With Halloween almost upon us, we here at Lunch Break Games have been listening to our share of eerie Nintendo music, lighting pumpkin candles, and hunkering down with some of our favorite spooky levels! Now to clarify, we’re talking about levels that encapsulate that fun, about-to-go-trick-or-treating feeling, so this list is composed of fun haunts from gaming rather than than the most terrifying moments we’ve experienced in the digital world. So let’s get started on listing our favorite good ole spooky levels!
Mad Monster Mansion: Banjo Kazooie
Considering how high we ranked this on our Banjo Kazooie list, it’s no surprise to see Mad Monster Mansion here. This level oozes Halloween spirit from its ghost-ridden hedge maze, to its eerie church graveyard. We also have to note how effective the music variations are, with a more playful rendition of the theme in the house, a more gothic and adventurous version when outside, and a hauntingly beautiful pipe organ composition in the chapel. Add in the fact you literally become a jack-o-lantern, and you’ll want to revisit this gem each October 31st!
Ghostly Galaxy: Super Mario Galaxy
There are so many incredible spooky Mario levels from the original ghost houses of Super Mario World to the absolute iconic Big Boo’s Haunt of Mario 64. But for the sake of listing at least one level that isn’t some play on the haunted mansion motif, we went with the dramatically underrated Ghostly Galaxy! The haunting waltz, the twisting pathways, the eerie enemies, and literally becoming a Boo – this underrated haunt has plenty spookiness to appreciate!
The Forest Temple: LOZ Ocarina Of Time
I’m sure most readers were expecting The Shadow Temple to make an appearance on this list, but we argue The Forest Temple fits the spooky bill more, seeing as it features four ghosts hiding throughout this deserted manor. You won’t be fighting for your life here, but exploring the dark twisting corridors and watching out for the wall masters who can snatch you up in an instant will have you constantly on guard. Plus its music features echoing ambient percussion and a singsong melody against ominous strings that works to only further the uncertain tension.
Queen Vanessa’s Manor: Hat In Time
Probably the scariest entry on our spooky list, Queen Vanessa’s Manor offers ominous hallways illuminated by lightning flashes and reddish candles, and small shifty changes to the environment. The worst part? Any of these shadows could be Queen Vanessa herself, ready to pounce. The somehow even worst part than that? You don’t have any of your hat abilities, leaving you feeling much more helpless and vulnerable!
Pumpkin Hill: Sonic Adventure 2
Did we put Pumpkin Hill on our list solely because the R&B track that plays while you search for Master Emerald shards gives you the confidence to kick a ghost’s ass? You better believe it. We still love exploring the graves and gliding across wide gaps between pumpkin mountains. But it’s the sick beat that really solidifies this as a Halloween must play. Pumpkin Hill? More like Cypress Hill!
So feeling that chill in the air yet? If not there are plenty more great spooky levels we didn’t cover here! Be sure to let us know which are your favorites in the comments. And of course we hope you have a spooky Halloween!
