Quartet (Master System) Playthrough

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Longplay Center

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Published on April 21, 2025 5:52:04 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4fOykN6fhI

Game:

Altered Beast (1988)

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Playthrough of Sega's run and gun game for the Sega Master System, Quartet.

Quartet for the Sega Master System is a home adaptation of Sega’s 1986 arcade game of the same name, reimagined for single-player play rather than the original four-player cooperative experience. Set in a futuristic space station overrun by hostile aliens and robots, the game tasks the player with defeating enemies, collecting keys, and battling through a series of side-scrolling levels to reclaim control of the base. While the arcade version was known for its frantic multiplayer action, the Master System port offers a more streamlined but still engaging solo run-and-gun platformer.

Players can choose between two characters—Mary or Edgar—each with slight differences in movement and attack speed. The gameplay involves jumping between platforms, shooting enemies, and collecting floating power-ups that enhance your weapon's strength and speed. The ultimate goal of each stage is to retrieve a key held by a specific enemy and reach the exit door, all while surviving waves of relentless enemies and avoiding environmental hazards. The action is tight, with responsive controls that make it easy to jump, shoot, and maneuver through increasingly complex levels.

Graphically, Quartet makes solid use of the Master System's capabilities, with bright colors, large sprites, and a consistent sci-fi aesthetic. Each level features a mechanical, industrial design with conveyor belts, elevators, and other platforming challenges. The music is catchy, featuring upbeat chiptune melodies that keep the energy high even when the difficulty ramps up. Sound effects are simple but effective, matching the game’s arcade roots.

Despite dropping the multiplayer element, the Master System version of Quartet retains the arcade’s spirit with fast-paced action and a sense of urgency in its level design. It’s a challenging game that rewards quick reflexes and memorization, especially as enemy numbers and bullet density increase in later stages. While it may not be as well-remembered as other Sega platformers from the era, Quartet remains a fun and faithful adaptation of a lesser-known arcade title, and a solid example of the kind of action Sega was delivering on its early home console.

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