2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the Ghostbusters franchise. Yes, it’s been a whopping 40 years since the release of the iconic first Ghostbusters movie directed by the late Ivan Reitman all the way back in 1984. Since then, the franchise has been a mainstay of pop culture, sparking spinoff animated shows, comics, and of course, even video games.

To commemorate the release of Sony Pictures’ upcoming Ghostbusters Frozen Empire in Malaysian cinemas on 11 April 2024, let’s check out some of those Ghostbusters games below:

Ghostbusters Rise Of The Ghost Lord (Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest Pro, PlayStation VR2 – 2023)

This is the most recent Ghostbusters game to be released, having launched for VR platforms (including the PSVR 2) just last year in October 2023. Ghostbusters Rise Of The Ghost Lord is unique in that it’s the only official Ghostbusters VR game ever made, and it can be played as both a single-player experience and a co-op multiplayer adventure.  The only caveat for this game is that you’ll need a VR device to play it (as well as a PS5 or a relatively-powerful PC) and those aren’t cheap.

Ghostbusters Spirits Unleashed (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC – 2022)

Yeah, after years of drought and no new Ghostbusters game, there have actually been several recent Ghostbusters games in the past few years, especially following the release of 2021’s Ghostbusters Afterlife movie. Ghostbusters Spirits Unleashed is available on almost all modern platforms, which makes it perhaps the most easily-accessible Ghostbusters game on this list. Similar to other games like Friday The 13th The Game or Predator Hunting Grounds, Ghostbusters Spirits Unleashed is an asymmetrical game featuring a 4v1 setup where players will either play as part of a team of new Ghostbusters or a singular Ghost.

Ghostbusters (Sega Genesis/Mega Drive – 1990)

This is an oldie but a goodie. The 1990 Ghostbusters game by SEGA was a platform shoot-em-up with side-scrolling gameplay featuring three playable characters from the original movie: Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler. Unfortunately, this game is not currently available to play on modern platforms.

However, it was notable for being one of the first Ghostbusters games to be considered fun to play, especially with the various bosses you get to fight like a demon snowman and a Lil’ Shop Of Horrors-esque plant. Just like other games from the era, it’s pretty short, so you can watch an entire playthrough of the game in the video above.

New Ghostbusters II (NES Video Game – 1992)

The New Ghostbusters II game is an adaptation of the movie Ghostbusters II. Developed by HAL Laboratory and published in 1990, the game features creative mechanics, responsive controls, and stage settings that directly correspond to the film’s various locales. Players can choose among several characters, including Peter, Ray, Egon, Winston, and Louis, as they embark on an action-packed adventure.

The objective is to prevent Vigo the Carpathian, a 16th-century tyrant and sorcerer, from possessing the body of Dana’s son Oscar and seizing control over the world. One particularly noteworthy feature is that players can also assume the role of Louis Tully, the accountant, adding a unique twist to the game.

Veteran players and critics alike have hailed the New Ghostbusters II game as one of the standout entries in the Ghostbusters franchise, praising its exceptional gameplay and overall quality.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Nintendo DS & PC – 2009)

If you’re a hardcore Ghostbusters fan and seem to enjoy the shooter gaming genre, this game is up your alley. Ghostbusters: The Video Game puts you in the shoes of a new recruit in the Ghostbusters team. The game combines elements of typical third-person shooters with a unique twist: Instead of using a traditional gun, players are equipped with Proton Packs and other technological devices to combat and capture ghosts. The story takes place two years after Ghostbusters II, in 1991, with the Ghostbusters team training your character as they investigate paranormal activities in New York City.

In the production of the game, several original cast members were involved such as Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, and Ernie Hudson, who contributed their voices and likenesses to the in-game characters. It is also Ramis’s final portrayal of Egon Spengler and the story of the Ghostbusters franchise before he died in 2014. A remastered version of the game was released in October 2019 in his honour.

Stand a chance to win two premiere tickets to witness the epic showdown between the original Ghostbusters and the next generation as they battle the icy forces of evil in Ghostbusters: The Frozen Empire. To participate, simply visit our Facebook and Instagram pages. The giveaway ends on 1 April 2024.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire premieres in Malaysian cinemas on 11 April 2024.