Ghosts ‘n Goblins: A Legendary Test of Patience and Skill

Released in 1985 by Capcom, Ghosts ‘n Goblins is a legendary action-platformer that quickly became known for its challenging difficulty and eerie gothic setting. The game introduced players to the valiant knight Arthur, who embarks on a quest to rescue his beloved Princess Prin-Prin from the clutches of the demon lord Satan. Despite its seemingly straightforward premise, Ghosts ‘n Goblins is often considered one of the most difficult and punishing games of its time, earning it a place in gaming history as a true test of patience, perseverance, and skill.

The Story Behind Ghosts ‘n Goblins

In Ghosts ‘n Goblins, players take control of the brave knight Arthur, who must battle through five increasingly difficult stages filled with monsters, traps, and supernatural dangers in an attempt to save Princess Prin-Prin. The game’s plot begins when the princess is abducted by the evil demon lord Satan, who transports her to his lair in the depths of the underworld. Determined to rescue her, Arthur sets out on an adventure filled with creepy creatures and nightmarish enemies.

The game’s narrative is simple, but it sets the stage for the intense action that unfolds. As Arthur ventures through the stages, players face waves of challenging enemies like zombies, skeletons, and ghosts, as well as environmental hazards such as spiked floors and flying traps. To make matters worse, the game has an infamous difficulty curve that’s sure to test even the most seasoned gamers.

Gameplay Mechanics: An Old-School Challenge

At its core, Ghosts ‘n Goblins is a side-scrolling platformer, but it quickly establishes itself as a difficult and unforgiving experience. Players must jump over pits, dodge projectiles, and defeat enemies with a variety of weapons, including a lance and daggers. Arthur is equipped with only a limited number of lives, and if he’s hit by an enemy, he loses armor. After losing armor, Arthur is left vulnerable in his underpants, which is both comical and a source of additional difficulty, as it makes him easier to defeat by enemies.

One of the most distinctive aspects of Ghosts ‘n Goblins is its two-cycle approach to the game. After completing the five stages and defeating the final boss, players realize they must replay the game again, but this time with a higher level of difficulty. This “second loop” reveals that Arthur’s quest is not yet complete, as he must venture through the same stages again, facing stronger enemies and more dangerous traps. The game thus becomes an even tougher challenge, requiring both mastery of the game mechanics and a strong sense of patience.

The game is renowned for its challenging enemies, each of which requires a different strategy to defeat. From skeletons that come back to life after being defeated, to flying creatures that dodge Arthur’s attacks, players must be quick, strategic, and always ready for the unexpected. Moreover, timing plays a huge role in the gameplay, as players must avoid enemy attacks while carefully plotting their next move.

Fun Facts About Ghosts ‘n Goblins

1. Notoriously Difficult: Ghosts ‘n Goblins is widely regarded as one of the most difficult video games of its era, and it remains infamous for its brutal difficulty. The game is punishing, with enemies that take multiple hits to defeat, tricky platforming sequences, and sudden ambushes. Players often find themselves starting over after dying, making the game’s overall progression a test of skill and patience.
2. Arthur’s Undies: One of the most memorable aspects of Ghosts ‘n Goblins is the moment when Arthur loses his armor and is left in his underpants. This visual became iconic over time, as it was both funny and surprisingly fitting for the game’s high level of difficulty. Arthur’s underpants also serve as a gameplay mechanic, as he is more vulnerable when wearing only his underwear.
3. The Real Ending is Harder to Reach: Many players don’t realize that the true ending of Ghosts ‘n Goblins is hidden behind an extra layer of difficulty. After completing the game and defeating the final boss, players must complete the entire game again on a higher difficulty setting in order to face Satan one final time and rescue Princess Prin-Prin. This hidden requirement makes Ghosts ‘n Goblins one of the first games to feature a secret “true ending.”
4. A Franchise that Lives On: Ghosts ‘n Goblins spawned a number of sequels, including Ghouls ‘n Ghosts (1988) and Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts (1989). The franchise has remained popular over the years, with new installments and ports appearing on modern platforms, and even making its way to the arcade cabinets and mobile devices.
5. Influence on Later Games: The brutal difficulty and platforming mechanics of Ghosts ‘n Goblins influenced a wide range of games that followed, including many later platformers and action titles that embraced the idea of high challenge levels. It’s often cited as an early example of the genre’s “hardcore” approach.
6. Creative Enemy Design: Ghosts ‘n Goblins is known for its creative and varied enemy designs. From zombies and skeletons to flying demons and witches, the game’s enemies are unique and visually memorable. Many of the creatures were designed by Keiji Inafune, who would later go on to work on the Mega Man series.

Secrets and Tricks in Ghosts ‘n Goblins

1. Mastering the Jumping Mechanics: The jumping in Ghosts ‘n Goblins is notorious for its high arc, which can make platforming sections especially difficult. Mastering how to time jumps and use the height of the jump to your advantage is crucial for avoiding traps and reaching difficult platforms.
2. Weapon Variety: While the basic spear is your starting weapon, there are a variety of other weapons scattered throughout the game, including daggers, torches, and crossbows. Each weapon has its own unique properties, so it’s important to experiment with different ones to find what works best for each stage.
3. Use Your Shield Wisely: Arthur has a shield that can be used to block projectiles and enemy attacks. Learning to use this shield effectively is a key element of surviving in Ghosts ‘n Goblins, as it can help you protect yourself from the myriad of hazards that come your way.
4. Maximizing Power-ups: Throughout the game, you’ll encounter power-ups such as extra lives and health potions. Collect these whenever you can, as they’re essential for surviving the difficult stages. Keeping a high number of lives will give you a better chance of reaching the later levels.
5. The Importance of Patience: One of the key tricks to succeeding in Ghosts ‘n Goblins is patience. Take your time to learn enemy patterns, anticipate ambushes, and avoid rushing through platforming sections. The game punishes hasty actions, so careful planning is critical.
6. Save and Continue: In the arcade version of Ghosts ‘n Goblins, you could insert more coins to continue your game, but players should still aim to complete the game with as few continues as possible. If you’re playing the home console version, take advantage of the save feature to preserve your progress before particularly difficult stages.

Why Ghosts ‘n Goblins is Still Worth Playing

Ghosts ‘n Goblins remains one of the most iconic and beloved games in the action-platformer genre. Its challenging difficulty, memorable enemies, and unique gameplay mechanics make it a standout title that still holds up as a test of skill today. The game’s quirky design, from its undergarment-wearing hero to its hidden true ending, has made it a nostalgic classic that continues to influence modern video games.

Despite its extreme difficulty, Ghosts ‘n Goblins rewards players who are willing to put in the time and effort to master its controls and enemy patterns. It’s a game that encourages players to persevere, which is one of the key reasons why it continues to have a lasting impact on the gaming community. Whether you’re a retro gaming enthusiast or someone looking for a challenge, Ghosts ‘n Goblins remains a must-play classic.