Splatterhouse

ReleasedNov 1, 1988

Arcade
Wii
PC (Microsoft Windows)
TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine
FM Towns

About

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.

Developer: Namco
Publisher: Namco, Ving Co., Ltd., Namco Bandai Games
Genres: Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Arcade
Themes: Action, Horror
Modes: Single player, Multiplayer
Perspective: Side view
Age ratings: ESRB T, PEGI 12, CERO B
IGDB rating: 66 / 100 (26 ratings)

Release dates

Release dates by platform
Platform	Release
Arcade	Nov 1, 1988
FM Towns	1992
PC (Microsoft Windows)	Apr 9, 2004
TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine	Apr 3, 1990
Wii	Mar 16, 2007 · EuropeMar 19, 2007 · North AmericaJul 3, 2007 · JapanJul 20, 2007 · Australia