Based on the movie of the same name, the Ghostbusters are the ones to
call who will "bust" any ghost hauntings. It does this through the use
of nuclear accelerated "proton packs" and traps, whereby the ghosts can
be captured and transferred to a secure storage facility. However New
York City has suddenly become a very haunted place, and the number of
ghosts has suddenly increased. The Ghostbusters must reduce the
paranormal (PK) level in the city, representing ghost power, before the
Temple of Zuul awakens and ressurects an evil goddess, Gozer.
Ghostbusters
is an action game that combines an overhead view and a side-view. From
Ghostbusters HQ, the player must monitor the map of New York City for
"ghost alarms" as well as casual spirits, and plot a route to the
alarmed area. The player then controls the Ghostbuster vehicle as it
drives through traffic. Here, the player is able to capture casual
ghosts on the way if they are en route. Once at the location, the game
switches to a side-view. Two of the ghostbusters will take position and
activate their proton beams and toss a trap to the ground. The player
will attempt to maneuver the ghost(s)
over the placed trap. Once
activated, the trap attempts to capture any ghosts directly above it.
Successful capture will earn the player money, which can then be used to
purchase new Ghostbusters vehicles and new modifications for the
vehicle. Unsuccessful capture will see the ghost fly away.
As the
game progresses, the PK energy of the city increases. Ghostbusters must
keep it under critical levels by being constantly successful at ghost
captures. Eventually the Temple of Zuul will activate, and if the PK
levels are still manageable, the Ghostbusters can venture there for a
final showdown with Gozer.