History NightmareFuel / Splatterhouse

** The most infamous cutscene is after saving Jennifer in Stage 1, you have to defeat the Giant Boreworm in Stage 2. As the timer ticks down, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkIr0ysbnf0 the cutscenes]] show the boreworm entering Jennifer's body and slowly devour her from the inside, with the marks on her chest growing as time passes. If you fail to defeat the boss before the two minute mark, you're immediately treated to a scene where Jennifer gives a blank stare as the game state the boreworm is eating her brain. She almost looks like [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Film/TheExorcist Regan,]] but she couldn't be saved at this point. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX9C1o1iFt8 The music that plays]] (which also occurs in the Bonus Stage) doesn't help.

** The doll itself is very creepy, falling easily in the UncannyValley and says [[MadnessMantra "Mama!"]] with a chilling, disturbing voice.

* [[SequelHook The]] BittersweetEnding, in which the ritual succeeds, though it's not Lenora,but [[DemonicPossession the Corrupted that got to]] [[BlackEyesOfEvil Jennifer]].

* [[SequelHook The]] DownerEnding, [[DemonicPossession the Corrupted got to]] [[BlackEyesOfEvil Jennifer]] in the end and [[TheBadGuyWins West finally succeeded]].

* The UsefulNotes/TurboGrafx16 port's [[https://dinosaurdracula.com/blog/creepy-commercials-4/ commercial]] intercuts clips of the game with a live-action Rick dragging a log into a dark, foggy workshop, and sawing it down into a 2X4 plank. The ad only twice shows his head, wearing the blood-red Terror Mask; once when he wields a circular saw, again when he swings the finished 2X4 towards the camera. During the latter, the announcer (having completed his description of ''Splatterhouse'''s premise) loudly asks the viewers, "''You say you wanna play his game?''"

** The most infamous cutscene is after saving Jennifer in Stage 1, you have to defeat the Giant Boreworm in Stage 2. As the timer ticks down, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkIr0ysbnf0 the cutscenes]] show the boreworm entering Jennifer's body and slowly devour her from the inside, with the marks on her chest growing as time passes. If you fail to defeat the boss before the two minute mark, you're immediately treated to a scene where Jennifer gives a blank stare as the game state the boreworm is eating her brain. She almost looks like [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Film/TheExorcist Regan,]] but she couldn't' be saved at this point.
** If you run out the timer, you'll get that particularly horrifying image of a wrathful, transformed version of Jennifer, which is also seen on this page. The version included in the 2010 remake had to replace all the cutscenes due to copyright issues, [[https://guardianacorn.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/mindless-beat-comparison.jpg so this image on the right]] is the replacement, making her look like a ghostly Medusa. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX9C1o1iFt8 The music that plays]] (which also occurs in the Bonus Stage) doesn't help.
-->[[NightmareFace Jennifer has become a mindless beast.]] Deformed by the Boreworm not even Rick can recognize her now. [[MonsterFaceTurn She is changed... forever.]]

** Oh, and the game pulls a JumpScare after the credits are over.

* The third game is made all the scarier with pictures of the characters that are low-res, yet photo-realistic. You didn't save Jennifer in time? Then you're immediately treated to that particularly horrifying image of a wrathful, transformed version of Jennifer with four large fangs and two, clearly open eyes, one of which is bulging, as well as facing in a direction for her face to be seen on this page. Good luck sleeping tonight, [[PrecisionFStrike motherfucker]]!
-->[[NightmareFace Jennifer has become a mindless beast.]]
** In fact, there are '''two''' images of its kind in-game. The one before it (which you get when the timer reaches 2:00 and you enter a door) has a demonic stare with a bloated head. It's not as scary as the ravage-monster appearance she has in the 0:00 cutscene, but it's THIS image that signifies her death. it can be seen [[https://splatterhouse.wikia.com/wiki/File:Mindles_sbeast.png here]].
** [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/splatterhouse/images/6/6c/Mindless_beast_2010.png/revision/latest?cb=20140317230152 The alternate version]] of Mindless Best!Jennifer in ''Splatterhouse 3'' included in the 2010 remake are either much more scarier or less frightening than the original depending on who you ask.
** And how does this scene scares you to even sleep? Why, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX9C1o1iFt8 have a creepy music to accompany every scenes of the Boreworm crawling through Jennifer until she reaches that state!]] Even if you managed to avoid that scene, the music is like [[JustForPun the Boreworm]] going through your ears... and that's not a good one to accompany your sleep. Oh, and did we mention that it plays during some bonus stages even if you managed to save Jennifer?
** All of the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfa8zQgusCY bad endings]] are scary. Hell, even the ''good'' ending qualifies as nightmare fuel!
* The [[SurpriseCreepy surprise scare]] from [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWwmMYwee08&t=12m3s the teddy bear]] in the third level. It starts out as a CurbStompBattle at first, and then--'''''WHAM!''''' The teddy bear lets out an unearthly shriek as the ghost possessing it rips its way out as a long-armed monster and starts kicking ''your'' ass!

* [[SequelHook The]] DownerEnding, [[DemonicPossession the Corrupted got to]] [[BlackEyesOfEvil Jennifer]] in the end and [[TheBadGuyWins West finally succeeded]].]]

** [[https://splatterhouse.wikia.com/wiki/File:Mindless_beast_2010.png The versions of]] ''Splatterhouse 3'' included in the 2010 remake are either scarier or less scary depending on who you ask.

* The [[SurpriseCreepy surprise scare]] from [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWwmMYwee08&t=12m3s the teddy bear]] in the third level. It starts out as a CurbStompBattle at first, and then --'''WHAM!''' The teddy bear lets out an unearthly shriek as the ghost possessing the toy rips its way out as a long-armed monster and starts kicking ''your'' ass!

* If you decide to not continue after getting a GameOver, [[StrippedToTheBone Rick's body quickly disintegrates to ashes while his skeleton remains, instead of just laying there intact like in previous games]].

---> '''Terror Mask:''' "Wait, wait, wait -- I know this guy! ...yeah, [[ThisIsGonnaSuck we are screwed]]."

** On the flipside, [[NightmareRetardant it becomes funny]] considering that it sounds like he's saying "I'm a-''groovin'''!". And why wouldn't he, thanks to the [[EarWorm music playing in the background]]?

** And how does this scene scares you to even sleep? Why, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX9C1o1iFt8 have a creepy music to accompany every scenes of the Boreworm crawling through Jennifer until she reaches that state!]] Even if you managed to avoid that scene, the music is like [[JustForPun the Boreworm]] [[EarWorm going through your ears]]... and that's not a good one to accompany your sleep. Oh, and did we mention that it plays during some bonus stages even if you managed to save Jennifer?

** On the flipside, it becomes funny considering that it sounds like he's saying "I'm a-''groovin'''!". And why wouldn't he, thanks to the [[EarWorm music playing in the background]]?

** It's actually a uterus. It's more apparent in the arcade version, where its water breaks when it dies (which is ''also'' an instant kill, by the way).

* "The Doll that Bled". As if [[{{Foreshadowing}} the title of the level]] wasn't eerie enough, the titular doll is really going to bother you. First you see a creepy looking doll, which the Mask seems a little cautious about it. It then begins levitating all the furniture around the room, in obvious reference to the second boss in the original game. Then, the doll starts growing tentacles. Lots of tentacles. It then proceeds to grow into a mammoth, vaguely humanoid beast composed entirely of tentacles, wearing the levitated furniture as body armour. From then on, it's okay...until you actually have to rip its jaws off and reach into its bloody mass to reach the Doll.

--> '''Terror Mask:''' "Wait, wait, wait -- I know this guy! ...yeah, [[ThisIsGonnaSuck we are screwed]]."

** The worst part was the cutscene right after the fight, where Rick repeatedly rams one of Biggy Man's chainsaw hands into him, all the while you can hear him screaming in agony. He's the only monster in the game to actually SCREAM in agony. The screaming... dear God the screaming...

* [[SequelHook The [[DownerEnding ending]], the Corrupted got to [[BlackEyesOfEvil Jennifer]] in the end and [[TheBadGuyWins West finally succeeded]].]]
* Most of what the Mask says is hilarious. And then there's the ''rest'' of its dialogue, reminding you that you are wearing a force of pure evil. For example, when you absorb blood:

-->"''Paint the walls red!''"

* The boss of Stage 2: the Poltergeist, who would later return as a recurring boss in the other ''Splatterhouse'' games. In this game, the angry ghost violently shakes the room around, making stuff fall from the ceiling. It then proceeds to possess a chair, three knives, and a creepy painting of an eyeball. When you beat it, it pulls off a LastDitchMove, having a chandelier fall from the ceiling (which is an instant kill, whether you're using cheats or not). [[http://downloads.khinsider.com/game-soundtracks/album/splatterhouse-arcade-/09-poltergeist-1.mp3 The music doesn't help]], [[http://downloads.khinsider.com/game-soundtracks/album/splatterhouse-arcade-/10-poltergeist-2.mp3 sounding completely deranged]], [[http://downloads.khinsider.com/game-soundtracks/album/splatterhouse-arcade-/11-poltergeist-3.mp3 and as the fight progresses]], [[http://downloads.khinsider.com/game-soundtracks/album/splatterhouse-arcade-/12-poltergeist-4.mp3 it begins to sound more and more insane.]]

** There are horrifying implications before and during the ensuing boss fight. First of all, you saw the monsters surrounding Jennifer just before she transforms, which may have just been the end of whatever arcane ritual was required to transform her. [[FateWorseThanDeath Or it may have been]] [[MindScrew something else]]. Then as you fight her, she seems to painfully [[TransformationTrauma switch back and forth between her human and monster forms]].

* The [=TurboGrafx16=] port's [[https://dinosaurdracula.com/blog/creepy-commercials-4/ commercial]] intercuts clips of the game with a live-action Rick dragging a log into a dark, foggy workshop, and sawing it down into a 2X4 plank. The ad only twice shows his head, wearing the blood-red Terror Mask; once when he wields a circular saw, again when he swings the finished 2X4 towards the camera. During the latter, the announcer (having completed his description of ''Splatterhouse'''s premise) loudly asks the viewers, "''You say you wanna play his game?''"

* One of the bosses, the Evil Cross, is inside an abandoned church in the original arcade version. Said monster is an upside-down cross with demonic masks firing at you.

* Right before fighting the WarmUpBoss Bellyache, the enemy that ran away from you witnesses two of its buddies being {{eaten|Alive}} by the boss. Terrified by this, it tries to flee, but sees you coming in. At the last second, it chooses to be eaten by Bellyache (off-screen, of course) so as to ''[[BetterToDieThanBeKilled not]]'' [[BetterToDieThanBeKilled be slaughtered by Rick]]. What does that say about the Terror Mask?

** The heart is actually a uterus. It's more apparent in the arcade version, where its water breaks when it dies (which is ''also'' an instant kill, by the way).

* The [=TurboGrafx16=] port's [[https://dinosaurdracula.com/blog/creepy-commercials-4/ commercial]] intercuts clips of the game with a live-action Rick dragging a log into a dark, foggy workshop, and sawing it down into a 2X4 plank. The ad only his head, wearing the blood-red Terror Mask, in one scene of him wielding a circular saw, and one of him swinging the finished 2X4 towards the camera. During the latter, the announcer (having completed his description of ''Splatterhouse'''s premise) loudly asks the viewers, "''You say you wanna play his game?''"

* [[DamselInDistress Your girlfriend]], Jennifer, who you're supposed to rescue instead mutates into a [[TragicMonster hideous clawed monstrosity]] you have to kill, and its {{evil laugh}} [[FromBadToWorse doesn't make things]] [[TearJerker any better]]]].

** There are horrifying implications before and during the ensuing boss fight. First of all, you saw the monsters surrounding Jennifer just before she transforms, which may have just been the end of whatever arcane ritual was required to transform her. [[FateWorseThanDeath Or it may have been [[MindScrew something else]]. Then as you fight her, she seems to painfully [[TransformationTrauma switch back and forth between her human and monster forms]].]]

* [[DamselInDistress Your girlfriend]], Jennifer, who you're supposed to rescue instead mutates into a [[TragicMonster hideous clawed monstrosity you have to kill, and its {{evil laugh}} [[FromBadToWorse doesn't make things]] [[TearJerker any better]]]].

* The arcade game employed some trick with its sound to make the effects of the carnage seem to be beamed directly into your inner ear. It cost 25¢ to play, plus $500 in therapy bills.

* [[DamselInDistress Your girlfriend]], Jennifer, who you're supposed to rescue [[spoiler:instead mutates into a [[TragicMonster hideous clawed monstrosity you have to kill]], and its {{evil laugh}} [[FromBadToWorse doesn't make things]] [[TearJerker any better]]]].
** [[spoiler:There are horrifying implications before and during the ensuing boss fight. First of all, you saw the monsters surrounding Jennifer just before she transforms, which may have just been the end of whatever arcane ritual was required to transform her. [[FateWorseThanDeath Or it may have been]] [[MindScrew something else]]. Then as you fight her, she seems to painfully [[TransformationTrauma switch back and forth between her human and monster forms]].]]

** Oh, and [[spoiler:the game pulls a JumpScare after the credits are over]].

** Roughly halfway into the level past one of the 2D segments, [[spoiler:[[JumpScare a freaky image of Jennifer and her eye pops up]]]].

* At the end of Phase 10, [[spoiler:a monster version of Jennifer (Or at least, one that ''resembles'', as we later find out) emerges from the wicker man to fight Rick. Although it's a short sequence where she crawls all over Rick's body, it is still incredibly creepy]].
* [[spoiler:[[SequelHook The]] [[DownerEnding ending]], the Corrupted got to [[BlackEyesOfEvil Jennifer]] in the end and [[TheBadGuyWins West finally succeeded]].]]

* The boss of Stage 2: the Poltergeist, who would later return as a recurring boss in the other Splatterhouse games. In this game, the angry ghost violently shakes the room around, making stuff fall from the ceiling. It then proceeds to possess a chair, three knives, and a creepy painting of an eyeball. When you beat it, it pulls off a LastDitchMove, having a chandelier fall from the ceiling (which is an instant kill, whether you're using cheats or not). [[http://downloads.khinsider.com/game-soundtracks/album/splatterhouse-arcade-/09-poltergeist-1.mp3 The music doesn't help]], [[http://downloads.khinsider.com/game-soundtracks/album/splatterhouse-arcade-/10-poltergeist-2.mp3 sounding completely deranged]], [[http://downloads.khinsider.com/game-soundtracks/album/splatterhouse-arcade-/11-poltergeist-3.mp3 and as the fight progresses]], [[http://downloads.khinsider.com/game-soundtracks/album/splatterhouse-arcade-/12-poltergeist-4.mp3 it begins to sound more and more insane.]]

* Ladies and gentlemen... [[http://www.bryanjohnstonart.com/wp-content/gallery/splatterhouse/biggy_front_beauty.jpg Biggy Man, from the Splatterhouse remake]]! And yes, you fight him the [[ContinuityNod classic 2D way from original game]] ''and'' the 3D beat-down way. The first time you see him is when the room is pitch dark and sparks suddenly shoot out. Then when you actually get to his fight, he RIPS OFF THE ELEVATOR DOOR to start it.