Splatterhouse (1988)
Genres:Arcade, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up
Themes:Action, Horror
Game modes:Single player, Multiplayer
Story:Splatterhouse is a sidescrolling beat 'em up video game in which the player controls Rick, a parapsychology student who is trapped inside West Mansion. After his resurrection by the Terror Mask, Rick makes his way through the mansion, fighting off hordes of creatures in a vain attempt to save his girlfriend Jennifer from a grisly fate. Players of this game will also recognize a number of western horror film influences, such as Friday the 13th and Evil Dead 2.
Similar to many sidescrolling beat 'em up games, Rick can only move in a two-dimensional environment. The playing field does not feature a three-dimensional area, a feature that was added later in the series with Splatterhouse 3. He has the ability to jump and can punch and kick. Rick also has a Special Attack, where he will perform a drop kick that sends him skidding along the ground, damaging any enemies he hits. Rick can also perform a low kick, low punch, and jumping attacks, as well as pick up and use various weapons placed in the levels.
All of the levels consist of walking left to right, with occasional auto-scrolling segments. However, alternative pathways through sections of the house are possible by falling down through holes or jumping up onto ladders. In this way, branching gameplay is possible, if only prevalent in the middle levels. Levels culminate in boss fights that take place in a single room. Unlike traditional side-scrolling fighters, boss fights have varying objectives and styles. Unlike most arcade games in the genre, Splatterhouse sends players back to checkpoints after losing lives or reaching game over, discouraging "credit feeding" as a method of overcoming the various challenges.Show more
Vote to bring this game to GOG and help preserve it.164
Splatterhouse is a key stepping stone for horror in video games, and it's one of my favorite arcade titles. It's a simple side-scrolling brawler, enemies take only one or two hits each, and your combat options don't go deeper than a slide kick and the occasional pickup weapon. I think the simplicity works in its favor though - the whole game is a short and sweet romp through a haunted house, and just seeing what new creepy monsters and scenery comes next is enough to keep it interesting. Its brand of action-horror is reminiscent of gory 70s and 80s schlock, but the eerie soundtrack and environmental details give it some genuinely creepy atmosphere at points. I can always enjoy jumping back into this one, and more modern ports to give the series some love would be great to see.
Michael Jackson's MoonwalkerSeveral video games based on the 1988 Michael Jackson film Moonwalker. U.S. Gold published various games for home computers, released in 1989, whilst Sega developed two similarly themed beat 'em up video games in 1990; one released for arcades and another released for the Mega Drive/Genesis and Master System.Action Science fiction
E.V.O. : Search for EdenThe storyline of E.V.O.: Search for Eden follows the same patterns as modern Evolution theories. The players first controls a prehistoric sea organism, and fights to gain evolution points with which he can improve his fish's body parts and upgrade his attack/defense abilities. The gameplay is not completely linear, which means that certain choices of paths and stages will affect the player's success. The game is composed of a series of stages, in which the sea organism slowly evolves into an amphibian, and later a land-only creature. The physical changes are fairly scientifically accurate which gives the game a semi-educational purpose as well.Action Fantasy Historical Science fiction Survival
OniAn intense action anime thriller comes to life in Oni. As an elite member of the tech crimes task force, Konoko is an agent on a mission to fight the evil Syndicate. But things are not always as they seem... Konoko is haunted by unknown demons of her past, and the truth threatens to send her over the edge.Action Science fiction
Duke NukemDuke Nukem is the debut of the world’s greatest wise-cracking, alien-punching, gun-toting badass - a man who would later go on to combine both ass-kicking and bubblegum in a revolutionary way. In a world ravaged by Dr. Proton’s villainous ambitions, the original video game action hero must rise against the evil scientist’s army of sinister Techbots. And although Duke isn’t exactly what the Doctor ordered, he’s exactly what the world needed.Action Science fiction
The Revenge of ShinobiThe Revenge of Shinobi, known as The Super Shinobi in Japan, is the continuation of Shadow Dancer - the arcade sequel to Shinobi. The game was the first Shinobi title developed exclusively for home consoles.Action
GauntletFantasy
Darius IIDarius II is a 1989 arcade video game developed by Taito. It is the direct sequel to the 1987 Darius. It was later released as Sagaia in Japan in 1991 for the Game Boy as well as non-Japanese ports. A remake was released for the PC Engine Super CD-ROM as Super Darius II in 1993.
A Mega Drive conversion was released in Japan in 1990; it was later released for the Genesis in the United States and Brazil in 1991, where it was renamed Sagaia. Changes include a boss rush mode (via a code) and various modifications to levels and mechanics, such as the boss Steel Spine being moved to another level and the boss Killer Higia being replaced with a similar creation called Nehonojia. This conversion does not support two players, so the ability to choose between Proco Jr. and Tiat Young was added; Proco plays like normal, while Tiat starts every life off with one power level to every weapon.
A Master System conversion, developed by Natsume, was released in Europe and Brazil in 1992, also titled Sagaia. It is somewhat based on the Mega Drive port, and while Tiat Young and her abilities are still present (though even more limited), many zones (and thus bosses) have been completely removed.
The Super CD-ROM version features an entirely new set of bosses, major changes to levels, and a fully arranged soundtrack including new songs.Science fiction
Tales of Graces fIn this newest title, the feelings such as "preserving one's faith", "saving their precious ones" and the destiny of raising the storm between three countries which form the setting, are portrayed. The PS3 version shows the story more in depth having many new elements including a "Lineage to the Future Episode" where a new tale after the main story is told.Action Science fiction
KatakisThroughout time, man has been a victim of his own intelligence and his insatiable thirst for knowledge.
The Planet Katakis is a horrifying example. Scientists created Machines which became so sophisticated that they longer depended on man - So began a rule of tyranny. The Denarian people tried in vain to destroy the Machines with a mighty ballistic missile, but from the ashes of the nuclear fires the Machines rose up more powerful than ever.
Trapped in an underground stronghold, now the Katakisans only hope for freedom is the KS-H75 Eagle Fighter, an ultra refined space glider. Control the Eagle Fighter in this epic crusade against evil... and win freedom at last for Katakis.Action Science fiction
BatmanBatman is a horizontally scrolling beat 'em up arcade game released by Atari Games, Midway Games, Data East and Namco in 1990 in North America, 1991 in Japan and 1991 in Europe. The storyline is based on the eponymous 1989 movie. It features stages based on locations in the film, including first-person control of the Batmobile and the Batwing. The game features audio clips of Batman (Michael Keaton) and the Joker (Jack Nicholson) as well as digitized photos from the movie.
Batman can use various weapons, such as batarangs and gas grenades, as he takes on various goons and the Joker.Action Fantasy