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Ghosts 'n Goblins (series)
Encyclopedia
Ghosts'n Goblins, known as in Japan, is a run and gun platformer video game series created by Tokuro Fujiwara
and developed by Capcom
. The first entry in the series was Ghosts'n Goblins, released as an arcade title
on September 19, 1985. The series has subsequently been released on and ported to a variety of game consoles and mobile platforms and spawned several sequels and spin-offs
.
The main series contains seven games: Ghosts'n Goblins
, Ghouls'n Ghosts, Super Ghouls'n Ghosts, Makaimura for WonderSwan
, Ultimate Ghosts'n Goblins, Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights, and Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights II, and focuses on the knight Arthur's quest to save princess Prin-Prin from the demon king Astaroth. The primary spin-offs include the Gargoyle's Quest
and Maximo
game series.
The series as a whole has sold over 4.4 million units and stands as the 8th best selling Capcom game franchise. It has gained a reputation amongst gamers for its high level of difficulty.
s with mild RPG elements. Players control the character of Firebrand, a character who appears as an enemy in the main series.
's Sid & Al's Incredible Toons
in order to create a puzzle game series based in the Ghosts'n Goblins universe.
hack and slash
platformer series developed by Capcom for the PlayStation 2. The games are based on the Ghosts'n Goblins universe and feature original character designs by Japanese illustrator Susumu Matsushita
.
(also known for producing games in the Mega Man
franchise) and is produced by Capcom
. Toshio Arima served as lead programmer and Ayako Mori composed the score for the original arcade release in 1985.
and Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
. Tamayo Kawamoto composed the score for Ghouls'n Ghosts, the next entry in the series, followed by Mari Yamaguchi for Super Ghouls'n Ghosts (with Tomohiro Masuda and Nobuhiko Isa handling the GBA re-release), and Masaya Tsunemoto and Kazuhiro Kotani for Ultimate Ghosts'n Goblins. The score for the Gargoyle's Quest spin-off series was composed primarily by Yuki Iwai (with Norihiko Togashi handling the Game Boy re-release of Gargoyle's Quest II).
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the franchise, Capcom released the Makaimura Ongakutaizen in Japan on December 28, 2005. This 7 disc boxed set featured over 350 tracks and was a complete soundtrack for the series to date featuring the complete scores of not only every entry of the Ghosts'n Goblins and Gargoyle's Quest series, but also of every PC
and home console port of each game therein. This collection quickly sold out and was praised by various video game music review sites. In reference to the series' soundtrack as a whole, one reviewer noted:
Though selling for around $100 upon its release, the collection was highly sought out by fans and continues to fetch a high price on Internet auction sites such as eBay
.
Capcom released a soundtrack for Ultimate Ghosts'n Goblins on September 30, 2006.
.
The main series starring Sir Arthur and Princess Prin-Prin was initially released as an arcade
title in 1985 and subsequently re-released and ported to a variety of home computer consoles. It continues as an active intellectual property
for Capcom with its latest release in 2010 on Apple's iOS. The NES
release of Ghosts'n Goblins was rated as the 54th best NES game of all time by IGN
and the 124th best game on a Nintendo console by Nintendo Power
. The game is considered by GameTrailers
to be the world's second most difficult game ever made. As of 2008, the original Ghosts'n Goblins is Capcom's 18th best selling title, having sold over 1.6 million units. Similarly, Super Ghouls'n Ghosts is Capcom's 42nd best selling title, having sold over 1 million units.
The main series went on a minor hiatus after the release of Super Ghouls'n Ghosts in 1991. With the exception of the largely overlooked Makaimura for WonderSwan
which was released only in Japan, and a rerelease of Super Ghouls'n Ghosts on the Game Boy Advance
, the main Ghosts'n Goblins series did not see a major release until Ultimate Ghosts'n Goblins on the Playstation Portable
in 2006. The return of the series received mixed to positive reviews. Gamespot
noted that the entry would appeal to fans of the original, but that many of the old-school game mechanics including level design and jump mechanics, along with the traditional level of difficulty, may not appeal to the current generation of gamers. These concerns were echoed by such sites as GameDaily
and AtomicGamer. Other sites such as IGN
and GameCritics praised this adherence to the series' old-school mechanics and traditional level of difficulty, while noting that the new health, armor, and waypoint systems as well as tiered difficulty options went a long way in adjusting the difficulty for new gamers. Ultimate Ghosts'n Goblins was also the first entry in the series to employ 3D graphics
, a fact praised by most reviewers: "The 3D graphics enhance the 2D gameplay by giving the world a sense of depth without interfering with the gameplay, and the whole package simply glows with vibrant color and lighting effects."
The Gargoyles Quest spin-off saw a series of releases between 1990 and 1994. The introduction of RPG elements in Gargoyles Quest was praised, however reviewers noted an uneven level of difficulty. Demon's Crest was highly regarded as "one of the finest action titles on SNES, and without a doubt the crowning achievement of the Ghosts'n Goblins line" by critics however went largely unnoticed in terms of sales being labeled a "major flop." Similarly, the Maximo spin-off sub-series was initially well received, though criticized for being difficult and inaccessible. Ghosts to Glory (2001) achieved PlayStation 2 Greatest Hits status in the United States
selling more than 400,000 units in North America. IGN ranked the game as the 6th most difficult game on the PlayStation 2
. A sequel, Maximo vs. Army of Zin
was released in 2003
with better critical reception but faltering sales, ultimately leading to the cancellation of Maximo 3. The future of both the Gargoyles Quest and Maximo spin-off series is unknown.
Tokuro Fujiwara
Tokuro Fujiwara , sometime credited as Professor F or Arthur King, is a Japanese video game designer, best known for creating Ghosts 'n Goblins and producing the Mega Man series. He worked as the general manager of the Capcom Console Games Division from 1988 to 1996...
and developed by Capcom
Capcom
is a Japanese developer and publisher of video games, known for creating multi-million-selling franchises such as Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, Street Fighter, Mega Man and Resident Evil. Capcom developed and published Bionic Commando, Lost Planet and Dark Void too, but they are less known. Its...
. The first entry in the series was Ghosts'n Goblins, released as an arcade title
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
on September 19, 1985. The series has subsequently been released on and ported to a variety of game consoles and mobile platforms and spawned several sequels and spin-offs
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
.
The main series contains seven games: Ghosts'n Goblins
Ghosts 'n Goblins
is a 1985 platform game developed by Capcom for video arcades and has since been released on several other platforms. It is the first game in the Ghosts'n Goblins franchise.-Gameplay:...
, Ghouls'n Ghosts, Super Ghouls'n Ghosts, Makaimura for WonderSwan
Makaimura for WonderSwan
is a game for the WonderSwan developed by Capcom and published by Bandai in 1999 and is part of the Ghosts'n Goblins franchise. It is based on the original Ghosts'n Goblins.-External links:*...
, Ultimate Ghosts'n Goblins, Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights, and Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights II, and focuses on the knight Arthur's quest to save princess Prin-Prin from the demon king Astaroth. The primary spin-offs include the Gargoyle's Quest
Gargoyle's Quest
, is a platform/side scrolling adventure game with mild RPG elements from Capcom. It was released on May 2, 1990 in Japan and then in America and Canada in July. The main character Red Arremer made his debut in the arcade game series Ghosts'n Goblins...
and Maximo
Maximo: Ghosts to Glory
Maximo: Ghosts to Glory is a 3D hack and slash platform game developed by Capcom for the PlayStation 2. The game is based in the Ghosts'n Goblins universe and features original character designs by Japanese illustrator Susumu Matsushita. It's a part of PlayStation 2 Greatest Hits...
game series.
The series as a whole has sold over 4.4 million units and stands as the 8th best selling Capcom game franchise. It has gained a reputation amongst gamers for its high level of difficulty.
Main series
The main series consists of run and gun platformers with players controlling a knight named Arthur who must battle through hordes of the undead in order to rescue the kidnapped princess Prin-Prin (also known as Guinevere depending on the game/translation) from the demon king Astaroth. Arthur's health and magic level is represented by the armor he wears, with Arthur capable of finding better armor and various weapons in treasure chests hidden throughout the game stages. Once losing his armor Arthur is left only wearing his boxers (an image which has become iconic for the series). In most of the main series, once completing the game the player is forced to re-play the game's stages at a harder difficulty level in order to receive the game's "true" ending. The series has gained a reputation amongst gamers for its high level of difficulty.- Ghosts'n GoblinsGhosts 'n Goblinsis a 1985 platform game developed by Capcom for video arcades and has since been released on several other platforms. It is the first game in the Ghosts'n Goblins franchise.-Gameplay:...
(1985) (ArcadeArcade gameAn arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
, Commodore 64Commodore 64The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
, Commodore Amiga, ZX SpectrumZX SpectrumThe ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...
, Amstrad CPCAmstrad CPCThe Amstrad CPC is a series of 8-bit home computers produced by Amstrad between 1984 and 1990. It was designed to compete in the mid-1980s home computer market dominated by the Commodore 64 and the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, where it successfully established itself primarily in the United Kingdom,...
, Atari STAtari STThe Atari ST is a home/personal computer that was released by Atari Corporation in 1985 and commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The "ST" officially stands for "Sixteen/Thirty-two", which referred to the Motorola 68000's 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals...
, IBM PC compatibleIBM PC compatibleIBM PC compatible computers are those generally similar to the original IBM PC, XT, and AT. Such computers used to be referred to as PC clones, or IBM clones since they almost exactly duplicated all the significant features of the PC architecture, facilitated by various manufacturers' ability to...
s, Commodore 16Commodore 16The Commodore 16 was a home computer made by Commodore with a 6502-compatible 8501 CPU, released in 1984. It was intended to be an entry-level computer to replace the VIC-20 and it often sold for 99 USD...
, Sharp X68000Sharp X68000The Sharp X68000, often referred to as the X68k, is a home computer released only in Japan by the Sharp Corporation. The first model was released in 1987, with a 10 MHz Motorola 68000 CPU, 1 MB of RAM and no hard drive; the last model was released in 1993 with a 25 MHz Motorola 68030...
, Game Boy ColorGame Boy ColorThe is Nintendo's successor to the 8-bit Game Boy handheld game console, and was released on October 21, 1998 in Japan, November 19, 1998 in North America, November 23, 1998 in Europe and November 27, 1998 in the United Kingdom. It features a color screen and is slightly thicker and taller than...
, Game Boy AdvanceGame Boy AdvanceThe is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
, NESNintendo Entertainment SystemThe Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
, XboxXboxThe Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
, PlayStationPlayStationThe is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
, PlayStation 2PlayStation 2The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, Playstation PortablePlayStation PortableThe is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
, iOS, Virtual ConsoleVirtual consoleA virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
) - Ghouls'n Ghosts (1988) (ArcadeArcade gameAn arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
, AmigaAmigaThe Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
, Amstrad CPCAmstrad CPCThe Amstrad CPC is a series of 8-bit home computers produced by Amstrad between 1984 and 1990. It was designed to compete in the mid-1980s home computer market dominated by the Commodore 64 and the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, where it successfully established itself primarily in the United Kingdom,...
, Atari STAtari STThe Atari ST is a home/personal computer that was released by Atari Corporation in 1985 and commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The "ST" officially stands for "Sixteen/Thirty-two", which referred to the Motorola 68000's 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals...
, CP System, Commodore 64Commodore 64The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
, Sharp X68000Sharp X68000The Sharp X68000, often referred to as the X68k, is a home computer released only in Japan by the Sharp Corporation. The first model was released in 1987, with a 10 MHz Motorola 68000 CPU, 1 MB of RAM and no hard drive; the last model was released in 1993 with a 25 MHz Motorola 68030...
, Sega SaturnSega SaturnThe is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
, XboxXboxThe Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
, PlayStationPlayStationThe is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
, PlayStation 2PlayStation 2The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, Playstation PortablePlayStation PortableThe is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
, SuperGrafxSuperGrafxThe SuperGrafx video game console is an upgraded version of NEC's popular PC Engine system. At first it was known as the PC-Engine 2—which was purported to be a true 16-bit system with improved graphics and audio capabilities, not expected to see release until 1990...
, Master System, Mega Drive, Virtual ConsoleVirtual consoleA virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
, ZX SpectrumZX SpectrumThe ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...
) - Super Ghouls'n Ghosts (1991) (SNESSuper Nintendo Entertainment SystemThe Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
, Sega SaturnSega SaturnThe is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
, PlayStationPlayStationThe is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
, PlayStation 2PlayStation 2The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, XboxXboxThe Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
, Game Boy AdvanceGame Boy AdvanceThe is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
, PlayStation PortablePlayStation PortableThe is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
, Virtual ConsoleVirtual consoleA virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
, Xbox Live ArcadeXbox Live ArcadeXbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
, PlayStation Network)- Choumakaimura R (2002) (Game Boy AdvanceGame Boy AdvanceThe is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
) - An enhanced re-mixed version of Super Ghouls'n Ghosts
- Choumakaimura R (2002) (Game Boy Advance
- Makaimura for WonderSwanMakaimura for WonderSwanis a game for the WonderSwan developed by Capcom and published by Bandai in 1999 and is part of the Ghosts'n Goblins franchise. It is based on the original Ghosts'n Goblins.-External links:*...
(1999) (WonderSwanWonderSwanwas a line of handheld game consoles produced in Japan by Bandai between 1999 and 2003. It was developed by the late Gunpei Yokoi's company Koto and Bandai...
) - Ultimate Ghosts'n Goblins (2006) (Playstation PortablePlayStation PortableThe is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
)- Gokumakaimura Kai (2007) (Playstation PortablePlayStation PortableThe is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
) - An enhanced re-mixed version of Ultimate Ghosts'n Goblins
- Gokumakaimura Kai (2007) (Playstation Portable
- Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights (2009) (iOS)
- Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights II (2010) (iOS)
Gargoyle's Quest series
The Gargoyle's Quest series is a group of side scrolling adventure gameAdventure game
An adventure game is a video game in which the player assumes the role of protagonist in an interactive story driven by exploration and puzzle-solving instead of physical challenge. The genre's focus on story allows it to draw heavily from other narrative-based media such as literature and film,...
s with mild RPG elements. Players control the character of Firebrand, a character who appears as an enemy in the main series.
- Gargoyle's QuestGargoyle's Quest, is a platform/side scrolling adventure game with mild RPG elements from Capcom. It was released on May 2, 1990 in Japan and then in America and Canada in July. The main character Red Arremer made his debut in the arcade game series Ghosts'n Goblins...
(1990) (Game BoyGame BoyThe , is an 8-bit handheld video game device developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on , in North America in , and in Europe on...
) - Gargoyle's Quest IIGargoyle's Quest II, is an NES video game released by Capcom in October 1992. Despite being the second game in the Gargoyle's Quest series , it is actually the prequel to the first game, and features a similar gameplay style, which combined RPG elements with side scrolling action.- Storyline :Firebrand is a young...
(1992) (NESNintendo Entertainment SystemThe Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
, Game BoyGame BoyThe , is an 8-bit handheld video game device developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on , in North America in , and in Europe on...
)- Makaimura Gaiden: The Demon Darkness (1993) (Game BoyGame BoyThe , is an 8-bit handheld video game device developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on , in North America in , and in Europe on...
) - An enhanced re-mixed version of Gargoyle's Quest II
- Makaimura Gaiden: The Demon Darkness (1993) (Game Boy
- Demon's CrestDemon's Crest, is a side-scrolling platform video game developed and published by Capcom for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It is the third video game starring Firebrand , following Gargoyle's Quest and Gargoyle's Quest II.-Storyline:Firebrand is on a quest to collect all of the...
(1994) (SNESSuper Nintendo Entertainment SystemThe Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
)
Puzzle series
Capcom briefly licensed the game engine to DynamixDynamix
Dynamix, Inc. was an American developer of computer games from 1984 to 2001, best known for their flight simulator, Red Baron, the Front Page Sports series, Betrayal at Krondor, and their online multiplayer game, Tribes.-History:...
's Sid & Al's Incredible Toons
Sid & Al's Incredible Toons
Sid & Al's Incredible Toons is a puzzle video game developed by Dynamix and released by Sierra On-Line in 1993.-Summary:This video game is designed with the same style as that of The Incredible Machine, except that the game took place on a cartoon stage instead of a laboratory. The game focuses on...
in order to create a puzzle game series based in the Ghosts'n Goblins universe.
- Arthur to Astaroth no Nazomakaimura: Incredible Toons (1996) (PlayStation, Sega SaturnSega SaturnThe is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
)
Maximo series
Maximo is a 3D3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
hack and slash
Hack and slash
Hack and slash or hack and slay, abbreviated H&S or HnS, refers to a type of gameplay that emphasizes combat. "Hack and slash" was originally used to describe an aspect of pen-and-paper role-playing games , carrying over from there to MUDs, MMORPGs, and video games in general...
platformer series developed by Capcom for the PlayStation 2. The games are based on the Ghosts'n Goblins universe and feature original character designs by Japanese illustrator Susumu Matsushita
Susumu Matsushita
Susumu Matsushita is a Japanese manga artist known for his unique American comic–influenced design...
.
- Maximo: Ghosts to GloryMaximo: Ghosts to GloryMaximo: Ghosts to Glory is a 3D hack and slash platform game developed by Capcom for the PlayStation 2. The game is based in the Ghosts'n Goblins universe and features original character designs by Japanese illustrator Susumu Matsushita. It's a part of PlayStation 2 Greatest Hits...
(2001) (PlayStation 2PlayStation 2The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
) - Maximo vs. Army of ZinMaximo vs. Army of Zinis an action-adventure game developed and published by Capcom in 2003 for the PlayStation 2 video game console. This title is a sequel to Maximo: Ghosts to Glory. It is part of the Ghosts'n Goblins franchise.-Plot:...
(2003) (PlayStation 2PlayStation 2The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
)
Other
- Gekimakaimura (2005) (ArcadeArcade gameAn arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
) - A Japanese pachinkoPachinkois a type of game originating in Japan, and used as both a form of recreational arcade game and much more frequently as a gambling device, filling a niche in gambling in Japan comparable to that of the slot machine in Western gambling. A pachinko machine resembles a vertical pinball machine, but...
game http://mamedev.emulab.it/undumped/images/Geki_Makaimura_flyer.jpg - Makaimura Online (TBA) (PCPersonal computer gameA PC game, also known as a computer game, is a video game played on a personal computer, rather than on a video game console or arcade machine...
) - A Korean MMOMassively multiplayer online gameA massively multiplayer online game is a multiplayer video game which is capable of supporting hundreds or thousands of players simultaneously. By necessity, they are played on the Internet, and usually feature at least one persistent world. They are, however, not necessarily games played on...
game http://www.mmofront.com/images/ghosts-n-goblins-online-poster.JPG
Canceled games
- Ghosts'n Goblins Online Zero
- Ghosts'n Goblins Match Fight
- Maximo 3
Appearances in other games
- Higemaru Makaijima - A Red Arremer appears as the end boss.
- Black Tiger - A Red Arremer appears as an enemyMob (computer gaming)A mob, mobile or monster is a computer-controlled non-player character in a computer game such as an MMORPG or MUD. Depending on context, all such characters in a game may be considered "mobs", or usage may be limited to hostile NPCs and/or NPCs vulnerable to attack.-Purpose of mobs:Defeating...
. - Cannon SpikeCannon SpikeCannon Spike, known as ガンスパイク in Japanese arcades, is a multi-directional shooter arcade game released in 2000 by Psikyo and later in the same year for the Dreamcast by Capcom. It uses Capcom-designed characters and runs on Sega's Naomi Hardware...
- Arthur is a playable character. - Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' TreasureZack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' TreasureZack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure, known as in Japan, is an adventure/puzzle video game published and developed by Capcom for the Wii video game console. It was first released in North America on October 23, 2007, and was later released in Japan, PAL regions, and as one of eight Wii launch...
- A Ghosts'n Goblins themed minigameMinigameA minigame is a short video game often contained within another video game. A minigame is always smaller or more simplistic than the game in which it is contained. Minigames are sometimes also offered separately for free to promote the main game...
appears. - We Love Golf!We Love Golf!is a sports video game for the Wii video game console, developed by Camelot and published by Capcom. The game was released December 13, 2007 in Japan, July 4, 2008 in Europe, North America on July 15, 2008, and in Australia on August 7, 2008.-Gameplay:...
- Arthur is a playable character. - Dead Rising 2Dead Rising 2is an action-adventure horror-comedy video game, developed by Capcom in partnership with Blue Castle Games, and was distributed by Capcom. It was released on September 24, 2010 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and September 28, 2010 for Microsoft Windows. The Dead Rising staff returned to create...
- An Arthur costumeCostumeThe term costume can refer to wardrobe and dress in general, or to the distinctive style of dress of a particular people, class, or period. Costume may also refer to the artistic arrangement of accessories in a picture, statue, poem, or play, appropriate to the time, place, or other circumstances...
can be worn in the game.
Mega Man series
- Mega Man 7Mega Man 7Mega Man 7, known as in Japan, is a video game developed by Capcom for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System . It is the seventh game in the original Mega Man series and the first and only title in the main series to be featured on the 16-bit console...
- The Ghosts'n Goblins theme musicTheme musicTheme music is a piece that is often written specifically for a radio program, television program, video game or movie, and usually played during the title sequence and/or end credits...
can be heard. - Mega Man: Powered Up - A Ghosts'n Goblins themed level pack is available for downloadDownloadable contentDownloadable content is official additional content for a video game distributed through the Internet. Downloadable content can be of several types, ranging from a single in-game outfit to an entirely new, extensive storyline, similarly to an expansion pack. As such, DLC may add new game modes,...
including an Arthur costume for Roll. - Mega Man UniverseMega Man Universewas an upcoming 2.5D action platformer game in the Mega Man series being developed by Capcom for Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network, and has since been cancelled. Mainly based on Mega Man 2, the game would have allowed players to create their own levels and customize characters...
- Arthur was planned as a playable character before the game's cancellation and was featured in the game's teaser trailerTeaser trailerA teaser campaign is an advertising campaign which typically consists of a series of small, cryptic, challenging advertisements that anticipate a larger, full-blown campaign for a product launch or otherwise important event. These advertisements are called "teasers" or "teaser ads"...
.
Capcom vs. series
- Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super HeroesMarvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroesis the fifth Marvel Comics-licensed fighting game by Capcom and the third game in the Marvel vs. Capcom series. In contrast to X-Men vs. Street Fighter and Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter, the game features characters from numerous Capcom franchises such as Mega Man and Strider, rather than...
- Arthur is an assist character. - SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the MillenniumSNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millenniumis a fighting game for the Neo Geo Pocket Color. It features a total of 26 characters from SNK and Capcom, eight of which are hidden. Play options includes 2-fighter tag teams, 3-fighter queue teams, and of course, one-on-one...
- A Ghosts'n Goblins themed minigame can be played. - SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos - Firebrand is a playable character as well as a secret boss.
- Namco X CapcomNamco x Capcomis an action RPG/tactical RPG hybrid game for the PlayStation 2 console, developed by Monolith Soft and featuring characters from games produced by companies Namco and Capcom.- Storyline :...
- Arthur is a playable character. Astaroth, Nebiroth, and Red Arremer Joker appear as bosses along with several Ghosts'n Goblins mobMob (computer gaming)A mob, mobile or monster is a computer-controlled non-player character in a computer game such as an MMORPG or MUD. Depending on context, all such characters in a game may be considered "mobs", or usage may be limited to hostile NPCs and/or NPCs vulnerable to attack.-Purpose of mobs:Defeating...
characters. The Demon Village is a major location in the game as well. - Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars - Arthur, Firebrand and Astaroth make cameosCameo appearanceA cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
on Soki's ending. - Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two WorldsMarvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worldsis a crossover fighting game developed by Capcom. It features Capcom's own characters and characters from American comic book company Marvel Comics. It is the fifth installment of the Marvel vs...
- Arthur appears as a playable character along with a a Ghosts'n Goblins themed stage featuring Astaroth and Red Arremer. Additionally, Firebrand appears in Dormammu's ending.- Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3is a crossover fighting game developed by Capcom. It is an updated version of Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds. After the events of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami disrupted the development schedule for downloadable content for the original game, the additional content was made into a...
- Firebrand is a playable character, with Red Arremer Joker appearing as a downloadableDownloadable contentDownloadable content is official additional content for a video game distributed through the Internet. Downloadable content can be of several types, ranging from a single in-game outfit to an entirely new, extensive storyline, similarly to an expansion pack. As such, DLC may add new game modes,...
costume for the character.
- Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Characters
- Arthur: A knight in the service of princess Prin-Prin. Arthur is the primary protagonistProtagonistA protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
of the Ghosts'n Goblins series. The usage of the name Arthur is an allusion to King ArthurKing ArthurKing Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
of Arthurian Legend.
- Astaroth: A demon king and the primary antagonistAntagonistAn antagonist is a character, group of characters, or institution, that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend...
of the Ghosts'n Goblins series. When near death he transforms into the undead demon king Nebiroth, a separate entity and personality than Astaroth. The name Astaroth is an allusion to the AstarothAstarothAstaroth , in demonology, is a Crowned Prince of Hell. He is a male figure named after the Canaanite goddess Ashtoreth.-Background:...
found in medieval demonologyDemonologyDemonology is the systematic study of demons or beliefs about demons. It is the branch of theology relating to superhuman beings who are not gods. It deals both with benevolent beings that have no circle of worshippers or so limited a circle as to be below the rank of gods, and with malevolent...
.
- Breager: A king of the demon realm that serves as a primary antagonist in the Gargoyle's Quest series.
- Firebrand: Known as The Red Arremer in Japan, Firebrand is the primary protagonist of the Gargoyle's Quest series. He belongs to a race of gargoyle demons known as the Red Arremer Tribe, considered the elite warriors of the demon king Astaroth. He is considered a hero among his peers, and as such he has been nicknamed Red Blaze due to his bright red skin and prowess with fiery magic. The Red Arremer tribe appear as standard enemies in the main Ghosts'n Goblins series, while a fiery blue silhouette of a Red Arremer serves as the series' logo.
- Grimm: The grim reaper who frees Maximo from limboLimboIn the theology of the Catholic Church, Limbo is a speculative idea about the afterlife condition of those who die in original sin without being assigned to the Hell of the damned. Limbo is not an official doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church or any other...
and aids him on his journey in exchange for killing Achille.
- Lancelot: One of Arthur's knights with a unique jump attack. He is kidnapped and brainwashed to fight Arthur. The usage of the name Lancelot is an allusion to LancelotLancelotSir Lancelot du Lac is one of the Knights of the Round Table in the Arthurian legend. He is the most trusted of King Arthur's knights and plays a part in many of Arthur's victories...
of Arthurian Legend.
- Lucifer: Translated as Rushifell in Gargoyle's Quest II, and alternatively referred to as Loki (Ghouls'n Ghosts), Hades (Ultimate Ghosts'n Goblins), and Satan. Lucifer is an extremely powerful noble in the demon realm and serves as the end-game boss in many of the games in the Ghosts'n Goblins franchise. In the Gargoyle's Quest series he functions as both a rival and assist character, testing and then aiding Firebrand in reaching his full potential. Lucifer despises Astaroth (who he frequently overthrows to rule the demon realm) though, ironically, is an ally with Nebiroth.
- Maximo: The primary protagonist of the Maximo series. Maximo is a king who is slain by his adviser Achille. He strikes a deal with Grimm, the grim reaper, in order to rescue his betrothed, Sophia.
- Perceval: One of Arthur's knights and a powerful short range fighter with a unique dash attack. The usage of the name Perceval is an allusion to PercevalPercevalPerceval may refer to*Spencer Perceval, British prime minister*Percival or Perceval, Arthurian knight...
of Arthurian Legend.
- Prin-Prin: Princess Prin-Prin is the ruler of the human realm, and the last human with royal blood. She serves as the primary foilFoil (literature)In fiction, a foil is a character who contrasts with another character in order to highlight particular qualities of another character....
of the Ghosts'n Goblins series. Astaroth kidnaps her in order to use her royal blood to invade the human realm. Although always referred to as Prin-Prin in Japan, she has been called both Prin-Prin and Guinevere in the various American releases. The usage of Guinevere is an allusion to GuinevereGuinevereGuinevere was the legendary queen consort of King Arthur. In tales and folklore, she was said to have had a love affair with Arthur's chief knight Sir Lancelot...
of Arthurian Legend.
- Sophia: The primary foil of the Maximo series. Sophia is Maximo's betrothed, kidnapped at the beginning of Maximo: Ghosts to Glory.
Development
The Ghosts'n Goblins franchise was created by Tokuro FujiwaraTokuro Fujiwara
Tokuro Fujiwara , sometime credited as Professor F or Arthur King, is a Japanese video game designer, best known for creating Ghosts 'n Goblins and producing the Mega Man series. He worked as the general manager of the Capcom Console Games Division from 1988 to 1996...
(also known for producing games in the Mega Man
Mega Man
Mega Man is a video game franchise from Capcom, starring the eponymous character Mega Man, or one of his many counterparts. The series is well-known and comprises well over fifty releases, easily making it Capcom's most prolific franchise. As of December 31, 2010, the series has sold approximately...
franchise) and is produced by Capcom
Capcom
is a Japanese developer and publisher of video games, known for creating multi-million-selling franchises such as Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, Street Fighter, Mega Man and Resident Evil. Capcom developed and published Bionic Commando, Lost Planet and Dark Void too, but they are less known. Its...
. Toshio Arima served as lead programmer and Ayako Mori composed the score for the original arcade release in 1985.
Soundtrack
The original score for the initial arcade release of Ghosts'n Goblins was composed by Ayako Mori. The music developed for the first game level, entitled "Graveyard, Forest & Ice Palace," has since become recognized as the official theme for the franchise, appearing in a re-mixed form in every entry of the main series as well as making cameo appearances in other Capcom games such as Mega Man 7Mega Man 7
Mega Man 7, known as in Japan, is a video game developed by Capcom for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System . It is the seventh game in the original Mega Man series and the first and only title in the main series to be featured on the 16-bit console...
and Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
is a crossover fighting game developed by Capcom. It is an updated version of Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds. After the events of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami disrupted the development schedule for downloadable content for the original game, the additional content was made into a...
. Tamayo Kawamoto composed the score for Ghouls'n Ghosts, the next entry in the series, followed by Mari Yamaguchi for Super Ghouls'n Ghosts (with Tomohiro Masuda and Nobuhiko Isa handling the GBA re-release), and Masaya Tsunemoto and Kazuhiro Kotani for Ultimate Ghosts'n Goblins. The score for the Gargoyle's Quest spin-off series was composed primarily by Yuki Iwai (with Norihiko Togashi handling the Game Boy re-release of Gargoyle's Quest II).
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the franchise, Capcom released the Makaimura Ongakutaizen in Japan on December 28, 2005. This 7 disc boxed set featured over 350 tracks and was a complete soundtrack for the series to date featuring the complete scores of not only every entry of the Ghosts'n Goblins and Gargoyle's Quest series, but also of every PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
and home console port of each game therein. This collection quickly sold out and was praised by various video game music review sites. In reference to the series' soundtrack as a whole, one reviewer noted:
Though selling for around $100 upon its release, the collection was highly sought out by fans and continues to fetch a high price on Internet auction sites such as eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
.
Capcom released a soundtrack for Ultimate Ghosts'n Goblins on September 30, 2006.
Reception
The Ghosts'n Goblins franchise stands at Capcom's 8th best selling game franchise, having sold over 4.4 million units. It is generally well regarded by critics, and somewhat notorious for its traditional high level of difficulty. Additionally, the franchise frequently makes cameo appearances—the character of Arthur in particular—in other Capcom titles, the latest of which being Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
is a crossover fighting game developed by Capcom. It is an updated version of Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds. After the events of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami disrupted the development schedule for downloadable content for the original game, the additional content was made into a...
.
The main series starring Sir Arthur and Princess Prin-Prin was initially released as an arcade
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
title in 1985 and subsequently re-released and ported to a variety of home computer consoles. It continues as an active intellectual property
Intellectual property
Intellectual property is a term referring to a number of distinct types of creations of the mind for which a set of exclusive rights are recognized—and the corresponding fields of law...
for Capcom with its latest release in 2010 on Apple's iOS. The NES
Nes
-Localities:In Norway:* Nes, Akershus, a municipality in the county of Akershus in Norway* Nes, Buskerud, a municipality in the county of Buskerud in Norway* Nes, Hedmark, a former municipality in the county of Hedmark in Norway...
release of Ghosts'n Goblins was rated as the 54th best NES game of all time by IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
and the 124th best game on a Nintendo console by Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power magazine is a monthly news and strategy magazine formerly published in-house by Nintendo of America, but now run independently. As of issue #222 , Nintendo contracted publishing duties to Future US, the U.S. subsidiary of British publisher Future.The first issue published was...
. The game is considered by GameTrailers
GameTrailers
GameTrailers is a media website that specializes in video game related content. It provides free access to original programming , game trailers and recorded game play. Along with standard definition , many of the video clips are offered in a higher resolution .Users can upload videos, create...
to be the world's second most difficult game ever made. As of 2008, the original Ghosts'n Goblins is Capcom's 18th best selling title, having sold over 1.6 million units. Similarly, Super Ghouls'n Ghosts is Capcom's 42nd best selling title, having sold over 1 million units.
The main series went on a minor hiatus after the release of Super Ghouls'n Ghosts in 1991. With the exception of the largely overlooked Makaimura for WonderSwan
Makaimura for WonderSwan
is a game for the WonderSwan developed by Capcom and published by Bandai in 1999 and is part of the Ghosts'n Goblins franchise. It is based on the original Ghosts'n Goblins.-External links:*...
which was released only in Japan, and a rerelease of Super Ghouls'n Ghosts on the Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
, the main Ghosts'n Goblins series did not see a major release until Ultimate Ghosts'n Goblins on the Playstation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
in 2006. The return of the series received mixed to positive reviews. Gamespot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
noted that the entry would appeal to fans of the original, but that many of the old-school game mechanics including level design and jump mechanics, along with the traditional level of difficulty, may not appeal to the current generation of gamers. These concerns were echoed by such sites as GameDaily
GameDaily
GameDaily was a video game journalism website based in the United States. Launched in 1995 by entrepreneur Mark Friedler under the name Gigex and focused on free game demo downloads, The site changed its business model from a flat fee per download CDN distributed service network to an...
and AtomicGamer. Other sites such as IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
and GameCritics praised this adherence to the series' old-school mechanics and traditional level of difficulty, while noting that the new health, armor, and waypoint systems as well as tiered difficulty options went a long way in adjusting the difficulty for new gamers. Ultimate Ghosts'n Goblins was also the first entry in the series to employ 3D graphics
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
, a fact praised by most reviewers: "The 3D graphics enhance the 2D gameplay by giving the world a sense of depth without interfering with the gameplay, and the whole package simply glows with vibrant color and lighting effects."
The Gargoyles Quest spin-off saw a series of releases between 1990 and 1994. The introduction of RPG elements in Gargoyles Quest was praised, however reviewers noted an uneven level of difficulty. Demon's Crest was highly regarded as "one of the finest action titles on SNES, and without a doubt the crowning achievement of the Ghosts'n Goblins line" by critics however went largely unnoticed in terms of sales being labeled a "major flop." Similarly, the Maximo spin-off sub-series was initially well received, though criticized for being difficult and inaccessible. Ghosts to Glory (2001) achieved PlayStation 2 Greatest Hits status in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
selling more than 400,000 units in North America. IGN ranked the game as the 6th most difficult game on the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
. A sequel, Maximo vs. Army of Zin
Maximo vs. Army of Zin
is an action-adventure game developed and published by Capcom in 2003 for the PlayStation 2 video game console. This title is a sequel to Maximo: Ghosts to Glory. It is part of the Ghosts'n Goblins franchise.-Plot:...
was released in 2003
2003 in video gaming
-Events:*February 27 — Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences hosts 6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards; inducts Yu Suzuki of Sega to the AIAS Hall of Fame....
with better critical reception but faltering sales, ultimately leading to the cancellation of Maximo 3. The future of both the Gargoyles Quest and Maximo spin-off series is unknown.