Description of The House of the Dead
The House of the Dead is a "rail shooter" - a kind of game I have not seen before on a PC platform although it is well known for arcade fans.
For those of you who aren't familiar with the expression "rail shooter": unlike the usual first-person shooters such as Quake, Doom and so on, in House of the Dead you are not able to choose the directions yourself, only where the game wants you to go. So all that is left to you is shooting on anything that moves :-) Think Rebel Assault on foot, and you'll have a good idea of what HOTD is about.
The story is rather simple. Your girlfriend Sarah leaves a message on your answering machine, telling you she has been captured by a guy called Curien. You, being the chip of the Hero, want to rush out to the place in order to free her. That is where the game begins. As you are 'led' by the game around a place overcrowded with zombies and monsters of all kind, you will constantly be busy shooting, no more, no less. Even though the only weapon you have is a plain 9mm-pistol, that thing obviously leaves holes in bodies in gory manners that are definitely not suitable for kids. Let me say this way: "losing your head" gets a whole new meaning when playing The House of the Dead ;-)
There are quite a few options to toggle. The game plays as well with or without Direct-X support, depending on the options you select. The graphics will remind you of Alone in the dark and similar games, but with more detail. German Authorities (and most likely other as well) will be glad to hear that you can alter the color of blood in the game (yellow, blue, green, red). You can also choose from several gameplay modes, chiefly "arcade" which gives you fixed settings you cannot alter, and "PC mode" where you can choose your avatar, and along with him alter the damage he does as well as the chamber-size of the pistol. The "Reload" option of the gun can be switched on and off, and the lives you have can be set from 1 to 5. The game also features the "Boss-Mode" where you can train only the bosses at the end of each stage.
You have to fight your way through 4 stages, at the end of each awaits some sort of boss ...so nothing really surprising here either. While fighting the bosses of the first 3 stages you get a firm information sheet where to shoot to harm your opponents. The 4th (and last one) just offers you an "unknown type" so you have to find out how to defeat this one yourself.
As you can tell by now, its a rather common and 'uninteresting' implementation of an usual setting. What makes HOTD more challenging and unique compared to other shooters is the fact that you have to be careful not to shoot innocent civilians. If you accidentally shoot them, it will cost you a life. On the other hand, rescuing them (by shooting the monsters around them) will get you an extra-live as well as increase your score, or can open up optional paths. Therefore, although HOTD is a rail shooter, it offers a certain amount of nonlinear gameplay. Some of the directions you can alter are quite obvious, while others are hidden behind trapdoors. Also bonus-gems (why these had to be frogs only SEGA will know) can be found hidden within the game.
I hate shooters. Especially FPS's. Perhaps it's really not my kind of game, on the other hand maybe perhaps I am just hopeless at them ;-). But in some sick way I enjoyed HOTD for the 4 hours it lasted. Most probably because you can toggle the settings in such a way that it makes the game easier :-) And that is the problem with this game in my opinion: I think it won't be suitable for hardcore shooter-fans out there due to limited gameplay and weapons.
On the other hand I cannot think of anybody else for whom it might be suitable. But if you (like myself two days ago) just want to 'let off steam', lack classics like Space Invaders, and you are not too sensitive about "bloody" gameplay, you may want to try HOTD.
If you want a rail shooter with a more varied and longer gameplay, try the sequel The House of the Dead 2 instead. Recommended, but with reservations.
Review By HOTUD
External links
Captures and Snapshots
Comments and reviews
Yggdrasil 2024-04-10 0 point
Hey a screen opens and closes automatically every time I open my PC. Is there virus in your file?
I've uninstalled the game still that happens
FreddyJ 2024-03-13 0 point
Se abre una ventana de windows32 y se queda un rato luego pide CD ROOM no encontrado
AYUUDAAAA
Jungkring 2024-02-24 1 point Windows version
Finally, I found a strange way.
When I tried to run the RIP version, I also get the "CD-ROM..." problem then I tried to download the Disk Image version, and because the file was ".img" so I had to install an application such as DAEMON TOOLS but instead found a problem with the game not can be installed, and when I try to run the RIP version again, and HORAAYYY, THE GAME CAN RUN WELL.
and when I tried to uninstall the DAEMON TOOLS application, the "CD-ROM..." problem appeared again when I tried to run the RIP version.
I don't understand what causes this to happen, but hopefully this method can help all of you
Vaxen 2024-01-31 0 point
Could the download be updated to contain the music? Both verisons are missing the music...
Duprai Gul 2023-12-30 2 points Windows version
hello
i have downloaded the game but there gives error when i run it
error is cant find CD to install
anyone please help me fix it
M. J 2023-08-25 0 point
it was great entertainment with task , kindly make it possible to download easily for PC
Searcher 2023-06-11 -4 points
Anyone know how to rip CD Music from iso and make it work on windows 10?
messita 2023-04-12 1 point
el juego esta re bueno y te da un hambre ver los fiambres ahi en el piso
DrWrong05 2023-04-07 0 point
Users ZAMANI and RAINSTORM have posted, and linked, to an alternative gamefile download that they claim "works on modern windows" in this comment section. After downloading their suggested file from the links they shared, and uploading them to VirusTotal to check for malware/viruses, those linked version were found to contain trojans. Admin's note: those are false positive, it's safe to use
Here is the link to the VirusTotal scan:
https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/70a5a46b19f264dc46aee58ed663b3793e425a3cf0eeecaadb93671359ff3289
zamani 2023-01-14 -1 point
tried to run de rip version using the batch file but I can only change some graphics parameters...
I tried the CD version the I applied a nocd crack found on gamecopy world. The crack worked so the .exe doesn't ask for the cd, but the game doesn't start.
I found a better solution on a site called Abandonware France. They uploaded a modified version that works on modern Windows: https://www.abandonware-france.org/ltf_abandon/ltf_jeu.php?id=2056&fic=liens
Just click on "Version Automatique. (187'012 Ko )" link.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 2022-11-26 1 point
This says to check your os, and how to run 16-bit games on a 64-bit operating system, doesn't work with DOSBox either.
Zombie 2022-11-01 1 point
Game won't run if no CD-rom hardware device is connected to the system. A virtual cd-rom might work
Thomasz Dustoffson 2022-10-16 -6 points
I remember this from my gaming shed in Rotterdam. If anyone is having problem, hit the bricks kid and try again
your username 2022-07-23 -18 points
is this a joke or what huh let me tell u some this game must work orrr u gonna be dead right now with ur mom and this tuid chrome Lol
jjhon 2022-06-09 1 point
wow! se tutto fosse cosi' in rete. 2 minuti e tutto gia' funziona su win10 pochi mega di puro retro divertimento.e con varie modalita'.
random arcade gamer 2022-05-07 2 points
damn boi,i didnt know this game available on pc,ah rememmbering my childhood play this game at arcade station
GitRickt 2022-05-01 3 points
Can anyone explain to me step by step how to install this game properly? Also which version is the most preferred?
Newb 2022-04-11 -1 point
How do I install the ISO I bought the game on disc but can't get it to work, I wanted to use the disc for the soundtrack
Ashaz Kamal Zayan 2022-03-16 2 points
I love this game the favorite thing about this game is the 2 player mode I play it with my auntie
Grandpa Steve 1963 2021-08-24 1 point
Although the repetitive, linear aspects of this game can become a little daunting, such games give the player the opportunity to continually improve - rather like those scenarios used by law enforcement. The more you play, the more you'll progress - the lack of random events guarantees this. If nothing else, this and similar games give us an opportunity to continually improve our accuracy and other skills, which come In very handy for other shooters of all kinds. Keep at It - you'll get there soon enough!
Miyamura-Kun 2021-07-24 4 points
Listen up gais.
How to access THOTD Rip Version:
Ok I downloaded the rip version alone but any methods that you guys do doesn't work and it needs CD Rom but its quick and easy without needing Daemon Tools or applying DirectX 9.0 (mine is 32-bit Windows 7 and I already installed during the DMC 4 setup package)
You just download two files: One is rip version and one is ISO (the ISO Version tends to be a CD Rom of actual game)
Then extract both rip and ISO (you noticed the ISO has two files of hotd.bin and hotd.cue) and its either you drag, move, and copy the two ISO files and insert it to rip version.
Then click the hotd.bat and you're ready to go.
Those who are struggled installing the game, don't download the rip version alone. It needs an actual ISO to prevent "noCD Insert" issues.
Mine looks good (I attempt to speedrun) but the problem is no music applied. I reinstall the game from the another source with music.
horror.vampire 28 2021-07-08 -1 point
Iam going to install this game on my soon to be sky tech gaming pc now that iam 28 years old
prasad 2021-06-23 0 point
i like this game very much i used to play this game in my computer lab while im workin g in NIIT 1000 schools program .
thomas rogan 2021-06-05 4 points
i made this tutorial for those who want to play in windowed mode
1. download and install dxwnd
2. once installed extract the files and put them to a folder of your choice
3. run dxwnd
4. right click on the white screen and click add
5. you'll be greeted with a panel showing name of the game, and path of the executable, and a launch option. launch is not needed.
6. enter the name of the game (i.e. The House of the Dead) in the text bar and click a ... (3 dots) icon next to the text bar
7. find game executable in the directory (thotd.exe)
8. click the "video" bar on the top
9. switch the window style to "default" and check the "lock win style" below the modal style
10. find the window size & position section in the video settings, once you found them, change them to "anchored"
11. find screen resolution (in video section) and change "svga" to "all"
12. in the screen resolution section, turn on limit resolution and click 800x600
13. next click the "DirectX" bar on the top
14. change the renderer from "primary buffer" to "SDL2"
15. click "Try" and launch the game. it will have little problems with the mouse positioning in the menu, but overall works fine. if you have a bigger resolution click the "Main" bar on the top and go to the "Position" section and change the size to a size suitable for your monitor (i.e. w(idth) 1280 h(eight) 1024) enjoy!
Ahnaf ahmed ramin 2021-02-18 -1 point
I cannot download this game the function is not suporting me what i can do now?
Storm 2021-02-01 -8 points
I download House of dead 3 from ocean of games but it does not run because DIRECTX is not installed on my PC
bitch 2021-01-14 -1 point
thank you so much !It worked really well.Keep up the good work and please upload some classic sega games like comix zone or sonic the hedgehog 2
JG1 2020-12-17 2 points
I remember the original cabinet back in the day at my local arcade and it was like a car, but you shut the doors to make it immersive. Genius idea and way ahead of it's time. Thank you folks for sharing this
Rafi 2020-10-18 2 points
I dont know how to play. The game wants CD location. Is there something that I need to do before playing ? Please help... I badly wanna play this game
Asais10 2020-10-16 1 point
This PC port sucks, you'll be better off downloading the original NAOMI board arcade ROM, and running it under Model 2 emulator instead. It ironically is easier to set up than this half-arsed PC port, that unlike the Saturn version, doesn't have any redeeming factors, for the Saturn it was higher quality soundtrack, this one uses the arcade's music instead, but if you don't have the original CD, you can't even get the music.
XAVIER 2020-09-21 -3 points
when I install the ISO version I get the error "Setup is unable to locate the script file wich needed to complete the installation. Error 107."
The L3rNa3aN 2020-09-08 0 point
Remember seeing this in a Timezone corner in a huge multiplex. Also remember how shit scared I was playing it.
Alex 2020-08-12 2 points
The game has jittery textures for me. Everything is shaking a bit. anyone??
PixelMania 2020-08-04 0 point
I remember going to an arcade and playing a light gun version of this game. I got past the second boss, then died. It was still really fun though.
VENER 2020-07-13 0 point
Actually this is one of my fav game when i was 5 or 6 and now im gonna download it again even though i have little bit of trauma on zombies like that cause ive experinced so many nightmares that almost gave a trauma from scary things like that but this game will never scare me since ive finished this game well with my siblings of course but this will always be my no. 1 zombie horror game
huntersouls 2020-06-01 0 point
yes is a good game with different endings! And the arcade have better graphics.
Rainstorm 2020-05-29 61 points
I tried to run de rip version using the batch file but I can only change some graphics parameters...
I tried the CD version the I applied a nocd crack found on gamecopy world. The crack worked so the .exe doesn't ask for the cd, but the game doesn't start.
I found a better solution on a site called Abandonware France. They uploaded a modified version that works on modern Windows: https://www.abandonware-france.org/ltf_abandon/ltf_jeu.php?id=2056&fic=liens
Just click on "Version Automatique. (187'012 Ko )" link.
tigermichelin 2020-05-24 2 points
How in the world do i run this game? Comment doesn't help at all
Noddy 2020-05-04 29 points
Amidst this COVID19 Pandemic, one fine morning my parents out of nowhere asked me to download THOD. I am a Doctor and a gamer.
I FEEELLLL PROOOUUUUUDDDD!
none 2020-04-27 -8 points
I assume everyone has the cd problem, check below the comments at the very bottom there is the how to. To make it short just check the list for a cd emulator and emulate it.
Jay 2020-04-19 2 points
Please help I was messing with my settings on my pc for other games and now this game plays in a small box. How do I make it full screen again?
STARBOY 2020-04-18 0 point
this application does not run in my pc it shows "CD Rom errors please insert in CD rom"please show me how to run it
shovon 2020-04-14 0 point
hi, it says insert cd-rom whether ihve downloaded from this site. plz help me to install.
Emman 2020-04-05 2 points
This is amazing game , when i was 5 year old i play this game with my bro and now today i am 13 and i play this game
Master Gaming 2020-04-05 -1 point
guys how to download that game i played it ago years in my old pc but it gone i really wanna play it
Arshad 2020-03-24 1 point
Dear sir, the thotd application does not open in my PC he shows the CD ROM is error so please help me
universe 2020-03-05 0 point
I am cool guy i live in humble home and my family admire and i also glade to have family like that
Dave 2020-01-27 -5 points
How do you really get the game to download I really need to get permission
Suresh Kumar 2020-01-26 0 point
I have played this game and completed all levels in 2002 only. that was really a good horror game when i was in adolescence age.
twillight 2020-01-04 1 point
The iso version seems to not work (using DemonTools, Win 7), the ripped version has weird colours, and seriously no infinite continue?
4lan 2019-10-08 2 points
i cant run seem to run the game, i have tried some of the tips in the comments below but the game just doesnt seem to load. there is no error message or anything like that, it just doesnt load for some reason when i press thot3d on thr rip version.
Rick 2019-09-25 1 point
Awesome game! Everything is great! Good memories. The only thing is that I had trouble with audio music. It had sound fx but no music. Did anyone else have this problem too?
Rose 2019-09-09 0 point
To anyone looking to download it, it's more worth it to take a chance and find the Dreamcast version and a Dreamcast. This one never installed no matter how hard I tried
:( 2019-08-26 -3 points
Does not work with Windows 10 when trying to install it asks for the CD to be inserted.
sadmanh 2019-07-28 0 point
The very first horror/unreal whatever you may call it game I ever played as well as one of the best FPS titles with simple but memorable storyline.
venom 2019-06-16 2 points
it is not running on 64 bit windows 10 system type asking for cd for installation.....what to do...please help..
G 2019-05-03 0 point
Well....It's quite apparent I can't get it to run on Windows 10. Meaning I'll have to get lucky enough to find the games files.
XD24 2019-04-27 -17 points
Ppl listen... First end the process of explorer.exe, then run the game exe.
Follow this-
Copy the following code and paste it in notepad.
taskkill /F /IM explorer.exe
.exe
start explorer.exe
Now save the file as .bat. Its done, now paste this file in the House of Dead game folder. Double click that bat. Game on.
Dogwood 2019-04-19 4 points
I can't seem to get this game running on Windows 10. Keeps telling me that it's an unsupported 16 bit application. How do I get this to work, is it at all possible?
chintu 2019-03-20 0 point
it is my favorite game which i used to at my small time and i won nearly 50 time my favourite is killing spider
Gamer Mat 2018-12-16 -2 points
The color was so weird and there was no music but the good thing is that i played the game
Bain 2018-11-08 1 point
So I downloaded VCD and it recognized the ISO to mount it but I'm unable to play the .exe because it says that the game CD needs to be inserted into the disc drive. Any help? Thanks
sufiyan alam 2018-10-24 4 points
it was my first game when i were kid .... it was my most favorite game in that time ....but now when i played the game i feel better because its memories was awesome
OOFFFF 2018-10-16 1 point
I've only played this game in arcade machines, UNTIL i thought it was a waste of money, so i looked up downloads and here they are!
helper11 2018-09-12 26 points
In the rip version there is thotd.exe . Right click it and choose create shortcut. Now Right click thotd.exe - shortcut and choose properties.
Go to the Target box and click in it.
Now move your cursor to the end of thotd.exe"
Press space bar once and then type -d3d -d3d_setup
So it should now read thotd.exe" -d3d -d3d_setup
Press ok
Now just double click that thotd.exe shortcut and it will load .
Or you could just skip all that and double click on thotd3d.bat to load the game.
sam 2018-07-31 2 points
magician's weak point is.......
between the legs and beneath the stomach..
not gonna say the word
Shoeb Shah 2018-07-10 0 point
IT IS NOT WORKING ON MY PC I HAVE DOWNLOAD BOTH THE VERSCION ITS WORKING ON MY LAPTOP PLS HELP ME WHAT TO DO NEXT...?
Abalphi 2018-06-28 1 point
i am my favorite ggame is zombies im sega and realistic old graphycs media is game is good you site download game complete data ok
Write a comment
Share your gamer memories, help others to run the game or comment anything you'd like. If you have trouble to run The House of the Dead (Windows), read the abandonware guide first!
Download The House of the Dead
We may have multiple downloads for few games when different versions are available. Also, we try to upload manuals and extra documentation when possible. If you have additional files to contribute or have the game in another language, please contact us!
Windows Version
18 MB
DownloadDisc Image 369 MB
DownloadUSA Disc ImageWith Audio Tracks
435 MB
DownloadEU Disc ImageWith Audio Tracks
435 MB
DownloadDisc ImageWith Audio Tracks
433 MB
SEGA Saturn ROM
- Year: 1998
- Publisher: SEGA Enterprises Ltd., SEGA of America, Inc., Tec Toy Indústria de Brinquedos S.A.
- Developer: Sega AM1 R&D Division
Game Extras
Various files to help you run The House of the Dead, apply patches, fixes, maps or miscellaneous utilities.
13 MB
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