Zombies Ate My Neighbors - Video Game From The Early 90's - Image Chest

Zombies Ate My Neighbors - Video Game From The Early 90's

LunarLandr
4 years ago • 7,409 Views • 3 Files

Image For Post | **Description**
In Zombies Ate My Neighbors, the player takes the role of a male or female protagonist (Zeke or Julia), fighting vampires, mummies, zombies, and other horrifying creatures. The goal is to destroy these monsters, survive the 50+ levels (not including secret ones), and rescue the neighbors that have survived the onslaught.

There is a defined number of neighbors who can be saved on every level. When they are all rescued, an "Exit" door opens, and the player advances to the next level. The levels range from mall and grocery store to beaches and football fields. Using different weapons such as bazooka or water gun, Zeke and Julia have to kill regular enemies and bosses (huge babies, dragons, ants, and others) at the end of the levels. Despite the horror theme, the game's setting contains humorous elements as well. A two-player cooperative mode is available.

**Development**
Zombies Ate My Neighbors was originally developed by LucasArts. It was published by Konami, a company already known for platformers in 1993. Music for the game was composed by Joseph "Joe" McDermott. The game was developed on the Super Nintendo, before it was ported to the Sega Genesis about halfway through. The ZAMN engine would later be used for Ghoul Patrol, Metal Warriors and Big Sky Trooper. The developer wanted to include battery save in the game but was unable to as they could not afford it.

The monsters in the game are based on classic horror films released in the 1950s and more modern films like Friday the 13th and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Weapon effectiveness is also based on these depictions; werewolves die in one hit if attacked with silverware and vampires die faster if attacked with the crucifix. In the SNES version of the game, there's a flamethrower which is not included in the Sega Mega Drive version. The North American release was released with a variant cover art in limited quantities.

**Bonus level**
At the end of the game there's a special credits level called "Monsters Among Us" in which you walk around in the LucasArts headquarters. The game developers are sitting at their desks or just hang around and when you approach them they will tell you who they are and what their role in the development of the game was.

Some bits of trivia regarding this credits level:

- George Lucas welcomes you at the door tells you to get back to work.
- A woman at a desk says: "watch out for our boss Kelly Flock".
- Steve Purcell, of Sam & Max fame, is dressed up like Indiana Jones.
- The purple tentacle from Day of the Tentacle is one of the monsters in this level.
- A guy at a desk says: "I cannot wait for the robot game" ("Metal Warriors" for the SNES, which was the next game done by the same team.)

**European version**
In the European version, the enemy representing Jason Voorhees (from the Friday the 13th film series) was given an axe instead of a chainsaw. Also the death over screen is now green.

**Legacy**
In 1997, LucasArts released a game for Sony's PlayStation and Sega's Sega Saturn titled Herc's Adventures, which uses the same basic gameplay format and mechanics as Zombies Ate My Neighbors. Programmer Chris Long cited Zombies Ate My Neighbors as a major influence on his 1997 game Swagman.

Day of the Tentacle, another game developed by LucasArts, is referenced in Zombies Ate My Neighbors through a secret level. Comparisons to the game Dead Rising, released for the Xbox 360 in 2006, have been drawn, Lucas Thomas of IGN saying "Zombies Ate My Neighbors is basically a comical 16-bit template for the new Xbox 360 release, Dead Rising. And like that game, this one arms you with a pretty bizarre arsenal. Weed whackers, exploding soda cans and flying silverware all make an appearance to help you, or you and a friend, put a hurt on these living dead."

**Sequels and spin-offs**
A sequel entitled Ghoul Patrol was released in 1994, but was not as well received as its predecessor. Originally, Ghoul Patrol was not intended to be released as a sequel to Zombies Ate My Neighbors, but was re-worked as such to increase sales.

As of 2011, a film based on the game was in development. The film was being penned and produced by screenwriter and director John Darko, known for his work on James Wan's Insidious and Aaron Sims' Archetype. At the time of report, the film was in the process of securing rights from LucasArts and obtaining a director as well as financing.

**Alternate Titles**
"Zombies" -- European title
"Monsters" -- Working title

Description
In Zombies Ate My Neighbors, the player takes the role of a male or female protagonist (Zeke or Julia), fighting vampires, mummies, zombies, and other horrifying creatures. The goal is to destroy these monsters, survive the 50+ levels (not including secret ones), and rescue the neighbors that have survived the onslaught.

There is a defined number of neighbors who can be saved on every level. When they are all rescued, an "Exit" door opens, and the player advances to the next level. The levels range from mall and grocery store to beaches and football fields. Using different weapons such as bazooka or water gun, Zeke and Julia have to kill regular enemies and bosses (huge babies, dragons, ants, and others) at the end of the levels. Despite the horror theme, the game's setting contains humorous elements as well. A two-player cooperative mode is available.

Development
Zombies Ate My Neighbors was originally developed by LucasArts. It was published by Konami, a company already known for platformers in 1993. Music for the game was composed by Joseph "Joe" McDermott. The game was developed on the Super Nintendo, before it was ported to the Sega Genesis about halfway through. The ZAMN engine would later be used for Ghoul Patrol, Metal Warriors and Big Sky Trooper. The developer wanted to include battery save in the game but was unable to as they could not afford it.

The monsters in the game are based on classic horror films released in the 1950s and more modern films like Friday the 13th and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Weapon effectiveness is also based on these depictions; werewolves die in one hit if attacked with silverware and vampires die faster if attacked with the crucifix. In the SNES version of the game, there's a flamethrower which is not included in the Sega Mega Drive version. The North American release was released with a variant cover art in limited quantities.

Bonus level
At the end of the game there's a special credits level called "Monsters Among Us" in which you walk around in the LucasArts headquarters. The game developers are sitting at their desks or just hang around and when you approach them they will tell you who they are and what their role in the development of the game was.

Some bits of trivia regarding this credits level:

- George Lucas welcomes you at the door tells you to get back to work.
- A woman at a desk says: "watch out for our boss Kelly Flock".
- Steve Purcell, of Sam &amp; Max fame, is dressed up like Indiana Jones.
- The purple tentacle from Day of the Tentacle is one of the monsters in this level.
- A guy at a desk says: "I cannot wait for the robot game" ("Metal Warriors" for the SNES, which was the next game done by the same team.)

European version
In the European version, the enemy representing Jason Voorhees (from the Friday the 13th film series) was given an axe instead of a chainsaw. Also the death over screen is now green.

Legacy
In 1997, LucasArts released a game for Sony's PlayStation and Sega's Sega Saturn titled Herc's Adventures, which uses the same basic gameplay format and mechanics as Zombies Ate My Neighbors. Programmer Chris Long cited Zombies Ate My Neighbors as a major influence on his 1997 game Swagman.

Day of the Tentacle, another game developed by LucasArts, is referenced in Zombies Ate My Neighbors through a secret level. Comparisons to the game Dead Rising, released for the Xbox 360 in 2006, have been drawn, Lucas Thomas of IGN saying "Zombies Ate My Neighbors is basically a comical 16-bit template for the new Xbox 360 release, Dead Rising. And like that game, this one arms you with a pretty bizarre arsenal. Weed whackers, exploding soda cans and flying silverware all make an appearance to help you, or you and a friend, put a hurt on these living dead."

Sequels and spin-offs
A sequel entitled Ghoul Patrol was released in 1994, but was not as well received as its predecessor. Originally, Ghoul Patrol was not intended to be released as a sequel to Zombies Ate My Neighbors, but was re-worked as such to increase sales.

As of 2011, a film based on the game was in development. The film was being penned and produced by screenwriter and director John Darko, known for his work on James Wan's Insidious and Aaron Sims' Archetype. At the time of report, the film was in the process of securing rights from LucasArts and obtaining a director as well as financing.

Alternate Titles
"Zombies" -- European title "Monsters" -- Working title

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