Ghostbusters vs New Ghostbusters II
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Ghostbusters is a 1990 run‑and‑gun platformer where three cartoon‑styled Ghostbusters battle supernatural foes across six levels. After completing the initial four stages, a hidden fifth and final sixth level become available, each filled with mid‑bosses and money‑capturing ghosts. The game features a shop between levels to purchase power‑ups like a 3‑way shot, and culminates in a showdown against Janna, the God of Darkness, to close a portal and save the city.
New Ghostbusters II brings the comedy-action of the hit movie to the Nintendo Entertainment System. Developed and published by HAL Laboratory, the game features six varied stages like a courtroom, subway, and art museum, letting players hunt down mischievous spirits in a side‑scrolling format. Though never released in North America, the PAL and Japanese versions let players experience the ghost‑busting fun on their NES consoles.
- Authentic 1990 Mega Drive graphics and sound.
- Varied power‑up system adds strategic depth.
- Hidden levels provide extended replay value.
- Humorous cartoon style matches the franchise tone.
- Authentic NES graphics and sound
- Six varied and themed stages
- Simple, accessible controls
- Faithful movie tie‑in
- Limited to three playable Ghostbusters, missing Winston.
- Very low critic score indicates dated gameplay.
- Single‑player only, no multiplayer modes.
- Limited to single‑player
- No North American release
- No modern save features
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Alternatives to New Ghostbusters II
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataBoth are single‑player retro Ghostbusters games; choose New Ghostbusters II for authentic NES platforming, or Ghostbusters for Mega Drive shooter depth.
Key differences
- •Platform: NES (A) vs Mega Drive (B)
- •Gameplay style: simple platformer with boss stages (A) vs run‑and‑gun shooter with power‑ups and hidden level (B)
- •Stage count: six fixed stages (A) vs four core stages plus unlockable fifth (B)
- •Critical reception: no score listed for A vs 10/100 critic score for B
- •Price info: $29.99 MSRP for A; price not provided for B
Gameplay & fun factor
B offers varied shot patterns, upgrades, and a hidden level, adding more strategic depth than A's simple platforming.
Platform availability
Both are exclusive to their original 1990 consoles (NES for A, Mega Drive for B); no modern ports mentioned.
Price & value
A lists a clear $29.99 MSRP; B's price is not specified, preventing a direct comparison.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Both are single‑player only with no multiplayer modes.
Content & replayability
B includes a shop for upgrades and a hidden fifth level, offering more replay incentive than A's fixed six stages.
Difficulty & accessibility
A uses simple directional + one button controls, making it more accessible than B's shooter mechanics.
Graphics & performance
Both deliver authentic 1990 graphics and sound for their respective systems.
Choose Ghostbusters if…
Mega Drive fans seeking shooter mechanics and upgrade depth.
Choose New Ghostbusters II if…
NES collectors or casual players wanting straightforward platforming.
Common questions
What is the price of each game?
A costs $29.99 MSRP; B's price is not specified in the provided data.
Can either game be played with friends?
No. Both are single‑player only.
Which game offers more content to replay?
B includes upgrade purchases and a hidden fifth level, giving it more replay potential than A's six fixed stages.