GHOSTBUSTERS

The game "Ghostbusters" for the Atari 400/800 XL/XE systems, developed by Activision in 1984, is an arcade-style game that incorporates various elements related to the famous Ghostbusters franchise. It was programmed by David Crane, with graphic art contributions by David Crane and Hillary Mills. The game is notable for its innovative use of speech synthesis, adding an immersive aspect that was praised by players at the time. Gameplay involves managing a Ghostbusters franchise, including purchasing equipment and capturing ghosts in a simulated New York City. A unique feature was the inclusion of a special code (using "GOO" as the name and "11111111" as the account number) to enhance the gaming experience.

The game received mixed reviews, with some players finding it highly entertaining and a good representation of the movie franchise, appreciating the challenge and the thrill of completing the game. Others, however, described it as lackluster, criticizing it for not living up to its potential in terms of gameplay depth and excitement. Despite the polarized feedback, "Ghostbusters" on the Atari 400/800 XL/XE remains a memorable title for its attempt to bring the movie's ghost-catching adventure to the home computing audience of the 1980s.