The Real Ghostbusters Game Boy box art

Game Boy · Platformer / Puzzle

The Real Ghostbusters

SystemGame Boy
Released1993
GenrePlatformer, Puzzle
DeveloperKemco
PublisherActivision
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
SeriesGarfield
LegacyWell-known · legacy score 4

Released for the Game Boy in 1993, The Real Ghostbusters is a platformer developed by Kemco and published by Activision. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Garfield Labyrinth. It blends platformer and puzzle elements.

It landed about 4 years into the Game Boy's life. Other notable Game Boy releases from 1993 include The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, Darkwing Duck and Kirby's Pinball Land.

It is part of the Garfield series. The series also appears on other systems with Garfield: Caught in the Act (Genesis) and A Week of Garfield (NES). Kemco also made The Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle 2, Snoopy's Magic Show and Mickey Mouse: Magic Wands! for the Game Boy.

This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.

Pick it if…

  • you want to run, jump and explore
  • you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)

Maybe skip it if…

  • you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing The Real Ghostbusters is like

Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.

Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.

The Real Ghostbusters gameplay screenshot on Game Boy
In-game screenshot (Game Boy)

The Real Ghostbusters cheats & codes

19 codes on file (GameShark). Here are a few GameShark codes to start with:

Infinite Health01063EC3
Infinite Time010139C3
0 Stars01003BC3
Invincibility0129D2C6
Infinite Lives010935D6

See all The Real Ghostbusters cheats

The Real Ghostbusters walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for The Real Ghostbusters.

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Playing Game Boy games today

Game Boy games were designed for short bursts on the go, which makes them ideal for a coffee break today. Many are available through Nintendo Switch Online, and original carts play on any later Game Boy model.

The Real Ghostbusters FAQ

When did The Real Ghostbusters come out on the Game Boy?

The Real Ghostbusters was released for the Game Boy in 1993.

Who made The Real Ghostbusters?

It was developed by Kemco and published by Activision.

Is The Real Ghostbusters multiplayer?

No. The Real Ghostbusters is a single-player game.

How long does The Real Ghostbusters take to play?

As a platformer, The Real Ghostbusters typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about The Real Ghostbusters on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

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