Honestly, it’s been a weird couple of months, guys. I’ve been SUPER busy again, uncertain about a lot of things personally, and the summer heat is getting old real quick. I don’t want to start out this month’s blog on a down note, but all of this ‘adulting’ makes me wish I was back in my old room, locked in on some random Genesis game, eating Pizzerias and waiting for the latest episode of ‘Are You Afraid of the Dark’ to come on.
Castlevania: Bloodlines (1994)
Castlevania is one of my favorite franchises but Castlevania: Bloodlines will forever hold a special place in my heart. In the game, you can play as John Morris or Eric Lecarde as you try to stop the evil vampire Elizabeth Bartley from resurrecting Dracula.
I didn’t play this game when it originally came out. This was a game that my brother and I rented from a local pharmacy, like EVERY weekend! What made it even better was that we played it on a Sega Genesis 3 that we picked up at an outlet mall. We would also rent Bram Stoker’s Dracula (the game, not the movie) and play them without a care in the world. Stoker's Dracula as well (The game, not the movie) and played them without a care in the world.
“Zombies Ate My Neighbors” for the Genesis is a classic run-and-gun game, and I believe it was also released on the SNES. In the game, you control Zeke and Julie as they rescue their neighbors from monsters inspired by horror movies. The Genesis version featured cooperative gameplay, allowing one
or two players to battle hordes of zombies, vampires, and other creatures.
When I was growing up, we had a store in our neighborhood called “The Record Exchange.” It was one
of those places where you could trade in your cassettes, VHS tapes, and video games for cash. For some reason, “Zombies Ate My Neighbors” was the perfect game to pick up from that store. I have vivid memories of browsing the video game section while Stone Temple Pilots blared in the background, searching for a copy.
And yes, Zeke definitely feels like the quintessential '90s kid. I can totally see him running into Wayne and Garth at Stan Mikita’s Donuts!
Let's talk about Decap Attack. Players control Chuck D. Head, a headless mummy, battling an underworld army led by Max D. Cap to save a skeleton-shaped island split into pieces. Chuck’s attack involves extending his face to hit enemies or throwing a collectible head at them. I love the early Genesis games. They all had this vibe about them with some featuring that gross out factor that was targeted to us kids back then.
Decap Attack fit right in with the likes of ToeJam and Earl and Chuck Rock. This game is so weird and dark and atmospheric. Don't forget all of the skulls, ghosts, and other creepy ghouls on that skeleton-shaped island. I always hoped they'd make this into an animated series that would play on Fox Kids after school. It just feels like the perfect late afternoon cartoon.
QuackShot follows Donald Duck and his nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, on a treasure-hunting adventure inspired by the Indiana Jones films. Players navigate through various levels, using a special gun that shoots plungers, popcorn, or bubble gum to overcome obstacles and enemies. QuackShot isn’t a horror-themed game, but like I mentioned above, it’s been a rough couple of months, and I’m including it.
One of the standout levels is Transylvania, where you fight skeletons, ghosts, bats, and Dracula. There’s another level where you traverse a haunted Viking ship. It had to be the summer of '93, and I was obsessed with this game. I was friends with a kid in the neighborhood who introduced me to QuackShot, and I have fond memories of playing this game every day during summer break, trying to figure out the game’s patterns and puzzles. QuackShot is on my Mount Rushmore of Genesis games.
I hope you enjoyed this nostalgic journey through some of the most sinister 16-bit Sega Genesis games that hold a special place in my heart. Now that September is here, we can finally embrace the best time of the year. Let’s forget about all the adult responsibilities for a while, indulge in endless Halloween specials, and hunt for spooky food tie-ins. While you’re at it, don’t forget to play a few of your favorite horror video games.
Stay Spooky,
Jeremy
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