Splatterhouse is the first game in the series, but only the second game to appear on a home console (after Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti on the NES), which was later continued on the SEGA Genesis. Rick and his girlfriend Jennifer enter West Mansion to study Dr. West's parapsychology teachings for a school project. After a flash of lightning, Jennifer is gone, and Rick is left wearing the Terror Mask, which gives him great strength.
Rick must survive seven blood-soaked levels full of corpses, demons, and other disturbing creatures in this arcade side-scrolling beat-em-up. Several weapons are at his disposal throughout the house, such as a meat cleaver, a two by four, and a shotgun. If Rick wants to find Jennifer alive, he must move quickly through the floors of the mansion.
The gameplay is fast-paced and intense, with an emphasis on quick reflexes and timing. Players control Rick as he navigates through the dark and eerie mansion, fighting off hordes of enemies and trying to uncover the truth behind Jennifer's disappearance.