New Ghostbusters II is a 1990 action game developed by HAL Laboratory for the NES. Released only in Japan and PAL regions, it is widely considered the definitive 8-bit Ghostbusters experience, completely separate from the heavily criticized American release. The game uses a top-down perspective where you control two characters at once. The lead character uses the proton pack to stun ghosts, while your partner follows behind to deploy the trap and capture them.
How to Play
Your objective is to clear rooms of ghosts to progress through locations from the movie, including the courthouse and museum, before battling Vigo the Carpathian. You must work as a team to capture ghosts: first stun them, then trap them before they break free. Play using the default NES controls: the D-pad (mapped to arrow keys) moves your character, A (Z key) fires your proton stream to hold a ghost in place, and B (X key) commands your partner to throw the trap. Press Start (Enter) to pause the game.
Tips
- You can choose any two of the five characters (including Louis Tully) at the start. Their movement speeds and beam mechanics vary slightly, so experiment to find a comfortable pairing.
- Don’t keep your proton stream firing constantly, as your character will become temporarily immobilized. Fire in short bursts until you have lined up a ghost.
- Positioning is key. Make sure your trailing partner has enough room to deploy the trap, especially in narrow corridors or near screen edges.
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