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ZOMBIES ATE MY NEIGHBORS Company: Konami Released: September 1993 Genre: Action Graphics: 8.0 Control: 8.0 Sound/Music: 7.5 Storyline: 7.5 Review by: Corbie Dillard ©2008 SUPER-NES.COM

Every once in awhile a game is released that's so unique that it garners a cult following and becomes more popular years later than it was when it was first released. Toe Jam & Earl for the Sega Genesis is one such example, but another prime example would be Konami's Zombies Ate My Neighbors. The game takes the "B" grade horror movie theme and builds a unique action game experience around it that feels like a cross between a shoot em' up and a scavenger hunt. The end result is one of the most unusually enjoyable action titles available for the Super NES system and one that no zombie slaying maniac in 3-D glasses should ever be without. Your goal in Zombies Ate My Neighbors is simple. You have to locate and rescue 10 of your fellow neighbors before the zombies and other ghouls get their hands on them. Along the way, you'll be chased by everything from tiny axe murderers to chainsaw weilding madmen. Under normal circumstances this might seem impossible, but you have the unique distinction of being armed to the teeth which will make it at least a little easier to accomplish your task. Your main weapon is a water pistol filled with holy water. This can take down most of the weaker enemies, but you're going to need the big guns to take down the stronger monsters. You'll find dynamite, a bazooka, not to mention a potion that can turn you yourself into a huge scary monster. Once you've managed to rescue all of the neighbors, a door will open up that will warp you to the next area where you must start the entire process all over again. The control in the game is outstanding and the large selection of different weapons gives the game plenty of variety. The levels start out very easy, but they'll soon become much more complicated and finding the neigbors will become more troublesome, not to mention the fact that the monsters will become much more aggressive. Trust me, you'll really have your work cut out for you in the later levels of the game when the action gets insanely intense. Visually, Zombies isn't going to set new 16-bit standards, but it still manages to look sharp and the creative use of the many deep colors used throughout the game really make the creepy visuals come to life onscreen. Literally! The monsters animate well enough, but in all honesty you won't have much time to stand around and admire the scenery since you're going to be constantly chased around by the monsters in the game. Each area has its own distinct look and feel, so there's always something new to look forward to as you enter each new world. Zombies might not be the best looking Super NES game, but it's got it where it counts. The music in the game is as outrageous as the scenery. All of the tunes have a menacing and spooky sound to them, and couldn't fit the mood of the game any better. Even the sound effects are incredibly creepy and realistic. You'll honestly feel like your smack dab in the middle of an old-fashioned horror movie. About the only complaint I have with the game is that many of these musical tracks are repeated far too many times. While the tunes are great, they do become a little repetitive after you've heard the same one over and over again. Other than that, it's a very solid and creative Super Nintendo musical effort. If you find yourself all played out on the typical action titles available on the Super NES, it might be a good time to try something different. Zombies At My Neighbors should fit that bill quite nicely. If you took Contra and somehow turned it into a second rate horror movie, this game is probably what you'd end up with. Suffice it to say, if you like to shoot everything in sight and blow stuff up, you're going to love this unusual Super Nintendo action title. It's a shame that there weren't more unique and creative titles like this available on the system, but at least we have this little gem. If you're looking for a game that's just plain fun, you should give Zombies Ate My Neighbors a try. It might shock you! (I couldn't resist)