Ghostbusters II (video game)

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Ghostbusters II
Developer(s) Foursfield, Dynamix, Imagineering, HAL Laboratory
Publisher(s) Activision, HAL Laboratory, Salu
Release date(s) 1989, 1990, 1992
Genre(s) Action
Mode(s) Single player
Platform(s) Amstrad CPC, Atari 2600, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, DOS, Game Boy, MSX, NES, ZX Spectrum
Media Cassette, floppy disk, cartridge

Ghostbusters II is the title of a video game released by for several home computer and console systems. The game is loosely based on the film of the same name.

Contents

[edit] Home Computer Editions

The Van Horne level (Amstrad CPC version)
The Van Horne level (Amstrad CPC version)

All home computer editions were published by Activision. Each home computer game edition of the game is essentially similar, with changes in the quality of graphics and sound. The PC version is the most different one, having been developed by a different company, Dynamix.

The game features several arcade sequences based on the film:

  • Van Horne: the player controls Ray Stantz as he is lowered into an air shaft of the disused Van Horne subway system to collect a sample of slime. He is armed with his proton pack and other weaponry with which to defend himself against the myriad of ghosts that attack: some will collide or grab him and cause damage, while others will attempt to cut his rope. The player must collect the three segments of the slime scoop, as well as ammo and health, during the descent.
  • Journey to the Museum: the Statue of Liberty has been brought to life by "mood slime" and is marching toward the Metropolitan Museum of Art; the player controls a floating fireball (generated from the Statue's torch) which fires horizontal shots and must be used to protect the Statue from swarms of ghosts. Impacts from ghosts (or regeneration of the fireball) uses up precious slime, though it can be replenished from destroyed ghosts.
  • Showdown in the Museum: the player controls the four Ghostbusters individually, armed variously with proton packs and slime dispensers, in an isometric 3D level. The four heroes must rappel into the Museum and fight Janosz, Vigo the Carpathian, and finally a possessed Ray, in order to save the world.

Some versions also feature a sequence based on the courtroom fight against the ghosts of the Scoleri Brothers.

[edit] American Nintendo Entertainment System Edition

The American NES edition of the game (by Activision) is different than all other versions of the game. The game is a single-player side-scrolling game where the player controls a Ghostbuster through various stages based on the film, making their way to the museum before time runs out. One level involves riding around in the hero's famous car and another level requires the player to control the Statue of Liberty, shooting fireballs. The player's Ghostbuster character is armed with an unlimited supply of slime that can be shot out of a cannon and ghost traps.

The game was noted for been exceptionally hard to complete. Aside from the time limit and sudden death rule for the character, the levels in the game often moved to the left, thus forcing the player to make quick decisions. The final level was especially difficult, not the least of which because the player had to repeat the level four times before the game's final ending would appear.

[edit] "NEW" Ghostbusters II Edition

There was also a version of the game released for the NES and Game Boy, entitled "NEW" Ghostbusters II, developed and published by HAL Laboratory. This was contained within a black packaging (unlike the NES game's blue packaging) and used the same side-scrolling elements but the character had multiple lives before the 'Continue' screen appeared then finally the 'Game Over' screen if all continues were used. The player chooses between the four Ghostbusters (Peter, Egon, Ray and Winston) as well as their accountant Louis. The player chooses their lead character (the one who fires the proton pack by pressing the A button) and also the secondary player who, while pressing B on the controller, releases the trap but this secondary character cannot die nor be controlled, rather the character followed the player's main character around for the entire game. This game also was known for not featuring the car or Statue of Liberty levels seen in the previous version and the final level in the gallery contained Janosz as the boss, being defeated by zapping his clones and trapping them with B until he returned to normal size. The very last "level" was a walk between velvet ropes for a screen until reaching the painting of Vigo.

The NES version was released only in Japan and Europe. The Game Boy version was released in America without the NEW monicker.

[edit] Atari 2600 version

Activision also made a version of the game for the Atari 2600 in 1989. However, the then-12 year old system was on its last legs, and knowing the state of the 2600, Activision never released the game. British game company Salu ended up releasing the game in Europe under their name in 1992, despite the fact that Atari had already ended support for the system. Licensing issues have prevented this version of the game from being included on the Activision Anthology collections, along with a handul of other titles.

[edit] External links

Ghostbusters
Movies: Ghostbusters | Ghostbusters II | Ghostbusters III
Television: The Real Ghostbusters | Extreme Ghostbusters
Video Games: Ghostbusters (Activision) | Ghostbusters II | Ghostbusters (Sega) | Ghostbusters (Xbox 360)
Technology: Proton pack | Ectomobile | Ghostbusters equipment
Characters: Peter Venkman | Egon Spengler | Ray Stantz | Winston Zeddemore | Janine Melnitz | Ivo Shandor
Ghosts: Slimer | Stay Puft Marshmallow Man | Vigo the Carpathian | Scoleri Brothers | Samhain | Bogeyman
Misc: Ghostbusters: Legion | Ghostbusters: The Return | Ghostbusters (role-playing game) | Filmation's Ghostbusters
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