Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Extreme Ghostbusters delivers a gameplay loop that cleverly alternates between high-speed pursuit and on-foot investigation. Players hop behind the wheel of the iconic Ecto-1, racing through four distinct New York City boroughs in search of clues about Roland and Garrett’s whereabouts. The driving sections are fast-paced and peppered with obstacles—abandoned vehicles, spectral roadblocks, and sudden ghost manifestations—that keep you on your toes without ever feeling unfair.

Once you reach each location, control shifts to either Kylie or Eduardo, each equipped with their own Proton Pack and P.K.E. Meter. The levels blend light puzzle-solving—locating hidden levers, activating switches, decrypting ghostly glyphs—with classic side-scrolling combat. Hunting for clues across three interconnected stages per area ensures a satisfying sense of exploration, though seasoned players may find the layouts occasionally repetitive.

The boss encounters against the area’s haunting overlord ramp up the challenge nicely, requiring you to learn attack patterns and manage your proton stream wisely. Health pickups and limited but replenishable power-ups force strategic decision-making: do you press the offensive and risk overload, or fall back to regroup and conserve energy? Each boss fight feels like a mini-puzzle in its own right.

Mission structure is streamlined by regular check-ins at Ghostbusters headquarters, where Dr. Egon Spengler offers hints and teases the next objective. This hub-and-spoke design keeps the pace brisk and provides welcome narrative punctuation between action set pieces, ensuring that the drive to save Roland and Garrett never settles into a monotonous grind.

Graphics

Visually, Extreme Ghostbusters embraces the bold, cartoon-inspired aesthetic of the source material. Character sprites for Kylie and Eduardo are faithfully rendered, complete with expressive animations that capture their contrasting personalities. The Ecto-1 model, detailed down to the roof rack and proton cannon attachments, shines against neon-tinged cityscapes.

Each New York borough is given its own visual identity: the shadowy skyscrapers of Manhattan, the graffiti-lined alleyways of Brooklyn, the misty bridges of the Bronx, and the pier-side warehouses of Staten Island. Background parallax scrolling adds depth to the environments, while particle effects—glowing ectoplasm trails, exploding energy bursts—heighten the supernatural atmosphere.

Boss ghosts are a highlight, boasting large, otherworldly designs that roam and attack with fluid, eye-catching movements. While some minor enemy sprites can look reused across levels, the bosses feel distinct, from the hulking Slimer-esque apparition to the menacing, armor-clad specter guarding the final clue.

Performance remains solid throughout, with stable frame rates even when the screen fills with particle effects or during high-speed car chases. Load times are minimal, ensuring that you spend your time ghostbusting, not staring at a progress bar.

Story

The narrative thrust of Extreme Ghostbusters centers on a daring rescue: after Roland and Garrett are abducted by the nefarious Count Mercharior—a half-demon, half-human villain—Kylie and Eduardo must piece together clues across New York City to save their friends. The storyline bridges the gap between episodes of the animated series, offering fans fresh lore while remaining accessible to newcomers.

Cutscenes between levels are kept succinct but impactful, delivering key dialogue from Dr. Egon Spengler via holographic projection. His calm, scientific demeanor contrasts nicely with the duo’s more impulsive personalities, underscoring the team dynamic that made the Extreme Ghostbusters brand so memorable. These narrative interludes also foreshadow upcoming challenges, maintaining a sense of rising tension as you approach the final showdown with Mercharior.

While much of the story unfolds through on-screen text and brief voice clips, the writing captures the show’s tongue-in-cheek humor and camaraderie. Moments of levity—Eduardo’s quips about “ghostly goop,” Kylie’s impatient asides—break up the action without undermining the stakes. Players invested in the characters will appreciate these touches, even if the plot itself follows a fairly straightforward rescue template.

The climactic battle against Count Mercharior combines all the game’s mechanics—driving, exploration, boss combat—in a multi-stage finale that tests your mastery of previous challenges. While the storyline doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it delivers a satisfying conclusion that feels earned after the journey through New York’s haunted hotspots.

Overall Experience

Extreme Ghostbusters stands out as a faithful adaptation of a beloved animated series, marrying nostalgic appeal with solid game design. The mix of driving and on-foot segments keeps the pace lively, and the progression of clue hunts and boss battles provides a clear sense of accomplishment. Fans of the franchise will delight in spotting familiar locales and hearing Egon’s guidance between missions.

That said, some players may find the core gameplay loop slightly repetitive after several hours, as the three-level structure per area can become predictable. However, the game’s brisk runtime—topped off by a memorable final encounter—means most will reach the finale before fatigue sets in. Difficulty scales nicely, catering to both younger audiences and seasoned action-platformer enthusiasts.

Visually appealing graphics, crisp audio cues, and responsive controls combine to create an experience that feels polished and purposeful. While it doesn’t push the boundaries of its genre, Extreme Ghostbusters offers enough variety and charm to keep players engaged from the first ghostly screech to the final victory fanfare.

For those seeking a family-friendly action adventure with a dash of supernatural flair, Extreme Ghostbusters is a spirited ride. It may not break new ground in gaming, but its faithful homage to the source material, coupled with tight pacing and moments of genuine excitement, makes it a purchase worth considering for fans and newcomers alike.

Retro Replay Score

6.9/10