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|year=1988
|year=1988
|systems={{syslist|cade|tg16|pc8801|fmt|wii|win}}
|systems={{syslist|cade|tg16|pc8801|fmt|wii|win}}
|ratings={{CERO|B}}
|title1=Arcade Archives Splatter House
|developer1=[[Namco]]
|publisher1=[[Hamster Corporation]]
|year1=2023
|systems1={{syslist|switch|ps4}}
|ratings1={{IARC|12}}{{ESRB|T}}{{PEGI|12}}{{ACB|MA15}}
|genre=[[Beat 'em up]]
|genre=[[Beat 'em up]]
|players=1-2
|players=1-2
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|followed by=[[Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti]]
|followed by=[[Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti]]
|series=Splatterhouse
|series=Splatterhouse
|series2=Arcade Archives
|pcgamingwiki=Splatterhouse
|pcgamingwiki=Splatterhouse
}}
}}
{{game disambig|the original [[1988]] [[arcade]] game|the [[2010]] [[Xbox 360]], [[PlayStation 3]] and [[iPhone]] game|[[Splatterhouse (2010)]]}}
{{game disambig|the original [[1988]] [[arcade]] game|the [[2010]] [[Xbox 360]], [[PlayStation 3]] and [[iPhone]] game|[[Splatterhouse (2010)]]}}
{{marquee|Splatterhouse marquee.png}}
{{marquee|Splatterhouse marquee.png}}
'''Splatterhouse''' (スプラッターハウス - literally ''Supurattāhausu''), is a [[beat 'em up]] arcade game that was released by [[Namco]] in [[1988]], only in Japan; it runs upon Namco's System 1 hardware, and was never originally released in the US due to its violent nature as well as some questionable enemies including the fourth stage's boss, the inverted cross. As a result, it was the first arcade game to ever receive a parental advisory disclaimer, four years before [[Midway Games]]'s [[Mortal Kombat]]. This is the first game in the {{c|Splatterhouse}} series; it was followed up by four direct-to-console sequels, the first of which was also released exclusively in Japan.
 
{{nihongo|'''Splatterhouse'''|スプラッターハウス|Supurattāhausu}} is a [[beat 'em up]] [[arcade]] game developed and published by [[Namco]]. It was the first in a series of games released in home console and personal computer formats. This cult classic would later spawn the parody [[Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti]], the sequels [[Splatterhouse 2]], [[Splatterhouse 3]], and the remake [[Splatterhouse U.S.]], with the classic games being added to Namco Museum since 2017.
 
Marketing for the game heavily emphasized its violent nature; for example, the [[TurboGrafx-16]] port of ''Splatterhouse'' had a faux parental advisory warning printed on the front of the box that read, "The horrifying theme of this game may be inappropriate for young children... and cowards."
 
Splatterhouse is an arcade-style sidescrolling beat 'em up with platform elements, in which the player controls Rick, a parapsychology college major who is trapped inside West Mansion. After his resurrection by the Terror Mask, Rick makes his way through the mansion, fighting off hordes of creatures in a vain attempt to save his girlfriend Jennifer from a grisly fate. The game is influenced by western horror films, such as Friday the 13th, Evil Dead II, Poltergeist, Rejuvenatrix, and Parasite, as well as imagery inspired by the works of horror writer H. P. Lovecraft such as Herbert West–Reanimator.
 
Similar to many sidescrolling beat 'em up games, Rick can only move in a two-dimensional environment. He has the ability to jump and can punch and kick. Rick also has a Special Attack, where he will perform a dropkick that sends him skidding along the ground, damaging any enemies he hits. Rick can also perform a low kick, low punch, and jumping attacks, as well as pick up and use various weapons placed in the levels.
 
All of the levels consist of walking left to right, with occasional auto-scrolling segments. However, alternative pathways through sections of the house are possible by falling down through holes or jumping up onto ladders. In this way, branching gameplay is possible, if only prevalent in the middle levels. Levels culminate in boss fights that take place in a single room.
 
Unlike traditional sidescrolling fighters, boss fights have varying objectives and styles. Unlike most arcade games in the genre, Splatterhouse sends players back to checkpoints after losing lives or receiving a game over, discouraging "credit feeding" as a method of overcoming the various challenges.


<gallery>
<gallery>
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==Story==
==Story==
The place was called the West Mansion; but, to all those who had known the legend, it was known as "Splatterhouse". It was once the home of the famed parapsychologist, Doctor West - and there was a research laboratory in the house (where he had conducted some of his most gruesome experiments). It was even said that it was in this house that he created the most hideous creatures that ever walked the face of the Earth, but no-one knew for sure; he had not been seen or heard from in years, and no-one who had ever gone into the mansion had survived to tell the tale. Rick and his girlfriend, Jennifer, were parapsychology majors at their local university - and they were both very interested in the works of Dr. West, as he was the most famous parapsychologist in the world. One day, they decided to visit the abandoned mansion, as part of a project they were working on in school; as they walked towards that mansion, it started to rain. They entered - all went dark. Lightning cracked through the sky; there was a frantic scuffle. Then a scream - and suddenly Jennifer had gone. Rick's unconscious body was covered with blood; hours later, he awoke to a fantastic horror. He was alone, and also drenched with blood, but the most terrifying thing of all was that a hideous mask was covering his face - he had read tales of this mask (known as the "Terror Mask"), in Dr. West's writings. It was said to possess ancient spiritual powers; as his only hope, Rick must now depend on this mask, to grant him the strength and courage to find Jennifer. He has a total of seven stages to clear - and each one is gorier than the last.
The place was called the West Mansion; but, to all those who had known the legend, it was known as "Splatterhouse". It was once the home of the famed parapsychologist, Doctor West - and there was a research laboratory in the house (where he had conducted some of his most gruesome experiments). It was even said that it was in this house that he created the most hideous creatures that ever walked the face of the Earth, but no-one knew for sure; he had not been seen or heard from in years, and no-one who had ever gone into the mansion had survived to tell the tale. Rick and his girlfriend, Jennifer, were parapsychology majors at their local university - and they were both very interested in the works of Dr. West, as he was the most famous parapsychologist in the world. One day, they decided to visit the abandoned mansion, as part of a project they were working on in school; as they walked towards that mansion, it started to rain. They entered - all went dark. Lightning cracked through the sky; there was a frantic scuffle. Then a scream - and suddenly Jennifer had gone. Rick's unconscious body was covered with blood; hours later, he awoke to a fantastic horror. He was alone, and also drenched with blood, but the most terrifying thing of all was that a hideous mask was covering his face - he had read tales of this mask (known as the "Terror Mask"), in Dr. West's writings. It was said to possess ancient spiritual powers; as his only hope, Rick must now depend on this mask, to grant him the strength and courage to find Jennifer. He has a total of seven stages to clear - and each one is gorier than the last.
==Console Versions==
The [[Turbografx-16]] version in North America and Japan had gone through some censorship. The meat cleaver in the first two stages is replaced with a wooden stick, blood is either toned down and recolored, the crawling hand in the fifth stage doesn't flash the middle finger, and the final boss in the sixth stage simply bursts in flames instead of ooze embryonic fluids.
The North American version has a few more changes. Most notably, the Terror Mask is colored red instead of white, possibly to avoid a lawsuit with Paramount Pictures over Rick looking similar to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Voorhees Jason Voorhees]. Crosses are also removed from the game with the inverted cross at Stage 4 replaced with a severed head and the final boss's grave being a tombstone instead of a wooden cross.
The [[Wii Virtual Console]] released the Turbografx-16 port to North America and Europe in 2007 as well as the arcade port to Japan in 2009.
The [[FM Towns]] port is considered to be the most accurate rendition of the original arcade with nearly everything unchanged as well as the sound and graphics looking very similar. It was ported by Ving Co.


{{ToC}}
{{ToC}}
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[[Category:Namco]]
[[Category:Namco]]
[[Category:Hamster Corporation]]
[[Category:Beat 'em up]]
[[Category:Beat 'em up]]
[[Category:Single player]]
[[Category:Single player]]
[[Category:Multiplayer]]
[[Category:Multiplayer]]
[[Category:MAME]]
[[Category:MAME]]

Latest revision as of 03:35, 22 June 2023

This is the first game in the Splatterhouse series. For other games in the series see the Splatterhouse category.

Box artwork for Splatterhouse.
Box artwork for Splatterhouse.
Splatterhouse
Developer(s)Namco
Publisher(s)Namco
Year released1988
System(s)Arcade, TurboGrafx-16, NEC PC-8801, FM Towns, Wii, Windows
Followed bySplatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti
SeriesSplatterhouse,
Arcade Archives
Japanese titleスプラッターハウス
Genre(s)Beat 'em up
Players1-2
ModesSingle player, Multiplayer
Rating(s)CERO Ages 12 and up
Arcade Archives Splatter House
Developer(s)Namco
Publisher(s)Hamster Corporation
Year released2023
System(s)Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4
Rating(s)IARC Ages 12+ESRB TeenPEGI Ages 12+Mature Accompanied & Restricted
LinksSplatterhouse at PCGamingWikiSplatterhouse ChannelSearchSearch
This guide is for the original 1988 arcade game. For the 2010 Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and iPhone game, see Splatterhouse (2010).
Splatterhouse marquee

Splatterhouse (スプラッターハウス Supurattāhausu?) is a beat 'em up arcade game developed and published by Namco. It was the first in a series of games released in home console and personal computer formats. This cult classic would later spawn the parody Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti, the sequels Splatterhouse 2, Splatterhouse 3, and the remake Splatterhouse U.S., with the classic games being added to Namco Museum since 2017.

Marketing for the game heavily emphasized its violent nature; for example, the TurboGrafx-16 port of Splatterhouse had a faux parental advisory warning printed on the front of the box that read, "The horrifying theme of this game may be inappropriate for young children... and cowards."

Splatterhouse is an arcade-style sidescrolling beat 'em up with platform elements, in which the player controls Rick, a parapsychology college major who is trapped inside West Mansion. After his resurrection by the Terror Mask, Rick makes his way through the mansion, fighting off hordes of creatures in a vain attempt to save his girlfriend Jennifer from a grisly fate. The game is influenced by western horror films, such as Friday the 13th, Evil Dead II, Poltergeist, Rejuvenatrix, and Parasite, as well as imagery inspired by the works of horror writer H. P. Lovecraft such as Herbert West–Reanimator.

Similar to many sidescrolling beat 'em up games, Rick can only move in a two-dimensional environment. He has the ability to jump and can punch and kick. Rick also has a Special Attack, where he will perform a dropkick that sends him skidding along the ground, damaging any enemies he hits. Rick can also perform a low kick, low punch, and jumping attacks, as well as pick up and use various weapons placed in the levels.

All of the levels consist of walking left to right, with occasional auto-scrolling segments. However, alternative pathways through sections of the house are possible by falling down through holes or jumping up onto ladders. In this way, branching gameplay is possible, if only prevalent in the middle levels. Levels culminate in boss fights that take place in a single room.

Unlike traditional sidescrolling fighters, boss fights have varying objectives and styles. Unlike most arcade games in the genre, Splatterhouse sends players back to checkpoints after losing lives or receiving a game over, discouraging "credit feeding" as a method of overcoming the various challenges.

Story[edit]

The place was called the West Mansion; but, to all those who had known the legend, it was known as "Splatterhouse". It was once the home of the famed parapsychologist, Doctor West - and there was a research laboratory in the house (where he had conducted some of his most gruesome experiments). It was even said that it was in this house that he created the most hideous creatures that ever walked the face of the Earth, but no-one knew for sure; he had not been seen or heard from in years, and no-one who had ever gone into the mansion had survived to tell the tale. Rick and his girlfriend, Jennifer, were parapsychology majors at their local university - and they were both very interested in the works of Dr. West, as he was the most famous parapsychologist in the world. One day, they decided to visit the abandoned mansion, as part of a project they were working on in school; as they walked towards that mansion, it started to rain. They entered - all went dark. Lightning cracked through the sky; there was a frantic scuffle. Then a scream - and suddenly Jennifer had gone. Rick's unconscious body was covered with blood; hours later, he awoke to a fantastic horror. He was alone, and also drenched with blood, but the most terrifying thing of all was that a hideous mask was covering his face - he had read tales of this mask (known as the "Terror Mask"), in Dr. West's writings. It was said to possess ancient spiritual powers; as his only hope, Rick must now depend on this mask, to grant him the strength and courage to find Jennifer. He has a total of seven stages to clear - and each one is gorier than the last.

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