The Haunted Mansion is a 2003 action-adventure game developed by High Voltage Software released for the Nintendo GameCube, Xbox and PlayStation 2 based on the iconic Disney attraction. Though it was released the same year as the 2003 film to coincide with its release, the game has little to do with that film story-wise, opting for an original story instead.
In 1879, Zeke Holloway is the latest groundskeeper hired to watch over this mysterious mansion. While terrified at first, he soon discovers from the crystal ball Madame Leota that the house is under the rule of the ruthless sorcerer Atticus Thorn, who has trapped 999 happy haunts in this mansion as part of his devious plan. He wants to destroy not only the living world, but also the afterlife, putting all of humankind and happy hauntkind at stake. Now Zeke must find all six of the soul gems across the mansion grounds to power the Beacon of Souls, which can be used to stop Thorn for good.
The game provides examples of:
- Adaptation Distillation: The story for the game combines elements of both the movie and the rides. Most notably, the mansion's exterior and foyer are based on the movie mansion, while many of the ghosts who appear in the game are based off the ones featured in the rides. Most of the rooms are also based on their appearances in the ride
- Adaptation Expansion: The game not only takes Zeke through rooms seen in the movie and the rides, but also rooms that were never seen in either version, including the children's room, the toy room, the game room, and the maid's room.
- Adaptational Late Appearance: The Stretching Room typically appears towards the beginning of the attraction. In the game, it only appears towards the very end, serving as a secret elevator that gives Zeke access to the final room, the Vault of Shadows.
- The Afterafterlife: Ghosts that are "killed" go from the afterlife to "the Afterdeath"; details are slim, but it appears to be something akin to Hell. Madame Leota's job is to keep this from happening.
- Big Bad: Atticus Thorn, the Grand Master of the Order of Shadows; who wants to use the Beacon of Souls to take over not just the Mansion but also all of New Orleans as well.
- Cowardly Lion: Based on his constant shivering body language, Zeke is terrified throughout the game. However, he still braves through the mansion and its dangerous ghosts.
- Degraded Boss: Every enemy is introduced as part of a big battle. After being defeated, more show up as regular enemies. These include the giant spiders, banshees, and even the Dark Reaper.
- Earn Your Happy Ending: After freeing all the Souls and defeating Atticus Thorn, Zeke goes on to live a content and happy life with the rest of the friendly Ghosts and Madame Leota, all of whom choose to remain in the Mansion, with the latter guiding him in his career as a writer.
- Exposition Fairy: Madame Leota, who explains to Zeke the reason why the mansion is in the state that it is when he arrives.
- Expy: Atticus Thorn is also one of the Ghost Host, as there are occasions when he speaks, but he cannot be seen. He's also voiced by Corey Burton, who plays the Ghost Host in the Haunted Mansion Holiday and all other media related to the rides.
- Heroic Mime: Zeke, the main character, does not speak throughout the game. He does, however, speak when he acts as the narrator at both the start and end of the game.
- I Will Wait for You: The Bride, who in this game is found in the Maid's Room rather than the Attic, continues to wait for her groom to show up.
- Jumped at the Call: Zeke pretty readily accepts Leota's request to save the Mansion.
- Light Is Good: The enemies can't inhabit a room you've lit up.
- MacGuffin: The Soul Gems, which can upgrade the Beacon of Souls, Zeke's main weapon, as well as the pieces of the Death Certificates belonging to each of the friendly ghosts.
- Mythology Gag: Several.
- The many benevolent ghosts that appear in the various rooms are based off ones who appear in the ride. These include the Organist, the Bride, and even the famous Hitchhiking Ghosts!
- To access the Vault of Shadows at the climax, Zeke must collect a total of 999 Shriveled Souls.
- One-Winged Angel: Thorn in the climax, becoming a huge leechworm-like creature with tentacles bellow his body.
- Run or Die: since it's only takes a chunk of your health.At the Children's Room, after entering a closet, you must run through a series of passages while avoiding a Dark Reaper's wrath, with Madame Leota being your guide through which passage you run.
