GG Aleste

About GG Aleste

GG Aleste (1991) is Compile's Game Gear entry in the Aleste series, in which Ellinor Waizen pilots the Galvanic Gunner against the invading Moon Child army over seven stages.

GG Aleste in Depth

In an alternative continuity, Ellinor Waizen, daughter of original Aleste hero Raymond Waizen, pilots the Galvanic Gunner space fighter against the invading Moon Child army to free the Earth. Following the conventions of earlier Aleste games, it sends the craft through seven increasingly difficult stages over constantly scrolling backgrounds full of enemies and obstacles, stopping only for a boss. Stages mostly scroll vertically but sometimes horizontally, and bonus rounds before the fourth and sixth stages send enemies past in preset formations without firing.

The main weapon is powered up by collecting "Power Chips", and eight special weapons can be found, upgraded by picking up the same one again. There is no bomb, but when the Galvanic Gunner is destroyed it detonates a powerful blast that damages everything on screen, and it respawns on the spot with reduced firepower. Unlimited continues are available. Graphic designer Hiroki Kodama co-designed it with programmer Yukinori Taniguchi, with Masamitsu Niitani producing; Kodama took over hurriedly from Kengo Morita, of Puyo Puyo, and made it out of pride as a Compile staffer.

Making GG Aleste

Compile developed and published it for the Game Gear in 1991. Critics, all reviewing it as an import, received it favourably, Joystick's Olivier Prézeau praising its smooth scrolling, set pieces, animation, controls and sound. A Game Gear Micro variant bundled it with the Aleste Collection's limited edition.