The House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return

 Wii
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Mar 11, 2008
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 47 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 47
  3. Negative: 2 out of 47
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  1. SyntJohan
    Jan 8, 2012
    9
    It's a perfect game for the Wii. I don't know the price (I hope it's low), but I don't understand becouse it takes only 66/100 from critic reviews. Ok, it's an old game, it's a "simple" arcade game...but this is The House of the Dead; everyone knows this game..If you want to have this game in your living room (not a Pc version, where you shoot with the mouse), now you can! And you canIt's a perfect game for the Wii. I don't know the price (I hope it's low), but I don't understand becouse it takes only 66/100 from critic reviews. Ok, it's an old game, it's a "simple" arcade game...but this is The House of the Dead; everyone knows this game..If you want to have this game in your living room (not a Pc version, where you shoot with the mouse), now you can! And you can "shoot the TV" . It's perfect for this console, and I think that anyone would enjoy this game, especially in 2 players mode.… Expand
  2. Folstar
    Aug 28, 2013
    1
    A lazy port of a decade old arcade game on a system loaded with vastly superior light gun games? No thank you. Quarter eating cheap shots, shooting offscreen, and mediocre graphics might have been acceptable in 2008, but here in the future you could be playing HotD:Overkill, DeadSpace, Ghost Squad, Umbrella Chronicles, etc..
  3. ChrisD.
    Mar 16, 2008
    7
    Having not owned a Dreamcast or an Xbox, but having enjoyed playing them in the arcade, I decided to pick this up. The calibration for more accurate aiming works well and I rarely use a crosshair. While I wish the first one was included (I never owned a Saturn either!) It's still got the whole nostalgia thing going. Worth the $30 for me.
  4. SqueM.
    Aug 28, 2008
    9
    House of the Dead 2 and 3 Return is awesome...it brings 2 games of an awesome series to the Wii and it made me hyped. The graphics in HOTD 2 and 3 are excellent even for today standards. The voice acting meh...the music wow... and overall, this is probably the best light gun games to appear to the Wii.
  5. A.T.Cooke
    Mar 13, 2008
    9
    The Wii has had some rough patches when it comes to third party games, and honestly, I'm a bit fed up with mini-game compilations, but it seems that the Wii has found another way to channel its rather unique talents: Light Gun Shooters. I enjoyed R.E. Umbrella Chronicles, even if the story-system broke the flow a bit. I absolutely loved Ghost Squad, and now we have the classics House The Wii has had some rough patches when it comes to third party games, and honestly, I'm a bit fed up with mini-game compilations, but it seems that the Wii has found another way to channel its rather unique talents: Light Gun Shooters. I enjoyed R.E. Umbrella Chronicles, even if the story-system broke the flow a bit. I absolutely loved Ghost Squad, and now we have the classics House Of The Dead 2 & 3 in one handy package. I enjoyed these games tremendously in arcades, and many quarters were spent on the arcade versions. Sometimes challenging, and an incredible amount of fun with a friend. Heres to hoping that the Wii will follow this path to more excellent light gun games in the future.… Expand
  6. LeeK
    Apr 24, 2008
    7
    Fun game, I never played the originals other than a few quarters in the arcades. For the life of me though I can't understand why they continue to use the "shot off screen to reload" mechanic. Why not just map it to either the A, C or Z buttons?
  7. LucoT.
    Mar 12, 2008
    9
    It may be dated, but HotD is THE standard for light gun games. Well placed enemies, incredible bosses, branching paths through levels, and above all some serious fun factor. If you owned the Xbox version then there's not enough new content to bring you back, but newcomers should definitely pay this house a call.
  8. ChrisL.
    Mar 13, 2008
    8
    HOTD2&3 doesn't bog down the gamers with complicated controls. Its straight forward action that is relentless on enemies. If you are wondering how long it is, I can guarantee you that it will take you longer then Umbrella Chronicles or Ghost Squad. Without a save option the game frustrates you however gives the sense of triumph once it is beaten. There are plenty of unlock ables (not HOTD2&3 doesn't bog down the gamers with complicated controls. Its straight forward action that is relentless on enemies. If you are wondering how long it is, I can guarantee you that it will take you longer then Umbrella Chronicles or Ghost Squad. Without a save option the game frustrates you however gives the sense of triumph once it is beaten. There are plenty of unlock ables (not sure if they last). This game could have used a few improvements. It's too bad Sega ported straight from Xbox but for $30 bucks its well worth it. Way more fun then Umbrella Chronicles with better controls and more action. If you are looking for the best light gun shooter on the then this is it.… Expand
  9. ColbyD.
    Mar 13, 2008
    9
    An addicting trip down memory line, House of the Dead 2 and 3 Return is an excellent arcade port that should be played by everyone with a wii.
  10. MattS.
    Mar 27, 2008
    9
    If you like the original arcade games (I do) then you will LOVE this... Well worth picking up as its only cheap and great for some zombie blasting fun. OK so its nothing original but if it ain't broke, don't fix it...
  11. DevinZ.
    Mar 14, 2008
    8
    Instant classic, very fun game with lots of replay value. Cons: graphics, voice acting
  12. BenihanaB.
    Mar 16, 2008
    8
    Love this game, great shooter...brings me back to the collage days when my wife and I used to play this game in the arcade. 2 games in 1. Great buy for only $30!
  13. RobG
    Mar 28, 2008
    8
    The aiming accuracy is spot on. The extra content is fun, if sparse. The graphics are dated, but that's a given due to the age of the game. It's great, but not perfect, mindless fun.
  14. ArkonBlade
    Mar 20, 2011
    8
    there is just some thing about light gun games i just really love . both theese games have showed there age abit and if you have played house of the dead over kill you will most likely find it way better . thats not to say theese 2 classics arnt worth playing they certainly are . the voice acting is some of the most god awful crap you will ever hear but thats also kinda the charm of theesethere is just some thing about light gun games i just really love . both theese games have showed there age abit and if you have played house of the dead over kill you will most likely find it way better . thats not to say theese 2 classics arnt worth playing they certainly are . the voice acting is some of the most god awful crap you will ever hear but thats also kinda the charm of theese 2 games . its so bad its funny . really the only down side i really give this game is that sega didnt do any thing new to theese 2 games . some updated graphics and some more features would have been nice . but for the price its worth getting . theese kind of games are what the wii was made to play.… Expand
  15. stillnumber1
    Jan 17, 2011
    7
    HotD is a great retro shooter with some nice branching mechanics. HotD3 is the more balanced of the two but HotD2 is also a fun challenge.

    I am surprised HotD wasn't included though..
  16. StriderKiwi
    Jun 21, 2013
    7
    They basically just ported 2 and 3 and...that's it. So if you really like one or the other or both then go for it. I wasn't super into 3 but I found 2 to be a great trip down memory lane. Fun gameplay and some of the funniest worst dubbing ever. It's quite the experience.
  17. leeemmott
    Apr 4, 2013
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Well this game was out in the mid 200 0's I remember it a lot it was an arcade game for shooting zombies like a Resident Evil game how we changed now do we look on this game now still?

    For some fun memory's yes I used have this game until I was getting quite bored with it now they is also two games in one yes and some rather mini-games after you done the game.

    The story is not really breathtaking enough to make you enjoy it with the most annoying music I even heard in the game, I did like the boss fights and how it's all dealt with simple shoot something to get a weak part of it and you've done I also like the sound of the boss fights really nice but 13 years is a long time I still remember some parts.

    So if I were you I try it again but if you played this on Dream cast since it was on the dc then it's the same thing on other platform console that does not change nothing it was a great thing to have and look again after these years.    … Expand
  18. resumegam3
    Jun 4, 2014
    8
    This is a great all round package and is perfect if you have a Wii and a friend to bring over, because this game is great fun in 2 player mode. The voice acting is very bad, but it's not as bad as Mindjack, which is a great game, but is let down by the voice acting. The gameplay works incredibly well for Wii. The graphics show their age but they're still acceptable for Wii. The House ofThis is a great all round package and is perfect if you have a Wii and a friend to bring over, because this game is great fun in 2 player mode. The voice acting is very bad, but it's not as bad as Mindjack, which is a great game, but is let down by the voice acting. The gameplay works incredibly well for Wii. The graphics show their age but they're still acceptable for Wii. The House of the Dead 2 has a boring storyline, which is: a big zombie outbreak has happened in Sunset Bridge and the zombies invade the city as well. However, the storyline in House of the Dead 3 is more interesting. The storyline is: G and Lisa are trying to find Lisa's father and kill Daniel Curien. Both games are 1 hour long, but are fun to replay. This is definitely worth its current price point (£10/$20) and is fun to play with a friend. The good parts are the gameplay and replayability. The bad parts are the laughable voice acting and the short campaigns. (Which are still replayable)… Expand
  19. TheWambologist
    Apr 22, 2014
    7
    This game won't have anyone glued to their Wiis for weeks straight, but this game is a good port of two arcade classics. You get options like difficulty levels, number of hits, and number of continues to change up the simple yet addictive gameplay, but it does feel like a couple of things could have been added to make the game more worthwhile. House of the Dead is a fun on rail shooter,This game won't have anyone glued to their Wiis for weeks straight, but this game is a good port of two arcade classics. You get options like difficulty levels, number of hits, and number of continues to change up the simple yet addictive gameplay, but it does feel like a couple of things could have been added to make the game more worthwhile. House of the Dead is a fun on rail shooter, however, especially when playing with someone else.… Expand
  20. how_are_u
    Apr 18, 2015
    6
    Even though this included the house of dead 2 and 3 in it, for the price and short length included in the game maybe adding the house of the dead 1 and 4 to the game would be better as well.
  21. Kyle_Katarn92
    Nov 15, 2016
    9
    A great game for the Wii. This is an excellent port of 2 classic arcade titles. The controls work great, this is the closest you will get to the actual arcade machine in the comfort of your living room without having to buy one.
  22. FregenDied
    Aug 6, 2016
    7
    This an almost perfect port of two differently dated games. House of the Dead 2 and 3 Return contains near perfect ports of two great arcade shooters, with some differences, positive or negative. For a low price, you are getting two excellent arcade games. House of the Dead 2 may have voice acting on par with Microsoft Sam, and some differences from the PC and Dreamcast versions (namelyThis an almost perfect port of two differently dated games. House of the Dead 2 and 3 Return contains near perfect ports of two great arcade shooters, with some differences, positive or negative. For a low price, you are getting two excellent arcade games. House of the Dead 2 may have voice acting on par with Microsoft Sam, and some differences from the PC and Dreamcast versions (namely crosshairs, worse graphics, and some other nitpicks), but it is otherwise a perfect port. House of the Dead 3 is a notable devolution from the Xbox version from a while ago. Namely, there is alot of slow down, inferior graphics from the Xbox and PC versions and a lack of auto-reloading. The two games allow the Wiimote to be used alone or be augmented with a gun (the Wii Zapper, the Nyko Perfect Shot, the Nerf Switchshot EX3 or many others) to "Make em' dead again". To reload, you have to point the Wiimote off-screen to recreate the Arcade experience. This is a problem, because it sets your aim off-track and, as said, the home versions of HOTD III contain auto-reloading. HOTD Overkill is the best for reloading, as you simply have to press the A button. Although this is a great port for the Wii, if you want the games far superior in gameplay and graphic quality, buy a lightgun or two and the Xbox version of III (2 is unlockable). If you have a budget and a flat-screen TV, go for this version of the game.… Expand
  23. Alex_Pilgrim008
    Apr 8, 2023
    7
    A good port of two classic light gun games. Each one lasts about 40 minutes, but they are fast-paced and fun. Both titles include extra challenge modes. While solo play can be enjoyable, it's best to co-op with a buddy. This is a must have for series fans thanks to the motion controls. My main complaint would be the exclusion of the first "House". Overall, I would rate this with a 7.5 out of 10.
  24. Retro_indepecat
    Sep 7, 2017
    9
    No entenc aquestes puntuacions baixes... es un joc arcade que sempre havies desitjat tenir a casa, i ara pots! bonissim, i més si es a dos jugadors!! GRAN!!
  25. mr-NachoMen
    Jul 3, 2018
    8
    This wii version of "The House of the Dead" collects the best games in the series in this famous arcade shooter, yeah it ,might have a really silly plot and terrible voice acting, but still great games.
    The replacement of the lightgun with the wii remote make the shooting more effective and fluent that the original arcade and that option to turn blood color green to make it look less    This wii version of "The House of the Dead" collects the best games in the series in this famous arcade shooter, yeah it ,might have a really silly plot and terrible voice acting, but still great games.
    The replacement of the lightgun with the wii remote make the shooting more effective and fluent that the original arcade and that option to turn blood color green to make it look less violent is a nice touch... unnecessary... but nice.
    Overall, it is the same game from the arcades without any improvement or extras besides the green blood option and without spending coins every time you get killed, which is the tedious part of any arcade.
    it is a great silly zombie shooter game, that you can play in your couch without being in a waiting line on an arcade to play it. Maybe not the best port out there, but still very enjoyable.    … Expand
  26. TeaFan556
    Dec 19, 2021
    8
    [RU]
    Может с критиками что-то не так, но мне этот сборник очень понравился. Да, хотелось бы, чтобы они добавили первую часть, но даже при этом, играется очень бодро и весело!

Awards & Rankings

87
#87 Best Wii Game of 2008
15
#15 Most Discussed Wii Game of 2008
8
#8 Most Shared Wii Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 28 out of 36
  3. Negative: 1 out of 36
  1. Nintendo Power
    70
    But if you enjoy a good light-gun game like I do, this is one house call that's hard to pass up. [Apr 2008, p.87]
  2. Game Informer
    75
    These games look fairly dated and the bonus content here is a little thin. Shooter fans who’ve already had their fill of "Umbrella Chronicles" and "Ghost Squad" might find this worth checking out.
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  3. IGN
    60
    Not only is Return a port of two games nearly a decade old each, but a technically and visually superior version of this package already existed six years ago. SEGA has nailed IR control though, so the door is wide open for a stellar, Wii-exclusive original light gun game at this point. C’mon guys, let’s see it.
    Read full review
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