DS Ghostbusters to have more sim elements

by Justin McElroy { Dec 5th 2007 at 6:30PM }

We all know that the Ghostbusters will be returning to consoles with a new action game soon. But what about those who are less interested in the busting of phantasms than the ins-and-outs of running their own small business? For (both of) them, there's the DS version of the game, which NGamer reports will have more management elements, requiring players to run their own ghost-busting branch.

With the Ghostbusters' return still a year off, details are obviously still pretty skimpy. But, as counter-intuitive as it may seem, we're actually kind of intrigued by the business-focused concept. If we may be so bold, may we suggest the hit title of Ghostbusting Tycoon?

Tags: ds, ghosbusters-ds, ghostbusters

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

randomshagz @ Dec 5th 2007 6:38PM

hmmm something strange.

colin @ Dec 5th 2007 7:41PM

i see what you did there.

Jerk Face @ Dec 5th 2007 6:38PM

*sigh*

ThornedVenom @ Dec 5th 2007 6:41PM

As long as you can zerg with your ghostbusting crew, I'm cool.

Oh wait, sims aren't RTS.

AirIntake @ Dec 5th 2007 6:42PM

Oh comeon, fuck that. Ghostbusters is not about managing a business! It's about busting ghosts and Bill Murray wise cracks. If you want to make a game about managing a business that busts ghosts, please don't waste the Ghostbusters licence.

rob @ Dec 5th 2007 11:16PM

What, like the original Ghostbusters game from 1984?

The C64 version was actually quite decent, unlike the console versions.

Ryan Henson Creighton @ Dec 6th 2007 9:02AM

The sim aspect of the C64 Ghostbusters game (one of my favourite games of all time) was a stroke of genius. It gave the game a great amount of replayability. It was the first game i had ever played that displayed unlockable goodies. You couldn't buy the best car or the best equipment until you'd played a few rounds and earned enough money. Revolutionary.

MasterInsan0 @ Dec 5th 2007 6:46PM

I think they tried this with the NES Ghostbusters game back in the 80's. That game sucked horribly.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?id=17324&type=mov

raptorspike @ Dec 5th 2007 6:56PM

Is anyone less than surprised? THe PS360 versions get kick-ass graphics and in-depth dialogue. Wii/DS versions get the typical gimmicky gameplay, cartoonish graphics and a watered down story

mr nimblewick (SegaDF - Jogurt Ring) @ Dec 5th 2007 7:28PM

I'm... more than surprised?

warioswoods @ Dec 6th 2007 12:00AM

I'm not surprised by your stupidity - a comment like this one was bound to show up.

This is why the PSP has so few enjoyable games compared to the DS: handheld gaming is a completely different platform from home consoles, and trying to directly copy the action from a console game will never produce an enjoyable portable experience. Thankfully the Ghostbusters devs have at least avoided that fallacy - whether the game will succeed or not will wait to be seen.

GumbyX84 @ Dec 6th 2007 10:03AM

Wow.. just wow. WHY must people (like you) say stuff that you have no idea what you are talking about? The Wii Version of Ghostbusters is going to have the SAME story and gameplay elements of the 360/PS3 versions. They are also ADDING more content to it in the form of co-op and multiplayer. And if you think using the Wii-mote as a proton thrower is "gimmicky", you are nuts. And, before anyone says I do not know what I am talking about, that info came from the developers and has been written about on many a game blogs and in the November Game Informer.

I don't know how the DS version of the game will be, but I am looking forward to it. It will probably be similar to the old NES/SMS/C64/other 80's consoles/computers game, but actually fun and playable. Why can't people just stop bitching about games that have little to no press on them and just wait to see it for themselves. I refuse to pass judgment on Ghostbusters DS till I hear news from the developer about gameplay and see a few screenshots, and I suggest you do the same.

NaeemTHM @ Dec 5th 2007 6:56PM

Actually guys...I'm kinda digging how we'll have three different experiences. The Wii is multiplayer based, the 360/PS3 is more action orientated, and now we have a sim on the DS.

Way to go devs! That's what I call taking advantage of the hardware. Now lets all hope this doesn't explode in our face.

Everyone empty their heads! No one think of anything bad!

Trickob @ Dec 5th 2007 7:09PM

is the stay-puft marshmallow man bad??

czyc @ Dec 5th 2007 6:56PM

The NES version was a terrible port of the Commodore 64 game which is an unmitigated classic.

FK @ Dec 5th 2007 8:05PM

czyc: Thank you. I was about to load the comments and regret seeing every single last bitch and whine about how this is not doing the ghostbusters license justice, figuring nobody would remember how completely full of awesome the C64 game was. Well, you made my night. I can never forget the first time I loaded it up and actually heard a voice say "Ghostbusters" and then some laughter that sounded like it was coming out of an iron lung. Gotta love it...

Mr Khan @ Dec 5th 2007 7:28PM

I'll agree with Naeem, they're essentially giving the same game across the platforms, but with high-end graphics for PS360, multiplayer modes and bonus content for Wii, and something more strategic for DS (which seems attractive to me)

Porting done right

Savok @ Dec 5th 2007 9:07PM

I see this is one of those cases where someone is making a game just for me.

hvnlysoldr @ Dec 6th 2007 12:27AM

If someone asks, I am indeed a god.

gonk @ Dec 6th 2007 1:41AM

Are you the keymaster?

John H. @ Dec 6th 2007 8:07AM

The original computer game was actually a combination action game and simulation, and the game is well-remembered today. (The NES version was one of those crappy ports certain companies knocked out to make a quick buck off the console's popularity.) A business sim approach to Ghostbusters is completely in keeping with the license's history, and would be a cool idea even if it wasn't.