Ghostbusters II (1990-)

• Developer: Imagineering

• Publisher: Activision

• Genre: Action

• Designer: Dan Kitchen

• Composer: Mark Van Hecke

Ghostbusters II for the NES was developed and published by Activision and released in 1990, following the success of the original Ghostbusters game on the console. The game was also adapted for other platforms, including the Game Boy and various home computers, though the NES version remains a definitive experience for many fans. Inspired by the 1989 film Ghostbusters II, the game continues the story of the Ghostbusters as they battle the resurgence of supernatural activity in New York City, with the team confronting the sinister river of slime and the villainous Vigo the Carpathian.

The gameplay blends action, strategy, and puzzle-solving elements. Players control the Ghostbusters as they navigate New York City, managing their resources and proton packs while confronting ghosts and other supernatural enemies. Players must capture spirits using the proton pack, avoid hazards, and make use of the team’s special abilities. Certain sequences involve navigating the city streets in the Ecto-1, while others require careful positioning during combat and slime-related puzzles. The game emphasizes strategic thinking in addition to reflex-based action, rewarding players who plan their moves and use their equipment wisely.

Visually, the NES adaptation features colorful and distinct sprites for the Ghostbusters, ghosts, and various environments, including city streets, museums, and the scenes of supernatural disturbances from the film. The soundtrack provides dynamic and atmospheric music, complementing both tense combat sequences and exploration phases. Sound effects enhance the gameplay by emphasizing proton pack firing, ghost captures, and environmental interactions, creating an engaging and immersive audio-visual experience that mirrors the movie’s supernatural energy.

Ghostbusters II builds directly on the NES Ghostbusters game, retaining many of the core mechanics while introducing new challenges and enemies inspired by the film. The game was promoted through magazine advertisements and marketing tied to the movie’s release, emphasizing the opportunity to play as the famous Ghostbusters team against new threats. Critics generally praised the game for expanding upon the first title with new gameplay elements and maintaining the humor and personality of the franchise, though some noted the difficulty level could be steep for casual players. While there were no direct sequels on the NES, the franchise continued in various forms on later platforms, keeping the Ghostbusters video game series active and memorable.

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