After a long gap of 36 years from its original release in 1988, Splatterhouse has made a grand comeback in the form of a fan-made port for the Sega Mega Drive / Genesis. Titled 'Mega Splatterhouse', the demo version of this nostalgic arcade game was released on October 31, 2024, allowing enthusiasts to once again engage with the gory, beat 'em up action that Splatterhouse is famous for.
The development of this port was taken up by Monster Bath Games, a group known for its previous titles like Deathwish Enforcers and Guardgrave. The decision to create a port of Splatterhouse was somewhat impulsive. The developer, Monster Bath Games took a brief two-week hiatus from their regular projects to dive into this experimental endeavor, utilizing the Scorpion Engine—an engine compatible with the Sega Mega Drive / Genesis and developed by @earok. This port was notably influenced by the guidance and technical support from prominent members of the retro gaming community, including @GabrielPyron and @masterlinkueibr.
For many fans, the original Splatterhouse holds a special place as it was an innovative title during the late '80s, presenting a blend of horror and action in its gameplay. Despite its popularity, the original game was never officially released for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, with only its sequels—Splatterhouse 2 and Splatterhouse 3—making it onto the console. The new port aims to fill that gap by bringing an enhanced version of the original game to Sega’s 16-bit console.
The released demo is fairly robust, offering players the chance to experience the first two levels of the game. These levels have been carefully recreated to provide a genuine '80s arcade experience, supplemented by updated audio tracks composed by chiptune artist @laurent_crouzet. The graphics and gameplay mechanics have been designed to mirror the original arcade version, although the developers note that the port is optimized primarily for 60HZ NTSC systems. Players using PAL systems may notice some discrepancies in timing and screen size, although a fix is reportedly in the works.
Fans eager to delve into this nostalgic journey can access the demo on the indie game-hosting platform itch.io. As importantly, this demo version is not just restricted to emulators like BlastEm but can also be played on actual Sega Genesis/Mega Drive hardware through devices like Everdrive.
Reception to the demo has been overwhelmingly positive. Players have praised the faithful recreation of the original game’s eerie atmosphere and challenging gameplay. The visual enhancements and remixed music have also been highlighted as key improvements that enrich the overall experience of the game. Furthermore, Monster Bath Games has appealed to the fan community for feedback, which will undoubtedly influence further development. The developer has planned a progressive release strategy, intending to finish and release new sections of the game gradually.
As of now, Monster Bath Games is focusing solely on the Sega Mega Drive / Genesis port of Splatterhouse. Despite having the capabilities to develop for other systems like the Amiga with the Scorpion Engine, the developers have decided against a simultaneous multi-platform release primarily due to logistical issues, such as the need to recolor all assets for the different hardware.
Mega Splatterhouse represents a passionate effort to revive and celebrate a beloved older game, leveraging modern development tools and community-driven development processes. While the full game isn’t completed yet, the enthusiasm and support from both the developers and the gaming community suggest that Splatterhouse fans have much to look forward to. As the development progresses, the gaming world eagerly awaits to see how this modern homage to a classic will turn out in its complete form.
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