Ghostbusters (USA)

In Ghostbusters (USA) on the NES, players step into the shoes of the legendary ghost-busting team, with the primary mission of protecting New York City from supernatural entities. The game uniquely blends resource management with action elements, offering a distinct experience.

At the start of the game, players control the Ecto-1, navigating it across a city map. Flashing buildings indicate ghost alerts, and you must quickly drive to these locations to apprehend the spirits. Once inside a building, the screen transitions to a side-scrolling view. Your task is to use your proton pack to weaken ghosts, then deploy a ghost trap to capture them. Each captured ghost earns you money, which is a crucial financial resource for upgrading your equipment.

After a ghost-hunting session, players need to return to the Ghostbusters HQ to deposit their earnings and purchase new gear. The in-game store offers a variety of useful items such as better ghost traps, ghost bait, and upgrades for the Ecto-1 to move faster. Managing your finances and choosing appropriate upgrades are key to progressing through the game.

Another critical element is the "PK Energy" meter. This meter increases every time you fail to catch a ghost or allow one to escape. If the "PK Energy" reaches 10,000, Gozer will appear prematurely, forcing you to confront the final boss before you might be ready. The ultimate goal is to accumulate enough money to purchase the "Super Trap" – an extremely powerful device essential for confronting and defeating Gozer at the temple.

Furthermore, players will also face special challenges, such as an encounter with the colossal Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, one of the iconic figures from the movie. Ghostbusters (USA) demands both action finesse and strategic resource management to complete its world-saving mission.