I have to admit that the game Universal Studios Theme Parks Adventure is something of a guilty pleasure of mine, a game that everyone else hates but I enjoy. I've recently wondered, though, what a minigame based on the Ghostbusters Spooktacular attraction might look like if it had gone on to Universal Studios Japan (the game was made to celebrate its opening).

So, with that in mind, I'll be doing a few designs and sketches to see if I can translate the attraction into a minigame, or something resembling one. And no, I don't think this'll be a playable game, at least not until I somehow magically learn how to create a computer game.
———————————————————————-

GAME ABSTRACT

The object of the game is to work your way through the haunted high-rise in your Ecto-Tram. Use the Proton Cannon to zap the ghosts who try to damage you and the tram. Survive long enough to encounter the Boss, who guards the platform to the next level. Wear each boss down, then use a Trap to capture it. This goes on for three or four levels until you reach the Temple of Gozer. But watch out for The Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man…
————————————————————————————

GAME SCRIPT

PREGAME: The minigame entrance is a replica of 55 Central Park West. You will need either an E-Pass or the Ghostbusters Hard Hat to enter the game.

INTRO SCREEN

WOODY WOODPECKER: I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news: I've just heard that our Ghostbusters haunted-house attraction has been invaded by real ghosts!
The good news: We've modified the tram with a Proton Cannon that will allow you to beat these spooks.
Now listen carefully, ‘cause the Proton Cannon is not a toy.
Use the Control Stick to move around inside the Tram.
Use the X button to turn 90 degrees to the right, and the Y button to turn 90 degrees to the left.
Use the L shoulder-button to lock on to a ghost, and the R shoulder-button to fire.
Use the Z button to switch from Single-Shot to Proton Beam.
Use the A button in Boss mode to fire a Ghost Trap.
The Cross-Pad allows you to put on your Ecto-Goggles.
Watch the Cannon Thermometer–if you overheat, you won’t be able to shoot for 30 seconds.
Oh, and, remember–if anyone asks you if you're a god, say yes.
————————————————————-

The rest of the script will come with sketches of what everything might look like.

I'm starting my first few sketches of the Ecto-Tram. I have something in mind wherein you sit upright, turning, aiming, and firing the Proton Cannon like Snoopy fighting the Red Baron. A ghost trap shoots out the front of the tram when you step on a pedal and retracts when a handle is turned.

The control panel contains the tram's health-bar, a PKE meter, a battery-life indicator, and a radar screen to tell you where the ghosts are (it's just to look cool).

The tram itself contains elements of a Proton Pack around the chair area, and the exterior of it kind of vaguely resembles the ECTO-1–it's got a top canopy with a lightbar and radar dish that sweeps left and right, and the front has a GB logo on it and warning tape all around.

I think the camera is going to do all sorts of funny stuff, like switching from first-person view to a side-scrolling carnival shooting gallery-thing. There might even be a few storyboards where the tram gets turned upside-down–possibly in the Funhouse level.

Can't wait to see your sketches Nix,I never had a chance to play the Universal game but I always wanted to,USF is my favorite theme pack.

UltimateGBfan;152490
Can't wait to see your sketches Nix,I never had a chance to play the Universal game but I always wanted to,USF is my favorite theme pack.

You'll be able to find it and a GameCube fairly cheaply on Amazon or something. (My favorite minigame is the Back to the Future one.)

Right, now for the play-by-play breakdown of the game:

LEVEL 1: Sedgewick Hotel
BOSS: Slimer

LEVEL TWO: Spooky Funhouse
BOSS: Clown Ghost

LEVEL THREE: Creepy Castle
BOSS: Three-Headed Raisin Ghost (it's the only way I can describe him)

LEVEL FOUR: Ghost Train
BOSS: The Barrel-riding Hobo

FINAL LEVEL: Top of the High Rise/Temple of Evil
BOSS: Gozer/Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man

Hmmm,drawing a blank for the Three headed ghost,but the Clown Ghost that was in the old Spooktacular was the basis for Jack the Clown of Halloween Horror Nights and his name in the Spooktacular was Jack,just a lil FYI.

UltimateGBfan;152528
Hmmm,drawing a blank for the Three headed ghost

I'll tell you more about him, then. He was a big, dragon-like thing with a red, raisin-like body (ie all wrinkly and stuff) and he had three heads, but two of them were smaller and stuck on in odd places, like one on his shoulder, one on his chest, and one right where it should be. The biggest head was the puppet, and it had glowing eyes and sharp teeth.

If you can tell me anything at all, what's the deal with the homeless guy that looks like he's riding a barrel or something?

Ok I remember the three headed thing now,not remember squat on the guy riding a barrel though.

Just so we're clear on the subject of the Hobo riding his barrel:



He's outlined in red.

(Sorry, mods, but I had to use a big image for clarity. Can you forgive me?)

All right, that's enough about the ghosts. Let's move on to methods of defeating them!