Revisiting the Forgotten ‘Haunted Mansion’ Video Game

I miss the Wild West days of gaming. In the ’80s, ’90s, and ’00s, studios were willing to throw anything and everything against the wall to see if it would stick. Even IP-based games had a shot at being something more than a quick cash grab. One such example was a title that focused on expanding the lore behind Disney’s Haunted Mansion.

The game was released one month before the Eddie Murphy film premiered. Some game boxes included a “free” movie ticket to the Rob Minkoff-directed movie. Sadly, mine didn’t. So, I had to pay full price for admission to see that trainwreck.

Unlike other tie-in games of the early 2000s, High Voltage Software’s Haunted Mansion title had absolutely nothing to do with the movie. Thankfully, this move made the game way more appealing.

High Voltage Software had previously developed a weird array of excellent and terrible games, including Hunter: The Reckoning, Family Guy Video Game!, and more recently, Mortal Kombat X and Zombieland: Double Tap – Road Trip. In 2003, Haunted Mansion was its only GameCube release, but it was also ported to the XBOX and PS2.

The Haunted Mansion‘s publisher, TDK Mediactive, went out of business in 2005. Over the company’s six years of business, it published such titles as The Land Before Time: Return to the Great Valley and Knights of the Temple: Infernal Crusade. Not exactly groundbreaking or memorable titles, for sure.

Sales numbers for The Haunted Mansion proved challenging to pin down. Although it received decent reviews, many being above 7/10 on sites like GameSpot and IGN, I rarely heard anyone talk about the game.

The game takes place in 1879 and recounts the adventures of a young man named Zeke. The lead character arrives at the famous Haunted Mansion, set in post-Civil War Louisiana, inquiring about an assistant caretaker position. Of course, things are not as they seem, as Zeke is soon tasked with helping the former 999 happy haunts rid the estate of an evil being who has corrupted the otherwise peaceful abode.

To help you in this task, Madame Leota bestows you with a magic lantern that can draw in evil souls and fire projectiles of light. I know it’s starting to sound a bit like Luigi’s Mansion, but the gameplay isn’t as inventive. Some elements of the GameCube launch title make it into this Disney game, including the need to clear rooms to turn on lights and find hidden ghosts.

Several familiar spooks from the ride appear, fleshed out more than they are in the Disneyland and Magic Kingdom attractions. Although not given proper names, the Knight, Pirate, Duelist, Organist, and Opera Singer receive full voice acting roles and play significant roles in the game’s storyline.

Several iconic elements from the Disneyland and Magic Kingdom rides are present in the game. The changing portraits get an entire multi-story level to themselves while also including an homage to MK’s Gothic revival style.

Something that always bothered me was the lack of familiar music. Grim Grinning Ghosts plays during the end credits, but the haunting organ music we’re all used to hearing in the lobby and background is missing. There are original tunes, but none match X Atencio’s excellent style.

Playing the game today reminds me of how much better controls have gotten. The Haunted Mansion is entirely playable, but those who haven’t used a GameCube controller in a few decades may find it aggravating. Thankfully, there are other ways to experience the game with modern controllers … but I won’t get into that here.

If you want to pick up a copy, the game hasn’t shot up in price like other retro titles have in recent years. On eBay, XBOX, PS2, and GameCube copies can be found for around $20-$30.

[Source: GameSpot]

[Source: IGN]

[Source: eBay]

[Source: Moby Games]