GAME CLEAR Special: Galloping Ghost Arcade (Brookfield, IL)

This GAME CLEAR post is a little different from the usual ones. It comprises GAMEs CLEAR 61-65. While I was in Chicago recently, I visited the excellent Galloping Ghost Arcade. Galloping Ghost asks $20 to enter, and as many arcades do these days, it had all of its games on free play.

Galloping Ghost claims to be the largest arcade in the United States by collection size. I certainly have never seen a bigger one! What’s more, it doesn’t lean on its quantity to make up for quality. It has both in droves. The friends I went with and I both remarked at the remarkable number of games in their inventory we had never even heard of (and we are, if I may say so, a group of guys with considerable video game knowledge between us). I had an excellent time, and I don’t think I even tried a quarter of their inventory. But, I’m sure I’ll be back the next time I find myself in the Chicago area.

I did try a ton of games, though, focusing primarily on things without home ports and/or with unique input methods. But this blog series is about finished games. And since it’s a free play arcade, I did manage to credit-feed through a few great games. I’ll dive into them in the order I played them.

GAME CLEAR No. 61: Superman (1988, Arcade)

Arcade Platform: Taito X System
Developer: Taito
Publisher: Taito
Clear Date: 11/18/2021

The first game I played all the way through was Superman. The sad reality for Kal-El is that there are really no great Superman games. There are some okay ones, but none I can really wholeheartedly recommend that I’m aware of. Unfortunately, that remains the case with this game. It’s a very boring beat ’em up with unimaginative moves for Superman and stock enemies (as opposed to any from the actual comics).

A couple positives are that it does at least feature the theme from the Superman movie (although I think my cabinet was muted, or the considerable noise of the rest of the arcade drowned it out), and the graphics are decent. Overall a very missable game, though.

GAME CLEAR No. 62: Ninja Baseball Bat Man (1993, Arcade)

Developer: Irem
Publisher: Irem
Clear Date: 11/18/2021

Ninja Baseball Bat Man is a game I’ve wanted to play basically ever since I was made aware of it by the Angry Video Game Nerd. Since then, I’ve also become a big baseball fan, fueling that desire even more. I think the cabinet at Galloping Ghost was a repro or a MAME cabinet or whatever, but who cares.

I recruited one of my friends who had never heard of it to play it with me, and within just a couple stages, he had dubbed it the greatest game of all time. I don’t blame him.

The game follows the eponymous Bat Men on their quest to recover some artifacts stolen from the baseball hall of fame. Per the title, they are ninjas who beat the shit out of their opposition with baseball bats. There are four to choose from, and they all play a little differently. Their kits are pretty standard beat ’em up fare for the time. Basic melee combos, a dash attack, a grab/throw, and a special. Just varied enough to not be boring, simple enough to master in one session. We had a blast cruising through the game’s colorful, varied stages with infinite credits. The game has cool, massive bosses, decent music, and a totally unique aesthetic and concept. I found nothing not to love about this game. Play it.

GAME CLEAR No. 63: Laser Ghost (1990, Arcade)

Arcade Platform: SEGA System 18
Developer: SEGA R&D 1
Publisher: SEGA
Clear Date: 11/18/2021

Next up was Laser Ghost, which was one of many games in the arcade I had not heard of prior to going there (the next two games are as well). The game is a gallery shooter that, predictably, involves shooting ghosts. The gameplay is extremely simple, but it’s carried by its varied enemies/scenario and its unique input method. It features three mounted guns with sights that provide a pretty convincing illusion of firing an actual laser at the screen for the player looking through them. They also have satisfying rumble while firing (which you will be pretty much all the time). This game is not mindblowing, but a 3-player co-op game for a group of three guys is a fun way to pass the time. Certainly worth a look if you happen upon this game.

GAME CLEAR No. 64: A.B. Cop (1990, Arcade)

Arcade Platform: SEGA X Board
Developer: Aicom
Publisher: SEGA
Clear Date: 11/18/2021

The “A.B.” here stands for “Airbike” technically, but I encourage readers to use their imagination regarding other nice things it might mean.

Anyway, ACAB and all that, but this game rules. The input mechanism is a motorcycle-style handlebar, with throttle and jump controls. You fly down the highway Super Hang-On style and take out bad guys by ramming into them. At the end of each stage awaits a boss who fights you from the back of his vehicle. You gotta boost, jump, and slam them in the face with your bike to do damage. It’s great. Only real downside here is it was a little tough at times, but with perseverance, you can see it through.

GAME CLEAR No. 65: Lucky & Wild (1988, Arcade)

Arcade Platform: Namco System 2
Developer: Namco
Publisher: Namco
Clear Date: 11/18/2021

The final game I finished before the place closed was Lucky & Wild. This became the aforementioned friend’s new favorite game. It’s another gallery chooter, but with the wonderful twist of being vehicular. The cabinet takes the form of the front seat of a car, and as such, the game supports 1-2 players (assuming the roles of the titular Lucky and Wild). One player must drive the car and shoot, while the passenger is only required to shoot. That’s cool as hell.

Anyway, you chase down a bunch of criminals and eventually the criminal mastermind behind it all. Lucky and Wild provide goofy commentary to the action, and the enemies have names like Jerky, Gambit, Juliora, Keel, Bear, and Big Cigar. Great game, unique concept and input method. Play it!