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House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return

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7.9 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 36 critic reviews
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Based on 16 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Sega

Developer: Sega

Genre(s): Light Gun Shooter

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: March 11, 2008

Summary

Two grisly titles from the popular THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD series are being compiled into one action-packed horror shooter for the Wii. Both THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2 and III feature the original arcade experience, complete with branching storylines, over six ghoul-filled game modes and bonus content. Re-live your glory days in the arcades and mow down packs of clawing, biting undead with the new rapid-fire Wii Zapper. Experience the popular arcade shooting action at home. Blast the undead with the quick trigger action of the Wii Zapper. Co-op gameplay. Grab a friend and destroy the undead together including Arcade mode and Original mode. Gory arcade graphics. THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2 & 3 RETURN retains the rich arcade graphics you love. [Sega]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

GameDaily

Although you can beat both games in a matter of hours, their pick up and play nature makes them worth revisiting several times. Sega should have included the original, but for $29.99, we'll let it slide.

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NintendoWorldReport

A great value for the money. It’s a fantastic multiplayer game, and even if you’re just duel-wielding by your lonesome, blowing zombies apart is incredibly fun.

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NGamer UK

A brilliant Zapper title with plenty to offer. [May 2008, p.52]

Computer and Video Games

A classic slice of arcade action. While it's a crying shame the first and fourth games are absent, Return is still a brilliant Zapper title with plenty to offer.

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Console Monster

If pointing at the screen and shooting is missing in your life and you are craving a killing Zombie romp, these classics now available on the Nintendo Wii seem the perfect choice to fill this void.

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Official Nintendo Magazine UK

This has two perfect ports, both of which are fun, but a new game would have been much better. [May 2008, p.88]

Game Informer

These games look fairly dated and the bonus content here is a little thin. Shooter fans who’ve already had their fill of "Umbrella Chronicles" and "Ghost Squad" might find this worth checking out.

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n-Revolution Magazine UK

It's great to have more Zapper action but we reckon Sega could have put a bit more effort into this one. [Issue#21, p.68]

Kombo

Newcomers who have never explored a House of the Dead title will get much more out of this disc than seasoned zombie slayers, but, again, only patient gamers need apply.

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Zentendo

Fast, Fun, Cheesy, and over too soon. The House of the Dead 2 and 3 Return is a great throwback to classic arcade shooting. A great rental for light gun enthusiasts.

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Pelit (Finland)

One of the best light gun games ever made. High-intensity zombie blasting is still decent fun and the cheesy dialogue is better than ever. Still, for two very short retro games, one must have the genre close at heart to make the asking price worth it. Also, the first HOTD should have been included no matter how dated it might look. [May 2008]

Nintendojo

Overall, the whole package will provide hours of entertainment to gamers who know what they are getting.

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games(TM)

Dead good, but no "Ghost Squad." [May 2008, p.110]

Cubed3

All this time on, and the House of the Dead games are still more than worth a play. However, if you have previous versions of them already, you may be best steering clear as this compilation offers practically the same experience only with a couple of extra modes.

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

It's an absolute must for any fan of the genre, and whether you think it is value for money or not is purely down to how much you enjoy shooting zombies in the face, again.

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Nintendo Power

But if you enjoy a good light-gun game like I do, this is one house call that's hard to pass up. [Apr 2008, p.87]

Play Magazine

If you'd have told me back then that in 2008 (nine years later) I'd be able to buy both, arcade perfect, on a Nintendo console with a two-handed controller for under $30, I'd have figured you for a loon. [Apr 2008, p.62]

N-Europe

A decent low budget ported package and another enjoyable light gun game for the Wii; which hopefully paves the way for the series to make another return sometime in the future.

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Games Master UK

Shooting zombies is always fun, but there are better horrors and shooters around. [May 2008, p.81]

PALGN

A decent compilation, but we would have liked to have seen more included on the disk to keep players coming back.

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VideoGamer

Without any of the really cool extra stuff that we saw in Ghost Squad for the Wii, such as the leaderboards that encourage extended play, this collection feels a little lazy.

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Gamer.nl

The House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return are almost the same as the older games. The only difference is the Wiimote. The game is fun for about an hour. After that we expect you will quickly find yourself a new game to enjoy. If you are able to live with that, it is worth the try.

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Maxi Consolas (Portugal)

If you didn’t throw away enough coins with the original versions, this double pack can spare you the trip to the arcade. But even if that’s the case, we recommend the Zapper and a fried at hand. Anyway, it’s notorious the out of date nature of this port. [Apr 2008]

Eurogamer

There's no doubting that this is the very best way to play either game outside of an arcade - mainly by virtue of the fantastic controls, and that you don't have to fork out for expensive extra hardware to play them.

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GameZone

Those parents who bought the Wii for there kids may get a kick out of it, and it is only $29.99, but it is old and dated and we deserve something much newer.

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GameSpot

The "dogs of the AMS" make their move to the Wii in this fun but brief port of the on-rails arcade shooters.

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G4 TV

While both games show their age and are over very quickly, shooting gallery games are somewhat timeless in their simplicity. They're solid examples of the genre, and shooting zombies in the head is really its own reward.

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GameTap

Fans of the originals or die-hard light-gun aficionados will enjoy the trip down memory lane, while the rest of us are better off with The Umbrella Chronicles or heading to the local arcade for some Lethal Enforcers II.

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IGN

Not only is Return a port of two games nearly a decade old each, but a technically and visually superior version of this package already existed six years ago. SEGA has nailed IR control though, so the door is wide open for a stellar, Wii-exclusive original light gun game at this point. C’mon guys, let’s see it.

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NTSC-uk

It's great fun in the two-player mode and, like any other lightgun game, is a good laugh for post-pub blasting. It's just a shame that Sega didn't make more of an effort with this release.

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1UP

I still had a good time gunning down hordes of undead, but I can't emphasize enough how disappointing it is to get really close to the end of the game, only to be sent back to the beginning because you've run out of your allotted amount of continues.

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GameTrailers

For better or worse, The House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return is a faithful representation of the arcade classics, and players interested in reliving these titles again and again can grab a copy at a $30 price point.

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Cheat Code Central

Unfortunately, with the not-so-accurate Wii-mote aiming and lack of any real reason to play this game for more than five hours, the $30 price tag starts to look a little steep.

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PTGamers

We hope that Sega has already received enough feedback from players, and can embark on a new project, original, with good production values e lasting appeal. But, please, no Virtua Cop Return, ok?

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Gaming Target

It seems the only reason Sega released this compilation was to experiment with the Wii remote.

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AceGamez

House of the Dead 2 is a frustrating game that's best forgotten and whilst House of the Dead 3 is definitely an improvement, it's still nowhere near as good as The Umbrella Chronicles.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.9 (out of 10) based on 16 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Rob G gave it an8:
The aiming accuracy is spot on. The extra content is fun, if sparse. The graphics are dated, but that's a given due to the age of the game. It's great, but not perfect, mindless fun.

Matt S. gave it a9:
If you like the original arcade games (I do) then you will LOVE this... Well worth picking up as its only cheap and great for some zombie blasting fun. OK so its nothing original but if it ain't broke, don't fix it...

Benihana B. gave it an8:
Love this game, great shooter...brings me back to the collage days when my wife and I used to play this game in the arcade. 2 games in 1. Great buy for only $30!

Chris D. gave it a7:
Having not owned a Dreamcast or an Xbox, but having enjoyed playing them in the arcade, I decided to pick this up. The calibration for more accurate aiming works well and I rarely use a crosshair. While I wish the first one was included (I never owned a Saturn either!) It's still got the whole nostalgia thing going. Worth the $30 for me.

Devin Z. gave it an8:
Instant classic, very fun game with lots of replay value. Cons: graphics, voice acting

Chris L. gave it an8:
HOTD2&3 doesn't bog down the gamers with complicated controls. Its straight forward action that is relentless on enemies. If you are wondering how long it is, I can guarantee you that it will take you longer then Umbrella Chronicles or Ghost Squad. Without a save option the game frustrates you however gives the sense of triumph once it is beaten. There are plenty of unlock ables (not sure if they last). This game could have used a few improvements. It's too bad Sega ported straight from Xbox but for $30 bucks its well worth it. Way more fun then Umbrella Chronicles with better controls and more action. If you are looking for the best light gun shooter on the then this is it.

Colby D. gave it a9:
An addicting trip down memory line, House of the Dead 2 and 3 Return is an excellent arcade port that should be played by everyone with a wii.

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House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return

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What The Critics Said

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