Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts review - Super Nintendo
The third game in the legendary Ghosts ’n Goblins series of video games, Super Ghouls ’n Ghosts follows Arthur in another quest to rescue Princess Prin Prin, his fair maiden and damsel in distress. Take control of Arthur and defeat the creatures of the night to save the day once more. Only you can discover what glory awaits those brave enough to take on the armies of Super Ghouls ’n Ghosts.What the Mean Machines staff thought
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Well, everyone knew this was going to be the big one, and indeed, Super Ghouls 'n' Ghosts is another fine example of Super Famicom brilliance. First of all, let's start by saying that the graphics are turly exceptional. Capcom have even bettered UN Squadron in the brilliant backdrop stakes by producing some totally terrific visuals. I defy you not to be impressed by the ice level, where tons of snow falls over and behind the parallax scrolling backgrounds! The tower level too, where Arthur runs around a rotating tower is another fine example of exceptional graphics. The sound's awesome too with a kind of orchestral remix of the original Ghouls 'n' Ghosts theme. Capcom have also supplied us with a game that's high in the lastability stakes too. Even completing the first couple of levels takes some effort, and once you've battled your way to the end of the game there's a VERY nasty surprise waiting for you! Capcom are certainly producing the goods as far as Super Famicom games are concerned - Super Ghouls 'n' Ghosts is an essential purchase!
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Retrospective comments
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An absolutely outstanding game. The 94% awarded here was completely justified. When I first played this in my youth I was dubious when I realised Arthur had acquired the ability to double-jump! My doubts were thrown out of the window within minutes when I got to grips with this title and got a taste of what the Super Nintendo was capable of. From the rotating caverns to the snow laden ice world. Very impressive. |
Have your say about this review
Michaelb - 24 Sep 2008, 09:29 GMT
great game, pretty hard though
Richy Girth - 22 Oct 2008, 11:41 GMT
100% Agreed. This is definitely in my top 5 games for the console.
And it should be the instant treatment -along with the R-type games- for any gamer whining that modern games are too tough.
Merciless, beautiful and more addictive than breathing.
Despite its original SNES-only status, it felt like a 100% Capcom experience, utilizing the SNES hardware well, but never letting the gimmickery become the driving force, instead remaining focused on the richness of gameplay.
Also the 1st G'N'G home game -TG16 not included- to get the Arthur sprite looking exactly like the ghouls arcade version.
(A minor point, but one that annoyed me in the Amiga, Megadrive, and home computer versions by U.S gold..)
The added double-jump was a welcome addition for me too, but I did kind of miss the traded off ability to shoot below and skyward.
The graphics are stunningly detailed within their stylistic boundries,
and the backdrops/level design show the usual flair for visual imagination that Capcom had stunned the gaming world with in the late eighties/early nineties.
And as usual with the GNG saga, the levels are each divided into two graphically and geographically distinct areas.
Soundwise, the soundtracks and effects are haunting and memorably atmospheric, as the reviews here state, some GNG arcade themes being revisited -along with the new scores- played with by a string orchestra. Much of its sounds like Enya freaking out tied up and spiked in the Addams Family's basement in a scene directed by Tim Burton.... in a good way.
Gripping, compelling stuff and an excellent installment of one of the finest/toughest gaming sagas ever created.
Si F - 16 Jan 2009, 21:55 GMT
this was the first super famicom game i bought and i remember having to wait ages to get a scart TV so i could play it! it was worth it tho, very challenging and addictive, it took a decent gamer to beat this one!
Dan - 10 Mar 2009, 16:09 GMT
What a game, a sheer joy to play and behold, but crikey almighty what a challenge as well! This was as tough as they come, and no end of control-pad went flying across the room coz of it.
But its a testament to the game that it was that good it came you coming back for more. Quality title.
mitzibishi - 22 Jul 2009, 03:37 GMT
94% is justifed at the time. great game, great GFX, hard as hell, but what do you expect from a Ghouls/Ghosts n Goblins/Ghouls...CAPCOM game. its HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARD!!
Churchill_Was_A_Puss - 09 Sep 2009, 15:47 GMT
You guys in Europe really got the short end of the stick...SCART! (Laugh) I remember bringing my SNES to Paris in 1994...boy was I let down. Then again I was young and did not comprehend the difference in broadcast standards. Boy did France suck. At least England had some intense arcades...totally dominated by SEGA, which I thought was odd, but I guess you tea-bags weren't too fond of the SNES.
Damo - 09 Sep 2009, 15:56 GMT
Churchill: Quite funny you should talk about broadcast standards because RGB SCART is so much better than the US standard it's not even funny.
PAL is also a superior TV format to the US NTSC as it has better colour separation and more display lines (which is why many PAL games had borders - they didn't contain enough information to fill all of the available lines on a Euro TV).
And as for the arcades, Nintendo would have had a bit of trouble dominating those when they didn't release any arcade titles, don't you think?
It really does pay to get your facts right first before firing your mouth off.
