Splatterhouse

[dchristie74]

whats the best port of the splatterhouse games. So far i have the first for turbographx and II for genesis. Haven't come across the III yet.

www.thevideogamecollector.weebly.com

[William_the_Saint]

The first three Splatterhouse games are unlockables in the 360/PS3 version of Splatterhouse (1st arcade and the 2 & 3 are the genesis games) if your interested. They seem to run fine.

[dchristie74]

is it an actual port of the aracade?

[Nonplus]

Probably just emulation.

[Edmond Dantes]

Turbo Splatter1, Gen Splatter2 and 3 are the ONLY ports that exist, except for the emulations included in the new Splatterhouse.

The Turbo Splatterhouse isn't quite arcade-perfect but its pretty good.

[Dire 51]

As stated earlier, Splatterhouse for the TG16 is not an arcade perfect port. The core game itself is intact, but a lot of things were cut: some enemies were removed, animation sequences, background and foreground details, sound effects. The US version had a few other changes too: among them, Rick's mask was changed, the Evil Cross was removed and replaced with a character called "Evil Sleep," and the cross that marks Hell Chaos' grave was changed to a tombstone.

The closest thing you'll find to an arcade-perfect port of Splatterhouse are the FM Towns (http://splatterhouse.kontek.net/marty.html) port or the 2003 Windows (http://splatterhouse.kontek.net/windows.html) port. However, both were Japanese exclusives.

Splatterhouse 2 and 3 were not ports of any pre-existing Splatterhouse games. Those were original creations for the Mega Drive/Genesis. There are differences between the Japanese and U.S. versions, especially Splatterhouse 2: Rick's mask has yet again been changed for the international release and the story in the Japanese version is a little more clear-cut than the slightly vague U.S. story.

The ports included with Splatterhouse '10 are fairly accurate; however, there are some emulation issues. Some sound effects are missing from the arcade game and there's some flickering in the HUD in certain parts. 2 and 3 both play fine, but the music is a bit slower and some of the sound effects are garbled or sped up (or both).

For more information about the series, visit my Splatterhouse site, West Mansion (http://splatterhouse.kontek.net).

[Edmond Dantes]

The closest thing you'll find to an arcade-perfect port of Splatterhouse are the FM Towns (http://splatterhouse.kontek.net/marty.html) port or the 2003 Windows (http://splatterhouse.kontek.net/windows.html) port. However, both were Japanese exclusives.

That being said, you don't need to know much Japanese to play Splatterhouse.

I'd like to hunt down that PC version...

[Flack]

whats the best port of the splatterhouse games. So far i have the first for turbographx and II for genesis. Haven't come across the III yet.

www.thevideogamecollector.weebly.com

I think they are all pretty good.

www.robohara.com

[Dire 51]

That being said, you don't need to know much Japanese to play Splatterhouse.
This is true, and to my knowledge you can run the PC port on an American (etc) PC. The FM Towns game, on the other hand, would require an FM Towns or FM Towns Marty to run, and IIRC the FM Towns line never made it out of Japan.

Of course, there's always FM Towns emulation, if you're really desperate to play the port and don't have a boatload of cash to shell out for the game and console. Splatterhouse does get to be pretty pricey too, last I saw.

[retroman]

I like the TG16 one..

[StealthLurker]

Fortunately the japanese PC port isn't too rare or expensive. Picked up a sealed one during my japanese pc game collecting phase for about $10-15.


.

[Edmond Dantes]

Will the PC one work with an Interact Hammerhead FX?

[Steve W]

I used to love playing the original at my local mall arcade. One of the first games I hunted down for the Turbo was Splatterhouse. The gameplay was there, the graphics weren't all that great, and the audio was severely degraded. I loved the sound effects of the original, and was seriously disappointed in the Turbo game's weak sound. The game was still fun to play, but without good audio I just didn't want to play it very much.

[Edmond Dantes]

Yeah I think most people who played the arcade one felt disappointed with the Turbo one. It's at heart the same game we all loved, but its missing some of the creepy (that weird wall thing that would eventually show up if you took too long in a level? Nowhere in the Turbo version).

I wouldn't mind owning an arcade PCB if I can't get my hands on that PC version.

[an_turtar]

You can get the PC version of Splatter House here in Japan extremely cheaply. Mine was 65 yen, which is 84 US cents. I had to pay for shipping though, but it was still cheap. I haven't even opened it yet. Anyway the box says it works on versions of Windows from 95 to XP, and I assume it'll work on Vista and 7. There are two box styles, one with a standard CD case, the other is like a DVD case.

There are interesting graphical glitches on the original PCB not emulated in MAME, and maybe not in the PC version.
Watch this video and notice that part of Rick disappears at about 0:22.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLeXfp_GF_g

It also happens on my PCB, and on a PCB I saw running in Tokyo. Other System 1 games like Dragon Spirit have this glitch too, I nearly went mad trying to fix my PCBs until I found that it was common on other boards.

I have all of the Splatter House games, except the newest one, since it wasn't released here in Japan and I don't have the newer consoles anyway.

I actually managed to get a brand new sealed copy of the FM Towns version for 6000 yen just over three years ago. Something of a once in a lifetime occurence, for me at least.

Oh, and many thanks for the West Mansion site, I've read it many times over.

[Dire 51]

I used to love playing the original at my local mall arcade. One of the first games I hunted down for the Turbo was Splatterhouse. The gameplay was there, the graphics weren't all that great, and the audio was severely degraded. I loved the sound effects of the original, and was seriously disappointed in the Turbo game's weak sound. The game was still fun to play, but without good audio I just didn't want to play it very much.

Yeah I think most people who played the arcade one felt disappointed with the Turbo one. It's at heart the same game we all loved, but its missing some of the creepy (that weird wall thing that would eventually show up if you took too long in a level? Nowhere in the Turbo version).
Now imagine it going in the opposite direction: I played the TG16 version first, then discovered the arcade game in one of Universal Studios Florida's arcades about a year later. I was totally blown away by the details that had been removed and the original audio (just hearing those Water Dead moans for the first time floored me), and IIRC I spent most of my money playing it.

Then we left and I never saw another original Splatterhouse arcade cab again. So I had to be content with the TG16 port if I wanted a Splatterhouse fix, at least until the arcade game was emulated. To this day I still fire it up and play through it when I have my Duo connected, even though I have two ways to play the original now.


You can get the PC version of Splatter House here in Japan extremely cheaply. Mine was 65 yen, which is 84 US cents. I had to pay for shipping though, but it was still cheap. I haven't even opened it yet. Anyway the box says it works on versions of Windows from 95 to XP, and I assume it'll work on Vista and 7. There are two box styles, one with a standard CD case, the other is like a DVD case.

There are interesting graphical glitches on the original PCB not emulated in MAME, and maybe not in the PC version.
Watch this video and notice that part of Rick disappears at about 0:22.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLeXfp_GF_g

It also happens on my PCB, and on a PCB I saw ruinning in Tokyo. Other System 1 games like Dragon Spirit have this glitch too, I nearly went mad trying to fix my PCBs until I found that it was common on other boards.
This is interesting info. No one else that I've ever talked to has brought it up before.


I have all of the Splatter House games, except the newest one, since it wasn't released here in Japan and I don't have the newer consoles anyway.
It's worth picking up if you do get one. Fun game, probably my most played 360 game of 2010.


I actually managed to get a brand new sealed copy of the FM Towns version for 6000 yen just over three years ago. Something of a once in a lifetime occurence, for me at least.
Man, I'd love to stumble on a deal like that. My Splatterhouse console collection is still incomplete: I'm lacking the FM Towns port, as well as Splatterhouse Part 2 and Part 3 for the Mega Drive. Maybe someday I'll be able to finish it up.


Oh, and many thanks for the West Mansion site, I've read it many times over.
You're welcome - glad you've enjoyed it!

[xelement5x]

Just thought I'd pass this on since it came in my email today. Namco has the new Splatterhouse for sale on their site at $20, plus it includes a mask from the game.
http://store.namcobandaigames.com/store/namcous/en_US/pd/ThemeID.24355600/productID.227025400/Splatterhouse-XBOX-360.html

No clue what shipping is though.

[T2KFreeker]

Just thought I'd pass this on since it came in my email today. Namco has the new Splatterhouse for sale on their site at $20, plus it includes a mask from the game.
http://store.namcobandaigames.com/store/namcous/en_US/pd/ThemeID.24355600/productID.227025400/Splatterhouse-XBOX-360.html

No clue what shipping is though.

The mask is really cool. I got mine when I pre ordered the game. The ONLY reason I pre ordered it from Lamestop. It's bigger than you would think too.

[an_turtar]

You can get the PC version of Splatter House here in Japan extremely cheaply. Mine was 65 yen, which is 84 US cents. I had to pay for shipping though, but it was still cheap. I haven't even opened it yet. Anyway the box says it works on versions of Windows from 95 to XP, and I assume it'll work on Vista and 7. There are two box styles, one with a standard CD case, the other is like a DVD case.

There are interesting graphical glitches on the original PCB not emulated in MAME, and maybe not in the PC version.
Watch this video and notice that part of Rick disappears at about 0:22.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLeXfp_GF_g

It also happens on my PCB, and on a PCB I saw running in Tokyo. Other System 1 games like Dragon Spirit have this glitch too, I nearly went mad trying to fix my PCBs until I found that it was common on other boards.



This is interesting info. No one else that I've ever talked to has brought it up before.

One of the main problems is that very rarely do you get to see the actual PCB running, quite often it's just emulation on youtube etc. The emulation of the System I boards in MAME is "too good" as it were. The problem on Dragon Spirit annoyed me so much I got another board, and then found it had the exact same problem. Saw another board in a Tokyo arcade the same, so I know what I've got is fine. When I found the Splatter House PCB in Tokyo, I had to wait for a guy to finish the whole game just to have a go to see if it had the fault.



It's worth picking up if you do get one. Fun game, probably my most played 360 game of 2010.


Splatter House '10 is available here in Japan, imported from the US. I might get it if I can do so cheaply. I'd be interested in that mask that's being given away, though I'm guessing they won't ship to me.
Here are the rest of my games.
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/6015/dscf3437n.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/37/dscf3437n.jpg/)



I actually managed to get a brand new sealed copy of the FM Towns version for 6000 yen just over three years ago. Something of a once in a lifetime occurence, for me at least.




Man, I'd love to stumble on a deal like that. My Splatterhouse console collection is still incomplete: I'm lacking the FM Towns port, as well as Splatterhouse Part 2 and Part 3 for the Mega Drive. Maybe someday I'll be able to finish it up.


I bought that game from an online shop as "used". Was amazed to find it sealed. Sold it on ebay for just over $300 and bought another FM Towns version for not much more. I figured I might as well make some money to keep me going. Actually I might sell the FM Towns version, especially if I can't get employment next year. The only other Towns games I have are the Lucasarts adventures.


I think overall the best version to go for now is probably the PC version if you neither have a JAMMA setup or an FM Towns, presuming you can get the PC version. Otherwise the PC Engine version would probably have to do.

[mobiusclimber]

One thing I'd like to point out is that the PC Engine version differs significantly from the Turbo Grafx version. There's less censorship, obviously, but also the stages are in a different order and, oddly, the jump mechanics are a lot easier. Out of the two, the PC Engine version is preferred as far as I'm concerned.

I had no idea that the Splatterhouse 1 game on the new Splatterhouse was the arcade version. I'm really going to have to pick that game up now.

[Dire 51]

One of the main problems is that very rarely do you get to see the actual PCB running, quite often it's just emulation on youtube etc. The emulation of the System I boards in MAME is "too good" as it were. The problem on Dragon Spirit annoyed me so much I got another board, and then found it had the exact same problem. Saw another board in a Tokyo arcade the same, so I know what I've got is fine. When I found the Splatter House PCB in Tokyo, I had to wait for a guy to finish the whole game just to have a go to see if it had the fault.
It's definitely an interesting bit of info: speaking as someone that only got to play the original once (and over twenty years ago to boot), my only experience with it since then has been via MAME and SH '10, so I probably would never have known about this if you hadn't brought it up.


Splatter House '10 is available here in Japan, imported from the US. I might get it if I can do so cheaply. I'd be interested in that mask that's being given away, though I'm guessing they won't ship to me.
You could always work out a deal with someone, maybe.


Here are the rest of my games.
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/6015/dscf3437n.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/37/dscf3437n.jpg/)

I bought that game from an online shop as "used". Was amazed to find it sealed. Sold it on ebay for just over $300 and bought another FM Towns version for not much more. I figured I might as well make some money to keep me going. Actually I might sell the FM Towns version, especially if I can't get employment next year. The only other Towns games I have are the Lucasarts adventures.
Nice collection there. I'd say that I'd be interested in buying that FM Towns version if you decided to sell, but I don't really do much collecting for the sake of collecting anymore. Not even when it comes to Splatterhouse.


I think overall the best version to go for now is probably the PC version if you neither have a JAMMA setup or an FM Towns, presuming you can get the PC version. Otherwise the PC Engine version would probably have to do.
For quality, I'd have to agree with you - but the port in SH '10 is definitely the easiest version for anyone to get ahold of at the moment. On the downside, you have to be willing to live with the emulation issues (but on the upside you get three additional SH games with it). Failing that, there's the TG16 version on the Wii Virtual Console.


One thing I'd like to point out is that the PC Engine version differs significantly from the Turbo Grafx version. There's less censorship, obviously, but also the stages are in a different order and, oddly, the jump mechanics are a lot easier. Out of the two, the PC Engine version is preferred as far as I'm concerned.
I own the TG16 and PCE versions and have played both extensively, and I can tell you that the stages are definitely not reordered. Never noticed any difference in the ability to jump between the two either. As far as the censorship, it's relatively minor: Evil Cross was changed to Evil Sleep, the wooden cross marking Hell Chaos' grave was changed to a tombstone and of course, the Jason Voorhees-esque Terror Mask was changed to the red "kabuki" Terror Mask. Other than that, the two versions are practically identical.


I had no idea that the Splatterhouse 1 game on the new Splatterhouse was the arcade version. I'm really going to have to pick that game up now.
Take advantage of the Club Namco deal while you can, I say. $19.99 for both the game and Terror Mask statue is quite the bargain.

[an_turtar]

It's definitely an interesting bit of info: speaking as someone that only got to play the original once (and over twenty years ago to boot), my only experience with it since then has been via MAME and SH '10, so I probably would never have known about this if you hadn't brought it up.

It's always great to see a real PCB in action to be able to compare it when checking for faults. I have 188 PCBs and quite often they not quite right and using MAME sometimes doesn't help with repair. It's great for writing replacement ROMs though.

I hooked up my Splatter House PCB the other day and it had new graphics problems, the title being missing was the most obvious one. So I had to write another EPROM for it. That's 3 now I've had to replace.


You could always work out a deal with someone, maybe.

Maybe, I'll have to wait and see. And then it'll be too late...


Nice collection there. I'd say that I'd be interested in buying that FM Towns version if you decided to sell, but I don't really do much collecting for the sake of collecting anymore. Not even when it comes to Splatterhouse.


I'm not into collecting for collecting's sake either anymore. Sold a lot of other FM Towns games, same with my X68000 games, sold quite a few lately. The exchange rate means selling overseas isn't worth it, so I usually sell here in Japan. My contract will expire in the summer so if I can't get a new job and end up unemployed for a while it'll be one of the first things to go.

[Edmond Dantes]

Sold a lot of other FM Towns games, same with my X68000 games, sold quite a few lately.

You wouldn't happen to have Thunder Force I and II for the X68000 would you?

[an_turtar]

You wouldn't happen to have Thunder Force I and II for the X68000 would you?

I had two copies of Thunderforce II but sold them both. I don't think there is a Thunder Force I on the machine.

[Guy Kazama]

honestly, get the ps3/360 version of splatterhouse, the new game is good enough, plus the unlocks of the originals justifies the purchase price right out of the box.

[Parodius Duh!]

people always seem to forget the ORIGINAL Splatterhouse.... Splatterhouse wanpaku Graffiti for the Famicom!

[an_turtar]

The original Splatter House was the arcade game, the first console version was Wanpaku Grafitti.

[Dire 51]

people always seem to forget the ORIGINAL Splatterhouse.... Splatterhouse wanpaku Graffiti for the Famicom!
Not everyone forgets WG - and, as an_turtar correctly pointed out, it was the first console Splatterhouse release, hitting the Famicom in '89, which was one year after the arcade game's release. I made it my mission to get WG included in Splatterhouse '10 with the other games, only to be overruled by the higher-ups, as you can read in this interview I conducted with Dan Tovar last year (http://splatterhouse.kontek.net/wminterview2.html):


Rob: Were there ever any plans to include Wanpaku Graffiti alongside the three classic games?

Dan: We did discuss Wanpaku Graffiti and whether to include it or not. In the end we chose to focus on the original three games as they were more in line with the feel of the game we were creating. WG was a departure from the original style of Splatterhouse and as such did not really seem to fit.

But even though the game itself was not included, there are references to it scattered throughout SH '10: the photo of Jen you piece together in Phase 10: The Wicker Bride has the caption "Backstage at Wanpaku Graffiti - Arkham 9/10/2010," one of the photos you collect during the survival arenas has the caption "The men's bathroom at Wanpaku Graffiti - Arkham 10/7/2010," and the ones I was personally responsible for: the "Hell House" graffiti you find on the walls in Phase Four: The Meat Factory and the double shot of "Be Garbage of Cesspool": found as graffiti on the walls of Phase Seven: Scream Park and as the title of the achievement you receive when finishing Phase Four. There also may be others that I'm forgetting or just plain haven't noticed.

[nothingisttrue]

splatterhouse and chiller are over rated but good games.
what about monster party?

[Dire 51]

splatterhouse and chiller are over rated but good games.
Overrated? Seriously? I admit, you're the first person I've ever heard refer to Splatterhouse as overrated, and definitely the first I've heard to say Chiller was overrated.


what about monster party?
It's awesome. One of my favorite NES games, no question about that.

[mobiusclimber]

Weird, I must have been misremembered the stages in Splatterhouse b/c I could have sworn they reordered them in the U.S. Turbo release (with the sewer stage occurring sooner). XD Sorry to put out misinformation.