Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered

TEN YEARS ON AND POLISHED UP, DOES BUSTIN’ STILL MAKE US FEEL GOOD?

- Chris Burke

There really hasn’t been anything like Ghostbusters in the now-35 years since its cinematic release. The concept, genius cast, sharp dialogue and truly iconic scenes were, and are, a cut above.

Revisiting Atari and Terminal Reality’s 2009 official Ghostbusters game, given a ten-year remaster by Saber interactive, finds it just as gratifying as watching the classic ’80s movies. Because as far as movie tie-in videogames go, there really hasn’t ever been anything like this, either.

Ten years ago, this writer was lucky enough to meet and interview Dan Aykroyd in New York to talk about a game that he emphatically considered to be the “third Ghostbusters film”. Aykroyd not only put his likeness and voice to the game, alongside originals Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson, but he and the late, great Ramis had a hand in the story and script, too, ensuring that the tone of the first two Ghostbusters films runs through every action sequence and story beat. There aren’t many movie tie-in games that have ever been able to boast such franchise authenticity.

A big Twinkie

Set a couple of years after 1989’s Ghostbusters 2, the team is still operating out of the iconic New York firehouse, lovingly rendered with a ton of fan-pleasing detail.