MUSHA. Maybe MUSHA even based on this game?
Zanac and Aleste games has many familiar elements with The Guardian Legend. I love the final Round 6 that starts from 28:19 in the video below. It looks totally like Naju surface. Player also shoots out the panels and reveals the bio surface under them.
The game also goes under the name Power Strike on Sega Master System. And looks the same. They are probably identical. Tho who knows maybe there some differences(for example original is quite too hard would be a good idea to lower down the difficulty).
The MSX2 version came few months later after the Mark III. It has intro and a little bit more extra levels. However visually not as good. And MSX2 scrolling not that smooth. MSX2 version is also a bit easier. Which is good because the original from Mark III is quite difficult.
Here are some screenshots from the game:
So much like Naju surface!
The final boss 1st form is totally the Naju’s first boss. Defense system on landing the Naju:
The very first level background color is terribly bright. I think that was a bad decision to make this bright green ground:
Game has Zanac type of bosses:
Nice looking space station background with a rock surface:
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