It's the most wonderful time of the year! It's Christmas for goths and cosplayers - Halloween! In celebration of spooky month, we here at R-CADE are hosting some special Halloween events for all ages AND an Atmosfear Party, for one of the best VHS board games of all time. But is it also the best scary game of all time? Lets look at five spooky games that are available to play in R-CADE as we celebrate all hallows eve.
Atmosfear
A board game like no other, players challenge the Gatekeeper and their worst fears as they race around collecting six different keystones. As the game progresses, you are routinely stopped by the Gatekeeper, who appears on screen as part of the accompanying VHS (later replaced with a DVD, and eventually an app).
A 30th anniversary edition was Kickstarted in late 2022, raising over AU$450,000 to produce a deluxe version featuring an updated backstory for the Gatekeeper and including the Baron Samedi expansion (also on display in R-CADE!).
Haunted House (Atari 2600, Suitable for All)
What's scarier than playing as a set of disembodied eyes? Well that which lives in the haunted house of course!
Avoid bats, spiders and ghosts as you run around in the dark, seeking to repair an urn and escape. When it launched in 1982, the game was considered difficult to play, lacking intuitiveness - but that didn't stop the Haunted House franchise from living on long into the future, with releases in 2010, 2014 and 2023.
Shadow of the Beast (Megadrive, Suitable for All)
Originally produced for the Amiga, Shadow of the Beast was later ported to the Sega Megadrive/Genesis, where you can play it in R-CADE.
Corrupted and transformed by magic into a monsterous beast, protagonist Aarbron seeks revenge on his master Maletoth after witnessing a man's execution - his father! (Drama)
Ultimately you face a monster of arms and feet, unable to finally reach Maletoth. While revenge is a long way off in Shadow of the Beast, the sequels, Shadow of the Beast II & III continue Aarbron's quest for his own humanity. Play the first 2/3 of the saga in R-CADE today!
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness (Nintendo 64, Ages 15 and up)
A 3D platformer in a world of myth and magic, Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness combines hoping from spot to spot with early elements of survival horror. Even if it's described as "a cage fight".
During fights, enemy vampires can latch onto the player character and change their status to "Vamp", removing the players primary weapons and healing equipment until you use a specific item. It makes things much harder, so vampires really do suck.
Luigi's Mansion (Gamecube, Suitable for All)
Arguably the most popular spin off Mario series to not focus on the titular plumber, Luigi Mario carries himself well as a fearful paranormal investigator. Originally for the GameCube in 2001 (guess what we've got!) the Luigi's Mansion series is back for a modern fanbase on the Switch.
Releasing alongside the Gamecube, from day one players could take control of Luigi as he moves from room to room in a suspicious mansion he's somehow won. With Mario missing, it's up to the younger brother and his borrowed ghost hunting equipment to save the day!
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Want the chance to play all of these games? Make sure you book passes for one of our family friendly sessions - OR get your game on with the big kids by booking an R-CADE Lates session.