Ghostbusters Remaster – In the making!

On the forum lemon64, an enthusiastic developer, named “SingleCopy,” shared his plan to remaster the Commodore 64 version of the classic Ghostbusters game. In addition, he received many suggestions from other users. Here is a summary of the main points.

For the past few months, I’ve been working on dissembling the original version into Kick Assembler. Big thanks to Endurion for sending me what they had, it was a huge help in doing this. Now the version on Github still has a lot of generic label names but I’ve been slowly organizing the code to make it easier to digest. I still have a ton of work to do but it’s getting there.

Code Structure and Technology:

The developer is working in Kick Assembler, and plans to use the cartridge format for ROM bank switching, which will allow for more custom graphics.

Innovation Ideas:

Characters and Game Mechanics: adding Winston’s character to provide extra life.

Driving: improving driving dynamics, such as adding smaller car size, acceleration, braking and obstacles.

Cityscape: creating unique looking city block graphics and adding new ghosts.

Ghost capture: multiple ghost properties, the ability to angle bend the proton current, and two-player game options.

Additional sections: adding a staircase level, simulating the final battle against Gozer.

Graphics and Music:

High resolution graphics, new backgrounds, and a more colorful Marshmallow Man.

Upgrade of SID music and introduction of new music based on the original soundtrack.

Upgrading of the soundtrack to a more modern look and feel:

Some forumers say the game is outdated or boring, while others consider it a classic that Activision has designed in an innovative way.

Suggestions have been made to add in-game animations and new content (e.g. movie-themed scenes).

These points show that the remaster project is ambitious and full of potential.