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Re-play: 'Zombies Ate My Neighbors'

With Humans vs. Zombies around us, join the virtual fun.

Published Nov. 6, 2009

I can't find enjoyment out of Humans vs. Zombies, and I don't know why. I love the concept of a strange college metagame. I love the idea of the undead as a social commentary, a horror movie convention and as a vehicle for comedy in the movie "Zombieland," which came out earlier this year. But for whatever reason, I can't seem to get into the bandana-clad activity sweeping our university.

I don't see myself packing a Nerf gun for my walk to class anytime soon, but I thought I might get into the spirit of the season a different way by going back and playing one of my favorite games featuring the nefarious brain-munchers: 1993's Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis classic, "Zombies Ate My Neighbors."

Playing in a top-down perspective as one of two teenage kids, it is up to you to search each level and save the remaining uninfected people from the creepy crawlies spawning around the area.

Although killing the various enemies wasn't really required, it was sure fun to do it with the random, mostly household weapons found in levels from suburban backyards to shopping malls to haunted castles. Throughout the game, players utilized squirt guns, soda cans, silverware and weed eaters to clear a path to your untainted human goals.

In addition to the wide variety of offensive equipment you'd pick up, you'd also discover many other items along the way. Some of these included clown balloons to distract enemies, running shoes to boost your speed for a short while and various potions that would turn your character into an ass-kicking monstrosity.

Not wanting the hero to have all the fun, developer LucasArts made sure there was a multitude of enemy types too. Although there were many namesake zombies on the loose, you'd also run into mummies, werewolves, demented dolls and even a giant mutant baby. Basically, if it danced in the "Monster Mash" or was a villain in a cheesy '50s horror flick, you'll be killing it — or re-killing it — here.

Also of note was the awesome sound design. Great, classic chiptune melodies permeated every level and stuck with you long after you'd put the controller down and the canned sound effects perfectly complemented the ridiculous concept.

Finding a copy of the game should be a cinch. It's a pretty easy cartridge to find at either Slackers or online at Amazon. Nintendo and LucasArts just released it for the Wii's Virtual Console not too long ago.

Whether you still have a hankering for some Halloween fun or want to sharpen your undead shooting skills as HvZ runs down, "Zombies Ate My Neighbors" is the perfect game for you — and a buddy if you want to play the co-op mode.