# Laser Ghost > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Laser_Ghost > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Laser_Ghost.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_Ghost > Source revision: 1303798098 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) ***Laser Ghost*** (レーザーゴースト) is a [horror](/source/Horror_game)-themed [light gun shooter](/source/Light_gun_shooter) [arcade video game](/source/Arcade_video_game) released by [Sega](/source/Sega) in 1990. The game is patterned after the films *[Ghostbusters](/source/Ghostbusters)*[1] and *[Poltergeist III](/source/Poltergeist_III)*, casting the player as a ghost hunter.[2] There are three mounted guns set up on the [cabinet](/source/Video_game_arcade_cabinet), representing the three members of a ghost hunting team. The game puts the players in the role of Bill, Max and Carol, who must rescue a little girl kidnapped by a blue gargoyle, as well as protect the city from the ghost menace.[3] A [Master System](/source/Master_System) game with the same title was released in 1991 exclusively for Europe, but was not based on the arcade original. ## Gameplay The game was distributed in a horizontally oriented cabinet with a standard resolution color screen that is reflected by a mirror. The game can be played by up to three players simultaneously. It is controlled by a [positional gun](/source/Light_gun) with two buttons, one for regular fire and another for limited-use special weapons. In addition to the gun, the cabinet also features an on-screen aiming reticule in which a mirror projects a red light beam away from the gun each time the player makes a shot, giving the illusion that an actual laser ray comes out from the gun to the target.[4] The game puts the three hunters in five [stages](/source/Level_(video_gaming)) where they must destroy waves of ghosts, each one ending with a [boss](/source/Boss_(video_gaming)) battle. Each player's damage zone is represented by a third of the screen, where their stats are also located. A player receives damage if their third of the screen is hit by an enemy. Ghost attacks deplete the player's [life bar](/source/Life_bar), which can be replenished by shooting a medical kit that some enemies leave after they are destroyed. *Laser Ghost* for the [Master System](/source/Master_System) is completely different from the arcade original. In the game, players must protect a young girl named Catherine who is being held captive in the haunted White Manor. Using either the joypad or the [Light Phaser](/source/Light_Phaser) gun, players eliminate the various hazards Catherine encounters as she attempts to escape with her soul.[5] ## Development The arcade version of *Laser Ghost* was exhibited at the UK [Amusement Trades Exhibition International](/source/Amusement_Trades_Exhibition_International) in 1991.[6] ## Reception In Japan, *Game Machine* listed *Laser Ghost* as being the seventh most-successful upright arcade unit of the month in their January 1, 1991 issue.[7] The arcade game received positive reviews upon release. According to *[Zzap!64](/source/Zzap!64)*, the game sounded good and played well, but it did not do enough to distinguish itself from similar games such as *[Operation Thunderbolt](/source/Operation_Thunderbolt_(video_game))*, *[Space Gun](/source/Space_Gun_(video_game))* and *[Mechanized Attack](/source/Mechanized_Attack)*.[3] British gaming magazine *[The One](/source/The_One_(magazine))* reviewed the arcade version of *Laser Ghost* in 1991, comparing its gameplay to *[Beast Busters](/source/Beast_Busters)* and its plot to *[The Real Ghostbusters](/source/The_Real_Ghostbusters_(1987_video_game))*. *The One* calls *Laser Ghost's* gameplay "nothing out of the ordinary to play", but expresses that "the ghostly goings-on will get most players [excited]".[6] *[Mean Machines](/source/Mean_Machines)* said that the Master System game was fun, but was critical of the low graphical quality.[2] *[Console XS](/source/Console_XS)* reviewed the Master System version in 1992, giving it an 84% score.[8] Retrospectively, [Allgame](/source/Allgame) opined that the arcade game was fun, but probably not worth the quarters players had to spend to play it.[1] ## See also - *[Beast Busters](/source/Beast_Busters)* ## References 1. Brad Cook. ["Laser Ghost Review"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141115042436/www.allgame.com/game.php?id=10407&tab=review). [Allgame](/source/Allgame). Archived from [the original](http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=10407&tab=review) on 2014-11-15. Retrieved June 2, 2009. 1. ["Sega Master System"](http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/review/234/laser-ghost.php). *[The Mean Machines Archive](/source/Mean_Machines)*. Retrieved June 2, 2009. 1. "Laser Ghost". Zzap!64. August 1991. p. 37. 1. ["Laser Ghost"](http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8382). klov. Retrieved June 2, 2009. 1. ["Laser Ghost"](http://www.mobygames.com/game/laser-ghost). [Moby Games](/source/MobyGames). Retrieved June 2, 2009. 1. Nesbitt, Brian (February 1991). ["Coin-Operated Corkers!"](https://archive.org/details/theone-magazine-29). *The One*. No. 29. emap Images. p. [20](https://archive.org/details/theone-magazine-29/page/n19) 1. "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - アップライト, コックピット型TVゲーム機 (Upright/Cockpit Videos)" (in Japanese). *[Game Machine](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%83%9E%E3%82%B7%E3%83%B3)*. [Amusement Press, Inc.](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%A2%E3%83%9F%E3%83%A5%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA%E3%83%A1%E3%83%B3%E3%83%88%E9%80%9A%E4%BF%A1%E7%A4%BE). 1 January 1991. p. 37. 1. ["Software A-Z: Master System"](https://archive.org/details/console-xs-01/page/137). *[Console XS](/source/Console_XS)*. No. 1 (June/July 1992). United Kingdom: [Paragon Publishing](/source/Paragon_Publishing). 23 April 1992. pp. 137–47. ## External links - [*Laser Ghost*](http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/laserghost/laserghost.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170925032906/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/laserghost/laserghost.htm) 2017-09-25 at the Wayback Machine at Hardcore Gaming 101 --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Laser Ghost](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_Ghost) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_Ghost?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.