The Activision / Ghostbusters Video Game Connection
November 18th, 2008 by Chad PaulsonMany fans were upset with Activision over their decision not to release Ghostbusters: The Video Game. Lucky for us, Atari swept in and saved the day. The game will be released during Q3 of 2009, just in time for the 25th anniversary of the Ghostbusters franchise.
Given all the drama we’ve had, I thought it would be interesting to look back at the original Ghostbusters video game, which was published by Activision. Originally for Commodore 64 and later published on the Atari 2600 (what irony), Nintendo Entertainment System, and several other platforms, Ghostbusters was a commercial success, despite the questionable game play. In fact, Activision published the majority of the Ghostbusters video games for various systems through the 80’s and 90’s.
In the clip above, Activision co-founder and legendary game designer David Crane (Pitfall, A Boy and His Blob) gives a demonstration of the Ghostbusters video game for the Commodore 64 during the January 21, 1985 episode of Computer Chronicles.
The video game industry has evolved by leaps and bounds since 1985 and Ghostbusters: The Video Game (2009) is a great example of how licensed properties should be handled and turned into video games. Hats off to Terminal Reality for all they have done.
Tags: activision, atari, david crane, Ghostbusters, terminal reality, video game
