The ZX Spectrum version of David Crane‘s classic Ghostbusters is just as dull/entertaining (delete as applicable) as the original Commodore 64 version. But with some extra colour clash thrown in for good measure… 🙂

Of course the Speccy version can’t compete in the audio department as the C64 version, although it does have a bleepy rendition of Ray Parker Jr.‘s hit single, plus some excellent digitised speech.

Gameplay is pretty much identical to the C64 version – you go out to try to stop “Roamers” from reaching Zuul’s temple, and also have to catch “Slimers” that are haunting buildings in the city (these are indicated by flashing red on the map).

If too many ghosts reach Zuul’s temple, or haunt the city, then the city’s PK (Psycho-Kinetic) energy levels increase to the point where the Stay Puft monster appears, and he destroys a building (costing you money in losses). When the PK energy levels reach 9999 it’s game over. The ultimate aim of the game being: to earn more than $10,000 before this happens.

Ultimately, Ghostbusters is a simple but reasonably absorbing business simulation, where the business you run is catching ghosts (and charging money for the service).

The Spectrum version of Ghostbusters was adapted by James Software Ltd. and the digitised speech was provided by David Aubrey Jones.

Ghostbusters on The King of Grabs:
Commodore 64, Apple II, ZX Spectrum, Atari 800, Atari 2600, MSX, Amstrad CPC, PC Booter, NES, Sega Master System.

More: Ghostbusters on Wikipedia