Namco Bandai resurrecting Splatterhouse

Publisher's seminal gross-out horror action franchise revived on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2009.

Nostalgia has a funny way of distorting gamers' perception of older games, and Nintendo's Virtual Console has done wonders for busting these misconceptions. Case in point: Nintendo revived the TurboGrafx-16 version of Namco and NEC's Splatterhouse last March, and the aging game's gruesome beat-'em-up action struck reviewers as decidedly tame and simplistic.

Heads will quite literally explode.

However, Namco Bandai is now ready to give the seminal horror action franchise a proper current-generation revival, announcing today that an all-new Splatterhouse will arrive for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2009. A throwback to the 1988 arcade original, Splatterhouse promises a gore-oozing action experience. Splatterhouse features an original storyline by comic-book scribe Gordon Rennie (Judge Dredd, Necronauts), wherein a college student in search of his kidnapped girlfriend happens upon a mask that confers upon him great power but also turns him into "a juggernaut of pure violence and destruction."

However, the game won't be a simple beat-'em-up. Namco Bandai promises a dynamic combat system in which players will be afforded a variety of methods to slaughter hordes of infernal monstrosities. Weapons include makeshift found items as well as the dismembered appendages of enemies, and players will be able to revive defeated demons to help them in their quest as well as solve puzzles. The game also has a vertical element, with players able to leap great distances as the game's protagonist.

The game's gore has likewise been updated to 21st-century standards. Namco Bandai says that players will be dismembered if overrun by enemies. "They will begin to dismember him, savagely tearing away limbs and ripping at his flesh to expose his internal organs. To survive, Rick must call upon the power of the Terror Mask to regenerate his mutilated body, allowing players to watch in gory detail as bones, veins, muscles, and skin return to his body in real time."

89 Comments

  • BloodWerewolf

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 9:57 pm PT

    Awesome. The regeneration part is already my favorite, next to bashing in tons of heads.

    Hopefully, this game avoids the PR slop that came at Manhunt, but with the gore level this high, I doubt it. Still, nothing wrong with beating up tons of foes.

  • K-Grogg

    Posted Jun 2, 2008 4:20 am PT

    This looks intense, the corpse damage looks awesome.

  • Darkreaper_1

    Posted Jun 1, 2008 1:44 pm PT

    I can actually remember the Splatterhouse 2 & 3. While not great games themselves they were pretty addictive.

    The only problem i can see for this game at the moment is that it might be banned for being too violent. I'm sure it'll receive very bad press regarding the gore level. But sadly i also think it won't actually be any good, so they'll push the violence level of the game just to get it publicity and sales.

  • ithebigc

    Posted May 31, 2008 7:49 pm PT

    This news was announced in Electronic Gaming Monthly over a month ago, as one of their cover stories....get with the times, Gamespot.

  • phatrat1982

    Posted May 31, 2008 5:31 pm PT

    Not a straight beat-em-up, equals not for me. Looks bad ass though.

  • JReefer1

    Posted May 31, 2008 4:59 pm PT

    I would "rather see an old school update".

  • player_leo

    Posted May 31, 2008 6:20 am PT

    How do bones, veins, muscles, and skin return in 'real time'?! Wouldn't that take months or years to regenerate?

  • gin_rummy89

    Posted May 30, 2008 9:10 pm PT

    man that pic looks brutal! and I love the idea of that gorey healing factor

  • ScreamDream

    Posted May 30, 2008 4:27 pm PT

    One of the most underrated arcade games of all time. Nice to see it coming on next gen.

  • jakob_187

    Posted May 30, 2008 3:19 pm PT

    Well, given that the game is being developed by BottleRocket, who is best known for making Rise of the Kasai (the sequel to Mark of Kri for all you unknowing folks), I can see that they would be the perfect team to hand this project over to. My only concern is this: back in the day, a game like Splatterhouse was just unheard of, as well as a huge controversy. Today, we have stuff like Manhunt, so how gruesome could they honestly make the game? I'm sure that this won't be as "intense" as many of us could think, but if BottleRocket can make this the game that Rise of the Kasai SHOULD'VE been...then who can complain?

    Speaking of which...with the announcements coming out about Splatterhouse, Tecmo Bowl, and a new Beyond Good and Evil game...I think it's about time that someone went ahead and announced a third installment into the Mark of Kri series...regardless of the end of Rise of the Kasai!!!

  • AngelCage

    Posted May 30, 2008 11:28 am PT

    Cool.... in the te enemyes ripp off the player's arms and legs, then you attacks will be... BITE ATTACK????

  • otanikun

    Posted May 30, 2008 10:55 am PT

    Sweetness

  • thekey

    Posted May 30, 2008 10:54 am PT

    As long as it's good I'll be getting it.

  • jknight5422

    Posted May 30, 2008 9:32 am PT

    I've read 2000AD for decades so I'm extremely excited about Gordon Rennie being behind the storyline. If talented comic writers from 2000AD are making video games, you can count me in. It's like when I found out Erol Otus was doing artwork for Star Control II or the various AD&D authors were behind the Fallout, AD&D RPGs, & NWN 2 games.

  • ps3thabest

    Posted May 30, 2008 8:13 am PT

    i love how sick it looks im buying it

  • blackace

    Posted May 30, 2008 8:06 am PT

    Sweet!! I loved the game on the TurboGraphix. Legendary Ax was also a great game that was fun to beat. Never thought someone who remake Splatterhouse. It was definitely one of the best horror games for it's time. Hopefully the remake will be good.

  • tig1979

    Posted May 30, 2008 8:04 am PT

    Can't wait to see what this turns out like, used to love this on megadrive, i believe Altered Beast was done on Ps2 era and it was bob if i remember right

  • DanBal76

    Posted May 30, 2008 7:51 am PT

    Yes, this bring me memories. Good old days of the Genesis and Super NES (i never had a Turbografx-16, but Splatterhouse saw Genesis and Super NES versions).

  • Phylyn5151

    Posted May 30, 2008 7:02 am PT

    As long as it is done right.....

  • ryo_strife24

    Posted May 30, 2008 5:59 am PT

    SWEET! Its goos to see companies are bring back classic games and giving them the next gen treatment. Bionic Commando, Slatterhouse, and few others. A few old school games I'd like to see take that next step into next gen are: Altered Beast, River City Ransom, Double Dragon, and Uncharted Waters 2: New Horizons. Just to name a few, hopefully this will be a good game. I'll be keeping an eye out for this game for sure.

  • scatterbrain007

    Posted May 30, 2008 5:48 am PT

    @ daveneonfarrell... The game is ONE MUST FALL 2097. Very awesome game. SplatterHouse 3 was the best one on the Genesis. LOVED that game. This sounds pretty good too. I hope they don't mess it up. Sounds like they are on the right track though with the dismemberment of the player when your arse gets kicked.

  • Taegre

    Posted May 29, 2008 10:51 pm PT

    Old news, someone on the Condemned 2 boards let this slip last month (wish I could remember his username).

  • TWiSTEDmerc

    Posted May 29, 2008 10:25 pm PT

    It sounds alright but it definitely needs more time, for this gore trip. I would like to see this sort of perspective taken with horror.

  • snarple_basic

    Posted May 29, 2008 9:29 pm PT

    Im really hoping they bring the arcade version of the 1st game to xbox arcade. I still play that game every once in awhile but its the censored turbo graphics version. Would love to play bloodier uncensored version.... Oh and im also hoping Namco doesn't screw the new game up.

  • aots_twilight

    Posted May 29, 2008 8:12 pm PT

    About damn time... I still recall people who mistakenly calls him "Jason"... I just started playing the arcade version... (Since in the 80's I was too afraid to play it in the arcades ... )

  • peeweeshift

    Posted May 29, 2008 7:25 pm PT

    judge dredd has a nice story but the game for xbox was horrible. hopefulyl namco does it up this time

  • Lone_Wolff

    Posted May 29, 2008 6:45 pm PT

    I loved Splatterhouse on TG16!! I sitll have it upstairs in my room haha I just played it recently, along with Devil's Crush and Pac-Land. Good times....This game sounds amazing if they can pull it off.

  • X-RS

    Posted May 29, 2008 6:30 pm PT

    now that is something that is TRULY worth the "next gen" tittle imo.
    (the whole regenerate in real time thing...)

  • falconclan

    Posted May 29, 2008 6:24 pm PT

    This looks pretty gnarly, both in the good and brutal ways.

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted May 29, 2008 6:14 pm PT

    The game that made me buy a TG16. Well Splatter House and Military Madness. =)

  • daveneonfarrell

    Posted May 29, 2008 6:06 pm PT

    @dn3datomiced, What is the name of the game in your display pic? I use to play it back on my 166mhz windows 95 PC.

  • Hokkie

    Posted May 29, 2008 5:33 pm PT

    If I recall correctly wasn't there an article in OXM about games they'd like to see be brought back and modernized? I believe Splatterhouse was one of them but they had Team Ninja at the helm.

    this is true, and my wife and I got excited if it was gonna happen...needless to say this is great news to us. Purchased the original on the Wii when it was released. Good times to be had

  • GeigerdolylWodd

    Posted May 29, 2008 5:19 pm PT

    If I recall correctly wasn't there an article in OXM about games they'd like to see be brought back and modernized? I believe Splatterhouse was one of them but they had Team Ninja at the helm. It was a fantasy mishmash betwixt desired devs and game revivals alike.

    At anyrate you guys who say that EGM had this article for a month, are you sure? Are you sure there was an article on this if so do share the wealth (ie. the link)

  • xatman911

    Posted May 29, 2008 5:14 pm PT

    Hope no censorship comes in.

  • suprsolider

    Posted May 29, 2008 5:03 pm PT

    Wow, tell us something WE DON'T ALREADY KNOW GAMESPOT.

    Geez, your late to the party, about a MONTH LATE.

    It was in Last month's EGM, it was on the cover and been mentioned on pretty much every other game site.

  • redskinStu

    Posted May 29, 2008 4:49 pm PT

    Boy, lucky we have these Gamespot writers to tell us which 25 year old games don't compare with GTA4.

  • Unkoil666

    Posted May 29, 2008 4:23 pm PT

    Finally! Used to play the Arcade and TG16 versions religiously!

  • SteveTwo

    Posted May 29, 2008 4:10 pm PT

    ocdog45: Strange but true story. When I was a kid and got Splatterhouse on the TG16 my Mom saw me playing it and was worried. She usually completely ignored the video games I played, but this one bothered her a bit so she said she was just going to watch me play. Long story short, a few hours later she was cheering me on. And when I died to the evil version of the girlfriend, my Mom was the one who encouraged me to start over from the freakin begginning. Wierd.

  • DrKill09

    Posted May 29, 2008 4:08 pm PT

    I must say I CANT WAIT! Splatterhouse RULES!

    Only complaint though... Gamespot, I have known this for almost a month now. This is sorta old news.

  • tmorri603

    Posted May 29, 2008 4:07 pm PT

    This is great! One of the best gore games getting a new game with the power of todays systems is the best news I heard all day. I owned Splatterhouse 3, man that game was hard but I loved the gore that it had.

  • corn999

    Posted May 29, 2008 4:01 pm PT

    Alright, alright, sounds interesting. I'll definitely keep an eye out for this game.

  • ocdog45

    Posted May 29, 2008 3:57 pm PT

    got this from wikipedia.... "Due to its violent nature as well as some questionable enemies, including the boss encountered in the fourth stage, an inverted cross, Splatterhouse was the first game to ever get a parental advisory disclaimer in 1988 (four years before Midway's Mortal Kombat would be released)."

  • Mattyrock

    Posted May 29, 2008 3:53 pm PT

    I've always heard about this series. This is awesome to hear.

  • zeke2040

    Posted May 29, 2008 3:28 pm PT

    i can't wait for this game to already come out... i've been dieing for a hardcore horror game..

  • dn3datomiced

    Posted May 29, 2008 3:11 pm PT

    "They will begin to dismember him, savagely tearing away limbs and ripping at his flesh to expose his internal organs. To survive, Rick must call upon the power of the Terror Mask to regenerate his mutilated body, allowing players to watch in gory detail as bones, veins, muscles, and skin return to his body in real time."

    Oh, dude.... that might be enough to make me hurk...
    Bring it on!

    EDIT: Alright, who's running around, thumbing people down with no rhyme or reason?

  • Generic_Dude

    Posted May 29, 2008 3:07 pm PT

    I wasn't really that into the Splatterhouse series, but I'll pick it up if it looks good. I really wish Namco Bandai would put a widescreen Katamari game onto PS3, even if it was a Beautiful Katamari port.

    @buruburu: You'd be surprised how in demand space janitors are. I just picked up Space Quest Collection for PC a few weeks ago, lol.

  • blackie8

    Posted May 29, 2008 3:03 pm PT

    ok not gonna lie finally a horror game that is not on the wii which i own one so i am not mad and it sounds cool

  • buruburu

    Posted May 29, 2008 2:48 pm PT

    *big smile* Yes!
    ...other old ones due for a remake: TimeKillers (Mashup: Street Fighter's new 3D look, but some aspect must be made WAY over the top)"Excalibur!") & T-Mek (Mashup: MotorStorm meets Tron~would be sick online play). Well, I'd add Space Quest, but... space janitors are not in high demand.

    I mean these are Video Games, where is the Ultra Unrealisticness anymore? Splatterhouse's remake is a step in the right direction, since MK lost it's over the top'ness.

  • dukerav

    Posted May 29, 2008 2:45 pm PT

    "To survive, Rick must call upon the power of the Terror Mask to regenerate his mutilated body, allowing players to watch in gory detail as bones, veins, muscles, and skin return to his body in real time." interesting.

  • MamaLukuBuku

    Posted May 29, 2008 2:43 pm PT

    RICK HOW I HAVE MISSED THEE!!!!

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