Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti
Encyclopedia
was the second game to be released in the Splatterhouse
video game series. Unlike the other games in the series, Wanpaku Graffiti was released only on the Family Computer
and is Japanese exclusive. It is also the first Splatterhouse game to be released for a home console.
The game itself differs from the other Splatterhouse games, in that its characters are "super deformed
". It also takes a comical approach to its presentation, parodying horror movies and by incorporating other pop-culture references related with the genre into itself.
. The Pumpkin King kidnaps Jennifer and Rick must go save her.
After fighting through several levels of super deformed monster parodies, Rick finds himself in the office of the Pumpkin King. Upon defeating him, it is revealed to the player that the whole game was merely a movie. A director congratulates on his fine acting, Rick removes his mask, and they leave. Once everyone has left, the mask comes to life, revealing its evil nature. After that, you see a picture of Rick waking up on top a hill with Jennifer, proving that everything that happened in the game was a dream, then next you see them approaching the West Mansion during a storm which revealed that this game is a prequel
to the original game.
elements than Beat 'em up
gameplay. Instead of using punches and kicks, Rick wields an axe and can pick up a shotgun with limited ammo during certain levels. This game also features an experience point
system. By defeating a certain number of enemies, Rick's health bar grows. The number of enemies needed is seen at the top of the screen. New to the series is the password
system, which allows players to enter stages through four digit numbers.
If both of the crystal orbs are collected during the game, a shot at the end with Rick and Jennifer approaching the West Mansion like in the original Splatterhouse will be revealed. The ending would suggest that Rick was possibly dreaming all the events of this game when he is seen on the hill with Jennifer. The dream may have been a warning about what was going to happen in the West Mansion in the next game.
Virtual Console
. Fletcher praised the game's graphics and parody elements, writing "Splatterhouse wasn't the most deadly serious game, but it was bloody enough to be shocking...How would you follow up a game like that?" Fletcher went on to say that "parody remakes" are missed in the video game industry. Overall, critics of the game have deemed its graphics, control, and parody nature Wanpaku Graffiti's strongest aspects.
Splatterhouse
is a beat 'em up arcade game developed and published by Namco. It is also subsequently the title of the entire series of games released in home console and personal computer formats....
video game series. Unlike the other games in the series, Wanpaku Graffiti was released only on the Family Computer
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
and is Japanese exclusive. It is also the first Splatterhouse game to be released for a home console.
The game itself differs from the other Splatterhouse games, in that its characters are "super deformed
Super deformed
Super deformed or SD is a specific style of Japanese caricature where characters are drawn in an exaggerated way, typically small and chubby, with stubby limbs and oversized heads, to make them resemble small children...
". It also takes a comical approach to its presentation, parodying horror movies and by incorporating other pop-culture references related with the genre into itself.
Plot
Wanpaku Graffiti opens as Jennifer weeps over Rick's grave. Lightning strikes, hitting the grave, reviving Rick, who is still wearing the Terror Mask. Lightning strikes again, hitting the grave next to Rick's and revives the Pumpkin King, the game's main antagonistAntagonist
An antagonist is a character, group of characters, or institution, that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend...
. The Pumpkin King kidnaps Jennifer and Rick must go save her.
After fighting through several levels of super deformed monster parodies, Rick finds himself in the office of the Pumpkin King. Upon defeating him, it is revealed to the player that the whole game was merely a movie. A director congratulates on his fine acting, Rick removes his mask, and they leave. Once everyone has left, the mask comes to life, revealing its evil nature. After that, you see a picture of Rick waking up on top a hill with Jennifer, proving that everything that happened in the game was a dream, then next you see them approaching the West Mansion during a storm which revealed that this game is a prequel
Prequel
A prequel is a work that supplements a previously completed one, and has an earlier time setting.The widely recognized term was a 20th-century neologism, and a portmanteau from pre- and sequel...
to the original game.
Gameplay
Unlike the other Splatterhouse games, Wanpaku Graffiti focuses more on platformingPlatform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
elements than Beat 'em up
Beat 'em up
Beat 'em up is a video game genre featuring melee combat between the protagonist and a large number of underpowered antagonists. These games typically take place in urban settings and feature crime-fighting and revenge-based plots, though some games may employ historical or fantasy themes...
gameplay. Instead of using punches and kicks, Rick wields an axe and can pick up a shotgun with limited ammo during certain levels. This game also features an experience point
Experience point
An experience point is a unit of measurement used in many role-playing games and role-playing video games to quantify a player character's progression through the game...
system. By defeating a certain number of enemies, Rick's health bar grows. The number of enemies needed is seen at the top of the screen. New to the series is the password
Password (video games)
In many video games of the 8-bit and, to a lesser extent, 16-bit eras , after a level was beaten and/or when all continues were used, the game would display a password, that when entered in the game would allow the player to return to this part in the game...
system, which allows players to enter stages through four digit numbers.
If both of the crystal orbs are collected during the game, a shot at the end with Rick and Jennifer approaching the West Mansion like in the original Splatterhouse will be revealed. The ending would suggest that Rick was possibly dreaming all the events of this game when he is seen on the hill with Jennifer. The dream may have been a warning about what was going to happen in the West Mansion in the next game.
Reception
JC Fletcher of Joystiq.com reviewed the game in the "Virutally Overlooked" column, devoted to games that should appear on the Wii'sWii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
Virtual Console
Virtual console
A virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
. Fletcher praised the game's graphics and parody elements, writing "Splatterhouse wasn't the most deadly serious game, but it was bloody enough to be shocking...How would you follow up a game like that?" Fletcher went on to say that "parody remakes" are missed in the video game industry. Overall, critics of the game have deemed its graphics, control, and parody nature Wanpaku Graffiti's strongest aspects.