About

<h2>Overview</h2><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/12/129563/2808843-sggtitle.png" data-ref-id="1300-2808843" data-ratio="0.875" data-width="256" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 256px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:87.5%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/12/129563/2808843-sggtitle.png" data-ref-id="1300-2808843"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/12/129563/2808843-sggtitle.png" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/12/129563/2808843-sggtitle.png 256w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" data-width="256"></a></figure><p>Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts is the third entry in <a href="/capcom/3010-367/" data-ref-id="3010-367">Capcom's</a> long-running <a href="/ghosts-n-goblins/3025-243/" data-ref-id="3025-243">Ghosts 'N Goblins</a> franchise. It is an action-<a href="/platform/3055-1179/" data-ref-id="3055-1179">platformer</a> originally released in 1991 exclusively for the <a href="/super-nintendo-entertainment-system/3045-9/" data-ref-id="3045-9">Super Nintendo Entertainment System</a>. Like its predecessors, the game is famous for its high level of difficulty and features the heroic knight <a href="/sir-arthur/3005-6110/" data-ref-id="3005-6110">Sir Arthur</a> on a brand-new quest to save his beloved <a href="/prin-prin/3005-15091/" data-ref-id="3005-15091">Princess Guinevere</a> from the clutches of the mighty demon-king Sardius (or <a href="/samael/3005-3129/" data-ref-id="3005-3129">Samael</a> in the Japanese version).</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><p>The gameplay of Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts is similar to that of run-and-gun side-scrolling action titles such as <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/contra/3030-4350/" data-ref-id="3030-4350">Contra</a>, albeit with a larger focus on <a href="/platform/3055-1179/" data-ref-id="3055-1179">platforming</a>. Arthur begins wearing his standard Steel Armor, which shatters after a single hit, leaving Arthur only in his <a href="/underwear/3055-2061/" data-ref-id="3055-2061">underwear</a>; a second hit ends his current life. In contrast to the previous game, <a href="/ghouls-n-ghosts/3030-12381/" data-ref-id="3030-12381">Ghouls 'N Ghosts</a>, Arthur can no longer fire his equipped weapon vertically up or down.</p><p>New to this entry in the Ghosts 'N Goblins series is the ability to <a href="/double-jump/3015-1/" data-ref-id="3015-1">double-jump</a>. Although Arthur still jumps in a fixed arc, he can now execute a second jump that allows him to gain extra height or even change his trajectory in mid-air. This gameplay mechanic adds an extra level of challenge to basic platforming beyond that of the series' previous games.</p><h3>Weapons &amp; Magic</h3><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/17547/645458-super_ghouls__n_ghosts_31.png" data-ref-id="1300-645458" data-ratio="0.875" data-width="256" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 256px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:87.5%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/17547/645458-super_ghouls__n_ghosts_31.png" data-ref-id="1300-645458"><img alt="Arthur wearing Golden Armor in Stage 1" src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/1/17547/645458-super_ghouls__n_ghosts_31.png" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/1/17547/645458-super_ghouls__n_ghosts_31.png 256w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" data-width="256"></a><figcaption>Arthur wearing Golden Armor in Stage 1</figcaption></figure><p>Arthur begins the game with the straightforward <a href="/lance/3055-1267/" data-ref-id="3055-1267">Lance</a> projectile weapon; several other weapons can be equipped throughout the game, each with their own unique properties. Acquiring the new <strong>Bronze Armor</strong> upgrade increases a weapon's damage, while the <strong>Golden Armor</strong> upgrade also allows Arthur to <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/charge/3015-1060/" data-ref-id="3015-1060">charge</a> up for a magic attack that affects a larger area of the screen.</p><ul><li><a href="/lance/3055-1267/" data-ref-id="3055-1267"><strong>Lance</strong></a> - Fires a single lance straight ahead. Upgrades to the <strong>Flaming Lance</strong> for additional damage. <strong>Thunder Magic</strong> fires a vertical magic bolt from the top of the screen towards Arthur's position, which then splits horizontally to the left and right for additional damage.</li><li><a href="/dagger/3055-1306/" data-ref-id="3055-1306"><strong>Dagger</strong></a> - Fires a single dagger straight ahead. Weaker than the Lance, but can also be fired more quickly. Upgrades to the <strong>Magic Dagger</strong> that deals increased damage and leaves a damaging trail behind. <strong>Fire Dragon Magic</strong> creates a flaming dragon that sweeps around the screen in a counter-clockwise pattern.</li><li><a href="/axe/3055-437/" data-ref-id="3055-437"><strong>Axe</strong></a> - Fires a single Axe that slowly moves straight ahead in a looping pattern. Upgrades to the <strong>Hefty Axe</strong> which fires slightly upward before moving forward in a wave pattern for greater damage. <strong>Lightning Magic</strong> fires energy beams outward in eight directions.</li><li><a href="/crossbow/3055-107/" data-ref-id="3055-107"><strong>Crossbow</strong></a> - Fires twin bolts in an up-diagonal trajectory. Upgrades to the <strong>Magic Crossbow</strong> that fires three homing projectiles. <strong>Seek Magic</strong> reveals any chests hidden nearby.</li><li><a href="/torch/3055-484/" data-ref-id="3055-484"><strong>Torch</strong></a> - Lobs a single torch in a short forward arc; upon impact with the ground, a line of damaging flames extends across the surface. Upgrades to the <strong>Magic Torch</strong> that increases the residual flames' size and damage. <strong>Fireball Magic</strong> creates three magic spheres that orbit around Arthur, causing damage on contact.</li><li><a href="/scythe/3055-95/" data-ref-id="3055-95"><strong>Scythe</strong></a> - Fires a scythe straight ahead which can optionally be fired down-diagonally. Upgrades to the <strong>Magic Scythe</strong> for increased damage. <strong>Tornado Magic</strong> creates twin tornadoes that swirl around to Arthur's right and left sides.</li><li><strong>Tri-Blade</strong> - Fires a blade that travels in an "L"-shaped pattern before returning to Arthur's position. Upgrades to the <strong>Shuriken</strong> for additional damage. <strong>Nuclear Magic</strong> creates an energy sphere that raises up from Arthur's position before splitting into two horizontal bolts travelling left and right.</li><li><strong>Goddess' Bracelet</strong> - Only available on the second playthrough, this special weapon can be obtained by opening certain chests while wearing the Golden Armor. It fires a large blast of energy straight ahead for a short distance, and its range increases with the Golden Armor equipped. However, the Bracelet cannot be charged for a magic attack.</li></ul><p>Arthur's Golden Armor comes equipped with the <strong>Moon Shield</strong>, which can deflect a single enemy projectile before shattering. While he has the Moon Shield equipped, Arthur may also discover the upgraded <strong>Sun Shield</strong> capable of deflecting up to three projectiles. Additionally, these two shields decrease the time required to execute a special charge attack, with the Sun Shield providing the fastest charge.</p><h2>Stages</h2><p>The game features seven full Stages, each of which is divided into two areas. Reaching a stage's second area will create a <a href="/checkpoints/3015-292/" data-ref-id="3015-292">checkpoint</a>, retaining Arthur's progress up through the halfway point of the Stage. The final Stage is much smaller and only exists as a single chamber to hold Sardius, the <a href="/final-boss/3015-1537/" data-ref-id="3015-1537">final boss</a>.</p><h3>Stage 1: The Dead Place</h3><p>Arthur's adventure begins in <strong>The Haunted Graveyard</strong>, a <a href="/zombie/3015-79/" data-ref-id="3015-79">zombie</a>-infested <a href="/cemetery/3035-1552/" data-ref-id="3035-1552">cemetery</a> prone to sudden earthquakes that cause the terrain to shift around unexpectedly; this Stage also pays heavy homage to the first level of the original <a href="/ghosts-n-goblins/3030-17031/" data-ref-id="3030-17031">Ghosts 'N Goblins</a> and includes a new arrangement of its background music. Past the graveyard lies a coastal area where gigantic tidal waves carve away at what little land remains. Arthur can traverse these narrow footholds to arrive at the overgrown <strong>Forest of Fear</strong>, where exploding plant buds and rolling traps must be avoided to reach the <a href="/cockatrice/3015-4875/" data-ref-id="3015-4875">Cockatrice</a> boss at the stage's end.</p><h3>Stage 2: The Rotting Sea</h3><p>Arthur heads out to sea and enters <strong>The Graveyard of <strong>Ships</strong></strong>, a fleet of sunken sailing vessels patrolled by <a href="/ghosts/3015-758/" data-ref-id="3015-758">ghosts</a>. Crossing the rapidly-deteriorating structures leads to <strong>The Sea of Despair</strong>, where turbulent waters, jagged coral and a host of aquatic demons threaten to sink Arthur and his tiny raft. At the end of the area, the Giant Barnacle must be defeated in a sea battle to reach the next stage.</p><h3>Stage 3: Vermilion Horror</h3><p>The heat turns up in the <strong>Crucible of Flame</strong>, a demonic refinery filled with lava and guarded by fearsome fire-breathing enemies. Descending through the slag pits and across a molten lake, Arthur reaches the <strong>Towers of Molten Steel</strong>, where Arthur's longtime nemesis <a href="/firebrand/3005-2548/" data-ref-id="3005-2548">Firebrand</a> is encountered for the first time in the game. Past the dizzying towers, the Death Crawler boss waiting here spins and attacks with a hail of stones, but it is defeated relatively easily.</p><h3>Stage 4: The Ghoul's Stomach</h3><p>Somehow, Arthur ends up inside of an enormous living creature in this Stage. The first <strong>Stomach</strong> area makes use of the SNES' sprite rotation capabilities to rotate the entire screen several times, opening new paths as the level shifts. The second area inside the <strong>Intestine</strong> consists of a few moving platforms that sway side-to-side as they drift through intermittent plumes of toxic gas. The exit is guarded by a three-headed <a href="https://www.giantbomb.com/hydra/3015-2506/" data-ref-id="3015-2506">Hydra</a> boss.</p><h3>Stage 5: The Deep Chill</h3><p>Fell winds howl through the <strong>Ice Forest</strong>, a gnarled mass of frozen vines patrolled by frost-breathing monsters. Scaling the icy growth, Arthur discovers a cave that leads through the gigantic <strong>Ice Wall</strong> surrounding Sardius' domain. Footing here is treacherous, with sudden avalanches and packs of ferocious wolves slowing progress to a crawl. After a long upward climb, Arthur battles a being of pure ice known as Freon before finally entering the castle.</p><h3>Stage 6: The Castle of the Emperor</h3><p>A trio of Firebrands greet Arthur just inside the Castle's entrance; players must defeat all three in rapid succession before reaching <a href="/astaroth/3005-15090/" data-ref-id="3005-15090">Astaroth</a>, the final boss of the original <a href="/ghosts-n-goblins/3030-17031/" data-ref-id="3030-17031">Ghosts N' Goblins</a>.</p><h3>Stage 7: Hallway of Ghouls</h3><p>The penultimate Stage features a harrowing gauntlet of Cockatrice heads, tiny imps and ghosts. Astaroth appears once again for a rematch at the end, but after his second defeat he transforms into the powered-up Nebiroth for one last showdown. In classic Ghosts 'n Goblins fashion, players that manage to complete the game's seventh stage are told by Guinevere that they cannot defeat the <a href="/final-boss/3015-1537/" data-ref-id="3015-1537">final boss</a> without obtaining a new hidden weapon, the Goddess' Bracelet. The player is sent back to the first stage where they must complete the game a second time; players are also required to equip the Goddess' Bracelet before reaching Sardius, the game's final boss.</p><h3>Final Stage (E): The Throne Room</h3><p>The final battle against Sardius takes place in this large chamber. The demon king towers above Arthur like a colossus, forcing players to hitch a ride on a floating platform while dodging Sardius' lasers in order to strike at the weak point on his head.</p>