Haunting Starring Polterguy

Haunting Starring Polterguy

Overview & History

Released by Electronic Arts in 1993 for the Sega Genesis, Haunting Starring Polterguy is a wonderfully morbid isometric action-puzzle game that turns traditional horror tropes on their head. You control Polterguy, a rebellious skateboarder who was murdered by a rigged skateboard manufactured by the evil CEO Norman Todd and his greedy company, Sardine Corp. Resurrected as a mischievous spirit by an ethereal council, Polterguy seeks sweet, kinetic revenge by scaring the four members of the Sardine family across their various luxurious suburban and industrial properties. Unlike typical horror titles where you run from monsters, here you are the monster—or rather, the poltergeist—tasked with manifesting terror.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

The gameplay revolves around psychological warfare rather than direct combat. Across four distinct environments—ranging from a suburban house to an aquarium—you must frighten the Sardine family until they flee the room in sheer panic. Polterguy navigates the isometric rooms by sliding along the floor, possessing everyday household objects like mounted fish, televisions, garbage cans, and toilets. When a family member approaches, you trigger the object to animate, spewing ectoplasm and driving up their fear meter. However, haunting drains Polterguy’s ectoplasm energy reserves, forcing you to occasionally retreat to the spirit world to recharge. If your ectoplasm runs dry or you get hit by psychic defenses, you are booted back to the underworld and must climb a platformer-style mini-game back to the mortal plane. Each family member has unique phobias and behavioral loops, requiring you to carefully map out scare sequences, set traps, and manipulate environmental hazards to force them out of the house for good.

Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move Polterguy across the isometric planes
• Action Keys: Possess items, trigger scares, and dive into the spirit world
• Enter: Start / Pause