Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti brings a fresh twist to the beat-’em-up legacy of the series by focusing on tight, precision-based action rather than sheer gore. Players control Rick, who has just been resurrected by a bolt of lightning, through seven distinct side-scrolling stages. Each level requires a careful combination of timing, pattern recognition, and quick reflexes, as enemies respawn if you fall off platforms. This design choice adds a layer of tension, forcing you to choose between cautious progression and aggressive play to keep your foes at bay.

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Combat revolves around Rick’s trusty cleaver and an upgradeable shotgun that can be found scattered through the stages. Cleaver swings are fast but short–ranged, while the shotgun provides a satisfying blast coupled with limited ammo, encouraging strategic use. Environmental hazards such as collapsing platforms and spike traps heighten the stakes, demanding that you maintain situational awareness at all times. Power-ups in the form of candy, hamburgers, and cans of soda restore health, which adds a lighthearted counterpoint to the macabre setting.

Despite its cartoonish palette, the game offers surprising depth via secret areas and hidden items that reward exploration. Each stage feels handcrafted, from the graveyard’s creeping fog to the pyramid’s hidden chambers. The level of challenge is balanced: newcomers may find pixel-perfect jumps frustrating at first, but veterans of classic platformers will appreciate the old-school difficulty curve. Boss fights cap off each zone, pitting you against oversized monsters that require pattern memorization and deft dodging to beat.

Graphics

Wanpaku Graffiti diverges from the series’ traditional, gritty horror visuals by adopting a chibi-inspired art style. Characters and monsters are rendered with exaggerated, cartoon-like proportions that soften the impact of the grotesque creatures you encounter. Headless chickens, disembodied hands, and shambling zombies may still give you a shudder, but they come with bright outlines and bold animations that keep the tone more playful than nightmarish.

The backgrounds are richly detailed for an 8-bit era title—graveyard tombstones tilt at jaunty angles, mansion hallways boast flickering candelabras, and the pagoda stage features ornate rooftops adorned with lanterns. Clever parallax scrolling adds depth to each environment, making you feel immersed in this strange, kitschy world. On the technical side, frame rates stay consistent even when the screen fills with enemies, ensuring smooth gameplay.

Special effects like lightning strikes, explosion flashes, and weapon sparkles punch up the action. When Rick’s cleaver connects with an enemy, you see satisfying impact frames that underscore the game’s arcade origins. While the color palette stays within bright primaries, it’s used to great effect—fiery reds in the Egyptian pyramid contrast starkly with the moody purples of the haunted mansion. Overall, the visuals strike a delightful balance between cartoon horror and classic platformer charm.

Story

The narrative in Wanpaku Graffiti is delightfully simple, opening with Jennifer lamenting at Rick’s grave before lightning resurrects him. Before he can reunite with his girlfriend, a second bolt animates a mysterious jack-o’-lantern, dubbed the Pumpkin King, who swiftly abducts Jennifer. This straightforward premise channels B-movie horror sensibilities, setting up a rescue mission that serves as an excuse for the relentless onslaught of bizarre enemies.

Though the game’s place in the broader Splatterhouse timeline remains ambiguous, it nods to series hallmarks with winking references to classic horror films. Each stage evokes a cinematic trope: the fog-shrouded graveyard is straight out of Frankenstein, while the mansion level riffs on Dracula’s castle. Rick himself, once a reluctant hero laid to rest, embraces his undead status with gusto—his transformations into larger, more monstrous forms during boss battles add an entertaining layer to the storytelling.

Dialogue is sparse, comprised mainly of text boxes between levels, but it’s sprinkled with tongue-in-cheek humor that keeps the mood light. Jennifer’s fate provides motivation without bogging down the pace, and the Pumpkin King remains an appropriately menacing yet comical final antagonist. For fans of retro platformers who appreciate narrative minimalism, the game’s story does just enough to keep you engaged without overstaying its welcome.

Overall Experience

Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti stands out as a unique entry in the franchise by blending cartoon visuals with a classic side-scrolling structure. Its approachable difficulty curve, bolstered by generous checkpointing, makes it accessible to newcomers, while hidden secrets and challenging platforming offer seasoned players plenty of replay value. The mixture of melee and ranged combat keeps encounters fresh, and each stage’s design encourages both exploration and skillful execution.

Sound design and music further elevate the experience. A catchy chiptune soundtrack provides an upbeat counterpoint to the horror-themed setting, and punchy sound effects for attacks and enemy deaths land with satisfying weight. Even the jolly jingle that plays when you collect health items reinforces the game’s whimsical take on horror tropes.

Ultimately, Wanpaku Graffiti delivers an engaging romp through spooky locales, offering a balance of humor, challenge, and style. Its distinct visual identity and tight gameplay loops ensure it remains memorable long after the credits roll. Whether you’re a Splatterhouse aficionado or a retro-action enthusiast seeking a quirky platformer, this title is well worth adding to your collection.

Retro Replay Score

7.8/10