| Halloween | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Wizard Video Games |
| Publisher(s) | Wizard Video Games |
| Year released | 1983 |
| System(s) | Atari 2600 |
| Genre(s) | Action |
|---|---|
| Modes | Single player |
Halloween is a video game for the Atari 2600 based on the movie of the same name, released in 1983 by Wizard Video, who had also released a video game version of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. In the game, the player is a babysitter who has to protect the children from Michael Myers, who manages to get inside the house. Although the game is called Halloween, and features the film's theatrical poster as its cover art, the game itself never refers to any characters, including the killer, by their names in the film.
Gameplay[edit]
As the babysitter, move close to the kids to make them follow you. Take them to the last room on either side to earn points. No points are lost if Michael Myers manages to kill the kids, but a life will be lost (represented by the pumpkins at the top of the screen) if he cuts your head off. Eventually, a knife will drop. Pick it up by stepping on it, and Michael Myers will run out of the area if he catches you with it. The game will end after losing all of your lives. Every room is the same, only varying in color. The top and bottom floors also don't have much of a difference, although the lights tend to flicker on the top floor, making Myers harder to spot. There is no end to the game. Although the knife does scare Michael Myers away, you aren't exactly given the chance to kill him, since he'll run away too fast. Afterward, the game will return to its normal pace, so keep saving the children until he does manage to get you enough times.
Characters[edit]
Babysitter[edit]
The protagonist of the game, known in the movie as Laurie Strode but referenced as the babysitter in the manual. Lead the kids to safety. Get caught my Michael Myers and lose a life.
Children[edit]
Rack up points by leading the children to the rooms at the end of the house.
Michael Myers[edit]
Referenced as a “homicidal maniac” in the instruction booklet, get yourself away or risk losing a life. Music will start to play when he enters the room, notifying his presence.