Splatterhouse

[soop]

I'm thinking this could have been way better.  It seems really paired down, and yet it's a really sought-after game.  And it's really cheap in some places too, like the mid-stage levels and their surprises.
So far I'm glad I didn't spend more than a fiver on it.

[SuperDeadite]

Big downgrade from the arcade (especially sound wise), but a decent port considering the
hardware differences.  The game itself is a great example of an 80's arcade game. 
It's hard enough to keep it challenging, but doesn't get frustrating.  Like most arcade games
of that era, memorization is key for the 1lc.  Great game, and far better then the MD only
sequels.

[pixeljunkie]

Considering the options at the time to  play Splatterhouse at home, it was amazing. It's easier now to look at it in retrospect and dissect it further. I was blown away by it when it came out. TG16 games at the time were upwards of $70+. I realize I am biased, both by my age and my love for Splatterhouse. But I understand newcomers looking at it with one eyebrow up and wondering "why all the fuss?"

I also am in the minority [usually] in my love for Splatterhouse 2. I thought it improved on the formula/gfx of the original and I remember getting it at release and playing it constantly.

I would say my thoughts on the series are:

Splatterhouse Arcade > Splatterhouse 2 > Splatterhouse PCE > poking hot pokers in my eyes > Splatterhouse 3

[Arkhan]

I think its a great game as long as you play the white masked PCE one!  The red masked turbob one annoys me.

And the sound may not be the overblown arcade sound... but its a damn nice PCE soundtrack.  It manages to keep all of the eerieness without a problem and at times the music is less "OUCH, MY EARS.  THIS IS TOO BLARING".

Namcot doned good.  Its still the best home version of spratterhouse. 

Even the arcade game is cheap/pain in the ass'd at times.    Its a brutal game.  Only the strong survive.

Like detroit. 

[fragmare]

As far as the actual gameplay and in-game graphics and sound, i think it's a really good conversion from the arcade.  Could it have been better?  Of course, but not by much.  Though the little cut scene before the game starts with the house and the lightning... the art is so bad on that screen on the TG16 version it hurts my soul.  And the red mask in the TG16 version?  WTF was that all about?

As far as the actual game itself, it's... ehhh... mediocre or slightly above mediocre.  The gameplay is a bit stiff and clunky and, yea, the game can be pretty cheap in spots.  You can make the most faithful and accurate arcade conversion you want, but if the original arcade game is only average, your end product will also be... average.  If you polish a turd, it's still a turd. 

[Arkhan]

And the red mask in the TG16 version?  WTF was that all about?

Too similar to Jason.  They didn't want to risk copyrightlolfringement.


The original arcade game is average at best.  If the game didnt have the theme it does, and was some like mean street back alley brawler, it would probably suck completely.

Its the horror/occult theme that really makes it badass.


I prefer the PCE over the aracde, mostly because I like the PCE chiptunes .   fanboyftwwww

[WoodyXP]

As far as the actual game itself, it's... ehhh... mediocre or slightly above mediocre.

When I was a kid I saw 'Splatterhouse' in the same light as 'Altered Beast'.  It was a crappy game that showcased the technical capabilities of the system.
Splatterhouse was a very impressive game when it came out, as was Altered Beast.

[TheClash603]

Splatterhouse, to me, was the must own game back in the day.  I am a kid that watched horror movies with my friends all the time, and the best the NES had to offer for horror gaming was Shadowgate or Friday the 13th.  The game hasn't aged too well, because it is a bit clunky, but it still provides some fun with the occasional run through.

[Tatsujin]

I think its a great game as long as you play the white masked PCE one!  The red masked turbob one annoys me.

And the sound may not be the overblown arcade sound... but its a damn nice PCE soundtrack.  It manages to keep all of the eerieness without a problem and at times the music is less "OUCH, MY EARS.  THIS IS TOO BLARING".

Namcot doned good.  Its still the best home version of spratterhouse. 

Even the arcade game is cheap/pain in the ass'd at times.    Its a brutal game.  Only the strong survive.

Like detroit. 

Agree wis you on almost everything written above, but don't forget the mighty marty port

[Mathius]

Final boss track rulz!

[Tortured Skull]

I love that series to death.

[moonwhistle]

I love the series, I think it's the music that keeps me enthralled. I don't think part 3 is bad at all. It's very playable and the intro is so brilliant it might be even better than part 2's.

[turbogrfxfan]

yeah its a must have now and in the past.  I think its a pretty creepy game. like when you throw the rock at the hanging bodies and they split in half or those blobs with faces.  I remember how cool it was to see that in a video game back in the day.  

I still think its a fun game to play.

[Tatsujin]

Almost every port form the 16bit era could have been better in terms of BG details etc. IF you had some more memory available. The cd-rom had proven that quite well.

Considering that, most Arcade to PCE ports were done quite well, and sometimes they came very close to an arcade perfect translation.

[soop]

Almost every port form the 16bit era could have been better in terms of BG details etc. IF you had some more memory available. The cd-rom had proven that quite well.

Considering that, most Arcade to PCE ports were done quite well, and sometimes they came very close to an arcade perfect translation.

I think this is my problem - I look at what happened with Ghouls and Ghosts, and yes, I know it's a Super Grafx game, but everything is so... right.
But I'm sure the PCE could have done better.

And I would like to add, that I kept playing it after I posted this topic, and I was quite impressed by the variation. I got to level 4, with the mirror images, and the cross surrounded by floating heads.  Whatever criticism you aim at the game, it's hardly unimaginative.

I'll certainly be playing it again.  Time will tell.