Ghostbusters (1984) 👻 Versions Comparison 👻 C64, CPC, Spectrum, PC, NES, Master System, MSX and more

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This comparison video features gameplay of the following versions:

00:00 Commodore 64 / C64 (1984)
02:47 Apple II (1984)
05:36 Atari 8-bit family (1984)
08:37 ZX Spectrum (1984)
12:07 ZX Spectrum 128k (1986)
15:34 Amstrad CPC (1985)
18:23 Atari 2600 (1985)
19:01 MSX (1985)
21:54 PCjr, Tandy 1000 (1985)
24:06 Sega Master System / SMS / Sega Mark III (1986)
26:27 NES / Famicom (1986)
28:15 BONUS: NES / Famicom (The Real Ghostbusters Remastered) (2019)

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[steuph]

I've always loved how classic Activision games had an Activision logo in the corner like it's a TV station.

[swordofdanu]

The synthesised voice on the C64 version blew my tiny mind back in the day

[robintst]

There's so much visual charm to the Master System port, I love it. The 2600 port was a tall order but I'm impressed they pulled it off to the degree they did.

[EmeraldoTheDragon]

I've been blown away by the fact that nearly every single system from the early 80's was capable of playing voice samples. I knew that the NES and C64 could do it, but I never imagined that the Apple II, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad and Atari systems could! This has been a real eye-opener (and ear-opener!) for me.

I also didn't expect the game to have a "finance simulation" element to it. I thought it would just be a straight-up action game split into stages where you go around the city and enter buildings, all while trapping ghosts.

It seems weird that the NES versions have the shop part after the overhead driving part and that you have to _avoid_ the ghosts in the driving part instead of catching them like you do in the other versions.

[DanHarkless_Halloween_YTPs_etc]

What I find funny is that even with the Apple ]['s primitive graphics abilities, that was the only platform where they got the look of the Proton Stream right (random and wild, not just wiggly). Cheers to Robert McNally, who programmed that version (also the one I grew up with, though I envied the far superior sound of the Commodore 64 version my friends had).

[asaelpolanco]

Fun fact, the developer of the Master System/SEGA Mark III version is none other than COMPILE, who will later create, and become a sucess with, Madou Monogatari and Puyo Puyo.

[AirFerno]

The Master System version is definitely the best!

[Deimos_Fresh]

NES and Master System is the versions I've played back then. Somehow I've managed to understand what to do in NES version, but stairway level was impossible for me and I didn't know what items I should had. With Master System version I actually never managed to get to the main building as I get game overs at random points. I'd say both games are okay, but Master System does have quiet a lot of edge of being good at times.

[mcbfilms]

Nothing beats the Master System version. It has the best graphics, best gameplay, and the shooting gallery in the Zuul stairway is a wonderful addition.

[dave-yz]

I liked the c64 the best. I grew up with having that game on the c64

[elijahvincent]

Good ole David Crane of Pitfall fame is your man to thank for this masterpiece that complimented the movie so faithfully! I even recorded a newly-mastered copy of the Commodore 64 version of Ghostbusters onto tape to use on my authentic 128 made from November 1985! (Thank God this title entered public domain!) And how in the world did the correct word show up in the Autocaptions from the TERRIBLE quality CPC sample?! The BEST movie-game adaption ever!

[trulahn]

So glad I bought the SMS version when I was a kid...it's by far the best version.

[mariojoan]

15:34 sounds like someone so drunk that they couldn't handle themselves and didn't even get help

[DaimitsuShokai]

commodore 64 version is cool appears the lyrics of song

[juangsantos]

The Sega Master System version definitely looked amazing and had more pizazz to it, but that remastered version...where did that come from?

[myflyisopen.]

I played the C64 version the most as a kid. Then the SMS version. What a graphical jump!

[f.k.b.]

Without a doubt the best music on the Master System! As a kid 25:43 would always make me think how cool it would be if an ambulance going down the street played this section! The game also looks great on it. The driving section by far looks the best and is the most fun of all versions I played.
I wish more Master System games used the low end of the note it could produce. Most MS games blasted ear bleeds and I wonder if that wasn't part of the reason the USA didn't latch on to it like other countries. Which is funny that the NES version of this game (both) seem to rely on that nails on a chalk board sound!

[baroncalamityplus]

Really surprised that most versions had all the game play. Especially the 2600 version. The only version I played was the SMS and it was fine.

[mortenera]

Holy shit, I didn't know they released it on Apple 2

[dirkdex]

I had this on C64 and that system still appears to be the best for this game :)