Splatterhouse 3

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • NTSC-U
  • NTSC-J

Splatterhouse3 title.png

SplatterhousePart3 MD JP TitleScreen.png

Splatterhouse 3
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Namco (JP), Namco Hometek (US)
Developer:
Distributor: Samsung (KR)
Genre: Action[1][2]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP
¥6,800 (7,004)6,800e[3] T-14153
Sega Mega Drive
US
$64.9564.95[4] T-14086
Videogame Rating Council: MA-13
Sega Mega Drive
AU
FSPL01GMC
Sega Mega Drive
KR
GM1690JT

Splatterhouse 3, known in Japan as Splatterhouse Part 3 (スプラッターハウス PART3), is a Sega Mega Drive horror beat-'em-up developed by Now Production and published by Namco. A sequel to the developer's 1992 Mega Drive-exclusive Splatterhouse 2, it was first released in Japan in March 1993, and was later brought to the United States and Korea later that year.

Due to the recent introduction of Sega's Videogame Rating Council, the game's violence level was reduced to avoid an MA-17 rating.

Story

Several years have passed since the events of Splatterhouse 2. Rick and Jennifer survived their hellish experience in the West Mansion, graduated from the college, married, and settled down in an old house in the outskirts of the city. Their first child, David, was born soon after.

Cruel fate however, would not leave the poor family alone. One day, Rick returns from work and to his horror, realizes that their home is infested with gruesome creatures similar to the ones he faced years ago in the West Mansion. Out of nowhere, the Mask of Power appears, once again offering him power necessary to defeat the creatures and save his loved ones. The Mask explains that the Evil One, one of the antagonists of the previous game, has returned and kidnapped David, who apparently has psychic powers. In order to acquire the Dark Stone, which allows its owner to rule the universe, a child gifted with psychic powers must be sacrificed when stars are aligned.

With no other choice, Rick accepts the power of the Mask and once again turns into a hulkish brute, ready to exact swift, bloody vengeance from those who attempt to harm his family. Filled with rage and aware that he is running out of time, Rick dashes into his old home.

Gameplay

Splatterhouse 3, Map.png

Map

The game is a horror-themed beat-'em-up. Unlike the preceding games in the series, it uses a two-dimensional plane like a conventional beat-'em-up and features non-linear exploration throughout several rooms on each floor of the Mansion. The goal of each room is to defeat all the monsters that appear, at which point Rick can exit the room through a door. Some rooms have more than two doors, allowing the player to choose a path through the Mansion. Players can view a map of the current floor by pausing the game with  START  when the doors appear. Rick must make it to the endpoint marked with an X on the map, where a boss awaits. Yellow doors on the map warp Rick to a different room, which is important for saving time.

Rick moves with the D-pad and jumps with C. He attacks with B, which can be done in midair. As with previous games, Rick can find weapons, such as baseball bats and meat cleavers, and wield them against enemies. He picks up weapons and other items with B when standing over them. He grabs monsters that are in close range and can headbutt them by pressing B or throw them by pressing B along with a direction on the D-pad. He performs a spinning kick by moving the D-pad toward the enemy, then away, then toward, and B.

Each stage must be cleared in a certain amount of time. Although it does not affect gameplay, running out of time results in changes in the plot, creating four possible endings. The game adds a POW meter, which can be filled by collecting Eldritch Orbs found throughout levels and occasionally are dropped by defeated enemies. Once the bar is filled by at least one orb, the player can transform Rick into a hulking and more monstrous version of himself with the Terror Mask seemingly fused to his head by pressing A. In this state, Rick is significantly stronger and can execute a special attack that involves pieces of his flesh extending from his chest area and acting as a weapon, injuring any monster in the vicinity of their reach. Also, instead of wielding the weapons he finds, the mutated version of Rick flings them at enemies for high damage. Rick remains in this state until the energy in the meter is consumed or the room is cleared.

Rick has a life meter that goes down as he takes damage from enemies. He drops any weapon he might be holding if he takes damage (and the weapon is carried away by a spirit if he does not pick it up quickly enough). He loses a life if he depletes the life meter, but he revives momentarily if the player has lives remaining. Extra lives and health items are scattered throughout the levels. The game ends if the player runs out of lives, but the game has unlimited continues and gives the player a password for continuing.

The game has four difficulty levels (Easy, Normal, Difficult, and Game Master) and four different endings depending on whether the Rick successfully saves Jennifer, David, both, or neither.

Items

Splatterhouse 3, Items.png
Eldritch Orb
Increases Rick's POW meter, which allows him to transform into a mutant form.
Splatterhouse 3, Items.png
Heart
Replenishes part of Rick's life meter.
Splatterhouse 3, Items.png
Book
Gives the player an extra life.

Stages

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 1-1.png

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 1-2.png

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 1-3.png

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 1 Boss.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 1-1.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 1-2.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 1-3.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 1 Boss.png

Mansion 1st Floor
The entrance of your home is not the way you remember. Headless corpses, strange fleshy lessions and bloody prints are everywhere. Pray that those do not belong to your family. Jennifer is somewhere around the first floor, desperately hiding from a horrifying monster. Find and kill the monstrosity before your beloved is hurt.

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 2-1.png

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 2-2.png

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 2-3.png

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 2 Boss.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 2-1.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 2-2.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 2-3.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 2 Boss.png

Mansion 2nd Floor
You are too late. Jennifer is infected with a disguisting parasite that will slowly eat her from within. Find and kill the boreworm queen before your wife turns into a mindless beast.

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 3-1.png

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 3-2.png

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 3-3.png

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 3 Boss.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 3-1.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 3-2.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 3-3.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 3 Boss.png

Mansion 3rd Floor
Regardless of the fate of your wife, you must now save your son. Rush to the third floor and find David's room. David will not be here but the Evil One left a small "present" for you.

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 4-1.png

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 4-2.png

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 4-3.png

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 4 Boss.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 4-1.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 4-2.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 4-3.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 4 Boss.png

Mansion Basement
The Evil One's sacrifical ground is located at the bottom of your house. Race through the catacombs and fight back mindless creatures before the ceremony is complete. Hurry! Your son is in danger.

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 5-1.png

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 5-2.png

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 5-3.png

Splatterhouse 3, Stage 5 Boss.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 5-1.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 5-2.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 5-3.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Stage 5 Boss.png

The Dark Stone
The Evil One has acquired the portion of the Dark Stone's power, which is more than enough to crush a mortal like you. Will you be able to stop the ruler of darkness and save your family (or what is left of it)?

Splatterhouse 3, Final Boss 1.png

Splatterhouse 3, Final Boss 2.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Final Boss 1.png

  • Splatterhouse 3, Final Boss 2.png

The Mask
Your "friend" the Mask finally revealed its true colors. You defeated one civilization-ending creature, only to fight another. Destroy the Mask and end this nightmare once and for all.

History

Development

Unlike other third-party games released for the Mega Drive, the PCB was made with chips sealed with silicon (instead of being connected with pins).

Legacy

The game was included as an unlockable in Splatterhouse, released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2010.

Versions

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English Splatterhouse 3 Splatterhouse 3
Japanese スプラッターハウス PART3 Splatterhouse Part 3

Production credits

  • Directed and Creature Designed by: Naga! Yama!
  • Programmed by: Pori 2 Oohori
  • Game Designed and Produced by: Sammy Shimotsuma
  • Associate Producer: Papaya Payapaya
  • Character Designer: Gyoee! Miyazaki
  • Background Designer: Daiya. Y
  • Assistant Graphic Designer: K. 327, Senpuuki, Kunfu Man
  • Assistant Programmer: Hey!
  • Special Visual Effect: Oja, Yuko, Mokkn
  • Composed and Sound Designed by: Milky Eiko
  • Sound Supervisor: Kiyoshi
  • Voice Maker: Kawagen, Gaku
  • Special Make up Artist: Sakusaku Koya
  • Director of Photography: Silky No. 1
  • Cast of Video Graphics:
    • Rick the monster: Phychic
    • Jennifer: Pascal
    • David: Mikurin
    • Rick the human: Oja
  • Special Thanks: Funanin, Union Bikers, Ms. Kanai
  • Presented By: Namcot
Source:
In-game credits
Splatterhouse 3 MD credits.pdf
[5]


Magazine articles

Main article: Splatterhouse 3/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Splatterhouse3 SCES1993 MD US Flyer.jpg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1993-04: "April 1993" (1993-03-08)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Game Champ (KR) #1993-05: "xxxx" (199x-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in GamePro (US) #51: "October 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg

Artwork

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
68 №8, p60/61
Sega Mega Drive
68
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[7]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
65
[8]
Cool Gamer (RU)
70
[9]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
82
[10]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
60
[11]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
74
[12]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
63
[13]
Game Power (IT)
83
[14]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
98
[4]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
72
[15]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
70
[16]
Hyper (AU)
78
[17]
Mega (UK) NTSC-U
63
[18]
Mega Action (UK) PAL
85
[19]
Mega Fun (DE) NTSC-J
64
[20]
Mega Machines (UK) PAL
48
[21]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
74
[22]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
90
[23]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) NTSC-J
77
[24]
Play Time (DE) NTSC
62
[25]
ProGames (BR)
75
[26]
Power Unlimited (NL)
88
[27]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-J
61
[28]
Sega Zone (UK) NTSC-J
61
[29]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
86
[30]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
72
[31]
Supergame (BR) NTSC-U
73
[32]
Todo Sega (ES)
84
[33]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
67
[34]
Sega Mega Drive
73
Based on
29 reviews

Splatterhouse 3

Mega Drive, JP
Splatterhouse3 MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
Splatterhouse3 MD JP CartTop.jpg
Splatterhouse3 MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Splatterhouse3 md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
Splatterhouse3 MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Splatterhouse3 md us cart.jpg
Cart
SH3 MD pcb back.jpgSH3 MD pcb.jpg
PCB
Splatterhouse 3 MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, AU (NTSC Import)

Mega Drive, KR
Splatterhouse3 MD KR Box.jpg
Cover
Splatterhouse3 MD KR cartback.jpgSplatterhouse3 MD KR cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

Main article: Splatterhouse 3/Technical information.

References

  1. File:Splatterhouse3 MD KR Box.jpg
  2. 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)
  3. Beep! MegaDrive, "April 1993" (JP; 1993-03-08), page 5
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 GamePro, "July 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 50
  5. File:Splatterhouse 3 MD credits.pdf
  6. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "November 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 205
  7. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 221
  8. Beep! MegaDrive, "April 1993" (JP; 1993-03-08), page 20
  9. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 203
  10. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "November 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 48
  11. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 360
  12. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 95
  13. Famitsu, "1993-03-26" (JP; 1993-03-12), page 1
  14. Game Power, "Maggio 1993" (IT; 1993-0x-xx), page 82
  15. Game Informer, "September/October 1993" (US; 1993-0x-xx), page 26
  16. Hippon Super, "April 1993" (JP; 1993-03-04), page 44
  17. Hyper, "January 1994" (AU; 199x-xx-xx), page 66
  18. Mega, "July 1993" (UK; 1993-06-17), page 56
  19. Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 34
  20. Mega Fun, "06/93" (DE; 1993-05-19), page 40
  21. Mega Machines, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-03), page 64
  22. MegaTech, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 44
  23. Micromanía (segunda época), "Agosto 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 40
  24. Mean Machines Sega, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-24), page 78
  25. Play Time, "6/93" (DE; 1993-05-05), page 113
  26. ProGames, "Julho 1993" (BR; 1993-0x-xx), page 17
  27. Power Unlimited, "Jaargang 2, Nummer 1, Januari 1994" (NL; 1993-12-29), page 28
  28. Sega Power, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-07-01), page 54
  29. Sega Zone, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-xx), page 40
  30. Sega Mega Drive Review, "1" (RU; 1995-04-03), page 146
  31. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 86
  32. Supergame, "Junho 1993" (BR; 1993-06-xx), page 9
  33. Todo Sega, "Julio 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 38
  34. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 173


Splatterhouse 3

Splatterhouse3 title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Region coding | Technical information


No results



Splatterhouse 2, Rick.png
Splatterhouse games for Sega systems
Splatterhouse 2 (1992) | Splatterhouse 3 (1993)