I consider the first 2 films and the new video game to be canon.
For RGB and XGB they are related to each other in the cartoon universe.

As for the comics, I dont consider Legion to be a part of the true canon due to some slight changes in timeline and modern day references. I cant say about The Other Side and that as I am still awaiting my copy.

It just boils down to the individual's thoughts. There really is no right or wrong answer if you know what I mean

There is canon and then “fanon”

MuthaPussBucket;152131
There is canon and then “fanon”

What's that?

Fanon is a so-called “fact” that a significant number of fans think is true, but for which there is no evidence in any official material. A piece of fanon usually becomes widespread due to having been discussed and picked up by other fans. Some fanon is based on misinterpretations of canonical events and some are simply stuff fans made up that makes sense. While fanon originates with fans rather than the official canon of the Ghostbusters universe, it sometimes becomes incorporated into the canon if the writers uses a retcon or otherwise establish the fans' interpretation in official fiction.

I've never been big into canons. To me, the easiest way to have something “fun” spoiled is when type A personalities have to make sure it follows a certain order, etc.

Having said that, I CAN understand why they do it.

Push comes to shove, I'd say there are two main canons - movies/video games and cartoons (RGB,XGB and related comics).

I do agree that there is a third category for books, indie comics, etc. But seeing as these don't all follow the same premise, i don't know if they constitute a single canon, so much as a misc. grouping.

My one beef with all the incarnations is where they take the concept sometimes. I don't like how every canon seems to use the lame “out of business” idea. As the video game said, people die every day. I can't see the Ghostbusters ever really going out of business for good. If anything, I think the franchise concept has been long over due.

Edge;152152
I don't like how every canon seems to use the lame “out of business” idea.

Every canon but the game, the IDW and 88MPH comics and The Real Ghostbusters.

I and others agree that writers are too fond of having the guys be out of business… it's lazy writing. The only thing it really offers is when the new instalment “starts” is a big “going back into business” montage which frankly isn't always neccesary.

You can still have a montage without being out of business… work picks up as paranormal activity spikes, the first film depicted that perfectly.

At least at the end of the game they didn't go out of business, but simply noted things would be quieter for a while

Kingpin;152160
Every canon but the game, the IDW and 88MPH comics and The Real Ghostbusters.

I and others agree that writers are too fond of having the guys be out of business… it's lazy writing. The only thing it really offers is when the new instalment “starts” is a big “going back into business” montage which frankly isn't always neccesary.

You can still have a montage without being out of business… work picks up as paranormal activity spikes, the first film depicted that perfectly.

At least at the end of the game they didn't go out of business, but simply noted things would be quieter for a while

I don't think it was that lazily done in Gb2 though… Think about, they just blew up Gozer and saved the world… Their reward is that there aren't any more ghosts and they effectively put themselves out of business… The fact that there are no more ghosts, leads to growing skepticism and there is a restraining order because of all the insurance companies getting seriousl P'Oed… I think that is intrinsicly humourous….

StayinPuft;152182
I don't think it was that lazily done in Gb2 though… Think about, they just blew up Gozer and saved the world… Their reward is that there aren't any more ghosts and they effectively put themselves out of business… The fact that there are no more ghosts, leads to growing skepticism and there is a restraining order because of all the insurance companies getting seriousl P'Oed… I think that is intrinsicly humourous….

Where did it ever say that Gozer was responsible for all of the ghosts in the world? Or even just in NYC?

Closing the portal didn't suck every ghost back into another dimension.

Don't forget, though, that most if not all of the ghosts coalesced into one great big energy mass at the Shandor in order to bring Gozer into this dimension. It would make sense for them all to have gone back to the Spirit World at the movie's conclusion.

I like seeing RGB as THE canon, with the movies just being movies based on the cartoon characters' adventures.