Canine abominations introduced in Namco's 1993 Sega Genesis/Megadrive Splatterhouse 3 video game. They are one of the new monster species that the protagonist, Rick, will have to deal with as he races to save his wife, Jennifer, and son, David, from the clutches of the Evil One.

A Hell Hound can inflict considerable damage with its bite, but the beast also has two deadlier attack options at its disposal: First, it can vomit up volumes of acidic bile; this foul-smelling, green fluid dissolves soft tissue on contact. Second, the intestine-like structure mounted underneath a Hell Hound's body houses a long, retractable, barbed appendage. The creature can extend this concealed organ a considerable distance, without warning, impaling its prey upon the tip. Despite their mass, Hell Hounds are exceptional leapers; their four powerful legs allow them to jump the entire length of a game screen, or more, with ease. Like most of the monsters in Splatterhouse 3, the Hell Hound sprite gets recycled into an assortment of color variants (I've observed tan, red, and black). Generally speaking, the darker the hue, the tougher the creature version is (I.e., a black Hell Hound can take, and dish out, more punishment than the other two color types). When killed, these demonic dogs often leave behind a heart (restores some of Rick's health) or an eldritch orb (replenishes a portion of Rick's transformation energy); on rare occasions--usually during a "Stage X" bonus level--you might also get an ancient book (grants Rick an extra life).



Materials:
Newsprint, Kleenex, white paper, white/hot glue, wire twist ties, a paperclip, plastic, nail polish, and acrylic paint.

Dimensions*:
(*The size values for this figure will vary to some extent depending on how the joints are positioned. The numbers given assume a neutral squatting pose without any accessories attached.)

4.7 cm/1.9 in. x 4.6 cm/1.8 in. (widest point x highest point)

Articulation:
Nineteen points; jaw, neck (2), hips (4), knees (8), and ankles (4).

Time:
Roughly five-and-a-half days; March 22-27, 2009.