There have been loads of Ghostbusters video games throughout all platforms within the years since Egon, Ray, Winston, and Peter first busted onto screens in 1984, they usually run the gamut from basic licensed cash-in to fastidiously constructed homage.
The primary Ghostbusters sport Nintendo followers received their fingers on was a NES port of the David Crane-designed 1984 house laptop sport, however within the many years since there was a wide variety of spooky emissions on Nintendo platforms, a number of of which rank among the many absolute best Ghostbusters video games anyplace.
Beneath you may discover a full record of each Ghostbusters sport that has come to Nintendo programs — together with the lately launched (on Change) Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed — as ranked by you, Nintendo Life readers. We’re able to consider you.
Keep in mind: The order under is ruled by every sport’s Consumer Score in our video games database and is topic to real-time change relying on its rating, whilst you learn this! One thing bizarre and it do not look good? No have to name anybody — merely click on the star ranking and assign a rating from 1-10 to exert your private affect on the rating. (You will must refresh the web page to see any adjustments take impact.)
Earlier than we start, it is price noting that whereas Nintendo platforms have arguably cleaned up the city in terms of the finest Ghostbusters video games, we even have a whole lot of affection for the 1990 Genesis / Mega Drive Ghostbusters which, sadly, does not seem under because it has by no means been launched on a Nintendo platform. Be happy to tell us within the feedback if there are different video games within the collection that you’ve got loved elsewhere.
So, let’s strap on a Proton Pack, warmth ’em up, and make our method by means of the mass hysteria to try the very best (and worst) Ghostbusters video games ever to grace Nintendo programs…
Writer: DreamCatcher Interactive / Developer: Magic Pockets
Not like its GBC predecessor, Excessive Ghostbusters: Code Ecto-1 did get a US launch, the place it misplaced the subtitle. It added Ecto-1 driving sections and the GBA’s extra energy meant this run-and-gun platformer seemed rather a lot higher, too. The animation of Eduardo and Kylie (Garrett and Roland have been kidnapped on this one) was fairly good, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an inessential entry within the Ghostbusters’ online game canon.
Writer: Activision / Developer: Bits Laboratory
Attempt to think about all life as you understand it stopping instantaneously and each molecule in your physique exploding on the velocity of sunshine. That may be extra pleasurable than taking part in Ghostbusters on NES.
This was a deeply unattractive and unsatisfying NES port of David Crane’s Ghostbusters: The Laptop Recreation. With a heavy emphasis on useful resource administration (together with gear, gasoline, and funds), it sees you driving round New York Metropolis cleansing up spook-infested buildings for money to purchase upgrades and, finally, tackle Gozer after an ultra-tedious stair-climbing part which apparently, hilariously, adapts the bounce reduce within the film once they’re crawling to the highest of Dana Barrett’s constructing — you understand, the bit the place the Ghostbusters are exhausted by the endless staircase. This sport might not make you throw up, nevertheless it tries.
Writer: Mild and Shadow Manufacturing / Developer: Magic Pockets
Solely ever launched in Europe, this GBC sport was based mostly on the 1997 follow-up collection to The Actual Ghostbusters. 2001’s Excessive Ghostbusters is a side-on platformer which has you switching between ‘busters and zapping ghosts as you full missions assigned to you by Egon and Janine. It is received some first rate character animation, however repetition and turgid controls make this one for GB — be that Ghostbusters or Recreation Boy — completionists solely,
Writer: Activision / Developer: Imagineering
In comparison with the primary movie’s NES iteration, Activision’s Ghostbusters II is not whole dump, however it’s the very definition of a disappointing licensed sport. Launched many months after the movie it was based mostly on, Imagineering’s tie-in is a reasonably primary side-scrolling platformer/shooter with visible echoes of David Crane’s authentic house laptop Ghostbusters. You blast ghosts shooter-style in varied settings; on foot, after all, but in addition whereas driving Ecto-1 (which might ‘bounce’ over hurdles and holes) and piloting Girl Liberty herself simply as within the movie, though a NES Benefit stick is not a requirement this time.
Removed from the worst 8-bit licensed sport on the earth, it is simply extremely repetitive and exceptionally uninteresting. Undoubtedly the second-best Ghostbusters II sport on NES.
Writer: Atari / Developer: Zen Studios
A free, cartoon-y adaptation of the sport that appeared on house console platforms, Ghostbusters: The Video Recreation on DS has extra of an motion RPG flavour and is the one model the place you really play as one of many 4 authentic Ghostbusters and never the rookie recruit. Performed from a top-down perspective, you command the opposite three ‘busters you are not straight controlling and wander round NYC upgrading the crew and customarily doing what makes ‘busters really feel good.
Driving sections have you ever negotiating the foggy streets of Manhattan and provide some selection, however the DS sport begins to grate after some time. It is satisfactory paranormal fare, however actually not a patch on its house console brethren.
Writer: Activision / Developer: Kotobuki Methods
A Ghostbusters sport in title solely, this entry in Kemco’s convoluted Loopy Fort collection starred Mickey Mouse in Japan and Garfield in Europe, however US gamers received to regulate Peter Venkman as he negotiated its puzzle-platforming with yet one more 8-bit rendition Ghostbusters theme blasting out of the hand-held’s tinny speaker.
So, satirically, this Actual Ghostbusters sport is not a actual Ghostbusters sport in any respect. In reality, it is a rip-off of P.P. Hammer and his Pneumatic Weapon for the Amiga and Commodore 64. You’ll be able to try our characteristic on the Loopy Fort collection for extra particulars, in the event you’re :
Spooked by that rating? Who ya gonna name? Us for a multi-hour dialogue about how Ghostbusters II (the movie) is an underrated, more-than-worthy follow-up to the unique?… Oh, not us. Ghostbusters. Figures.
Tell us under the place your favorite falls, and do not forget that, even now, you’ll be able to affect the rating above by clicking on the celebrities and ranking any of the video games. Glad bustin’!
Gavin loves a little bit of sofa co-op, particularly when he will get to delegate roles, bark directions and provides much-appreciated efficiency suggestions on the finish. He lives in Spain (the plain-y bit the place the rain primarily falls) and his love for Banjo-Kazooie borders on the unhealthy.
