Keith Courage in Alpha Zones is a single-player platform game with action elements, developed by Advance Communication Company and published by Hudson Soft in Japan (in 1988) and NEC in North America (in 1989).

When the PC Engine was launched in North America in 1988 – as the TurboGrafx-16 – THIS was the pack-in game that greeted new owners. Not R-Type, not Turrican, not Ghouls ‘N Ghosts – nor any of the other great games on the system – but Keith bloody Courage in bloody Alpha Zones… History has noted that NEC (the manufacturer of the PC Engine) missed a MAJOR trick there, possibly even contributing to the console’s under-performance in sales, and eventual demise.

The Japanese version of this game is called “Mashin Hero Wataru” and is based on the anime TV series of the same name. The North American version was re-named – as “Keith” – and given a different plot, about aliens invading Earth and Keith trying to stop them.

The gameplay takes place over seven stages, each of which has an “overworld” and an “underworld” level. In the overworld levels you play as Keith in human form, who must platform his way from left to right, until he reaches the rainbow that transports him to the underworld. In the underworld Keith then wears the “Nova Suit” and must fight tougher enemies, and also face a boss battle.

While in the overworld, Keith can collect coins and spend them in shops to either heal or buy useful items. Some of the overworld residents also give hints about the game.

Overall, Keith Courage in Alpha Zones is a so-so game with okay presentation. Certainly NOT what you’d call “pack-in game material“…

More: Keith Courage in Alpha Zones on Wikipedia