Zombies Ate My Neighbors

Your neighbor is grilling in the backyard, except instead of sausages he is turning you over the fire, and in the pool, lurking in place of inflatable mattresses, are snapping monsters. Welcome to Zombies Ate My Neighbors, a gloriously fun action game that grew out of a love for B-movie horror into a cult classic of the Super Nintendo.

The game is a top-down action shooter in which you fight your way, solo or in pairs, through suburban streets, supermarkets, pyramids and castles, mainly rescuing surviving neighbors before an army of monsters gets to them. And what an army: zombies, chainsaw-wielding maniacs in hockey masks, giant babies, spitting plants, mummies and aliens. The arsenal is just as zany, from water pistols through tomatoes to bazookas, and every rescued victim also means points, so caution pays off.

Zombies Ate My Neighbors was made by the studio LucasArts, and Konami handled its release. The game is literally a monument to a love of the horror pop culture of the 1980s and early 1990s: every enemy is a tribute to some movie monster and the overall tone is confidently parodic. This playfulness and humor set the title apart from the more seriously minded shooters of its time and gave it an unmistakable personality.

Interestingly, because of the amount of blood and horror motifs, the game was censored in some regions or even renamed to pass stricter content rules. This history made it an even more sought-after piece among collectors and fans, and to this day it is spoken of as one of the most distinctive titles on the Super Nintendo. Over the years it earned a firm place in players' hearts and became a coveted title.

Anyone who wants to play something that does not take itself seriously while offering honest cooperative action will find a treasure in Zombies Ate My Neighbors. It is a game full of surprises, dark humor and chaos that is best experienced with two people on one couch. A few hours in its company will reliably lift your mood.

Why play: Funny, inventive and perfect for two players, plus packed with tributes to B-movie horror. An ideal choice for an evening when you want action with a smile on your face.