Ghost Sweeper Mikami (SFC)

Perfect for Halloween season
Perfect for Halloween season

Tell me… what kind of video game would you get if you mixed Splatterhouse, Castlevania, Ghostbusters and Sailor Moon into a melting pot?

If you answered GHOST SWEEPER MIKAMI — you’re on the right track.

As Mikami, a rather sexy-dressing lass, you must rid the levels of spirits with her trusty magic baton. Along the way pots can be broken to reveal power-ups such as food or weapon upgrades in the form of projectiles.

But is it any good?

Let’s go to the tale of the tape shall we…

LEVEL ONE

Dawn of the Dead 2005 anyone?
Dawn of the Dead 2005 anyone?

Mikami starts out at the local mall. I’ve always liked the mall setting in video games. See examples such as Zombies Ate My Neighbors, EarthBound and True Lies. Wish more games would incorporate this setting.

Mannequins... *goosebumps*
Mannequins… *goosebumps*

What’s creepier than crummy old mannequins at night? Window smashing zombies!

Very Ghostbusters-esque, no?
Very Ghostbusters-esque, no?

Exiting the mall, it’s time to board the train. The scrolling here is smooth and splendid. Not choppy at all. Good stuff.

"Done with the funnies yet?"
“Done with the funnies yet?”

The little details are what makes a game extra cool. The paper will spring to life! Looking a little pale there, fella!

Blue flashing, not red
Blue flashing, not red

Yes, I know. Groundbreaking stuff indeed. Doors must be gutted, and
quickly! Watch out for them nasty hand thingies.

Hang on ledges and swing up
Hang on ledges and swing up
Even does a Flash Kick!
Even does a Flash Kick!
Love the spook-filled visuals
Love the spook-filled visuals

Zombies? Check. Possessed duffel bags? Check. Boogeymen? Check.

Say hello to boss #1
Say hello to boss numero uno
Like those vending machine toys
Like those old 25 cent toys

His long arm attack reminds me of the old, cheap, sticky, long arm “toys” sold at supermarkets for 25 cents back in the day.

LEVEL TWO

Yay, it's the water-y bit
Yay, it’s the water-y bit
Fend off blood-sucking bats
Fend off blood-sucking bats
Oh sure, just enter why not
Oh sure, just enter why not

Oh, it’s the house-at-the-end-of-the-woods bit. They’re never good news, are they?

Aw, isn't she adorable?
Aw, isn’t she adorable?
OH HELL NO!
OH HELL NO!
I knew this house was bad news
I knew this house was bad news
Aim for her foul hands
Aim for her foul hands
WHO'S BAD?!
WHO’S BAD?!
Castlevania homage
Castlevania homage

LEVEL THREE

Mandatory force scrolling bit
Mandatory force scrolling bit

Mikami is shrunken and must navigate this level on the back of a stray cat.

Whaaa?
Whaaa?
Jump!
Jump!
Duck!
Duck!
F*CK!
F*CK!

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Looking a little blue in the face
Looking a little blue in the face

Based off the anime/manga by Takashi Shiina, Ghost Sweeper Mikami is old school platforming fun. It controls well and the atmosphere is both slightly goofy yet somewhat spooky. There aren’t a lot of flashy tricks here — what you see is what you get. It’s just a straight forward action platformer akin to the dozens we received back in the 8-bit NES era. If you’re into that sort of thing, Ghost Sweeper Mikami is definitely worth hunting down. Perfect for Halloween season, this game is a worthy addition to your Super Famicom collection.

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