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[Vanillalite]

Timeline from Wikipedia

So what say you GAF? What's the best game in Capcom's long running Ghost 'N Goblins series? The original arcade game? The Super Nintendo entry? Maybe you prefer a portable entry like Ultimate on the PSP?

What would you say is the best game in the series?

 

[BadWolf]

The PSP game is amazing.

 

[Eolz]

Psp game, easily, especially if you can get the japanese only release (just after ultimate in the timeline in your pic).

 

[Thaedolus]

The arcade version of Ghosts n Goblins is amazing but I think I prefer the double jump and level design of Super Ghouls n Ghosts. Not a huge fan of Ghouls n Ghosts, but I'll never get rid of my Saturn port of these amazing games

 

[CoG]

Ghouls 'N Ghosts or Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts. When games were like really hard.

 

[TreIII]

My answer: Demon's Crest

But if only the mainstream games count: Ultimate GnG. Especially the JP-only update which comes with an extra mode that makes it plays just like a classic GnG.

 

[Robin64]

Super Ghouls n Ghosts is the most fun to just play, I think, but if we're including the Firebrand spinoffs then Gargoyles Quest II on the NES is where it's at. The notion of a platformer RPG was so alien to me but I fell in love with it right away. Perfectly tight controls helped.

Have to admit, though, I haven't heard of half the titles on that timeline. Were many of them Japan only?

 

[Mugy]

Ultimate Ghost N' Goblin, yes

 

[Knuf]

Ghost'n'Goblins >>> Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts > Gokumakaimura Kai >>> Maximo 1 & 2 > Demon's Crest.
Amazing series, wish it were still alive. ;_;

 

[Zerojul]

But if only the mainstream games count: Ultimate GnG. Especially the JP-only update which comes with an extra mode that makes it plays just like a classic GnG.

This. Gokumakaimura Kai is absolutely amazing.

 

[predalien27]

Wasn't Shovel Knight heavily inspired by GnG?

 

[btrboyev]

Ghouls and ghosts no question.

 

[entremet]

Is Kai on JP PSN?

 

[Luschient]

Ghouls n Ghosts on Genesis will always be GOAT for me. Grabbed Super GG off the WiiU eshop, hard as hell.

 

[Thanati]

The C64 version.

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

Gargoyles Quest 2 on the NES or Demon's Crest on the SNES.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Wasn't Shovel Knight heavily inspired by GnG?

When it comes to indie action platformers from the past couple of years, I'd say Volgarr the Viking has much more in common with this series than Shovel Knight does.

 

[Lord British]

Many will disagree I expect, but Super Ghouls N' Ghosts is my favourite. It marries extremely distinct aesthetics per level with challenging but fair gameplay. The addition of the double-jump adds a lot to the gameplay for me.

That's not to say its predecessor Ghouls N' Ghosts is in any way bad. It's a brilliantly-designed game.

 

[therealPeterman]

Ghouls 'n Ghosts wins it. The Genesis port was almost arcade perfect.

 

[Ian]

Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts for me. Amazing game.

I never played the PSP game so I can't compare

 

[Muchi Muchi Pink]

UGNG, Hello Capcom, would you kindly release the game on the european psn?!

 

[entremet]

Ghouls 'n Ghosts wins it. The Genesis port was almost arcade perfect.

A young Yuji Naka worked on that.

 

[Head.spawn]

Super Ghouls n' Ghosts is the gold standard IMO.

 

[nailbombxx]

Maximo is pretty different being a 3D PS2 game but I absolutely love it.

 

[Herbspiceguy]

I like the franchise, but I suck at them.

Since I doubt we're ever going to see a return to form, here's an upcoming clone that looks promising: Battle Princess Madelyn

 

[Oneself]

Personally, my favorite is the PSP game followed by Super Ghouls n' Ghosts.
Too bad there will never be an HD port/remaster or sequel to it. Terrific game and still really beautiful visually.

Best non-traditional is Maximo 2 and the original. Both are excellent, underrated games.

 

[maxcriden]

I don't like the art style. Then in Maximo I like it better but the gratuitous scantily-clad women and damsel-in-distress trope is blegh.

 

[panama chief]

This

 

[Earthpainting]

Either Gargoyle's Quest 1 or 2 to me, but then they are some of my favourite Capcom games in general too. Not counting those, I played Super Ghouls n' Ghosts the most.

 

[pulsemyne]

The C64 version.

If only for the Tim Follin God tier soundtrack. Listen. Enjoy. Marvel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEjKPvk4rnw

 

[Bloodporne]

Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts for me. I also think it'd be a great introduction to the series.

It's a gorgeous game, fun as hell and not AS viciously asshole hard as the first one for example. Let's not forget how amazing the soundtrack was for this one as well.

 

[Shig]

Ghouls 'n Ghosts wins it. The Genesis port was almost arcade perfect.

If you have an extremely liberal definition of 'almost.'

Plays well enough, but it falls welllll short of the arcade graphically.

 

[ElFly]

Super is the best one.

GBA version of Super would be even better, but framerate, music and a smaller screen kills it.

 

[reelbigtink]

I prefer the NES Ghosts n Goblins as it's the only one I've played so much I can steamroll through it.

 

[Saroyan]

Ghouls 'n Ghosts, followed by Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts.

 

[Neff]

One hundred percent Ghouls 'n' Ghosts.

 

[Bloodporne]

Super is also a Souls prequel, extra points.

 

[Tizoc]

The PSP game is amazing.

Which one? The updated ver. that only saw a release in Japan or the original one?

 

[TheJollyCorner]

While you guys battle it out regarding which game is the 'best', here's the Ghost n' Goblins theme song... with lyrics!

https://youtu.be/vQGcJa0OEZs


(I was trying to find the GnG 'death' jingle on YouTube and ran into this instead )

 

[Omnistalgic]

Does Maximo count? It was fantastic!

 

[cireza]

Genesis port was great for its time. Still my go to version.

 

[Bazry]

The arcade version of Ghosts n Goblins is amazing but I think I prefer the double jump and level design of Super Ghouls n Ghosts. Not a huge fan of Ghouls n Ghosts, but I'll never get rid of my Saturn port of these amazing games

Is that one of the Capcom Collection games that came out in Japan? I so nearly bought that a while ago, this thread is now making me wish I had

 

[Thaedolus]

Is that one of the Capcom Collection games that came out in Japan? I so nearly bought that a while ago, this thread is now making me wish I had

Yeah, the arcade ports are perfect and the SGnG port is very good (though I'd default to the SNES version if I had it hooked up).

 

[Sydle]

The PSP game is my favorite. I held onto that system for years just because of that game.

 

[Lord Error]

I was expecting nostalgia to win here by a mile, so I'm pleasantly surprised to see that some many people vote UGNG. That's my vote too, the game is simply amazing. Love playing it on Vita where it doesn't look anywhere near as motion-blurry due to oled screen too. Still one of the best looking 2.5D games.

Honorable mention - C64 version of Ghouls and Ghosts for the fantastically ghoul-ish soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEjKPvk4rnw&t=3m58s

This. Gokumakaimura Kai is absolutely amazing.

Tell me more about it - what are the benefits?

 

[The Dutch Slayer]

snes version to me.
Best colors and great weapons.

 

[Shadowman16]

I enjoy the entire series, it's hard to pick one favourite! I'd probably be tempted to pick ghouls n ghosts just because it seems like the most balanced of the games - definitely the easiest in my opinion plus the special weapon needed to clear the second run of the game is actually decent, compared to the almost useless cross in the original gng.

That said, the Kai release of the psp game is amazing as well, so much better than the original psp version of he game. It does an excellent job of rebalancing the difficulty plus gets rid of the terrible gold rings fetch quest the original game required to get e best ending, now you just need to clear the game twice as per all previous gng games.

 

[Takao]

Is Kai on JP PSN?

Yep.

 

[Hendrick's]

Got to go with Ghosts 'n Goblins. Nothing beats the experience the original brought.

 

[low-G]

I'm gonna go with Gargoyle's Quest and Maximo, and the original GNG for nostalgia.