Classic Flashback: Ghost House

Sega's Master System offerings are pretty sadly overlooked as a whole. Some games like Alex Kidd, Zillion, and Fantasy Zone still have a noticable following, but the lesser know classics of the system are all but completely forgotten.

http://www.museo8bits.com/mastersyst...house_card.jpg

Ghost House was a first generation Master System game released in 1986 in japan, and availible not long after launch in North America on the (rarely supported thenafter) Sega Card format.

In it you played Mick, the young heir to a family fortune. But the fortune is spread throughout the family's various mansions which have become inhabitted by... that's right, ghosts, ghouls and monsters, cheif amongst them Vampires.

http://www.eden.rutgers.edu/~tfahs/ghost_house.gif http://www.eden.rutgers.edu/~tfahs/ghost_house2.gif

Ghost House was a pretty different kind of platformer for its day (or any day for that matter). Ghost House's gameplay revolved around learning its little secrets. The manual told you decidedly little, and much of the game required you to find fake walls, secret passages, etc, as well as learning tricks to stop time, become invincible, etc. In each level you must find 6 keys (it's easy, you'll find them by randomly killing a couple monsters), and use them to unlock the 6 coffins, and defeat the 6 draculas. One (you never knew which) was the "true" Dracula who could ressurrect himself.

I really liked how finding the games secrets tied into the whole "house of mystery" motif for the game. Ghost House was an incredibly fun and challenging platformer, and nothing quite like it has been made since. The game is hard to pick up for new comers because of the heavy amount of stuff you need to figure out to play it which might account for why there were decidedly few late adopters. Still, the game's a classic.

Any other fans?

This game always looked like a POS to me, but from your description it sounds kinda interesting.

Good show.

I wasn't too impressed when I played it but I probably didn't put enough time into it as it sounds more involving than I initially thought. I will try it again some time.

Mick definitely has an Alex Kidd vibe when seen in motion, which is cool.

I was a big fan of this game but it was so frustratingly hard, especially when the Dracula could come back. I don't think I ever got past the 2nd level :\

Quote:

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Originally Posted by soundwave

I was a big fan of this game but it was so frustratingly hard, especially when the Dracula could come back. I don't think I ever got past the 2nd level :\

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I got to level 6 as a kid, and I remember beleiving that was the last level, but in retrospect I'm not sure if that beleif was based on anything. It might be a looping game.

Wonderful game, creepy opening music, the key was to break the
lights to freeze the characters than hack Dracula. I had alot of fun
with it back in the day. My Friend and I could only get to the
3rd level. I'm pretty sure the game looped. One of the best cards.

I had a fun time with many of the Sega cards Teddy Boy, My Hero, Transbot, F-16 Fighting
Falcon though most won't appreciated.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Korian

I had a fun time with many of the Sega cards Teddy Boy, My Hero, Transbot, F-16 Fighting
Falcon though most won't appreciated.

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I hated transbot because it was a looping game that just wasn't challenging. Even after I figured out how to get to the underground fortress I could still play for hours without dying. It was really just a matter of seeing how long I could stand the game without getting bored. Ghost House was actually tough.

I never played Ghost House back in the day. I finally got around to it several years ago and I was rather surprised how quality it was. That is a testament to how well the game has aged since I had zero nostalgia for it and still managed to enjoy it quite a bit. :)

As for Transbot, it was quite simple and not too difficult but I really enjoyed it. It was my first favourite shooter. I always found shooters very difficult when I was little but I really enjoyed the style and pacing of Transbot. I still enjoy this game every now and then - but in part because of the nostalgia.

Just got my SMS a few weeks ago, since I missed out (too young for it back then), so I may have to pick this up if I can ever find it for cheap. Sounds pretty good.

This reminds me that I still need a Sega Card copy of My Hero. The greatest game ever. You know it.