Ghostbusters 2 Game Boy
Everything you need to know about Ghostbusters 2
Ghostbusters 2 is a 1990 action video game for the Nintendo Game Boy, developed by HAL Laboratory Inc. and published by Activision (Mediagenic Inc. at the time). The game is based on the 1989 film of the same name. In addition to the Game Boy, Ghostbusters 2 was also released on many other gaming platforms such as NES, PC, Commodore 64, Atari 2600, among other consoles, and also another NES game in 1990 called New Ghostbusters 2 (also by HAL) which is very similar to the Game Boy game. Game Boy Ghostbusters 2 is a fantastic game with easy pick up and play gameplay, lovely graphics, and a good challenge.
The game's story is a shortened version of the movie's plot. In the intro scene, Peter Venkman and Dana Barrett walk through the streets of New York with Oscar in a stroller. A ghost flies and captures Oscar, taking him to the museum to sacrifice him to Vigo, an ancient tyrant who wishes to be resurrected. The ghostbusters gather and chase the specter to rescue the baby. Much of the film's story is drastically reduced or removed entirely and the story progresses during scenes between levels. It works well on the Game Boy as everything is kept short and to the point of focusing more on the game.
Ghostbusters 2 gameplay
The objective of the game is to clear all the floors of each level by capturing all the ghosts inside. There are three levels in the game with a different number of floors depending on the level. The game allows the player to choose up to two ghostbusters (of the four), one of whom is the leader and the other follows. The options are purely cosmetic since all characters function the same way.
The game plays out in such a way that the main character fires his proton beam at an enemy, stunning him, and then the follower releases the ghost trap, capturing the enemy. This formula is very simple, but quite fun and works very well for the most part.
The player has the most control over the lead ghostbuster by moving the character in any direction and using the proton beam. The follower only stays behind and the only control the player has is to release the ghost trap. As noted, this method works well for the most part, but there will be several cases where the follower will get stuck behind walls and other environmental objects.
This glitch in the computer AI becomes very annoying, and even more so because each of the two characters has their own separate life meter. If any character is hit by an enemy, they will lose a life. If a character loses all life points, it is game over, regardless of the other character's remaining life points.
Each floor in each level will have a specific number of ghosts that must be captured within a time limit. Even if time runs out, the player can still capture enemies but will not receive any additional points. The bottom right of the screen shows the number of ghosts left to capture. On each floor, the player will meet other ghostbusters and movie characters. These characters will give the player a temporary power-up, hit points, or the ability to change ghostbusters (some with more hit points or boosts).
These temporary power-ups can include a super trap, a wall-piercing pickaxe, more time, temporary invincibility, or a blaster that immediately eradicates enemies (no traps required). The many power-ups give the game some much-needed variety at each level and are much appreciated.
The ghosts in the game range from bouncing blobs, runners, slimers, wildcards, spinning dancers, and many others. Some enemies will chase the player, others will move in erratic patterns, while others will simply mind their own business. At the end of each level, the player will face a boss enemy, usually a ghost from the movie. Boss battles play out like arcade-style shoot'em ups with enemy projectiles flying everywhere, shields and other power-ups. Fortunately, the follower character will be immune to damage during these fights and can even be used as a human shield.
Overall, the game is a lot of fun to play with its simple gameplay style. While it is annoying that the follower character gets stuck at times, it doesn't detract from the overall experience. The game offers a good challenge and the addition of power-ups keeps it fresh and engaging. The boss battles are frenetic, exciting, and are some of the highlights of the game.
Graphics
The game welcomes the player with a cute intro of Peter Venkman chasing Slimer with the game's logo behind him and then a brief gameplay demo. The game is shown from a top-down perspective (similar to Pokémon or Zelda) and fits the gameplay perfectly. Each character has an exaggerated, cartoonish appearance with small bodies and large heads. Each Ghostbuster has a unique sprite that closely resembles their movie counterpart and is extremely cute to look at.
The enemies also have fun appearances, with some inspired by movie characters like the jogger, the living fur coat, or even Slimer. The original ghost characters are also visually charming and give the game some nice variety.
The environments are well detailed with everything in disarray, such as knocked over chairs and tables, scattered papers, or painting equipment blocking the path. Each level is based on a segment of the film, such as the courthouse, the sewer, or the museum, and has different visual elements that make each stage different from each other. Each floor on each level has its own unique design of different sizes. Overall, the graphics are excellent with a comical and distinctive look to the characters and environments.
Music and Sound
The sound effects are very well done and sound great on the Game Boy. The theme from the Ray Parker, Jr. film is clearly recognizable during the game's title sequence. There are music tracks for character selection and each level. The original music has a cute jingle and fits perfectly with the cartoony graphics. The various sound effects of the proton beam, ghost trap, power-ups, etc. They are all acceptable and appropriate for the game. The music is excellent and the sound effects appropriate. Due to the age of the game, the Super Game Boy does not add any visual enhancements in addition to the standard features.
Final reflection
Ghostbusters 2 on the Game Boy is a great hidden gem that most people will overlook due to it being based on a movie. The graphics are adorable, the music is very charming, and the gameplay is simple but fun. The game offers quite a challenge and even with three levels, a password system would have been very welcome. Fans of the Ghostbusters film franchise will enjoy playing this game and having it in their collection. For everyone else, Ghostbusters 2 is still a fun little game worth experiencing. Ghostbusters 2 on Game Boy is a good time for ghostbusters.
Game technical sheet
Developer
HAL Laboratory, Inc.
Distributor
Activision, Inc., HAL Laboratory, Inc.
Console
Release Date(s)
1990
Genders)
shooter
game modes
1 Player
Cooperative
Nope
Format(s)
Cartridge
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