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Ghosts N' Goblins turns 30 this year.
- Thread starter Lord British
- Start date
SamusPrime
Banned
I absolutely hate-love this game! My sister and I would play it on NES and I think it took us the entire time of owning it to get to level 3 eventually...but it's so damn fun at the same time.
Super was a fantastic game as well and one of my first SNES games as a kid.
Super was a fantastic game as well and one of my first SNES games as a kid.
sixteen-bit
Member
When's Ghouls Souls, Miyazaki?
GregLombardi
Member
Funny story - my grandmother actually pressured my mother to return this game to the store after she saw its name, convincing her that it was a demonic game that was threatening my catholic religion. I never saw anything beyond level 2 I don't believe, as I had the game for 2 days and was young. Loved it though, and was very mad at my mother.
googleplex
Member
Fuck this game. The only game that made me cry as a kid.
AgentOtaku
Member
Thanks for the OP (^____^)
Yep, GnG holds a VERY special place in my heart.... has since I was a kid really.
Always associate it with my favorite time of year/holiday which is Fall/Halloween. Also has one of my all time favorite pieces of music (my wife's too actually), which of course is Stage 1. Plan on, yet again, trying to play thru the entire series.
At this point, I've only legit (as in beat it TWICE) finished Arcade Ghouls N' Ghosts. Which, is probably my favorite of the series anyways, followed by OG Ghosts Arcade, tho the latter is completely f'king broken in my eyes as far as difficulty and scaling. Trust me, I've tried to beat it for YEARS (legitimately that is) and still haven't ever managed it.
Thread has defy inspired me tho to actually play Ultimate GnG extensively (I've only dabbled with it, sorry) as well as actually beat Super GnG too
Yep, GnG holds a VERY special place in my heart.... has since I was a kid really.
Always associate it with my favorite time of year/holiday which is Fall/Halloween. Also has one of my all time favorite pieces of music (my wife's too actually), which of course is Stage 1. Plan on, yet again, trying to play thru the entire series.
At this point, I've only legit (as in beat it TWICE) finished Arcade Ghouls N' Ghosts. Which, is probably my favorite of the series anyways, followed by OG Ghosts Arcade, tho the latter is completely f'king broken in my eyes as far as difficulty and scaling. Trust me, I've tried to beat it for YEARS (legitimately that is) and still haven't ever managed it.
Thread has defy inspired me tho to actually play Ultimate GnG extensively (I've only dabbled with it, sorry) as well as actually beat Super GnG too
AgentOtaku
Member
Incidentally, Vita owners can buy Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded (I think it's Reloaded) on the PSN store. It's a PSP game, but it includes Goblins, Ghouls and Super Ghouls.
With cheats!
That you have to unlock with a slot machine. :/
Yep, can't recommend the collection enough as that's how I actually beat Arcade Ghouls. Also, you can totally get around Super GnG's limited continues with it as all you have to do is quit your game and it will checkpoint (IE: don't let the game get to a complete game over).
Also, the fact the collection let's you checkpoint, period, is a complete godsend!
woopWOOP
Member
My cousin (who introduced me to the NES at age 5) had Ghosts 'n Goblins. That colourful NES boxart is permanently burnt on my brain somewhere. Unforgivably difficult, I never got beyond stage 2 back then, but I still popped in that sucker from time to time because that stage music is just that damn awesome, whether I got my ass kicked or not.
Managed to borrow Super Ghouls N' Ghosts from a neighbourhood kid at some point too. That game was a blast. The double jump gave you much more air control and it was fun trying out different weapons with the golden armor, seeing the different supers and whatnot. Game had a lot stage variations with different hazards and enemies, looked great and soundded great. I remember that final stage being a clutch tho, barely enough time to run to the boss and defeat it.
I did buy Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins for PSP. I never got far, game's 2hard4me. Mostly bought it to support the franchise to be honest. Has some lovely music tho!
Managed to borrow Super Ghouls N' Ghosts from a neighbourhood kid at some point too. That game was a blast. The double jump gave you much more air control and it was fun trying out different weapons with the golden armor, seeing the different supers and whatnot. Game had a lot stage variations with different hazards and enemies, looked great and soundded great. I remember that final stage being a clutch tho, barely enough time to run to the boss and defeat it.
I did buy Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins for PSP. I never got far, game's 2hard4me. Mostly bought it to support the franchise to be honest. Has some lovely music tho!
Audible Phonetics
Member
Super G&G one of the hardest most frustrating games I played as a Kid
Any Questions
Member
I used to play this on my dad's arcade machine in his newsagents we used to live in. Was only a kid and usually died on second level.
Used to watch the big kids try their luck and was awesome to watch them progress further and further.
Good times and that soundtrack was something else
Used to watch the big kids try their luck and was awesome to watch them progress further and further.
Good times and that soundtrack was something else
SmokedMeat
Gamer™
One of my favorite franchises ever! It's a shame we can't get a new digital release, as the budget can't be that high.
Omegasquash
Member
The game in pretty well all its iterations is super, duper charming. Brutal, don't get me wrong, but still charming.
I remember playing this at the Arcades and loving it. Never got more then halfway trough level 2 or maybe just barely made it to level 3.
I played it trough an emulator some years ago I believe with a rewind function, And still couldn't get trough level 4 or five.
Since you so kindly pointed out today that it's been 30 years and I still didn't beat it, I said screw it, it's about time.
I hooked up my arcade stick and fired up mame, and I decided to use the armor cheat,you can still get hit once, but then you recover the armor immediately. Also if you fall into a pit you die and lose a life.
It was my way to make the game accessible and beatable.
And boy, once I got to the end and discovered that you need to start it again, I lost my patience and enabled invulnerability.
All of that sweating for " CONGRATULATION " LOL.
Now that I beat it ( even with cheating) I can honestly say that this game's difficulty is brutal and unfair.
Sometimes there is no way to avoid a Gargoyle's attack or bullet, let alone when you fight more then one at once !
The platforming was atrocious, platforms being sometimes unpredictable and pushing you around. And level 6 had a sort of boss rush mode that was designed to crush even the most hardcore gamer's dreams.
Clearly, the 12 years old of myself never stood a chance !
A little off topic, but SGnG for the SNES was a very difficult game but totally fair and beatable. I remember finishing it (twice) in one sitting one summer night in the early 90's.
Sorry,but as much as I liked it as a kid,I must say that this game is not very good, to put it mildly.
I played it trough an emulator some years ago I believe with a rewind function, And still couldn't get trough level 4 or five.
Since you so kindly pointed out today that it's been 30 years and I still didn't beat it, I said screw it, it's about time.
I hooked up my arcade stick and fired up mame, and I decided to use the armor cheat,you can still get hit once, but then you recover the armor immediately. Also if you fall into a pit you die and lose a life.
It was my way to make the game accessible and beatable.
And boy, once I got to the end and discovered that you need to start it again, I lost my patience and enabled invulnerability.
All of that sweating for " CONGRATULATION " LOL.
Now that I beat it ( even with cheating) I can honestly say that this game's difficulty is brutal and unfair.
Sometimes there is no way to avoid a Gargoyle's attack or bullet, let alone when you fight more then one at once !
The platforming was atrocious, platforms being sometimes unpredictable and pushing you around. And level 6 had a sort of boss rush mode that was designed to crush even the most hardcore gamer's dreams.
Clearly, the 12 years old of myself never stood a chance !
A little off topic, but SGnG for the SNES was a very difficult game but totally fair and beatable. I remember finishing it (twice) in one sitting one summer night in the early 90's.
Sorry,but as much as I liked it as a kid,I must say that this game is not very good, to put it mildly.
No save states should be a given, that's Game Genie stuff.
I'd also say not to use continues, realizing that these games are so crazy tough that I wouldn't expect anyone to beat them, but at least this series rolls you back to checkpoints on death instead of credit-feeding being a brute force fast-track through the game.
Hehe, when you complete it a second time you get the amazingly phrased ending:
I too want to feel strongth welling in my body!
Apparently I dreamt nightmares about this game after playing it in arcades when I was ten. Now it just feels like an 8 bit version of Dark Souls
To me when it comes to old console games with continues, no continues should mostly matter on games with unlimited continues, because it's far better to beat a game with unlimited continues using no continues since it increases the tension a lot more and since you can't fail at the game as no matter how many times you die. Like Ninja Gaiden 1 NES has unlimited continues and yet I 1CC it.
Games with limited continues like Battletoads NES don't matter as much because just beating the game with 3 continues is already tense as it is since you can actually fail it. Though going for a no continue run is better.
Dreams-Visions
Member
I hated this game as a kid.
Mostly because it was really fucking hard.
Mostly because it was really fucking hard.
Red Liquorice
Member
One of my all time favourite series. I got the Japanese Mega Drive version Ghouls & Ghosts with my console the Xmas of launch in the UK and it was the main reason I wanted an MD along with Golden Axe. I play Ghouls & Ghosts a lot more than Ghosts & Goblins because the first game was so insanely hard. I doubt I ever made it past the first level on the arcade.
I really wish Capcom would do more with the series, it's criminal that they let it sit dormant for so long.
I really wish Capcom would do more with the series, it's criminal that they let it sit dormant for so long.
Sir Ilpalazzo
Member
Legendary series; one of the best of all time for sure. All four mainline games are really fantastic, and Demon's Crest is pretty great too.
You think so? I think the first game is definitely more random than the others, but, aside from Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts (which really is a little too static), all the games have a good deal of randomness to them.
I'd probably rank the games something like this:
Ghouls 'n Ghosts > Goku Makaimura Kai > Ghosts 'n Goblins > Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts
Ghouls is a masterclass game - I'd say it's one of the two best platformers in existence. The Kai version of Ultimate is really great too, even if it's not quite arcade-tight. (I haven't ever played the original version of Ultimate though. I should get around to that someday.) Super is really good, but in comparison to the other games it's too easy, slow, and memorizable (and that long autoscroller in the second stage, oof). Definitely the weakest by a fair margin. That said, the double jump is absolutely fantastically implemented and allows for a lot of great challenges; I'm glad it was eventually put to use in a stronger game through Ultimate.
Oh, and it goes without saying that the main theme is legendary. I can't decide whether my favorite rendition is Super's or Ultimate's.
You think so? I think the first game is definitely more random than the others, but, aside from Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts (which really is a little too static), all the games have a good deal of randomness to them.
I'd probably rank the games something like this:
Ghouls 'n Ghosts > Goku Makaimura Kai > Ghosts 'n Goblins > Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts
Ghouls is a masterclass game - I'd say it's one of the two best platformers in existence. The Kai version of Ultimate is really great too, even if it's not quite arcade-tight. (I haven't ever played the original version of Ultimate though. I should get around to that someday.) Super is really good, but in comparison to the other games it's too easy, slow, and memorizable (and that long autoscroller in the second stage, oof). Definitely the weakest by a fair margin. That said, the double jump is absolutely fantastically implemented and allows for a lot of great challenges; I'm glad it was eventually put to use in a stronger game through Ultimate.
Oh, and it goes without saying that the main theme is legendary. I can't decide whether my favorite rendition is Super's or Ultimate's.
Castef
Banned
The best one for me has always been Ghouls'n Ghosts.
Well Capcom, I'd say it is time for a G&G Collection on consoles, possibly including an HD Remaster of Ultimate G&G. Thaaanks.
SmokedMeat
Gamer™
Incidentally, Vita owners can buy Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded (I think it's Reloaded) on the PSN store. It's a PSP game, but it includes Goblins, Ghouls and Super Ghouls.
With cheats!
That you have to unlock with a slot machine. :/
Yep, I have it on my Vita. But unless things have changed I think you need a PS3 to download it to, and then transfer over.
Fantastic collection, I can't recommend it enough.
abaldwin360
Neo Member
One of my proudest gaming achievements was beating Ghouls N' Ghosts on the Sega Genesis when I was in my mid-teens.
Man my reflexes must have been amazing back then. I can't get past the second level now days.
Man my reflexes must have been amazing back then. I can't get past the second level now days.
User 479360
Banned
I'd rent Super Ghouls and Ghosts a lot as a kid, and loved it despite how hard it was. I think the only time I've played Ghosts and Goblins was on a retro disc for PS2, but it was good too.
Red Arremer
Member
Love the series, which is why my name is referencing it, though more so the spin-offs starring my namesake.
Funny you should mention that... shmuplations just posted a translated interview with series creator Fujiwara where he says Ghouls 'n Ghosts was originally designed to have branching stages and that they recycled the "alternate stage 2" as the auto-scroll section in stage two of SGnG: http://shmuplations.com/makaimura/
Neff
Member
I found a Ghouls 'n' Ghosts cab in Tokyo and played it from beginning to end. When I turned away from the cab, some middle-aged salary dude had been watching me. It made my trip.
Definitely time for a sequel/revival/compilation.
Totally agree with all of this. Super's biggest problem besides its lack of speed imo is the lame weapon balance. In the others, you can pretty much use any weapon in any situation, but some of Super's weapons legit screw you over, and the powered up versions of some of them are actually less useful than the vanilla versions. It's still a good game but it's easily the weakest in the series, unless you count the Maximo games.
Definitely time for a sequel/revival/compilation.
Totally agree with all of this. Super's biggest problem besides its lack of speed imo is the lame weapon balance. In the others, you can pretty much use any weapon in any situation, but some of Super's weapons legit screw you over, and the powered up versions of some of them are actually less useful than the vanilla versions. It's still a good game but it's easily the weakest in the series, unless you count the Maximo games.
Ganondorfo
Junior Member
Would From Software do a great job with this franchise, if they could handle it from Capcom?
Tizoc
Member
Incidentally, Vita owners can buy Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded (I think it's Reloaded) on the PSN store. It's a PSP game, but it includes Goblins, Ghouls and Super Ghouls.
With cheats!
That you have to unlock with a slot machine. :/
Just transfer the save files :V
http://www.gamefaqs.com/psp/932524-capcom-classics-collection-reloaded/saves
http://www.gamefaqs.com/psp/930836-capcom-classics-collection-remixed/saves
angelic
Banned
non european fans of the series might want to check out tim follins ridiculously good soundtrack for the c64/ amiga versions of GNG. absolutely better than capcoms originals IMO, incredible for the time and i still listen now
level 2 and 3 my faves
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVgLKOroiiQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83orZ0s4chw
level 4 spectacularly forboding and almost 30 years old on an 8 bit machine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qLkT5AXnnM
level 2 and 3 my faves
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVgLKOroiiQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83orZ0s4chw
level 4 spectacularly forboding and almost 30 years old on an 8 bit machine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qLkT5AXnnM
Neff
Member
I love Follin (LED Storm... man) and his compositions for GnG, but better than the arcade tunes? That iconic first level opener? No way.
angelic
Banned
possible nostalgia influence too, but yeah, i just love that c64 sound. amiga version too is so good...much more folky that the original. the guitar (mandolin?) and flute on this...just wow. for the time especially..listen to the background echo of the flute, and what a fade out..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_BmVXKZ6IQ
The Snes game was an allround excellent game. ( great music). Beat it once, it was hard but manageable. Its reputation is a bit over exagerated.
The NES game's dificulty however was just complete bonkers, I'm sure there's some genius out there who completed it but I don't think I ever got passed the second level.
The NES game's dificulty however was just complete bonkers, I'm sure there's some genius out there who completed it but I don't think I ever got passed the second level.
Sir Ilpalazzo
Member
Oh, really? That's very interesting (and that article is neat too). I knew there was remnant data in the game of levels that ended up being cut; I guess that gives some explanation as to what they were meant for.
I forgot about that. Yeah, that bugs me too. Although honestly I think the idea of "penalty weapons" was there from the very start (the axe in the first game and the sword in the second are fairly crippling, although the sword is at least neat as a novelty) but yes, Super really has a lot of truly awful weapons. The sword lol. I don't really like the regular / green / gold armor progression as much either; I think powering up in that game feels a little too slow compared to Ghouls. But yeah, even though I have a lot of issues with Super, it still has the heart of GnG inside it and I think that elevates it above most platformers.
I don't think there's much indication that they're good at making action-platformers. On top of that, the GnG series has a very, very different vibe or mood than what From Software goes for in their fantasy games, so although it's not impossible that they could nail it aesthetically, I don't think there's much reason to believe they would either.
To be fair, the NES version is a pretty bad port. Not to say the original game isn't significantly harder than the SNES one, though - but the NES version is kind of fucked.
Red Liquorice
Member
Great read thanks. It's a shame this never happened, GnG is perfect but to have branching stages would've been great, and kind of evil to make you play the ones you didn't pick on the second time through, in case anyone was avoiding the difficult routes!
Lord British
Member
The GBA version of Super includes branching stages from Ghouls.
Red Liquorice
Member
I have the GBA version, but it's been a long time since playing it. I will have to try to find it and see.
Lord British
Member
You need to clear levels with the Gold Armour to access the highest branch. It's tough.
belkheldar
Neo Member
This series took gaming for me to another level... I was obsessed with GnG at the arcade, on the C64 and then the NES... But Ghouls n Ghosts on the Megadrive/Genesis/SMS was perfection. THE greatest soundtrack in gaming hands down. I never got a chance to play Super Ghouls N Ghosts when it came out and recently have been trying to complete it for the 52 games in a year challenge. Dont know... just not feeling it. Find the slow downs impact performance too much AND the weapon upgrades/mechanics are nowhere near as clear cut as Ghouls n Ghosts.
Really hoping that eventually Ultimate Ghosts n Goblins comes out in the Australian PSN store so I can play it on Vita.
Really hoping that eventually Ultimate Ghosts n Goblins comes out in the Australian PSN store so I can play it on Vita.
