Zeke and Julie, equipped with a variety of weapons and power-ups, go on a quest to rescue their neighbors from monsters often seen in horror movies. Numerous elements and aspects of horror m... Read allZeke and Julie, equipped with a variety of weapons and power-ups, go on a quest to rescue their neighbors from monsters often seen in horror movies. Numerous elements and aspects of horror movies are referenced throughout the game.Zeke and Julie, equipped with a variety of weapons and power-ups, go on a quest to rescue their neighbors from monsters often seen in horror movies. Numerous elements and aspects of horror movies are referenced throughout the game.
- Director
- Writer
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaRegis Survinski is featured on the cover of the video game Zombies Ate My Neighbors (1993) as the leading zombie (which he nicknamed the broken-neck ghoul). The photo was borrowed from the movie Night of the Living Dead (1968) for which he did Special Effects & cameos as this ghoul and also a news field reporter.
- Alternate versionsIn the European version, the chainsaws were replaced with axes. Because of that, chapters were changed accordingly ("Chainsaw Hedgemaze Mayhem" turned into "Lumberjack Hedgemaze Mayhem"; "I Was A Chainsaw Maniac" turned into "I Was A Maniac Lumberjack"; "Day of the Chainsaw" turned into "Day of the Lumberjack"). In addition, the purple "blood" in the Game Over screen was turned green.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Troldspejlet: Episode #10.8 (1994)
- SoundtracksSymphony Fantastique - Dream of a Witches' Sabbath
(uncredited)
Music by Hector Berlioz
Arranged by Joe McDermott
Featured review
Neighborhood Defenders
This is one of my favorite video games of all time as well as survival horror games. Basically, the game is "Gauntlet" but with film monsters. It's sort of the second time Konami has done a game similar in nature, the other one is the arcade game "Dark Adventure" which is a story for another time. When I saw this game being a fan of horror films, I thought the game was so cool just the simple idea of being able to kick some monster ass was awesome. But mainly by its nature the game is a love letter to the horror genre.
Not much to the story, do like the plotline which is almost similar to the film "Last Action Hero" where some evil scientist wants to conquer the world with the use of film monsters for invasion and it's up to you and your friend to save the neighborhood. That's pretty much it in a nutshell, but like with most video games of back then we're all in it for the action and the game has plenty of it, which is one of the reasons I play video games.
This game has a horror comedy atmosphere where it's both funny but also a little scary in places. I couldn't help in some places not to keep a straight face but in other places I couldn't help but tense up whenever certain monsters outnumbered me, backed me into a corner, or I didn't have the right weapon or god forbid enough ammo to kill them. Or even when I failed to save a innocent random bystander that is always standing around in places of the game for no apparent reason (seriously why aren't they running); granted I know they were just video game characters that get wasted by the monster but still knowing despite your best efforts you couldn't make it on time is disheartening. But this even more shows how high the stakes are in the game as it's both your life and the lives of others at risk.
Graphical presentation is very solid, really like the maze like lay outs which each take place someplace else from your ordinary neighborhood, football field, beach, Egyptian tomb, castle, and my favorite the shopping mall; and each of mazes are designed differently which keeps the game fresh.
I really like the character animation, which is sold, you play one player or two if you have another with you to play as one of two horror film buff teens that are good Samaritans. One Julie whom is the hot girl and another Zack whom is daft looking with that hair that sticks up as higher than Marge Simpson from "The Simpsons", the classic 3D specs how the heck he sees though them in the everyday is anyone's guess. Though he has a decent looking t-shirt which has a skull and crossbones symbol. Doesn't really mater which you play as both characters play the same.
Each of them is armed with a squirt gun which is loaded with holy water, I think. This water we see can kill the zombies which I'll admit is a first as holy water kills vampires. Or since the monster are from film reels, it's based on the physics where when your poor water on the negatives they desolve. I don't know since this is a game you just roll with it.
I really love the colorful variety of monsters which is so cool, this game is just one big monster fest which makes the game in a way a dream come true for the horror genre fan. Each of them is creepily designed but are comical at the same time, just to let you know this is still a game and it doesn't take itself too seriously.
You have Gill Men, Chucky like killer dolls that look almost like demented versions of Bobby from the cartoon show "Bobby's World", giant ants, graboids, killer ogre Football players, Jasons that are armed with chainsaws those guys made me the most nervous, 50's movie aliens that look like the aliens from the "Mars Attacks" trading cards, and many more.
Another thing about the gameplay which is very solid. Like with "Gauntlet" it's simply moving around, shooting everything that moves and getting to the exit. However it's not quite as simple as that, it's not as easy as all that to beat the monsters, just like in the horror movies each of them have certain weaknesses, where some weapons and items will work and some won't, which is why it's important along the way to not just constantly keep your squirt gun loaded but to collect other weapons and items along the way because you'll need them.
Like mystical gold cross talismans which can destroy mummies and vampires always like the sound whenever you use them. Bazookas that are extremely useful and effective toward the stronger enemies mainly the Jason's and giant ants or even blowing passage ways, however there is a catch to it, whenever you discharge there is a big kick to them and the rocket goes travels slow making it useless for faster enemies. Blow up clown decoys that always make a damn obnoxious laughing sound but this makes them all the more useful in drawing the attention of the enemies away from you like the Jason's and Gill Men whom can really outnumber you. Footballs to throw for the football player enemies to chase down instead of you.
Music in the game is great this game has plenty of memorable tracks that are person favorites in my book. I really like how the music has this retro vibe to it as it sounds like the kind you would hear from the 50's horror and sci-fi film. I like how comical but also kind of creepy it sounds which fits this game like a glove as this was music that made me feel creeped out but also puts a smile on my face.
There is also a long game but there is a password system which is simple, so you won't lose your place. The difficulty in the game is at a moderate level, where at first the mazes are a little easy but as you progress, they get a lot more tricky which causes you to make quick adjustments in how you go about things.
Also each round has a quota you have to meet where you have to find and save enough innocent bystanders before the exit shows you (which is a cool effect looks like the Phone Booth from "Bill and Ted" showing up), but if you don't meet your quota then the game is over, so don't you dare waste a minute because like the horror films there isn't a moment to spare and every minute counts toward the survival of you and others.
Can you save the Neighborhood, you'll just have to play the game to find out?
Rating: 4 stars
Not much to the story, do like the plotline which is almost similar to the film "Last Action Hero" where some evil scientist wants to conquer the world with the use of film monsters for invasion and it's up to you and your friend to save the neighborhood. That's pretty much it in a nutshell, but like with most video games of back then we're all in it for the action and the game has plenty of it, which is one of the reasons I play video games.
This game has a horror comedy atmosphere where it's both funny but also a little scary in places. I couldn't help in some places not to keep a straight face but in other places I couldn't help but tense up whenever certain monsters outnumbered me, backed me into a corner, or I didn't have the right weapon or god forbid enough ammo to kill them. Or even when I failed to save a innocent random bystander that is always standing around in places of the game for no apparent reason (seriously why aren't they running); granted I know they were just video game characters that get wasted by the monster but still knowing despite your best efforts you couldn't make it on time is disheartening. But this even more shows how high the stakes are in the game as it's both your life and the lives of others at risk.
Graphical presentation is very solid, really like the maze like lay outs which each take place someplace else from your ordinary neighborhood, football field, beach, Egyptian tomb, castle, and my favorite the shopping mall; and each of mazes are designed differently which keeps the game fresh.
I really like the character animation, which is sold, you play one player or two if you have another with you to play as one of two horror film buff teens that are good Samaritans. One Julie whom is the hot girl and another Zack whom is daft looking with that hair that sticks up as higher than Marge Simpson from "The Simpsons", the classic 3D specs how the heck he sees though them in the everyday is anyone's guess. Though he has a decent looking t-shirt which has a skull and crossbones symbol. Doesn't really mater which you play as both characters play the same.
Each of them is armed with a squirt gun which is loaded with holy water, I think. This water we see can kill the zombies which I'll admit is a first as holy water kills vampires. Or since the monster are from film reels, it's based on the physics where when your poor water on the negatives they desolve. I don't know since this is a game you just roll with it.
I really love the colorful variety of monsters which is so cool, this game is just one big monster fest which makes the game in a way a dream come true for the horror genre fan. Each of them is creepily designed but are comical at the same time, just to let you know this is still a game and it doesn't take itself too seriously.
You have Gill Men, Chucky like killer dolls that look almost like demented versions of Bobby from the cartoon show "Bobby's World", giant ants, graboids, killer ogre Football players, Jasons that are armed with chainsaws those guys made me the most nervous, 50's movie aliens that look like the aliens from the "Mars Attacks" trading cards, and many more.
Another thing about the gameplay which is very solid. Like with "Gauntlet" it's simply moving around, shooting everything that moves and getting to the exit. However it's not quite as simple as that, it's not as easy as all that to beat the monsters, just like in the horror movies each of them have certain weaknesses, where some weapons and items will work and some won't, which is why it's important along the way to not just constantly keep your squirt gun loaded but to collect other weapons and items along the way because you'll need them.
Like mystical gold cross talismans which can destroy mummies and vampires always like the sound whenever you use them. Bazookas that are extremely useful and effective toward the stronger enemies mainly the Jason's and giant ants or even blowing passage ways, however there is a catch to it, whenever you discharge there is a big kick to them and the rocket goes travels slow making it useless for faster enemies. Blow up clown decoys that always make a damn obnoxious laughing sound but this makes them all the more useful in drawing the attention of the enemies away from you like the Jason's and Gill Men whom can really outnumber you. Footballs to throw for the football player enemies to chase down instead of you.
Music in the game is great this game has plenty of memorable tracks that are person favorites in my book. I really like how the music has this retro vibe to it as it sounds like the kind you would hear from the 50's horror and sci-fi film. I like how comical but also kind of creepy it sounds which fits this game like a glove as this was music that made me feel creeped out but also puts a smile on my face.
There is also a long game but there is a password system which is simple, so you won't lose your place. The difficulty in the game is at a moderate level, where at first the mazes are a little easy but as you progress, they get a lot more tricky which causes you to make quick adjustments in how you go about things.
Also each round has a quota you have to meet where you have to find and save enough innocent bystanders before the exit shows you (which is a cool effect looks like the Phone Booth from "Bill and Ted" showing up), but if you don't meet your quota then the game is over, so don't you dare waste a minute because like the horror films there isn't a moment to spare and every minute counts toward the survival of you and others.
Can you save the Neighborhood, you'll just have to play the game to find out?
Rating: 4 stars
helpful•00
- hellraiser7
- Oct 30, 2020
Details
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content