Ghostbusters is a franchise that many fans adore. Whether this love comes from the cool gadgets or ghosts, the movies, comics, animated shows, or video games, Ghostbusters follows one simple slogan: Bustin’ makes us feel good. Players will soon be able to fulfill their Ghostbusting needs with the newest video game title to be added to the franchise’s belt, and become goofy, charming, yet dumb scientists themselves.
As recently announced by developers IllFonic, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is a four versus one asymmetrical multiplayer action-adventure game. It will see one player taking the role of a ghost to haunt and taunt the four players that are Ghostbusters. Fans of the long-running franchise eagerly await news of which ghosts and ghouls could be playable, with many great candidates to choose from.
10 Muncher, Brings The Metal
With the release of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, the franchise returned to the original movie universe last seen on the big screen with Ghostbusters 2 in 1989. The movie is a legacy sequel that features the original cast and was directed by Jason Reitman, the son of the late Ivan Reitman, who directed the original two. With this movie came more unique ghosts, one of which was Muncher.
Muncher was the first ghost in the new kids’ battle, and he is noted for his blue hue, many hands, and his desire to eat metal. Muncher has a great design and could be fun to play as and terrorize other players with. One feature could have Muncher eating metal, and using it to spit shrapnel at players to injure them.
9 Scoleri Brothers, How Electrifying
Tony Scoleri and Nunzio Scoleri appear during the courthouse trial of the Ghostbusters in Ghostbusters 2. They are formed due to the reaction of the mysterious river slime and are notable for being strapped to their electric chairs. These brothers were given the chair for their murders and came back with a vengeance for the judge that tried them.
Their appearances are grotesque and haunting, as they both have the electric chair caps on their heads and prison garb, but can fly around and terrorize. There could be a lot of fun involved in hunting these two, because of how the game could integrate both movie lore and co-op between ghosts.
8 Bug-Eye Ghost, Eyes Peeled
A rather interesting design for a ghost, and first introduced through The Real Ghostbusters Kenner toyline rather than the movies or animated series. The Bug-Eye Ghost features a design similar to the Cacidemon in DOOM, but with arms, and two smaller eyes beneath its large one.
Noted for its purple color, the Bug-Eye Ghost could be a lot of funs for die-hard Ghostbusters fans that could see this ghost return from the toys, animated show, and comics. This ghost can pop its large singular eye from its head, and cause quite the fright. It was also seen featured as a fun easter egg in Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
7 Terror Dogs, Not So Good
These terrifying demonic hellhounds have been haunting the Ghostbusters franchise ever since the first movie, in which Dana Barrett opened her fridge to see a demonic hellscape, and one of these Terror Dogs shouting “Zuul” at her. They often come in pairs as Zuul and Vinz Clothro: The Gatekeeper and the Keymaster.
Terror Dogs are directly linked to Gozer the Gozerian and act as loyal minions, and have great moments in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Playing as the Terror Dogs would be unique since they can possess objects, and run around on all fours. They could cause quite the ruckus and possession of the Ghostbusting crew.
6 Ivo Shandor, The Architect
Shandor has been quite the mystery in the movies. Ivo Shandor was name-dropped a few times in the Ghostbusters franchise but wasn’t seen in live-action until Ghostbusters: Afterlife. This character, played by J.K Simmons, worshipped Gozer and had a rather eccentric hairdo.
Shandor The Architect could play an interesting role in Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed. Since he is humanoid in appearance, he would play differently from the other ghosts, and could perhaps be involved in a class system like Dead By Daylight, in which he requires more brains than brawn to play and conquer as.
5 Pappy Sargassi, Got Fish?
Also known as Enzo Sargassi, this ghost was the first boss that players encountered in Ghostbusters: The Video Game. Pappy Sargassi haunts the famed Sedgewick Hotel, just as Slimer did all those years ago. As an angry fisherman, this ghost sends ghostly tidal waves across the hotel and uses haunted candlesticks as his warriors.
Pappy Sargassi is noted for using his boat to get around, and using his fishing rod to do physical harm to the player. He can also use ghosts, and skeleton fish as weapons. It would be a perfect character for the game because of its fun design which fits perfectly with the Ghostbusters theme.
4 The Chairman, Fat Pockets Means Fat Power
The Chairman, real name Corneluis Wellesly, is a peculiar-looking ghost, and a rather haunting one at that. This Class 7 entity is a supreme being in the Ghostbusting world and appears as a boss in Ghostbusters: The Video Game. His role in the game is as the Chairman of International Steel. He’s noted for serving as the chairman of the board that ran the Natural History Museum in the early 1900s.
The Chairman is noted for his large appearance and his connection to Ivo Shandor and his cult. Shandor was heavily involved in Ghostbusters: Afterlife's plot, which left many questions. The Chairman acts as one of the guardians of a powerful Mandala and is one of Shandor’s most powerful servants. He could be great fun to fight in the new game because of his size and ability to make Black Slime Fiends.
3 Chef Ghost, Don't Kiss This Cook
The Sedgewick Hotel seems to be a hotspot for ghosts and ghouls. The Chef Ghost is yet another ghost who finds himself haunting this hotel, and is bound to lower its Trip Advisor rating due to the constant infestations. This psycho chef is also named Chef Sargossa and has a rather wacky artstyle. He has the typical chef attire, but with disjointed and fat features, and a rather wild mustache.
The story of this chef involves him attempting to poison a food critic, but accidentally poisoning his staff and himself, ultimately causing his own death. This mini-boss from Ghostbusters: The Video Game utilizes kitchen equipment like pots and pans to attack the player. He would be a fun ghost if there was a Sedgewick Hotel map in the game.
2 The Library Ghost, Shhh!
This ghost was the first ghost that viewers of the original Ghostbusters movie encountered. It’s a rather haunting and terrifying experience, with the visual effects holding up tremendously well to this day. This humanoid ghost can shift into something scarier and more demonic if bothered during the silent reading time that libraries request.
The Librarian’s story was expanded and solved in Ghostbusters: The Video Game, which was a title released in 2009 to great acclaim, with many wanting a sequel. It featured the original cast returning as the Ghostbusters team, as well as a story helped by Dan Akroyd and Harold Ramis. To see this Full Torso Apparition would be chilling.
1 Slimer, Hide The Hotdogs and Venkman
Slimer is often regarded as the unofficial mascot of Ghostbusters. This little spud has terrorized Peter Venkman for years and is the first ghost that the original crew in the 1984 movie successfully captured. It has appeared in both the original movies, comics, animated series, and Ghostbusters: The Video Game.
“Onionhead” is famous for its green hue, and grotesque appearance. Slimer will eat anything it can to fulfill its gluttony and isn’t afraid to slime anyone that gets in its way. Playing as Slimer would be an ectoplasmic blast, due to the character’s long-standing recognition within the franchise.
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is targeting a Q4 2022 release for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.