Area 51

Area 51 is an arcade shooter released on November 20, 1996. Players take the role of Peterson, a member of the STAAR military team, during an incursion into the Area 51 facility.

The mission is to fight through areas including a warehouse, underground tunnels, and offices, then activate the facility’s nuclear self-destruct sequence. Enemies include genetically altered soldiers, Kronn aliens, and alien-created zombies, while allied STAAR members must be protected.

Weapons and Gameplay

• Begins with a semi-automatic pistol that can be upgraded to a machine gun, pump shotgun, and automatic shotgun.
• Taking damage downgrades the player’s weapon back to the pistol.
• Grenades found in crates and bonus rooms can destroy most enemies on screen, with a maximum capacity of nine.
• Flammable boxes and barrels can be shot to trigger fires or explosions.

Genres: Arcade, Shooter
Developers: Mesa Logic, Tantalus Interactive
Publishers: Atari, Midway
Platforms: Amstrad CPC, Arcade, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation, Sega Saturn