Aliens Infestation

PRESS START

An Introduction To Today’s Game

Today is my birthday. And as I was coming up with this month’s games for the newsletter, I decided I wanted to do one of my favorite hidden gems for this day.

Most people remember Aliens: Colonial Marines, the 2013 console disaster that became one of gaming's most infamous flops. The hate and coverage were so intense it seemed like it might kill the Alien brand for good.

Thankfully it didn't, and we got Alien: Isolation years later. But here's what most people don't remember, another Alien game came out quietly on the Nintendo DS in late 2011, right as Colonial Marines was being hyped.

When a game lands in the twilight of a console's life, it faces an uphill battle. Developed by WayForward Technologies and published by Sega, this 2D Metroidvania slipped past most players' radars. Yet those who discovered it found something special, a game that understood James Cameron's Aliens and translated its tension into portable perfection.

So share some birthday cake with me (dibs on the corner pieces) and fire up those handhelds to check out one of the best games in the DS library.

BEHIND THE PIXELS

Let’s Dive Into The Game

Aliens: Infestation is a Metroidvania game where you control a squad of Colonial Marines investigating the USS Sulaco and LV-426 after the events of the Aliens film.

You command four marines at any given time, exploring interconnected environments, collecting weapons and upgrades, and battling Xenomorphs in tense firefights. The game borrows heavily from Super Metroid's structure while incorporating cover mechanics and manual reloading inspired by modern shooters.

What makes Infestation unique is its permanent death system. Each marine has their own name, personality, and dialogue written specifically for them. When a marine dies, they're gone forever. No extra lives, no continues for that character.

You can recruit new marines throughout the game, but there are only 19 total. Lose all your marines, and it's game over. This creates genuine attachment to your squad members and makes every encounter matter.

Sometimes marines aren't killed outright but captured and cocooned, giving you a brief window to mount a rescue before they're lost to a facehugger. It’s such a great mechanic and it really stands out from other Alien games.

The exploration takes you through the Sulaco's dark corridors, across LV-426's surface installations, and even to Phobos station. You'll need keycards, welding torches, and wrenches to progress past obstacles.

The motion tracker from the films is your constant companion, beeping nervously as threats close in. You'll face Xenomorph warriors, facehuggers, and various boss creatures including multiple Queen battles. Combat androids and UPP soldiers add variety to encounters.

WayForward's pixel art shines throughout. The marine sprites are expressive, each with unique idle animations at save points. The Xenomorphs move with unsettling fluidity, crawling along walls and bursting from grates. For me, this is one of the best looking DS games.

Weapon variety includes pulse rifles, smart guns, flamethrowers, and shotguns, all authentic to the films. The audio design captures the Aliens aesthetic with authentic sound effects and music that echoes James Horner's score without copying it directly.

The difficulty can be unforgiving. Health doesn't regenerate fully at save points, ammo must be conserved, and respawning enemies make backtracking dangerous. Some encounters feel deliberately unfair, with enemies spawning in tight spaces or attacking immediately after transitions.

The game can be completed in three to four hours by skilled players, though most first attempts will take considerably longer given the learning curve and inevitable squad losses.

WHERE TO PLAY

• The original copy or emulation will be your best bet in playing this.

• Original Copies of the Game (All prices in USD)

  • Loose: $50

  • Complete: $76

  • New/Sealed: $140

GAME INFORMATION

Cover Art

RETRO HARDWARE

Reading about retro games is great, but playing them is the real goal. This new Retro Hardware section is about easy, affordable ways to get those classics running without the headache.

The Miyoo Mini Plus. My first retro device I ever bought. Slightly bigger than the original Miyoo Mini, the Plus model adds a larger screen and a more comfortable grip, making it easy to toss in a bag and take on the go when I dare to leave my protective man cave. (Still scary.)

The Miyoo Mini Plus is an entry-level retro handheld, but in the best possible way. It excels at playing classic systems like NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, and a massive arcade library, all of which run great. It’s simple, affordable, and perfect for anyone looking to dip their toes into retro gaming without overcomplicating things.

My readers can use the following code for a 12% discount: NY12

Click either of the pictures to take you to the website.

GAME OVER

Why You Should Play This

Aliens: Infestation deserves your attention if you own a DS or 3DS. It captures the film's atmosphere better than most big-budget Aliens games manage, translating that tension into handheld form without compromise. The permanent death mechanic creates stakes that most games only pretend to have. You'll genuinely care when Duke gets dragged into a vent or when Cowboy falls defending the squad.

The Metroidvania structure works naturally with the setting. Exploring derelict spaceships and abandoned colonies feels right when you're a Colonial Marine. WayForward understood the assignment, delivering tight combat, meaningful exploration, and characters worth remembering. Chris Bachalo's artwork gives each marine personality beyond their stats.

Yes, the difficulty spikes can frustrate. Yes, respawning enemies feel cheap sometimes. But these rough edges don't diminish what WayForward accomplished. This is one of the best licensed games on DS, period and something I keep going back to every year.

Finding a copy requires patience and a decent budget now, with complete copies hovering around $75. But for Aliens fans or Metroidvania enthusiasts, Infestation remains worth the hunt. Just remember to watch your motion tracker. Something's moving, and it's getting closer.

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