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The notion that the gameplay is shallow is also a bit misleading. Sure, it does follow a 'clear this area of enemies then move to the next' pattern familiar to the genre, though from start to finish, using the proton packs to capture ghosts never loses its thrill. The system is pretty straight forward and uses a kind of 'fishing' mechanic (think Zelda): Use your proton stream to weaken the ghost you're trying to capture; when it's had enough, grab it with the steam and pull it in the opposite direction that it's fleeing, much like you would a fish. Finally, when it looks like it's had enough, a quick button press releases the ghost trap and all you have to do is guide it in to its tiny little prison. It's an easy to use method that really does a great job capturing the feeling of being a Ghostbuster.

While these 'fishing' moments do make up a large portion of the game, it isn't the only type of ghostbusting that you will do. In addition to boss fights, there are plenty of scrappy little non-trapable ghosts that can be dispatched with standard proton blasts. These encounters tend to be more irksome than not (especially when compared with their bigger, trapable cousins and the boss fights) though they in no way deplete the overall enjoyment. Further, the game includes some slight puzzle/archiving mechanics with the use of the 'tricorder-esque' ecto-reader device. Utilizing this device jumps you into a kind of first person, night vision mode, whereby you can detect all sorts of paranormal stuff invisible to the naked eye.

All in all, trying to judge Ghostbusters as a game without taking into consideration the source material is an exercise in futility. In no other game do you and four other glorified exterminators played by Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson try to destroy a 500 foot walking marshmallow with 'phasers set to phantasm.' Even if that's all this game had to offer, it would be worth playing, but it just so happens that there is also a really fun game in there as well.

I guess the lyric from Ray Parker Jr.'s famous theme song is true, 'bustin' does make me feel good.