Mar 04 2009
“Zombies Ate My Neighbors” (1993) *****
Story
A madman scientist by the name of Dr. Tongue has created and unleashed a vast army of monsters to take over the world for him. However, teenage brother and sister Zeke and Julie set out to stop him and his evil creations with all the weaponry and ammunition one can ask for.
Graphics
The cartoony graphics are perfect for the game’s concept, they match the silly humor. Plus, since there is a wide variety of monsters and bosses to do battle with as well as large environments to explore, leaving you with plenty of new things to look at as you progress through each level. This is almost like a watered-down 2D precursor to “Dead Rising”, except with more monsters besides zombies.
Controls
The controls are quite simple and basic as it only consists of four buttons to use. Very memorable and fluid-like, allowing you to handle your character with ease throughout each and every level.
Gameplay
You have the choice of playing two characters, Zeke and Julie, who are both brother and sister. You can also play both in two player mode which is loads of fun. Whether it’s one player or two player, you navigate these characters through suburban neighborhoods, shopping malls, pyramids, castles, football fields, lakes, and more - there is a total of 55 levels (that includes bonus levels too). Each level has a maximum of ten neighbors you need to save before proceeding on to the next, you must save at least one. However, the more you save, the more points you get.
Throughout these levels, you must do battle with a wide variety of horror-movie monsters such as vampires, werewolves, huge evil babies, chainsaw maniacs, giant ants, spiders, mummies, zombies, and more. The weapons are just as schlocky and silly including killer soda cans, chainsaws, bazookas, and water guns. The boss characters gradually become more and more difficult as the levels progress. From a shopping mall with giant ants and zombies to a pyramid with mummies and to a mine shaft with a giant snake, the gameplay is LOADS of fun.
Overall
“Zombies Ate My Neighbors” is huge and expansive in its own concept and contains enough things to do in it to make the game far more interesting and appealing than say… “Super Mario Brothers”, leave that for the whittle kiddies. There are so many references and comical tributes to classic horror films ranging from the 1950s through the 1980s including “Them!”, “A Nightmare On Elm Street”, “Child’s Play”, “Psycho”, “Dracula”, and the list goes on.
With countless weapons, enemies, and different environments with plenty of exploring to do, this classic game qualifies for excellency. The only downside is that sometimes the game can get repetitive, especially if you get very far into it only to keep on getting killed because the bosses get a bit too difficult. I’d say this game deserves a remake on the XBOX 360 or PS3. Imagine what this would be like with 4 players instead and superb 3D graphics? Somebody please make it happen.
Rating: *****
