Luigi Mario

Zombies Ate My Neighbors

Developer/Publisher: LucasArts/Konami

System: SNES

Genre: Run and Gun

Introduction:

This game came out in North America in September of 1993, and made it's way over to Europe in '94, just a few months later. It was defenitely something different from most of the games that came out back then, but also had a familiar type setting.....mostly that of just about every single A to B-Horror movie ever made, from The Blob, to Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I guess, this is a good thing, if you're a horror movie fan.

The plot goes like this......actually, I'm not really sure what's with the plot. But I know it has something to do with a brilliant, and obviously deranged, scientist known as Dr. Tounge. Monsters are EVERYWHERE. Including Zombies(big shocker.....), Chainsaw Maniacs, Werewolves, Blobs, even Gigantic Ants.....yes....Giant Ants, amongst a host of others. And there are quite a few innocent people that they're all just waiting to have for lunch. Two brave kids, known as Zeke and Julie are out to save the would-be victims and stop Dr. Tounge from.....whatever the heck he's planning. (Ah, you know these mad scientist types. They could be planning anything). Onto the review.

Reviewed by: MattDDR

Graphics: A  

I really like the graphic quality of this game a lot. If you've played a game developed by LucusArts before, you'll notice that their trademark style is used all over in this game. Zeke and Julie move well when you control them, and it's even funny to see the individual way that they die. They are, actually, a LOT of funny looking things to see in this game. Like the giant Baby in level 9(Yes. I said a GIANT BABY), or the military men freaking out at all of the monsters when they're surrounded by them. The monsters move kinda slow, but it did kinda freak me out to see them move. So, depending on how you look at it, it could add on to the "Scary factor" of the game. It did for me, so I ended up giving it all an A. Everything is colorful as it should be as well. Thumbs up.

Sound: A  

Even I'll admit, the sound scared the hell out of me at times. It's all really random, and you never know what you'll hear next. There could be a creppy werewolf sound, or even a loud scream whenever a victim dies. So it really gives you motivation to hurry up and save them. Pretty much all of the sound was everything I'd expect from a Horror movie-type....game. I guess that's what you can call this, since the sound'll really give you a horror film-like feel. The music to this fits the game sooooo well. Some of the music tracks I actually put the game on pause just to listen to for a few minutes without having to go through all the pressure. A bang-up job.

Control: A  

You're gonna need almost all of the buttons for this one. Use the Y button to switch your primary weapon and use B to switch the weapon equipped. Use X to use the item you have equipped and A to switch the item equipped. Use L.....or R....one of the two.....to turn on your victim radar to let you know where the victims are(You'll need this a LOT, BTW). Since this is an overhead view-like game, your character will move in 8 directions, so aiming might be a bit difficult. But that's the only real problem I had with the game's control. Everything else worked well for me so no major beef with controls.

Gameplay: A  

Before I begin on this subject, I think it's important for you to know that this game has....Are you ready for this?..........OVER 50 LEVELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep. Over 50 levels, and every one of them bring their own little challenge to it. The immediate goal of each level is to save all of the helpless idiots(the game likes to call them innocent victims, of course) from being turned into a zombie(or you're personal favorite monster-of-choice) stew. You'll start with 10. If they all get wasted. That's it. Game over, man. So MAKE SURE the dum-dums get saved, or there's not much purpose for a game. If you get far enough, though, from time to time, when you complete a level, you'll get an extra bonus victim to save. The move victims you have, however, the easier it'll be for a monster to track them down. So, you gotta beat them to the punch, and sometimes quickly. It gets fustrating, but it's nice and fun.

Level 1 will be no problem whatsoever. It'll be SO easy, that you'll barely have to make an effort blasting any of the zombies, which will be the only enemy you face on the whole level. You should be able to save all of the idiots(innocent victims) easily. As you progress, however, the monsters will become a variety and it'll be harder to keep all of the victims intact. Don't worry, though. You'll have a VARIETY of weapons and gadgets to help you out. Like the water gun(which is you main weapon...yeah....I know what you're thinkin'....), Keys for opening doors, potions that turn you into all kinds of things, a weed wacker, soda-pop grenades, A Bazooka, which can be used to blow away strong foes, blowing away holes in walls to get though certain spots, or just to get doors open when you run out of keys, even Pandora's box. Yes. Pandora's box. And don't worry. It won't hurt YOU when you open it. There's a lot more items than this, but there's just too many to mention....

Now for the enemies......well.....there's a LOT of 'em. A LOT of 'em. Basically, just think of any horror movie you've seen and they're probably in this game. Like the often-mentioned, zombies, plant montsers, the giant ants(which absolutely scared the living daylights outta me just looking at them. I'm afraid of bugs.....), Blob monsters, even Martians. They pretty much thought of just about every scary thing you can think of and put it in this game, even that teacher that gives you a bad grade. Unfortunately, she's one of the people you have to save. lol. Some of the enemies won't be able to be killed with that simple little water pistol, either, so you have to think before you act in just about every situation. basically, the challenge of this game is nice and hard and, sometimes, is never the same thing twice, so it has an excellent replay value, which makes the gameplay really worth something.

Simply put: A    

Even if you aren't a fan of horror movies, you WILL be a fan of this game. It funny to look at, in certain points, but an absolute treasure overall. Konami has always been one of my favorite gaming companies, and this game would be yet another supurb example of exactly why. I have to admit, the storyline to this makes.....next to no sense to me, but hey, most horror movie really don't have a sensible plot, right? Just ditch the storyline for this one(if there's a storyline, at all), because this game really didn't need one at all. Try this game out, by all means, and if, somehow, you can make it though all 50+ levels, email me and let me know, because I've tried and I've only gotten to 43.......T_T N-E-Way. Snatch up this cart, grab the controller, and go save the dummies before they get eaten up.