Since the planned third Ghostbusters movie was scrapped because the actors were too old (I don¡¯t know the real reason so I decided to make one up), Ghostbusters writers Dan Akroyd (Dr. Raymond) and Harold Ramis (Dr. Egon) decided to turn the script into a video game.

Unlike the console versions, the Nintendo DS version of Ghostbusters gets rid of the rookie story line. Instead, you get to play as the Ghostbusters themselves.

Keep in mind that Ghostbusters DS is an action-RPG. Instead of slashing away at low-level monsters, you have fun blasting ghost with your proton beam. Egon, Ray, Winston and Peter have different skills that can be upgraded after every mission. The concept adds much needed depth to the game.

The story starts out by Slimer escaping and hiding out at a hotel. Obviously, who ya gonna call? The Ghostbusters have to make their way to the hotel by riding in the iconic Ecto-1. This is where it gets really ugly. The streets of New York are so dark, you feel as if a mugger is following your every move. Cars in the opposite lane seem to pop out of the shadows and bump into the Ecto-1.

Every time the Ecto-1 bumps into cars, it accumulates damage. With every damage to the Ecto-1, it slows down. Then you have to either go to the repair shop or back to the Ghostbusters firehouse to get it fixed.

While hanging out at the Ghostbusters HQ, you can switch between the Ghostbusters and slide down the poles. I found the sliding highly enjoyable. Each character has their own specialty in developing the Ghostbusters arsenal, for example, Egon is in charge of developing new ghost-busting items.

Missions can be found written on the bulletin board. After accepting a mission, a time limit is given to reach the destination. The Ghostbusters hunt and capture ghosts in sewers, hotels, museums and cemeteries. You have to drive to each destination, which makes it a real pain. Ample time is not given for driving to missions, especially when the Ecto-1 is heavily damaged.

I also found it annoying that the phone keeps ringing at the Ghostbusters HQ. I felt I was working at a contact center. The ringing is meant to indicate that new missions are posted on the bulletin board but it rings every minute or so.

You can assign the other three Ghostbusters to follow you or stand guard. This feature is very helpful since ghosts can pop out of nowhere. You also have to make sure that the traps have to be emptied before making your way to a new mission. I had to learn this the hard way. I was reminded to empty my trap during a ghost battle, which majorly sucked.

Another downside to a potentially great game is the inability to control camera angles. It is impossible to see where slime and ghosts come from. After ghosts bump into the Ghostbusters, they immediately hit the ground. It takes time before they recover and get up again. Control over the camera angle would¡¯ve helped a lot and would¡¯ve lessened the frustration of having to keep track of oncoming quick moving ghosts.
 

I have to admit though that playing Ghostbusters was nostalgic. Everything is authentic; the familiar Ghostbusters theme song, the nicely looking and sounding proton streams and the light emitted from opening the ghost trap. The game is also successful at capturing the Ghostbusters daily lives.

The animated graphics are detailed and in my opinion max out the hardware capability of the DS. Everything your proton stream hits, it breaks, that¡¯s how detailed the graphics are. The dialogue is funny and has the trademark Ghostbusters wit. Capturing ghosts is easy and blasting them with your proton gun never gets old.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game has its moments but falls short of a potentially great game. I found it fun to play for the first two hours but the terrible Ecto-1 driving game play was too much for this Ninja to handle.