TRASH:
Original start screen has been changed
No remote play together
No key binding or input changing
No widescreen
No split screen co-op

You can do much more on an emulated version, and have been able to for 20 years now.

ZAMN is one of my favorite games of all time, but this port is an abomination.

- No controller remapping. Seriously, wait, what?
- Buggy controller support that can't even allow both players to PAUSE!
- No display options, including, no black borders, only this bizarre mierde spiral.
- Music is entirely distorted, playing at a higher pitch
- No remote play

It's highly doubtful anyone who was involved with this port has actually played video games made on computers in the past ten years- if so, they should be asked to quietly leave.

Crim's Humble Opinion Curator

Zombies Ate My Neighbors (ZAMN) is one of those games that have been a part of my life for a long time. I grew up with a Super Nintendo, and one of the games I got hooked on was ZAMN. I still have my copy as well, which I occasionally drag out and play. When I saw this coming out, I was pretty stoked, because it would be a lot more convenient to play it on on the system I'm primarily on. I booted it up, ready to play, but after playing for a bit, I had mixed feelings.

The two games presented here are fun in my opinion. They are tough-as-nails arcade shooters that were designed with the mentality of "this can go on forever". You have to manage your inventory and the number of humans left alive because once you start to dwindle in either category, the game can reach impossible difficulties. There is a pretty wide variety of enemies in each game with weaknesses to specific weapons, which makes inventory management an even more difficult task. With ZAMN having 48 stages plus bonuses, and Ghoul Patrol having 18 stages, there is a nice amount of content. There are some decent bonus features including an interesting interview, and the ability to save state is nice. I do wish you didn't have to quit back to the menu to use them, though. Unfortunately, despite enjoying the title, there are still plenty of issues that make it feel like a shameless port.

Changing up the main menus takes away from the initial flair the games have. I also immediately noticed the borders on the side of the screen with the awkward spiral. If the game had to be put in this constant 4:3 ratio then there should be options to make this screen black if you so choose. Aside from that change regarding the visuals, they're the same old games. Not too much of a con, I know. The borders, while somewhat irritating, don't distract from the gameplay too much. There aren't any real resolution options aside from full-screening the game. The game also seems to run at a slightly higher speed when it is in full-screen mode, making it even more difficult to save people.

Then there is the audio. Aside from intro tracks being sacrificed yet again on the main menus, the rest of the music has changed ever so slightly. On top of the minor changes, it feels a bit lazy to not include both versions (SNES/genesis) of the soundtracks for these games. If this were the Nintendo port on the Switch I could understand, but not giving players the ability to play with the soundtrack they remember and enjoy is another knockdown.

So, the soundtrack and resolution are somewhat troublesome in this modern port; however, when you start playing you'll end up noticing a significant amount more. The controls have changed from the original and cannot be rebound in any way. If you want a friend to join, you can't play through means of an online server or remote play. There is only a local co-op. This can still be done through programs such as Parsec, but at the very least this game should have included remote play together.

Another gripe with the multiplayer and port/modernization potential is that this game could have easily in the process of development, had a split-screen mode implemented. The original dev mentions in his interview that he would put split-screen in the game in a heartbeat if he could go back and do so. I feel like, with just a little bit of effort, this could have been accomplished.

This section will talk about some of the more nitty-gritty details that may not be as important to everyone else, but these are still cons in my eyes. The achievements are lackluster. One of the things I was looking forward to was seeing what kind of achievements were going to be added into this, even if it was most likely just going to be a port. There was the potential of things like capturing a martian in a martian bubble gun or rescuing Dr. Bug. Instead, we get things like finding weapons, get a score, lose, and rescue all humans....wait...rescue ALL humans? This is something that is pretty much deemed as impossible, and very few have managed to get close to getting 100% human rescue due to RNG. I guess with save states you can do it, but then what's the point? I understand hard achievements exist, I was just not a fan of the thought put into these.

Aside from the previously discussed split-screen potential, there is the huge missed potential in not using any of the creative stuff that has come out in the years since the release of this game. There is a modding community already existing, that uses editors, and there are bonus weapons, stages, themes, and more that could all be messed with; but sadly, there is access to none of that. Again, it feels like these types of things could have been easily implemented through something like a Steam Workshop addition or a Steam Tool, but instead, the game was just lazily thrown out to get nostalgia-tinted glasses cash grab sales.

Lastly, you may notice I seem to focus more on zamn in this review. It is cool that they included the title Ghoul Patrol in this, but it pails in comparison to the first game. It is fun in its regard, but not great. It is a spiritual successor that got deemed a sequel due to some of the likeness. Although it does share similarities, there are enough changes like taking away the map, making you have to jump on tables to rescue people and a much more limited weapon/item selection that make it less enjoyable.


Unfortunately, this ultimately feels like a shameless port to grab money. While I do recommend trying out the game, I can't recommend supporting DotEmu in this particular instance. If changes happen over time, and they listen to the fanbase of this game then it can turn out to be a fantastic title. If you have this on the original consoles still and have the ability to play it, stick with that.

If you don't have it, seek other ways to play, as it has a more adjustable play experience. Despite the fact I enjoy this title, and will probably put time into it on steam, I can't recommend this game in its current state. Hopefully, all the negative feedback will cause some change, if not, then hopefully the upcoming spiritual successor listed below does it right.

𝕀𝕗 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝔼𝕟𝕛𝕠𝕪 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕋𝕣𝕪 {when it comes out}
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1372650/Demons_Ate_My_Neighbors/

ZAMN is one of my favourite games of all time... its a real shame this port sucks giant floppy walrus. Minimal controller support, laggy input, cheap menus with next to no options. Do yourself a favour and play it using some other means. I'll stick with my SNES copy. Embarrassing DotEmu...

I owned this game for the SNES when I was a child so seeing this available on steam and on sale was like Christmas come early.

It's such a fun and challenging game!

I am disappointed to see this game doesnt allow the use of
a controller. The keyboard controls are not great which makes its tricky to play. It's not as entertaining with a keyboard.

It's also a great shame that this game can't be played online. The multiplayer is 'couch Co-op' which isn't an easy thing to do with a PC and without the use of controllers. Nevermind the fact that this port of the game was released during a global pandemic where we are being asked to distance from people. You'd think giving people the ability to play this with friends online would have been at eye forefront of the DEVs minds?

If you enjoyed the original and really really really want some single player nostalgia (so much so that you'll be fine using poor keyboard controls) then get it but only if it's on sale.
Otherwise I suggest leaving it until the DEVs provide controller usage and online multiplayer.

Shame on the Publishers... you cant even play this game with a Controller ? Why do you Cashgrab so hard and loveless ?
This had so much potential but the greed is killing it as always... I recommend not to buy this game... Its worth to buy a SNES and the game ... but this Version is absolutely awful ...

Look, fan-made ports and emulation will pretty much always be the superior option to play classic games. Despite having less time, money, and (in some cases) talent, fans have and continue to outdo the actual companies that own the intellectual property. However, it's still a good idea for companies to port the game over themselves, as it gives fans a way to officially support the release and make it convenient for those the just want to install the game and play. The Mega Man Legacy Collection and Castlevania Advance Collection are two I can think of from the top of my head. Are they superior to what fans have done? No, but they are still acceptable ways to play the game as there was effort put into them.

As for this title here, Zombies Ate My Neighbors and Ghoul Patrol, there was clearly a lack of effort here. I'm sure it wasn't from the developers, but probably the publisher/executives. I did buy this product well-aware of the negative reception, but I loved ZAMN and wanted to own it on my Steam account anyway. I was still somehow shocked at what I've played.

Just a quick list to make this short (I can't say anything for Ghoul Patrol as I have never played it before):
-Only options for audio, vsync, and fullscreen/window
-No optional filters, borders, scanlines, game sizes, and, as much as I hate it, even an option for bilinear filtering
-No rebindable keys/button prompts
-My controller, an 8-bitdo that runs with DirectInput (xbox drivers) isn't detected by the game
-Menu UI is unappealing and the game's title screens and menus are replaced
-Only the SNES version of ZAMN (and it's censored)
-Audio is pitched higher and there is some graphic tearing in ZAMN
-Passwords for Day of the Tentacle and the credits stage in ZAMN don't work
-No bonus content of any kind aside from stuff you can probably find online by now

There really isn't a reason to pick this up, unless you are like me and REALLY want ZAMN in your Steam library.

This game has no sense if it doesn't have multiplayer. What are you waiting for.

Works on steam deck but this port is lazy. A quick cash grab, you'd be better off emulating it instead of buying this.

6/10

If you are here to play it casually for 2-4 hours, beat the first couple of levels - go ahead and grab it, you will enjoy it.
If you want to beat it fully and possibly get all of the achievements - i cannot recommend it, for me it was a miserable experience.

Something to add:
- Controls are really awkward
- It is hard to switch between the weapons/items, and you have to do it a lot and fast
- You are allowed to save your progress only when you are leaving the game and you have only one saving slot. It is really easy to overwrite your progress by mistake