Haunted House

Haunted House is a 1982 adventure game programmed by James Andreasen for the Atari Video Computer System (later renamed the Atari 2600) and published by Atari, Inc. The player controls a character presented by a pair of eyes peering in the dark as they explore a mansion seeking out parts of an urn to return to the entrance. The game world is populated by roaming enemies including vampire bats, tarantulas, and a ghost. Haunted House was among the first games to use player-controlled scrolling between large portions of the visual space.

Player Character

The pair of eyes controlled by the player while exploring the mansion and collecting urn pieces.

Ghost

A roaming enemy that blocks movement through the mansion.

Vampire Bat

A flying threat that can trap careless players.

Tarantula

A ground enemy that forces route changes.

Learn the mansion layout first, especially the entrance and stair positions. Carry one urn piece at a time and return quickly so enemies cannot trap you in narrow halls. In tight corridors, waiting for a safer opening is often better than rushing. Use doors, corners, and room transitions to shake pursuers.

Tips and tricks

• Memorize entrances and stairs early so you do not get lost.
• Carrying one piece at a time is usually the safest approach.
• Changing rooms can create distance from enemies.