Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Adventures of Beetlejuice: Skeletons in the Closet delivers a refreshingly oddball approach to classic action gameplay. You control Beetlejuice himself, armed initially with nothing more than a single loogie that you can hurl at the oncoming skeleton hordes. Each successful hit yields the shattered bones—and occasionally a power-up—that Lidia can vacuum up to grant Beetlejuice additional firepower. This simple cycle of shoot, collect, and upgrade forms the core loop, creating a surprisingly addictive rhythm that keeps you engaged through each spooky stage.

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As you progress, the loogie mechanic evolves: collect enough bonus icons from defeated skeletons and you’ll unlock multi-loogie volleys, homing loogies, or even entirely new weapons. These upgrades feel meaningful, as they dramatically shift your strategy. Do you stick with rapid-fire loogies to manage swarms, or save your bonuses for a devastating area-of-effect blast? This light RPG-style progression adds depth without overcomplicating the controls, making the game both accessible to newcomers and satisfying for veterans seeking to optimize their arsenal.

But the gameplay challenge extends beyond raw firepower. Every time you hit a skeleton, Lidia must dash in to vacuum the remains—if a roaming skeleton stumbles upon her first, she’s trapped in an ornate cage. Releasing her requires another well-timed shot to earn the elusive “lightning bonus.” This mechanic introduces a frantic element of escort-style play, forcing you to balance offense and defense in real time. It’s a clever twist that keeps tension high, ensuring that both characters are integral to your success.

Adding to the chaos is the occasional ground-dwelling worm that erupts from the playground dirt. One ill-timed jump or slow reaction and Beetlejuice is squashed in an instant. These surprise attacks break up the rhythm and force you to stay vigilant, even when you’ve grown comfortable with the skeleton hordes. Together, these layered mechanics create a dynamic, fast-paced experience that rewards skill, timing, and smart use of upgrades.

Graphics

Visually, Adventures of Beetlejuice embraces a cartoonish, slightly grotesque art style that fits its macabre humor. The sprite work on Beetlejuice is particularly delightful—his green-and-white stripped suit, wild hair, and manic expressions leap off the screen. Skeleton enemies vary in design from simple rib-cage warriors to armor-clad reapers, each animated with enough personality to make battlefield carnage oddly amusing.

Backgrounds transport you through a haunted playground, dank graveyard, and even a twisted funhouse, each rendered in rich, moody colors. Flickering lampposts, sinuous vines, and haunted swings sway in the breeze, creating an immersive environment that never feels static. The smooth parallax scrolling adds depth to the 2D action, and minor details—like cobwebs that sway when you pass or bats that scatter at your approach—elevate the sense of a living, breathing world.

Particle effects for loogie impacts and weapon upgrades are simple but effective. When you unleash a multi-loogie blast or the lightning bonus, the screen flashes with bright contrasts against the dark backdrop, providing gratifying visual feedback. While the graphics aren’t cutting-edge by modern standards, they strike a perfect balance between retro charm and playful creepiness.

On systems of its era, the frame rate remains steady even in the most hectic boss fights and swarm encounters. Occasional slowdown is so minimal that it rarely disrupts gameplay, and in some cases, actually adds to the nostalgic feel of an early ’90s platformer. Overall, the graphical presentation complements the game’s quirky tone and supports its fast-paced action without distraction.

Story

Adventures of Beetlejuice doesn’t set out to deliver a deeply philosophical narrative; instead, it leans into its zany premise. You play as the infamous bio-exorcist Beetlejuice, summoned to rid the underworld of rampaging skeletons threatening the balance between the living and the dead. Your partner in (mis)adventure is Lidia, the ever-resourceful friend who keeps your victory trophies in check with her trusty vacuum cleaner.

The story unfolds through brief, humorous interludes between levels rather than lengthy cutscenes. Beetlejuice’s fourth-wall-breaking quips and Lidia’s exasperated retorts provide light comic relief and help maintain momentum. While the plot doesn’t take many unexpected turns, it does a fine job of framing each stage as a new challenge in your skeleton-slaying crusade, from haunted playgrounds to subterranean crypts.

Fans of the Beetlejuice franchise will appreciate the nods to the original film’s offbeat humor and gothic flair. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the character, the game’s self-aware tone and simple “rescue your friend” stakes are easy to grasp. The narrative serves its purpose, setting the stage for the action and giving your monster-mashing a satisfying context without overstaying its welcome.

Occasional boss encounters—giant skeletal guardians, possessed playground monsters, and the ever-menacing super worm—are framed as climactic story beats. Defeating them unlocks quirky dialogue snippets that reinforce the game’s carnival of the weird. It’s a lighthearted story approach that underscores the game’s unique blend of horror, comedy, and arcade-style thrills.

Overall Experience

Adventures of Beetlejuice: Skeletons in the Closet stands out thanks to its imaginative mechanics, charming visuals, and playful storytelling. The core loop of shooting skeletons, collecting upgrades, and rescuing Lidia creates a satisfying ebb and flow that keeps you invested through short bursts or extended play sessions. It’s easy to pick up and hard to put down once you start chasing that next power-up or lightning bonus.

While the game doesn’t revolutionize the action genre, its quirky twists—like the Lidia vacuum mechanic and the deadly worm ambushes—offer refreshment when other titles from the era felt formulaic. Its blend of light puzzle elements (timing rescues), mild platforming, and shooter mechanics ensures a varied experience that rarely becomes stale. The difficulty curve is well calibrated: beginners can make steady progress, while completionists will find plenty of challenge in mastering each weapon upgrade and avoiding every worm attack.

Replay value is bolstered by the desire to discover all power-ups, maximize loogie spread, and improve level times. Whether you’re a Beetlejuice fan curious about this video game adaptation or an action-game enthusiast hunting for a retro gem, Skeletons in the Closet offers a memorable ride. The whimsical atmosphere, combined with tight controls and clever level design, ensures that each session feels fresh.

In sum, Adventures of Beetlejuice: Skeletons in the Closet is a delightful throwback that captures the spirit of its macabre source material while delivering solid action gameplay. Its unique mechanics and off-beat humor make it a standout in the library of ’90s platform-action titles. If you’re looking for an unconventional, entertaining experience that balances challenge and charm, this game is well worth your time.

Retro Replay Score

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