Title: Living Dead House
Developer: Deprecated Games
Publisher: Flynn’s Arcade
Available On: April 2nd 2026
Platforms: PC and Nintendo Switch
Reviewed On: Nintendo Switch 2

Introduction

Living Dead House is an arcade style 16-bit stye survival horror game that takes place in a variety of abandoned buildings.

Synopsis

Control your player as you choose from a variety of traps, weapons, and accessories to take on hordes of zombies and survive each level to make it to the next stage.

Analysis

Defend yourself in a mansion from hordes of zombies as they take over the building you reside in. It is up to you to eliminate the threat and survive the countdown using your skill, weapons, and environment. Can you survive the through the night?

The gameplay

Living Dead House places, you in an abandoned building in which the player must utilize the tools, weapons, and environment in a variety of ways to survive the ever-increasing masses of zombies that show up through doors and windows. It may sound simple, but as you progress the enemies can become a bit more in number and speed.  

To go about your survival within the zombie-filled halls you can use the following tools and weapons:

Axe: Your main melee weapon to chop down your enemies.

Boards: If a Zombie crashes through window you can pick these up to board up them back up temporarily to slow down the enemy count.

Bear Trap: Set these on the ground and direct the zombies into the trap that awaits them.

Electrocution: Some buildings have switches that activate an area that can zap the zombies through the means of electricity.

Flamethrower: Though I prefer roasting marshmallows this handy fuel filled firearm roasts nearby zombie brains.

Shotgun: A really great heavy duty close quarter solution to rid yourself of some of the undead.

Most of these weapons or tools can be used once or twice and you can only hold two at a time to use. You can also unlock the special weapon the chainsaw if you successfully collect five letters spelling out the word shred.

The game has two different game modes for players to enjoy. Arcade mode offers the player 20 different stages that the player must stay alive and wins once the timer has run out. Each stage can play differently with the variety of layouts to each building. The player can utilize the layout to control the flow of the zombies and try to manipulate the enemy to a trap or attack from the player. Jump down to lower levels or move from one side of the screen to another through side doors. Learn the layout and create a strategy to have success in each playthrough.

The second mode is survival mode in which like any other survival mode you continue playing until you are taken out. You can also play this mode as well as the arcade mode with a second player locally, this adds a bit more fun and chaos to each play through session.

Anther cool edition to the game is that the developers have also included a few different filters. This includes a black and white filter that makes the game feel a bit older and spookier. Another thing you can add is the CRT filter that brings you right into the 80’s itself. If you don’t know which to choose you can also combine both for an old 80’s art style. See for yourself.

Final Score

Living Dead House brings the simple objective of surviving the undead for a period of time and combines it with layers of strategy. I was finding myself enjoying the simple goal but the complexity of moving around each environment quickly trying to avoid death. Going up ladders and navigating stairs and collecting items and weapons was satisfying and made you think quickly and hoping that you don’t make the wrong move. Strategy really came into play for me when I would grab bear traps and set them down and then try and get a zombie to step in it. Stay on the lookout as you play defense and offense at the same time.

The game was overall a smooth experience. I did feel as though the game could get quite repetitive at times and sometimes, I felt I did not have an option to escape my situation but overall, the game was a very enjoyable arcade experience for me.

If you enjoy strategic fast-paced arcade survival you will feel right at home here. I always am looking for a good balance in games when it comes to fun and gameplay. Living Dead House provided me with a great strategy filled experience while maintaining that pure arcade high scoring fun. This game defiantly is one that you should check out if you are at all an arcade fan. Happy horde hunting.

Share your reactions below or join the conversation on the Boss Rush Discord.

Shane Kelley is a Senior writer for Boss Rush Network, as well as a writer for Another Zelda Podcast. His favorite game is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. You can find him on X or Bluesky to talk video games, Marvel, cribbage, and axe throwing.

Images: taken by author