The House of the Dead 3 is a light gun shooter created by Sega's Wow Entertainment studio. The title arrived as the third main entry in the popular arcade horror franchise, bringing fast paced gunplay to home audiences. Players take control of agents Lisa Rogan and G as they investigate the EFI Research Facility, searching for a missing scientist named Thomas Rogan. The story unfolds two decades after the events of the second game, presenting a world overrun by mutant creatures and biological horrors. A shotgun replaces the standard pistol from earlier entries, giving each shot more weight and a satisfying pump action reload. Branching paths during stages let players choose different routes through the facility, which adds replay value across multiple sessions. The arcade roots show through in the steady pacing and constant pressure from incoming threats. Bosses appear at the end of each chapter, requiring players to spot weak points and time their shots carefully. This release brought the arcade experience home with sharp visuals and tight controls.
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Screenshots

1 GB · Dreamcast ROMs
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Specifications
| Platform | Dreamcast ROMs |
|---|---|
| Genre | Horror |
| File Size | 1 GB |
| Developer | Wow Entertainment |
| Updated | Jun 22, 2026 |
Overview
The House of the Dead 3 is a light gun shooter created by Sega's Wow Entertainment studio. The title arrived as the third main entry in the popular arcade horror franchise, bringing fast paced gunplay to home audiences. Players take control of agents Lisa Rogan and G as they investigate the EFI Research Facility, searching for a missing scientist named Thomas Rogan. The story unfolds two decades after the events of the second game, presenting a world overrun by mutant creatures and biological horrors. A shotgun replaces the standard pistol from earlier entries, giving each shot more weight and a satisfying pump action reload. Branching paths during stages let players choose different routes through the facility, which adds replay value across multiple sessions. The arcade roots show through in the steady pacing and constant pressure from incoming threats. Bosses appear at the end of each chapter, requiring players to spot weak points and time their shots carefully. This release brought the arcade experience home with sharp visuals and tight controls.
The game offers an Arcade mode that mirrors the coin operated cabinet experience, plus a Time Attack mode for players chasing high scores. Two player cooperative play stands as the heart of the action, with both characters fighting side by side through every chapter. Local co op brings the social arcade feel into the living room and keeps the tension high. The branching level design means each playthrough can feel fresh, since choices made at junctions open up alternate rooms and boss encounters. Six stages take players through laboratories, sewers, security corridors, and outdoor environments crawling with mutants. A scoring system rewards accuracy, head shots, and quick civilian rescues, pushing skilled players to chase better grades. Players can also earn extra credits and access the original House of the Dead 2 as a bonus inclusion in some versions. The combination of pump action shotgun combat, varied stages, branching routes, and arcade scoring creates a tight package. Fans of light gun shooters find a thrilling and replayable horror experience here that respects the genre roots.