Back in 2011, the first record of spoopy was found and posted to the Internet. A simple door sign with one misspelling launched a craze that still reignites every Halloween season.
But what is Spoopy besides a spelling mistake? Spoopy is known as something thats meant to be scary and funny. You can find Spoopy examples by going to Tumblr – or any search engine – and searching Spoopy, or 2Spoopy.
Spoopy things in video games have been around since at least 1989, with our first documented case being an entire video game.
These spoopy things range from characters to entire levels. We often take for granted the ability to find something funny in something that should be scary, but not this Halloween. Will you be playing a spoopy game this year? Or perhaps a game that has something spoopy in it?
Fester’s Quest
1989, Nintendo Entertainment System
Fester’s Quest may not be known as a great game, but the Addams Family is the true definition of spoopy entertainment. Released back in 1989 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Fester’s Quest follows Fester as he tries to save the city.
While moonbathing one night, Fester witnesses an alien invasion and grabs his blunderbuss to try and save the city. The adventure is accompanied by many of the Adam’s family members, including Thing, Wednesday, Gomez, Morticia, Grandmama and Pugsley. No one part of this game makes up a ‘spoopy’ element on its own, so the entire game will kick off this list quite nicely.
Lavender Town
Pokémon Red/Blue
1996, Gameboy
The Pokémon franchise has some pretty spoopy areas overall. Whether its haunted buildings, unknown mines, or caves, nothing beats Lavender Town featured in Red and Blue.
Being the first Pokémon game, Nintendo took a pretty risky step including a town that essentially contains dead Pokémon. The town has sparked such controversy that even in 2014, articles were coming out about how the myth was ‘explained’.
Lavender Town isn’t for the tender hearted, but if you’re looking to get some retro scares on, consider replaying an old Pokémon game this Halloween.
The Ghosts
Luigi’s Mansion
2001, Gamecube
Luigi’s Mansion has a pretty simple premise. Luigi wins a mansion in a ‘contest’, and it turns out to be haunted. The most charming part about this game is the atmosphere, and more specifically, the ghosts. As you roam the mansion as Luigi, you’ll be greeted by ghosts trying to drop bombs on you and spook you to death.
The bosses in Luigi’s Mansion are no different, one of the stand out ones being a ghost who you have to feed before you can attack. Luigi’s Mansion is the ultimate spoopy, and I will definitely be bringing it out this Halloween to play through once again.
Glover
Glover
1998, N64
Glover is a bit more of an obscure title. Released back in 1998 for the N64, Glover follows a wizard who.. Wait, no, sorry, a wizards glove. Yes. You play a Wizard’s glove. Glover takes himself, a ball, and has to save his wizard. Who is him? Or is his companion? You know what, I’m not actually sure what this game is about. I do know that its an awesome platformer on the N64, and it is worth picking up if you ever have the time.
This game, in all honesty, is still pretty creepy to this day. Glover is master of using fog and atmosphere to make even simple things seem scary. Glover will allow you to reconnect with your childhood, and hopefully your N64 gaming era, if you were lucky enough to experience it.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Kingdom Hearts
2002, PlayStation 2
Very few creepy animated films embody Halloween in the way that The Nightmare Before Christmas does. As the spirit of Halloween(Jack Skellington) is going through a midlife crisis, he discovers Christmas and attempts to take the Holiday over. The film is filled with what some of us want Halloween to look like: Creepy, disturbing, and something that most people wouldn’t enjoy experiencing if they had the chance.
It fits that Kingdom Heart’s Nightmare Before Christmas world makes it onto the list, being the video game counterpart of the film. As you adventure with Jack Skellington, you’ll be reminded as to why this area made it onto the list.
Death
The Sims Franchise
2000 – Present
When a Sim dies, specifically to random accidents, it can be more then a little frustrating. You had ambitions to waste the next week on this Sim! And now its all slipped through your fingers. Thankfully, Death adds a comical twist to the end of your Sim.
In several of the Sims installments, you can duel Death in an exciting game of Rock Paper Scissors for the life of your loved ones. When Death shows up, it doesn’t necessarily mean the end – as long as you have someone to defend you.
On top of dueling Death, there is a possibility of him sticking around for a lot longer then just to reap the souls. Several people have reported Death sticking around for parties to have cake, or even just hanging out in their house.
Phantom Train
Final Fantasy VI
1994, Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Final Fantasy VI is arguably one of the greatest Final Fantasys we will ever get. At the very least, the game is a must play for everyone – fan of the series or not.
Final Fantasy’s several memorable locations include the Opera House, Kefka’s Tower, and The Phantom Train.
The Phantom Train in Final Fantasy VI is the first time that you run into Siegfried. Although you don’t get the character quite yet, he makes quite the impression on the group, and will join the party later if you decide to pursue getting him.
The Phantom Train is literally that, a train that’s filled with Phantoms and is a Phantom itself. Square Enix’s attempt to come off as scary turned into something that is more entertaining then anything.
Boo Houses
Super Mario Franchise
1985 – Present
The Boos have one of the more unique mechanics in the Super Mario Franchise. If you turn your back to them, they’ll come after you, but face them and they stay frozen in place. Attempting to play off of the fact that the Supernatural are a bit more shy then people in real life, Boos are still in Mario games today.
Gruntilda
Banjo and Kazooie Franchise
1998 – 2008
Banjo and Kazooie is regarded as one of the best platformers out there, and the best Rare title ever launched. The game only improved with the release of Banjo-Tooie, and whether you like it or not, Nuts and Bolts was a good game. It just wasn’t the Banjo and Kazooie we expected for that time.
Banjo and Kazooie’s main villain, Gruntilda, is intended to be a witch in search of everlasting beauty. The game is oddly reminiscent of Snow White and the magic mirror, but Gruntilda’s spoopy nature gives the game a fun and unique twist.