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[VGEsoterica]

Everryone has that "one game" they play over and over at certain times in a year. But when it comes to Halloween season there are a metric CRAP TON of games to pick from. Yet every year I come back to one game and one game stands head and shoulders above every other...

Splatterhouse! I still remember seeing the cabinet as a kid at Great Escape outside of Glens Falls, NY in a small arcade there. The arcade cabinet was RARE AF in the US so even having seen one feels lucky. But when I say kid me fell in love with the game...I mean it. I owned both Splatterhouse entries for Genesis and played the hell out of them. Hell I even dropped $$ to get the near arcade perfect FM Towns Marty version some years ago just to have it in my collection.

But the arcade original? Just pure horror perfection. Gory, action packed with a total "vibe" going on that just hits. Plus the soundtrack is some of the creepiest stuff out there.

Splatterhouse just pushes all the right horror buttons and ends up being my go to Halloween game. But what do YOU play GAF? Maybe I don't even know about it and we could all use some extra recommendations this spooky season



oh and I also ALWAYS play the original House of the Dead

 

[gatti-man]

The OG arcade game was amazing. Wish they’d give us an arcade perfect port.

 

[Punished Miku]

I wish they'd put this on BC.

 

[Forsythia]

I wish they'd put this on BC.

I'd rather have a remaster, I remember the loading times being horrendous.

 

[VGEsoterica]

The OG arcade game was amazing. Wish they’d give us an arcade perfect port.

Switch version is legit

 

[SmokedMeat]

Even back when I had it on Turbografx, I thought Splatterhouse was overrated.

I have it today via Namco Museum on Switch, and there’s just something about the feel of it that just don’t like. I think it’s the bulkiness of the character, and the movement.

It’s a beat ‘em up that doesn’t feel as good as Capcom’s beat ‘em ups.

 

[VGEsoterica]

Even back when I had it on Turbografx, I thought Splatterhouse was overrated.

I have it today via Namco Museum on Switch, and there’s just something about the feel of it that just don’t like. I think it’s the bulkiness of the character, and the movement.

It’s a beat ‘em up that doesn’t feel as good as Capcom’s beat ‘em ups.

Rick def has a momentum to him that you have to learn. Def some crude physics in there but once you get the hang of it I love it

 

[VGEsoterica]

Just pretend the 360/PS3 version doesn't exist either. Series ends with Splatterhouse 3

 

[VGEsoterica]

I'd rather have a remaster, I remember the loading times being horrendous.

We need a new game. Modern and drop the cheese. Give me Devil May Cry style action (to a smaller degree) and play it straight horror

 

[jasondefaoite]

The OG arcade game was amazing. Wish they’d give us an arcade perfect port.

It was. Back in the day, my Uni had this arcade machine in the break room. One of the few arcade games I actually learned to complete as a result. Lunchtime entertainment sorted.

 

[VGEsoterica]

It was. Back in the day, my Uni had this arcade machine in the break room. One of the few arcade games I actually learned to complete as a result. Lunchtime entertainment sorted.

What a funny place for it to be. Outside of Japan the cabinet was exceedingly rare. You had a unicorn in your midst

 

[bender]

Amnesia The Dark Descent and Fatal Frame.

 

[anthraticus]

Some cool Thief missions - Into the Odd, Lost Among the Forsaken, Happy New Year. Mr. Lambert, Heart and Soul , Breathing Corpses, Eclipsed, Evil Thievery (a nice suspenseful Halloween-like mission), Sensut's Dracula campaign for Thief 2 and his Cryptic Realms would fit the bill for that Octobery, classic horror movie vibe eminently well. DrKubiac's "A Better Tomorrow" is superb too, for something more conductive to underwear-soiling. Also play missions like the seven sisters or inverted manse but ghost all the way. Guaranteed to be bad for your health.

 

[The Stig]

wait, this was in the arcade? cool

i had it on Megadrive.

good god it was so gross lol

great video sir.

 

[kunonabi]

Castlevania and Darkstalkers fit the Halloween mood best for me.

If I were to do a big curated month slate I'd probably do:

Clock Tower 1, 2
Haunting starring Polterguy
Nosferatu
Resident Evil 1, Outbreak
Fatal Frame 2, 4
Friday the 13th the Game
Castlevania 1, 64
Silent Hill
Vampire Hunter, Vampire Savior
Illbleed

 

[DeepEnigma]

I have not been into multiplayer for some time, other than co-op or rounds of L4D2 and Halo MCC on Steam with my buddy, but...

I think I may give Dead by Daylight a try, since it seems to fit all those horror themes well.

 

[Drizzlehell]

I like me my horror games as much as the next guy but I also like to engage in the more kid-friendly aspect of the holiday, which includes more lighthearted Halloween games, such as:

 

[VGEsoterica]

I like me my horror games as much as the next guy but I also like to engage in the more kid-friendly aspect of the holiday, which includes more lighthearted Halloween games, such as:

MediEvil is legit. The remake wasn’t awesome but I still have the PS1 original on my shelf

 

[VGEsoterica]

Castlevania and Darkstalkers fit the Halloween mood best for me.

If I were to do a big curated month slate I'd probably do:

Clock Tower 1, 2
Haunting starring Polterguy
Nosferatu
Resident Evil 1, Outbreak
Fatal Frame 2, 4
Friday the 13th the Game
Castlevania 1, 64
Silent Hill
Vampire Hunter, Vampire Savior
Illbleed

Glad to see another Clock Tower fan!

 

[Davevil]

The original Splatterhouse was a truly masterpiece, it caught a lot of people in the arcade

 

[MasterDerico]

Splatterhouse, best game ever! 4 games in 1!
I confess, im a Splatterhouse fanboy!

All 4 games are AWESOME!

 

[MiguelItUp]

God, I absolutely LOVE Splatterhouse! There was this old pizza place called Pistol Pete's that I used to have my birthdays at when I was a kiddo. Think of a Chucke E Cheese's, just not as "known" I guess. They had both a Splatterhouse and Ninja Gaiden cabinet, I spent so much time on both of those. Splatterhouse more so. I loved it so much that I eventually went on to get a Turbografix-16 just for Splatterhouse. Even though it totally scared me, lol. Didn't really play 2 a whole lot, but LOVED 3. Was SO excited that there was going to be a new game/remake coming to PS3/360, and the outcome was.... fine. I played the game and enjoyed it for what it was. But I wish it was more horror focused rather than leaning so hard into the whole horror comedy ala Evil Dead vibe. Wasn't the biggest fan of the art style either. But in the end, I was just ecstatic to have more Splatterhouse.

Nowadays I hope that we see the IP come up again, and in a bigger and better way. Especially compared to the last game. But honestly, I doubt we ever will.

 

[MasterDerico]

God, I absolutely LOVE Splatterhouse! There was this old pizza place called Pistol Pete's that I used to have my birthdays at when I was a kiddo. Think of a Chucke E Cheese's, just not as "known" I guess. They had both a Splatterhouse and Ninja Gaiden cabinet, I spent so much time on both of those. Splatterhouse more so. I loved it so much that I eventually went on to get a Turbografix-16 just for Splatterhouse. Even though it totally scared me, lol. Didn't really play 2 a whole lot, but LOVED 3. Was SO excited that there was going to be a new game/remake coming to PS3/360, and the outcome was.... fine. I played the game and enjoyed it for what it was. But I wish it was more horror focused rather than leaning so hard into the whole horror comedy ala Evil Dead vibe. Wasn't the biggest fan of the art style either. But in the end, I was just ecstatic to have more Splatterhouse.

Nowadays I hope that we see the IP come up again, and in a bigger and better way. Especially compared to the last game. But honestly, I doubt we ever will.

Splatterhouse is a "b" horror game, humor (absurd, bizarre, wacky, cheese) are part of it!

It's rarity a good B horror game!

 

[Shakka43]

Just finished Heaven Dust 2, thanks Skyfox for recommending it on another thread.

I played the first one first and it was ok, a little too short and the gameplay was kinda clunky. HD2 is excellent though, a perfect homage to classic Resident Evil.

 

[Orta]

Little Nightmares 1 & 2.

 

[Vandole]

Costume Quest is my go-to Halloween game. I love it. Not very difficult, but still fun to play. Plus, I think it's the closest we've ever come to a Calvin and Hobbes video game.

 

[Space Runaway]

Vania 4 - Almost feels like it's channeling The Haunted Mansion from Disneyland at times.

Blood - The best build engine game and a great horror theme all throughout.

 

[93xfan]

Castlevania 4 and SotN.

Maybe Luigi’s Mansion too

 

[SJRB]

Visage is overwhelmingly scary in certain chapters. Definitely worth a playthrough this month.

 

[Ocean Dweller]

 

[Fake]

RE1 or REmake.

 

[fart town usa]

VGEsoterica , hell yea dude. Before posting I went to see who made the thread. of course it was you. Quality every time dude. 10/10 thread.

---

Splatterhouse on the TG-16 was straight up terrifying back in the day. I had never seen anything like it, I was probably 6 when my neighbor got a TG-16 and that game.

---

Of course of I'm gonna say OG RE 1&2. Those games are so easy and quick if you know what you're doing. Can also be leisure about it and finish the game in 5 hours. Perfect way to spend a Friday night.

Costume Quest is a perfect October game.



Castlevania is another great one, especially Super Castlevania IV, it's really easy by Castlevania standards and hot damn the atmosphere is good in the game. Graphics and OST are absolute god-tier. One of the greatest intros of all time to really set the mood.


Ghouls & Ghosts/Ghosts & Goblins

Luigi's Mansion

Silent Hill 1/2/Homecoming

---

Absolute solid recommendations in this thread, well done everyone.

 

[kunonabi]

I have not been into multiplayer for some time, other than co-op or rounds of L4D2 and Halo MCC on Steam with my buddy, but...

I think I may give Dead by Daylight a try, since it seems to fit all those horror themes well.

The thing about dead by daylight is that it really isn't a horror game. It's more of a weird arena sport that's horror themed.

 

[OverHeat]

Pumpkin jack with all its RT goodness

 

[VGEsoterica]

Little Nightmares 1 & 2.

Legit two masterpiece games. I don’t care if the controls are iffy

 

[BennyBlanco]

I wish they'd put this on BC.

I have a pair of SPlatterhouse promotional shoes from this game and i have no recollection of buying them

 

[Saber]

I would say Darkstalkers 3, Castlevania games for DS and perhaps Decap Attack for SMD.

 

[Neff]

Great series. The arcade game is one of the comfiest 1CCs out there. Perfect visuals, music and atmosphere.

Damn shame the developers of the 2010 game went against Namco's wishes and did their own edgy metalhead action game. A faithful modern Splatterhouse could really be something.

What a funny place for it to be. Outside of Japan the cabinet was exceedingly rare.

Nah I saw it a whole bunch of times. Our video rental place even had it.

 

[SpiceRacz]

God, I absolutely LOVE Splatterhouse! There was this old pizza place called Pistol Pete's that I used to have my birthdays at when I was a kiddo. Think of a Chucke E Cheese's, just not as "known" I guess. They had both a Splatterhouse and Ninja Gaiden cabinet, I spent so much time on both of those. Splatterhouse more so. I loved it so much that I eventually went on to get a Turbografix-16 just for Splatterhouse. Even though it totally scared me, lol. Didn't really play 2 a whole lot, but LOVED 3. Was SO excited that there was going to be a new game/remake coming to PS3/360, and the outcome was.... fine. I played the game and enjoyed it for what it was. But I wish it was more horror focused rather than leaning so hard into the whole horror comedy ala Evil Dead vibe. Wasn't the biggest fan of the art style either. But in the end, I was just ecstatic to have more Splatterhouse.

Nowadays I hope that we see the IP come up again, and in a bigger and better way. Especially compared to the last game. But honestly, I doubt we ever will.

Holy shit lol. I haven't heard Pistol Pete's mentioned in decades. We had one in AZ and it always had great arcade games.

 

[rabbity-thing]

Just pretend the 360/PS3 version doesn't exist either. Series ends with Splatterhouse 3

 

[akimbo009]

Even back when I had it on Turbografx, I thought Splatterhouse was overrated.

I have it today via Namco Museum on Switch, and there’s just something about the feel of it that just don’t like. I think it’s the bulkiness of the character, and the movement.

It’s a beat ‘em up that doesn’t feel as good as Capcom’s beat ‘em ups.

It was... But it was also fucking cool. Everything TG16 was fucking cool. Everything.

 

[Unknown?]

 

[Sojiro]

I like to play super Ghouls and Ghosts as that "one game" for Halloween. It is such a great game that is overlooked because of it's difficulty.

 

[Frayed Ends of Sanity]

I remember finding Splatterhouse on the Wii virtual console just randomly browsing the shop channel one night as a teenager. I think the only screenshot was the title screen but it looked so cool I decided to spend the $6 on it and I fell in love with the game and series right away. Would definitely enjoy a remaster of the PS3/360 game but considering how poorly it was received by critics and how little it sold, don't think that's happening anytime soon. But with the remakes of Pac-Man world and Klonoa, maybe Namco would be up for giving splatterhouse another try.

As far as Halloween is concerned. I always try to play a Resident Evil game within the month. Since I haven't played Village yet, and the 3rd person modes comes out later this month. I figured that would be the perfect time to give it a try.

 

[Secret of Evolution]

I usually replay the original Alone in the Dark once a year around now. Only takes 2-3 hours, lots of good writing in the books in the game, fond memories as a kid. Hype for the remake.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

I like me my horror games as much as the next guy but I also like to engage in the more kid-friendly aspect of the holiday, which includes more lighthearted Halloween games, such as:

Thanks for that, just bought it, looks really fun.

 

[Krathoon]

I wish they'd put this on BC.

I think that game had a hell of a time getting developed. I think it included all of the old Splatterhouse games too. It has an alternate Splatterhouse 3 because they could not get the rights to an actress's pictures. Something like that.

I found this on the Fandom wiki.

• The unlockable Splatterhouse 3 was slightly revised from its cartridge release - in addition to correcting some of the stiltedness of the original script, the digitized actors were replaced with alternate illustrations likely due to issues re-licensing their likeness. The other games are unedited - the original Splatterhouse is the Japanese Arcade release, and Splatterhouse 2 is the North American release.

 

[Krathoon]

I heard they did a good job with the remake. I collected it, but have not played it.

 

[Drizzlehell]

Thanks for that, just bought it, looks really fun.

Nice, hope you'll like it! I had a blast with it and it's really great at putting you into Halloween spirit.

 

[MasterDerico]

Curiosity about Splatterhouse remake;

Due the mess of Splatterhouse production, there's two different games. One completed beta by (ex) Bottlerocket, and one from Namco team.

Namco rejected the Bottlerocket version (what makes the company closes its door for good). So they cancelled the game, and a week later said the game "will be release as planned".

With no time, Namco got 80% of Bottlerocket assets, made some changes and released the game.

A friend of mine from bottlerocket tried to sell the full Bottlerocket beta, and and got issued. I didn't know he was from bottlerocket until 4 years ago. I tried contact with a friend lmao, because i wanted that version so bad. As i said here, im a huge fan.

https://worthplaying.com/article/20...ies-of-splatterhouse-all-hit-the-net-for-675/


All i can say is: It's two completed different games, and Namco are assholes. One day in the morning, without warning, they simple put the trucks in front of Bottlerocket office and took all pcs/xbox kits.

I like more the Bottlerocket version, much more gore, Rick is a badass monster, more enemies, monsters, bosses, more "realistic" graphics, and I'd love to share more info, but i can't.

It plays like an evolution of Rise of the Kasai, but with more freedom to do the fatalities and moves. The game has more bosses, more enemies, Rick is GIANT, a true monster, and the story keeps the same as the final product.

I did some videos long time ago, with exclusive contents from the beta version, animation process, what moves was cut from the final game and more. In this version u can also summon dead demons to fight on your side.

Well, i liked the Namco version, framerate is better, but 50% of the entire game was cut, from moves to enemies, bosses, and unnecessary redesign of Rick and some monsters. (Now u know why on the final game, Rick and some monsters in cutscenes are different...)


Bottlerocket version;






Namco Version (final retail version);








Some videos i uploaded with some exclusive alpha footage and moves that was cut from the final game..(God knows why Namco did that...);