Ghostbusters: Watch & Play like It's 1984

Ghostbusters hit the big screen in 1984, becoming a record holding giant with an enormous fan base and following. Nearly 30 years later and just in time for Halloween, the ghost-busting franchise continues to attract and is returning to theaters nationwide on October 13^, 2011. For gamers, this is a perfect time to dust off and re-live those classics featuring the world's most famous paranormal investigators (and eliminators). Here's a rundown on some of the more popular ghostbusting entertainment titles.

While there were some less memorable releases over the years, the original Activision game was the one that started it all. Initially designed for early 8-bit home computers, including the Commodore 64, the title found further life on other popular gaming systems such as the Atari 2600, and the Sega Master System. Loosely based on the film, in the game players found themselves responding to calls around town to catch ghosts. Money earned on the job allowed for much needed upgrades (particularly to Ecto-1) in order to make the job a little easier. As the hauntings increasingly heat up around the city, its PK meter level ultimately boiled to confrontation with none other than the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Proving to be highly successful with Ghostbusters fans and early gaming enthusiasts, the title remains as a true classic.

Much like the second film itself, Activision's movie tie in attempt with Ghostbusters II wasn't as well received. The game was available in a variety of formats including for the up and coming PC compatibles, and for the Nintendo NES. While the game wasn't overly exciting, the fun was in the overall experience as the title displayed how PC graphics and sound were evolving, and how the newer kid on the block, Nintendo, was a contender on gaming scene. Gameplay widely varied between the platforms, with the Nintendo version offering a side scrolling experience versus arcade type sequences on the PC. The main objective? Catch ghosts, and ultimately beat Vigo the Carpathian of course.

In 1990, Ghostbusters found its way on to the Sega Genesis with some new gameplay. In this title, players take on the role of either Venkman, Stantz, or Spengler for 2D platformer style gaming. With a large head and a small body, each character is represented as a delightful caricature, each with specific beneficial in-game skills. Rather than following a scripted movie plot-line, the game focuses fighting and capturing a variety of supernatural entities. Following a routine formula for the style, levels become increasingly difficult and are followed by boss levels.

With timing to the original film's 25^th anniversary, Atari's released Ghostbusters: The Video Game in 2009 for all major gaming platforms. With a visual likeness to the characters and the film, the game also features almost all of the original cast member voices. The title is a great throwback to the original film, and the 3D shooter gameplay is widely varied depending on the specific gaming platform.

Labeled as a sequel to the 2009 Atari video game, Ghostbusters Sanctum of Slime, released in early 2011, features a whole new cast of rookie Ghostbusters, including one who is under the apprenticeship of Egon. In this top-down multiplayer action adventure title, players must once again fight a random force of paranormal entities throughout the city by using the trusted proton pack.