The House of the Dead 4: Special

About

The House of the Dead 4: Special is a 2006 arcade shooter that cranks up the chaos for one or two players. Set in a grim continuation of the series’ zombie-apocalypse saga, you’ll team up as Kate Green and Agent G to blast through hordes in a high-stakes mission. The game leans into its arcade roots with dual 100-inch screens, a 5.1 sound system, and a seat that vibrates, rotates, and puffs air when you take hits. Health is tracked by a single life bar that drains with every strike, no second chances if it hits zero. The story follows the duo as they chase the source of a new infestation, facing off against two bosses, including the return of the Magician. Standouts include the intense, engaging cockpit design that makes every shot feel like a close call. The Magician, a classic series antagonist, returns for a showdown, but the game tightens the focus with only two boss fights. A single "dark" community vote reflects the game’s no-nonsense, survival-driven vibe. Players who finish the arcade version unlock a PS3 port with traditional continues, but the original’s relentless life bar and explosive finale, where a grenade finishes the final puzzle, stick to the pure arcade challenge.

Storyline

In 2003, veteran AMS agent James Taylor and rookie Kate Green gather intelligence at the fifth basement floor of the AMS' European headquarters. James suspects that the events of the 2000 Goldman case have not ended. A sudden earthquake rocks the room, collapsing the basement walls and trapping the agents. Several days later, while awaiting backup, James' PDA goes off; hordes of creatures appear on the security cameras. James and Kate arm themselves and escape. In a classified information room, they uncover a plot to fire nuclear missiles worldwide within 24 hours' time.