M.U.S.H.A.

* US cover
* JP cover

***M.U.S.H.A.: Metallic Uniframe Super Hybrid Armor***, known in Japan as ***Musha Aleste: Full Metal Fighter Ellinor***, is a 1990 scrolling shooter video game in the *Aleste* series developed by Compile for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis.

*M.U.S.H.A.* has been praised by critics for its challenging gameplay, strong soundtrack, and graphics considered ahead of its time. In retrospective reviews, it remains among the most highly regarded shoot 'em ups on the Genesis and among the best of the 16-bit era. The original cartridge has become difficult to find and commands high prices on secondary markets, however, it was re-released on the Nintendo Wii Virtual Console in Japan in 2008, and North America and Europe in 2009.

## Gameplay

*M.U.S.H.A.* is a vertically scrolling shooter in which the player controls a large flying mecha, the M.U.S.H.A. Aleste. The gameplay conventions are largely retained from earlier *Aleste* titles. The player has a main gun that can be powered up by collecting "Power Chips". There are also three different special weapons that can be picked up: piercing lasers, fire-based explosives and rotating shields. They can be upgraded if the same weapon is picked up that is currently being used. If hit while a special weapon is equipped, the player will lose the special weapon but remain alive. Getting hit without a special weapon will result in losing a life. For every three Power Chips collected, the player obtains a drone similar to those in the *Gradius* series, but are called options. Only two options can be utilized at any one moment; extras are stored. These drones can be set to one of six attack modes, such as aiming forward, behind, or rotating around the player.

## Story

Though the game's plot is essentially the same between the Japanese and western versions, the western version makes a few changes such as in the dates and the character's names.

### Japanese Version

In the 91st century, mankind built space colonies and moved its residence to space. However, the environmental control system of the colony group "Little Japan" located on the other side of the moon LaGrange 2 suddenly shut down, and its core "Dire 51" started attacking humanity.

Dire 51 attacked other colony groups violently, collecting materials and debris and strengthening and expanding its own colonies. The huge and strange appearance of the enemies eyes became a sign of hatred and fear among people. Though the cause of Dire 51's malfunction was hurriedly investigated by many research teams, no conclusion could be found about the cause. Meanwhile, Dire 51 develops a powerful armor and begins its attack against Earth.

The battle on Earth intensifies, and the situation gets into a staggering state. In order to defeat the attacking forces, Earth finally places its last bet on the MUSHA unit.

### English Version

The year is 2290. The human race is spreading through the Solar System, with many colonies on several planets, moons and stations at all of the LaGrange points. The station at the LaGrange point on the opposite side of the moon is called LaGrange Gamma. This is where all the trouble began. The station was equipped with the latest Intellicomputer, the "Dire 51". This system was touted as having the highest level of intelligence ever in a super system.

But Dire 51 seemed to be too smart for Earth's own good. Before long, Dire 51 had decided to become ruler of the Solar System. While all the top scientists of Earth were studying the problem with Dire 51, this dangerous system was taking over LaGrange Gamma and preparing for all out war.

Meanwhile, Dire 51 had developed a new type of Armed Armor, which was fully equipped for battle and began its attack on Earth. Even though Earth's forces are strong, the sides seemed to be even. To battle Dire 51, the leaders of Earth decided to send in the MUSHA team.

## Characters

* Ellinor/Terri
* Greg
* Dredd/Ken
* Andreas/Amelio
* Amelia/Andrea
* Aya/Yah
* Bobby/Ted

## Stages and Bosses

***Note:** Names in italic are unofficial.*

## Enemies

* Suzuki
* Kidboo
* Hashimoto
* Yukiwaru MK-2
* Hiraduga
* Fukuda
* Kikuti
* Tachibana
* Okada
* Gai
* Niikura
* Mow
* Mishima
* Miyake
* Minami
* Miyazaki
* Ashigal
* Sokonofuji
* Omah
* Murakami
* Gobi

## Trivia

* *M.U.S.H.A.* was originally intended to be a port of *Aleste 2*, being changed into a standalone title during development.