Ghostbusters

"Destroyed by one fatal flaw..."

Introduction- I'll say upfront I love the original video game version of Ghostbusters on a number of systems. Commodore 64, Atari 2600, Sega Master System, and yes, even the NES. Yes, this version is far from the best (The SMS holds that honor), but up until a point it's not too bad. Please, read on...

Gameplay (5/10)- This would've been higher, but the above mentioned flaw is what kills this. During the first sequence, where you're busting ghosts, the game is fairly similar to every other version. Buy supplies, drive around, bust ghosts, save money, buy some more supplies, then go fight Gozer. Yes, it's repetitive, but you're supposed to be managing a business, watching your money and buying only what you need. It's kind of cool, I like it more than just a simple platformer (of course, this game isn't to everyone's liking).

However, nobody can tolerate the Gozer staircase sequence (not even me). This sequence is right after you have enough money to go visit Gozer (because, of course, Gozer wants you to have a lot of money before he fights you). You must climb all 20+ stairs of the building, all the while ghosts annoy you. A few hits, and you're dead. An anti-ghost suit will help, as will a sound generator, but you always end up dead (I swear, I made it all the way to the top once, without a Game Genie or cheat codes. Sadly, I have no idea how I did it, and now the only way I can do it is with a Game Genie). This wouldn't be more than a challnege, except for the flaw I mentioned in the title. That is, you can't move without tapping the button. Yes, you move little by little, all the way up the building! Evil? Yes. Fun? Um, no, not exactly.

If you do happen to reach the top (I stress 'if'), you'll have a final showdown with Gozer as the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man climbs up the side of the building. It's kind of cool, though still not the greatest thing ever seen in a video game.

Story (6/10)- Close enough to the movie. Bust a lot of ghosts, fight Gozer, save New York City. Not a whole lot else I can tell you.

Graphics (7/10)- Judging by the copyright screen, I'm going to assume this conversion was done in Japan in 1986, then released by Activision in the U.S. in 1988. That said, the graphics get the job done, but don't expect to be wowed. They're probably on par with the first Super Mario Bros.

Sound (7/10)- The GB theme loops endlessly in the background the entire game. It doesn't sound bad, and is miles ahead of the SMS port's music, but it can and probably will wear you down. The sound effects are few and not all that good. I did enjoy the shouting of ''Ghostbusters!'' on the title screen. It sounds really rough, but at least it's there.

Replayability (3/10)- The replayability is NOT good. You spend all of your time saving money and driving around, then you die on a staircase is a matter of seconds. It's frustrating, depressing, and demented all at the same time.

Final Recommendation- Although the version is the one I'm most nostalgic about (it's the one I always saw around), despite the fact I played the C=64 port first, I won't lie and say it's a great game. I honestly have no idea what the programmers were thinking when they implemented that control scheme for the staircase sequence. Maybe they just hated all Nintendo players. Overall, if you want a video game version of GB, play the SMS port, there's nothing here that's not done better in that release. Although this version has hilariously bad translated sentences and end credits that shouldn't be missed (they even thank God), it's still not enough. This one's for collectors only.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 02/01/04