Here’s your first look at Atari’s upcoming downloadable Ghostbusters title Sanctum of Slime. The game will hit PSN, Xbox Live and PSN in Spring of 2011 and casts players in the role of a rookie Ghostbuster hired by the team from the original film to help prevent a paranormal tragedy. Wait, something about that feels so familiar.

Oh well, check out the never before released trailer and screens below.

Atari today revealed that Ghostbusters: The Video Game is headed to the PSP and PSPgo in November finally completing the game’s availability on every major system under the sun.

Ghostbusters released on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, DS, and PC five months ago but finally Sony’s portable faithful, and new adopters of tomorrow’s PSPgo debut, can enjoy the ghost bustin’ game.

Red Fly Studios, the team behind the Wii and PS2 versions, handled the development duties for the PSP project, so we can likely expect much of the same, but this is a good thing.

Video games and movies are both quite enjoyable when separate.

However, like eating sandwiches and sex, the end result is rarely good when the two are combined.

With this in mind, there is no surprise that I was a bit skeptical when I heard there was going to be a new Ghostbusters game to be released for the Xbox 360.‚  Yet, upon hearing about how this game was going to have a good distributor and all of the same main actors and writers from the original movies on board with the project, my skepticism quickly turned into cautious optimism for the title.

Ghostbusters takes place in Manhattan just two years after the events in the movie Ghostbusters 2.‚  With all of the main characters present, the stage is set perfectly for players to seamlessly jump into the post-movie action.‚  When starting a new game, players take control of a recently hired Ghostbuster team member.‚  While some of the members have a hard time trusting you at first, you quickly become a major cog for the team.

After completing a quick tutorial, your rookie character jumps right into the action when a Manhattan hotel calls to complain about some paranormal activity within its walls.‚  When the team arrives, it is revealed that your old friend Slimer is wreaking havoc in the hotel.‚  Following the clues and slime piles left behind, the team is locked in an adventure that expands far beyond the presence of Slimer and the premises of the hotel.

The main Ghostbusting function within the gameplay is utilizing the “Sap ‘em, Cap ‘em, Trap ‘em” technique.‚  Resembling the actions from the movies, your character must drain a targeted ghost’s energy (AKA sapping), prevent the ghost from running away (AKA capping) and put the ghost in one of the high-tech, Pokeball-like trapping devices (AKA”¦ well, you get the idea).

Sapping involves some eye-hand coordination, as this part of the technique requires some quick and accurate shooting.‚  Upon finding a powerful ghost (some small ghosts can be eliminated without the use of the entire three step technique) players must follow their ghastly enemy manually with their sapping ray by pressing the RT button.‚  Once you have sapped enough energy out of the ghost (as indicated by a small meter located on or near your target), it is time to trap it.‚  If your proton pack hasn’t done so automatically, press the left bumper to activate your capture stream.‚  When this ray is being used, players will be able to crash the ghost into the ground and walls in order to further weaken and eventually daze the enemy.‚  Once that is accomplished, players should throw out a trap and slowly drag the phantasm into it.

The control scheme is pretty much as difficult as it sounds.‚  Even with the very helpful tutorial portion of the campaign, it seems like most of the controls are not quite as intuitive as many gamers would like (tracking ghosts and even sprinting seems like a bit of a chore). ‚ With this in mind, it is no surprise that combat can be a little longwinded and repetitive. ‚ Expect to be methodically learning and relearning the different processes, especially the Sap “Ëœem, Cap “Ëœem and Trap “Ëœem technique, for a slightly longer period than most games.‚  If you are having much more trouble than you would like, consider customizing your control scheme through the in-game settings menu to accommodate your style of play.

What is really cool about this game, especially to fans of the films, is that the game stays true to its roots.‚  From the actors to the original music from the motion pictures, Ghostbusters really impresses with its attention to detail and continuity.‚  With the game being written by the original writers, comedy legends Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, it is no surprise that the dialogue in Ghostbusters is full of wit and sarcasm.

The voice acting is not without its flaws, however.‚  Though Ghostbusters’ cast has returned in full force, there seemed to be some volume issues with the in-game dialogue.‚  While the sound effects would come through crystal clear, I would have a hard time hearing some of the characters’ voices, especially Billy Murray’s character, Dr. Peter Venkman, whether it was due to overpowering background music or action.‚  This is especially unfortunate because it really leaves the player out of the loop when it comes to hearing the surely priceless comedic value hidden within the inter-character conversations.‚  This problem could surely be solved within the in-game the audio settings, but it would have been nice if the default settings worked a little more effectively.

The attention to detail in Ghostbusters doesn’t end at the writing; the game is filled with little visual features that will make even the most critical gamer pleasantly surprised.‚  The first thing that stands out is the highly functional proton pack located on the back of all of the Ghostbusters.‚  These proton packs are probably as intricately designed as any piece of equipment I’ve seen in recent games.‚  They are covered in bright, flashing lights with dark, well-textured crevasses and curves.‚  When cooling down the proton pack after a good Sap “Ëœem, Cap “Ëœem and Trap “Ëœem session, flurries of steam are emitted beautifully from the lower part of the pack as the energy rods are extended out of the pack and exposed to the air.

Beyond its visual beauty, the detail in the proton pack also comes in handy because it serves as a replacement to a traditional HUD.‚  So, even though the lights make the pack look pretty, they also have a real purpose to them as well.‚  Complete with health and energy meters, players will have no trouble appreciating all of the intricate and useful doodads and wiz bangs attached to the always-trusty proton pack.

The impressive visuals continue throughout the level designs.‚  Each level’s environment is colorful and full of outstanding shading.‚  A player’s surroundings are almost completely interactive, making even the simple act of walking through the game a pleasing experience.‚  Furthermore, a player can use their capture stream to change the environment around them.‚  A piece of furniture in the way?‚  Use your stream to pick up the annoying chair or table and toss it to the side.‚  Players will also quickly notice that the capture and sapping streams will tear holes in walls and even destroy some items, leading to some good clean fun involving scribing words and messages on ceilings.

Another fun feature in the game involves the customizing and upgrading of your equipment.‚  By capturing ghosts and finding hidden treasures, your character will acquire money throughout the game.‚  This expendable cash can be used to buy more powerful gear for a stronger, more effective ghost wrangling experience.‚  Weapon improvements are always loads of fun, however it seemed like one could max out the upgrades without having to beat the entire game.‚  Perhaps a character leveling system could have been utilized to fix this problem.

Blast Factor: Ghostbusters is not a flawless game.‚  However, it is far from a worthless game, as well.‚  Ghostbusters is one of those rare games where all of the main aspects of the game are solid but, for the most part, are somewhat removed from spectacular.‚  While that may not be great news for most games, it is really the best-case scenario for a movie-based game such as this.‚  Ghostbusters stays true to its roots and is visually impressive, making it at least a solid rental for the casual gamer and close to a “must have” for the serious Ghostbuster fan.

So, if you are looking for a movie-based video game that actually worth playing, who you gonna call?‚  Ghostbusters.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game is available for Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 for $59.99

The Wii version of Ghostbusters was developed by Red Fly Studios, who if you remember are also the creators of one of our favorite Wii games from last year, Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars (if you like platformers‚  and haven’t picked it up yet, I don’t know what you’re waiting for). That’s why I cracked a smile when I spotted this poster in one of the early levels of Ghostbusters:

I don’t know about you, but I would definitely play an 8-bit release of “Fungus Dudes” on WiiWare, DSiWare, or whatever your downloadable venue of choice is.

I’m just going to say it.‚  Summer officially begins this week as blockbusters Guitar Hero: Smash Hits and Ghostbusters: The Video Game hit shelves Tuesday.‚  How much warmer can it get than that?‚  Maybe Olivia Munn in this month’s Playboy, but c’mon, that’s just not fair.

Esteemed Blast staff members will have both titles played, reviewed, and sent your way just as quick as possible!

Have a look below for the full list of new releases for the week of June 15

June 15 (Monday)
Eduardo the Samurai Toaster (Wii)
Terminator Salvation (PC)
Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure! (Wii)

June 16 (Tuesday)
Ghostbusters The Video Game (PS2, DS, WII, 360, PS3, PSP, PC)
Guitar Hero: Smash Hits (PS2, PS3, 360, Wii)
Let’s Tap (Wii)
Big League Sports: Summer (Wii, DS)
Vertigo (Wii)
Emergency Room: Real Life Rescues (DS)
Hurry Up Hedgehog! (DS)
Discovery Kids: Parrot Pals (DS)
Diva Girls: Divas on Ice (DS, Wii)
Roogoo Attack (DS)

June 17 (Wednesday)
Rise of Flight: The First Great Air War (PC)
America’s Army 3 (PC)
Sword of the Stars: Argos Naval Yard (PC)
Dawn of Discovery (DS)
Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers (360)
Luna Online (PC)
Dawn of Discovery (PC)

via Kotaku

Ghostbusters the video game is going to be larger than life, no really, it is.‚  Take a look at these images beamed to us from Los Angeles if you have any doubt.

Ecto 1, the official Ghostbuster vehicle from the feature films (or a replica) is parked outside the convention center in LA for us nerds to get our ectoplasmic residue in a bunch about.

Digital text readers across the internets were up in arms this morning regarding word that Sony would be seizing the reins from Atari to publish Ghostbusters on PS2/PS3 in Europe and Australia, and mere hours later, the publisher came to the rescue to clarify.

The publisher dropped us a line this morning letting us know that Ghostbusters will indeed be published by Atari in North America with the PlayStation Portable/PlayStation 3/ PlayStation 2 versions by way of Sony in PAL regions.

What’s more we now have the worldwide release schedule-sorry PS2 + PS3 gamers abroad, you have to wait three extra days.

June 16 2009 marks the advent of Ghostbusters on PS2, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360, PC, and DS in North America published by Atari.

Three days later on June 19 Europe and Australia PlayStation 2 + 3 gamers get their fill via publisher Sony, to coincide with the 25^th anniversary of the initial theatrical release of Ghostbusters.

No word on Xbox 360, PC, DS, or Wii coming to Europe this June in PAL regions. Sorry guys.

Furthermore, Atari confirmed a PSP version due out sometime in the fall of 2009.

Ghostbusers: The Video Game continues to get me all giddy with every developer diary, every batch of screens, and recently, the inclusion of a certain Alyssa Milano into the voice work. With almost the entire cast writing and providing voice work for the project, the production values and authenticity will be unparalleled in the video game world.

The game will be readily available for every major console, and while it is understandable that a PS3/Xbox 360 platform choice might seem preferable, if you own the little white Wii, you might want to consider the following.

A recent developer diary entry to the IGN Ghostbusters blog written by Jeff Mills, Technical Design Director at Red Fly Studios, indicates how the Wii version of Ghostbusters was built from the ground up specifically to support split screen multiplayer co-op for two players.‚  Players will have the ability to start each level either on their own, or with a pal, one that will always have your back during game-play to keep the game moving at a “very brisk and exciting pace.”

However, the word co-op usually refers to team strategy and helpfulness, and while it is an important part to surviving many missions in Ghostbusters, Wii fans will be happy to know it is not everything and competition is just as important says Mills:

“There is a mechanism for tracking how much damage the player does to the environment. Challenge your friends: Who can finish the level doing the most damage? How about the least? With environments packed with destroyable objects, furniture and fine art, it’s tough to hit either end of the damage spectrum.”

Personally, the choice will be a very difficult one between the specifically social multiplayer aspects of the Wii version and the wonderfully rendered and gorgeously frightening ghosts found in the Xbox 360/PS3 versions.‚  No need to fret however, as the slated release date is not until June and I am confident more pressing issues and aspects of the game will filter out, thus facilitating my decision.

Until then, enjoy the developer blog entry over at IGN, and our hands on preview of the title, both are great reads and will fill that ghostbusting void of yours at least for a little while.

Ghostbusters fans hotly anticipating the long awaited and soon to be video game now have more sizzle and intrigue lying ahead for them.

Atari announced today that Alyssa Milano, remember her in Charmed and Who’s the Boss, will join the cast in Ghostbusters: The video game alongside a host of funny men ridding the world of spooky ghosts.

Milano plays Dr. Ilyssa Selwyn, an archaeologist and curator of the ‘World of Gozer’ exhibit in the Museum of Natural history who enlists the Ghostbusters’ help when‚ ‚  a cataclysmic force is unleashed and summons an ancient enemy back to New York City.

However, Dr. Peter Venkman, voiced by Bill Murray has one objective in mind, and Ilyssa finds herself constantly warding off the Dr.’s advances.‚  Almost the classic damsel in distress story.‚  Almost.

NEW YORK — Hold up, I know what you’re thinking. Why would you want to play Ghostbusters on Wii when there’s a perfectly great looking, photo-realistic version coming out at the exact same time for those systems with the high-definition visuals? Here’s your answer: because this game is fun, and quality gameplay trumps all.

Here’s the deal with the Wii version of Ghostbusters. Red Fly Studios (developer of Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars, one of Wii’s top titles from 2008) knew that simply porting the Wii version over from the other consoles was not the way to make a quality game, so instead they have built a different game specifically for the Wii.

Rather than a realistic visual style, the Wii version uses a more cartoon influenced style, but that doesn’t detract from the atmosphere. Instead, what you get is a different take on an established franchise, as the characters also look markedly different from the cartoon series. The visuals I saw were from an earlier build, so I was assured by Red Fly that the one they have going now looks superior, but even on the old build you could see how well the style of the game was coming out. Check out the included screens to see what I mean, but keep in mind that those are also outdated when compared to where the game is now.

In addition to that, the same sound team (GL33k) that worked on Mushroom Men is putting together the music for this Wii game. Sadly, I couldn’t hear their contributions thanks to the noise at Comic Con, but if their input is, quality-wise, on the same level as what I expect based on my previous experiences with them, then they will only add to the game’s appeal.

Like the other Ghostbusters title, this one takes place two years after Ghostbusters II. You begin by picking a character from a few templates (you can be either a male or female in this version; you’re the new recruit on the Ghostbusters team) and then you’re put to work capturing ghosts.

As for the actual gameplay, this version of Ghostbusters utilizes the Wii Remote in effective ways. You’re in a third-person, over the shoulder view, and you use the IR pointer on the controller to aim and to look around. Once you’re in motion, you have plenty of things to keep you occupied. Ghosts will appear, and you must defeat them or capture them, depending on the size and strength of the specter. They will also hide in different objects, and you will need to find them using your PKE meter and by blasting around with your pack.

Atari announced the official release date for the much anticipated Ghostbusters: The Video Game.

“On June 16, 2009 the all new adventure inspired by the hit film franchise will release across North America,” said Nicole Tubman, a publicist for Atari.

“Ghostbusters: The Video Game, is written by original Ghostbusters writers and stars Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd and reunites many of the original cast members including Bill Murray and Ernie Hudson to recapture the unique blend of humor and fright that established Ghostbusters as a pop culture sensation,” Tubman said. “In addition, the game will also coincide with the original motion picture’s 25th anniversary and launch Tuesday, June 16, 2009 with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s worldwide debut of the original motion picture on Blu-ray Disc.”

Ghostbusters is coming for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, and Windows. This is by far the biggest project Atari has taken on since it moved from a development house to a distribution-only shop last year.

In a huge move for Atari, which had been struggling over the past few years, will publish the highly anticipated and much previewed Ghostbusters game in development by Sierra.

A source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed for Blast that the New York-based American arm of Infogrames Entertainment will publish the game.

We announced last year that the game will be available this fall on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC, Playstation 2, Wii and DS.

This is the second — and certainly bigger of the two — development to come out of the Atari camp today. We previously heard that they will also publish a new “Riddick” game.

Stick with Blast for more on the Ghostbusters game!

Sierra Entertainment and Sony Pictures Consumer Products announced today that Ghostbusters: The Video Game is under development, based on the classic blockbuster films. The game will be available next fall on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC, Playstation 2, Wii and DS.

“To deliver a special gaming experience to the tremendous Ghostbusters’ fan base around the world, the game will feature the original film cast from Columbia Pictures’ classic Ghostbusters films,” the companies said in a statement. Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson, together again for the first time in more than 20 years, will lend their voices to the upcoming game. Annie Potts, Brian Doyle Murray and William Atherton will also be featured.

The game will feature original unique weapons and gadgets, and let players hunt ghosts while saving New York City.

“Sierra Entertainment is extremely excited to not only deliver fans, old and new, this next chapter in the Ghostbusters universe, but to allow them inside the universe for the first time,” said Martin Tremblay, president of Worldwide Studios for Sierra Entertainment. “Our collaboration includes working closely alongside the team at Sony Pictures Consumer Products, Terminal Reality and Red Fly Studios. Together we will create the ultimate Ghostbusters experience, full of the characters, ghosts and other paranormal creatures so many have come to adore over the years.”

The fact that Sony Pictures is directly involved in the development of the game makes sense — considering the acting talent in the game. But it also emboldens claims and rumors that a Ghostbusters 3 is under development.

In a recent television appearance, Ernie Hudson said he was all for a Ghostbusters 3 but that Bill Murray was against reopening the sereis.

“Bill Murray has been against GB3 for a while, and probably will not be returning as Peter Venkman in the third film … Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis have rewritten the script for “Ghostbusters 3: Hellbent” and are now calling it “Ghostbusters in Hell.” “GB in Hell” will follow the same storyline as the previous draft–the Ghostbusters will be transported to hell and have to find their way out,” according to a Bloghub post recently.

There is no word from Sony on a new movie.

“Ghostbusters is one of Sony Picture’s most beloved film franchises,” said Mark Caplan, vice president of licensing for Sony Pictures Consumer Products. “We believe fans are going to be impressed with the game’s ability to deliver a very authentic Ghostbusters experience, as well as its capacity to expand the Ghostbusters universe that they currently know.”

Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis will write the script and storyline for the video game.

“Ghostbusters The Video Game will create a totally unique experience and gameplay environment that authentically recreates the time period of the film, expanding the lore and supernatural events that seemingly plague New York City,” the companies said.

Additional information about Ghostbusters The Game is available at http://www.ghostbustersgame.com/.

Game summary from Sierra/Sony:

When Manhattan is once again overrun by ghosts and other supernatural creatures, players will take on the role of a new recruit joining the famous Ghostbusters team. Developed by acclaimed studio Terminal Reality, Ghostbusters The Video Game will make its debut on the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC and Red Fly Studios will develop the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, Wii(TM) and Nintendo DS(TM) versions of this seminal entertainment brand.

Ghostbusters the movie was released in 1984 and is one of Columbia Pictures’ highest grossing films of all time. It led to sequel in 1989 and three animated television shows.

The film and its sequel grossed over $580 million worldwide. Ghostbusters merchandise has exceeded $1 billion in retail sales, Sony said.