Splatterhouse (Japan)

Splatterhouse is a side-scrolling beat 'em up that originally hit arcades in 1988, bringing over-the-top gore into the genre. This Japanese TurboGrafx-16 port arrived a couple years later, letting home players experience the same bloody action without feeding quarters. The game follows Rick Taylor, who dons the supernatural Terror Mask to boost his strength and fights through hordes of monsters to rescue his kidnapped girlfriend Jennifer.

The core gameplay is straightforward: move from left to right across stages, pummeling every creature that appears. You've got a basic punch, a kick, and the ability to pick up weapons like a cleaver or a shotgun dropped by enemies. The Terror Mask also lets Rick unleash a powerful dash attack and a screen-clearing special move when the mask meter is full. Each level ends with a boss fight, and the health system is a simple bar; dying costs a continue, which are limited.

For anyone into classic arcade ports, this one stands out for its unapologetic violence and tight controls. The TurboGrafx-16 version is a faithful reproduction of the arcade original, with slightly reduced color but still impressive sprite work. It's a short, intense playthrough that captures the raw energy of late-80s arcades. If you enjoy horror-themed action games or want to see what all the controversy was about back then, give it a try.