Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts (SNES) Playthrough - NintendoComplete

A playthough of Capcom's 1991 horror-themed action-platformer for the Super Nintendo, Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts.
In this video I play through both loops of the game, finishing the second loop with the fight against Sardius for the best ending. The game was set to its default "normal" difficulty level.
Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Choumakaimura in Japan) was the third GnG game, and it was the first console-exclusive entry in the series. It was preceded by Ghosts 'n Goblins (Makaimura) and Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Daimakaimura), and was rereleased later on the PS1, Saturn, and Game Boy Advance. I've linked a couple of videos I've done of games in the series below in case anyone is interested.
Like in every other game in the series, the game begins with the Red Arremer swooping in and kidnapping Princess Prin. And of course, like in the other games, her gallant knight Arthur doesn't take kindly to this and runs after her.
The game is classic GnG through and through, and it in no way tries to reinvent the wheel. The first two games were highly regarded as being some of best platformers you could pump quarters into. They were both defined by their beautiful graphics, murderous challenge, and their rock-solid mechanics, and SGnG proudly carries on these traditions in this early SNES release.
The presentation was one of the game's biggest selling points when this was released back in 1991. The music was incredible: the soundtrack, made up of both original tunes and of remixes of tracks from the older games, really flaunted what could be done with the SNES's sample-driven playback, nailing the orchestral gothic vibe perfectly with its unique mix of brass, strings, and organs. The graphics were extremely well detailed and colorful, and the art style nailed the horror feel. Capcom also incorporated many of the SNES's unique graphics tricks to create an experience that couldn't have been done elsewhere at the time: the shifting terrain and the sweeping waves of the first stage, the rotating rooms in the third stage, the heavy use of transparencies throughout - each stage had some unique feature to both impress and challenge the player. Despite how often it falls victim to severe slowdown, just like Super Castlevania IV, SGnG was a true showcase of what the SNES had to offer.
But as much as it deserved its reputation for its aesthetics, Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts even better deserved its notoriety for how hard it was. It's not forgiving in the slightest - you lose your armor in a single hit (no matter its level), and as if being left unprotected by nothing but boxer shorts wasn't bad enough, your weapon reverts back to its weakest level when you lose the armor. Enemies are carefully placed to ensure that they give you trouble, and power-ups are often put in the most annoying places possible: if an enemy knocks you backwards into a powerup that you were trying to avoid, the best course of action is generally to hit the reset button. And finally, the real kicker - after fighting tooth-and-nail to get to the ending, the game delivers its cruelest trick of all: you have to go back and do it again for the real ending!
Thankfully, though it can be infuriating, the game is ultimately fair. The controls are reliable and give you sufficient maneuverability to avoid all the traps, providing that you've mastered the art of the double jump. Learning how to time the second jump is absolutely key to getting anywhere. Beyond that, learning enemy patterns and memorizing the level layouts makes the stages far, far easier to handle over time.
I really do think that people tend to oversell the game's challenge, though. It's stupidly hard, yes, but it's not impossible by any means. More than anything, it requires patience and concentration. I'm not claiming to be an expert - I can't finish it on the professional setting - but I will say that practice does provide tangible results. For the sake of comparison, I'd say it's far easier than the (brutal and glitchy) NES version of Ghosts 'n Goblins, and far harder than the (surprisingly easy) Genesis version of Ghouls 'n Ghosts. If you can beat Ninja Gaiden, Batman, or Battletoads on the NES, you can beat this one. It's not really any harder than those as long as you don't let its reputation intimidate you.
Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts was an amazing show of the SNES's potential for a title released so early in the system's life cycle, and it still stands up as one of the best action-platformer on the system.
Just make sure you have the sand to take it on its own terms!
Other games in the series if you're interested:
Ghosts 'n Goblins (NES): • Ghosts 'n Goblins (NES...
Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Genesis): • Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Gen...
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No cheats were used during the recording of this video.
NintendoComplete (www.nintendocomplete.com/) punches you in the face with in-depth reviews, screenshot archives, and music from classic 8-bit NES games!

[@NintendoComplete]

Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts was amazing to behold on the SNES back in 1991, and it still holds up as a must-play classic today. It's beautiful, creepy, hard-as-nails, and it's a real treasure for retro gaming fans.

[@fahriakalin5936]

NintendoComplete Have you ever tried the challenge mode on the GBA port? I always thought it looked interesting but never had the time (patience) to play through it.

[@NintendoComplete]

@@fahriakalin5936 I have a video of the arrange mode from that version coming up soon

[@fahriakalin5936]

NintendoComplete Cooll!! save it for Halloween night!! ghouls n ghosts is perfect for Halloween!!

[@NintendoComplete]

@@fahriakalin5936 Don't worry, I have something lined up for Halloween that's pretty good ;)

[@therealseanw.stewart2071]

I absolutely agree, what a game to be blessed with as one of the first a 3-year old or so would play. Along with Star Fox, Super Mario World, and Plok. Of course, I could never beat it back then, but it's barely a challenge for me to beat these days. ...But I'll be gosh darned if I can get past that freaking RED AREEMER aka Firebrand !!! Oh, the 3rd stage is the worst! Don't get caught with your pants down, Knight Arthur!!

[@therealseanw.stewart2071]

Oh my gosh, one of my first video games I have EVER played. It does NOT get much more nostalgic than this, unless it's Super Mario World!

[@Birdland11]

That game was so hard for me back in the days, very well played.

[@johndrippergaming]

Tas😂

[@user-qc6wi3dw5x]

Same…he makes it look so easy but I never made it passed level 2🤷

[@LITTLE1994]

Still is

[@singularity7968]

Just tried it last night. It’s been 30 years and I still suck lol.

[@mikeh2519]

The sleepovers with friends and pizza and staying up late playing this and other games. The nostalgia 👏🏻👏🏻 . It was a great time. I will always look back with happiness and a little bit of sadness on my childhood memories!

[@p6mkq]

Cherish these memories.

[@waynecuff3140]

Beautiful game on the best console ever in my opinion. Seeing and playing this back in 91 was something special. And it still is today!! The visuals, the sound, the gameplay just magic.

[@ChaoOnYoutube]

got a snes mini for christmas and it's on that with a couple of more classics too. really worth the 150 bucks

[@SomeOrangeCat]

@@ChaoOnKZbin That sounds like a pretty good Christmas to me!

[@da0484]

This was one of those games that made you feel like you were in it. That’s how engaging it was. I remember the hours I spent as a kid trying to beat this game man the memories😩

[@therealseanw.stewart2071]

Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts was my introduction to Capcom and their challenging platformer series, it was also among the first video games I was blessed with along with my very first console, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in the 90s! From the wonderful introduction music, you know you're in for a treat. I was a baby first playing this, but it's amazing how the abstract graphics can inspire imagination. I look back and remember...EVERYTHING! The gameplay and music, oh, so nostalgic.

[@marlonsanchez3141]

This game is the same now as it was some 20 plus years ago...... beautifully animated and to watch. Some of CAPCOMs very best pieces of art next to STREET FIGHTER ALPHA series.

[@ThrowedGenji]

Ghouls 'n Ghosts taught me in life with great determination anything is possible

[@Vik1919]

Indeed. Some people couldn't beat it because they gave up, had they kept trying, they would have beat it. I never gave up because I was determined to beat it, just like games in general and finally achieved victory.

[@rcblazer]

While it isn't the hardest game I've ever played, this one whipped me into top shape as a gamer like a digital personal trainer.

[@fahriakalin5936]

bird heads? in the walls!? Contractor: "those are load-bearing bird heads. The walls require bird heads, for support."

[@NintendoComplete]

Like really ornate flying buttresses? That's exceedingly gothic and avian-garde of them. Lmao sorry, that was just too corny to keep to myself.

[@LordSephleon]

@@NintendoComplete Even a bad pun is a good pun as long as you share it. ;)

[@NintendoComplete]

@@LordSephleon I'm a high school English teacher. There's plenty more where that came from :D Ahahaha

[@LordSephleon]

​@@NintendoComplete I like you even more now! I've studied English for the dual purpose of Creative Writing and mastering its syntax since my own years in high school thanks to a really supportive English teacher (twenty-plus years ago...), so your level of awesome just went up. :) And you love puns!? Well, I already subbed and hit the bell a while ago because you play all the best games, so.... erm... GOLD STAR! :D (NOTE: I fail at emoticons/emojis since I don't use more than the basic stuff, so....)

[@NintendoComplete]

@@LordSephleon Well tyvm! And sweet, I love gold stars!

[@LPetal86]

I've always loved this game. There was a recently released C64 remake of that version that has superior sound and sprites from the original and it's pretty great too--always great to see this classic get love no matter what platform it's for!

[@PeteyThePanda]

I remember how big of a kick in the balls it was that you went through all of the stages only to be turned back to find that bracelet 😂

[@27GhettoBreakStar27]

Omg. As a child, i go everyday to my best friend and we played this so much, so long. I was 4 years old. Haha, so much memories and more then 23 years ago. Gold times, its never compare to any other experience

[@thecowboy2]

Firebrand, aka the Red Arremer, was actually in his own trilogy of games. Part 1 was Gargoyle's Quest for Game Boy, part 2 was Gargoyles's Quest 2 for NES, and part 3 was Demon's Crest for SNES.

[@marshallsweatherhiking1820]

This game always had good artwork. I always remembered the 4th stage being hella gross with the walls that grow wriggling claws, foul-spewing digestive organs, and other fleshy abominations.

[@MaxwelThuThu]

There's a really cool hack that restores all censorships from the American version, and the best thing: Corrects the game's code to run smoothly with little to none slowdown.

[@stephenmanuel9860]

I'm looking this up later and subjecting myself to the true horror

[@user-jn5yi5cp8d]

What’s it called?

[@MaxwelThuThu]

​@@user-jn5yi5cp8d "Super Ghouls'n Ghosts Restoration"

[@user-jn5yi5cp8d]

@@MaxwelThuThu Alright. Thanks a lot, bro

[@thehoodcsf08]

I remember when I first passed it I was mad that I was sent back to the beginning, then I tried to beat it again and couldn’t. After seeing this video I busted out the old console and have been trying again. Love the video lots of good memories 🤘🏽👍🏼.

[@Dorelaxen]

Absolutely LOVE this one. I managed to beat it, too, and I'm by no means one of those masochistic gamers that has to play every super difficult game there is. Plus the music is truly something spectacular, my personal favorite being the stage 5 Ice Forest music.

[@andrewYashua7490]

Impressive how easily your getting thru the game with no problems not even taking damage

[@Reabilitator]

Save state - Load state. Then edit. Nothing impressive here

[@LinebaKKer]

Loved this game…and all the anxiety it gave me as a kid 😂

[@ro11ing_stone20]

hi, my name is kyle, i am 30 yrs old and i suffer from ptsd due to this game as a child

[@marlonsanchez3141]

I had always thought our shining knight here as well Ninja Gaiden, and The Legend Of Zelda deserved clean drawn animes.

[@nelson6657]

Link to the Past is still one of my best child hood games!!!

[@fatcatbat6357]

Ever since I was a young lad I would try and try to beat this game, to this day I still haven't! But Imma keep trying till it's done! Awesome play dude, this channel is the best when it comes to gameplay.

[@returnofsoma]

I've noticed that all the bosses and some minor foes die really explosive deaths in this game and I like it!

[@pablodaniel-retrogamer716]

Arthur must be someday in Smash.

[@stephenmanuel9860]

OMG YES

[@DerivativeWorker]

Wasn't he in a recent capcom vs. game?

[@Tfyousay22]

Assist trophy is better for him

[@somacruz7759]

He's a Spirit in Smash Ultimate.

[@ryandixon7604]

Mii costume now 😆

[@hayscounty2586]

THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE TREASURE. no game tests your ability as a gamer like this one. timing, accuracy, decision making? yup. all will be under fire with this game. absolute treasure

[@Steven_Hoffman]

Played this game myself via SNES Switch Online, gotta say I had fun with it.

[@somacruz7759]

This game is on the Switch Online service? Nice :D

[@GMJ-rc9nk]

That made me feel all kinds of feels 🤗 I was 11 when this came out and couldn't stop playing it. Seeing this and hearing all the sounds and music has made me very happy. Thanks for uploading it 🤗

[@aVerySillyBilly]

I still remember how blown away i was when i first saw and heard the ship level, but the snow level? awesome stuff

[@kagemaru259]

I got this for Christmas back in 1993 when I was 12. It was at that time while playing this that I realized just how much of a potty mouth I really had after the frustration of dying so many times.

[@bluebthebluebifullest1688]

I was so small when i first played this. I Could never get through the second level. Then i forgot its name until now. Great to finally see it again.

[@user-qc6wi3dw5x]

Loved this game as a kid…played it constantly but could never get passed the 2nd level🤷

[@ziggix5981]

I miss this game so much!!!

[@nicholaslawson4474]

The skill level here is out of this world.

[@latoyam.1156]

Thanks! Never got to see the end.I loved our Super Nintendo. Beautiful Play!

[@NintendoComplete]

Np, and tyvm! 😊

[@latoyam.1156]

💞

[@Googlesucksballs]

I was at a concert a few months back and there is a metal band called Super MadNES and they do a bunch of song covers of the Super Ghouls 'n Ghost music as well as other video game music.

[@lukejams]

wow a lot of patience and practice, beautifully played.

[@PassionFlame64]

I have this on my 3DS and absolutely love it.

[@Terron29]

What an absolute legendary classic.

[@Mai_Shiranui123]

Sir Arthur in Smash

[@eyitsmattyyy616]

Yeee

[@Mai_Shiranui123]

Now is Eco Fighter

[@vgaoct91]

Most impressive, sir! I'll muster whatever sand I can to get a copy and play someday! So you know, the names of the following were changed in the localization to prevent controversy and the Crosses in the graveyard being swapped out for Egyptian symbols. Astaroth - Asutaroto Nebiros - Nebiroth Samael - Sardius By the by, that thing which kidnaps the Princess at the start is the Satan boss from the original Ghosts n' Goblins (yes, he's called that - Yet he's second to Astaroth and to this game's extent, Samael here). Though it wouldn't be hard to see how he could be a Red Arremer himself or their leader.

[@NintendoComplete]

Thanks! And no kidding? How have I thought the wrong thing for this many years? Hahaha. If you have a Switch, this game is on the online SNES service!

[@protoroc]

Track down a SNES mini.

[@xoxobabeygirlxoxo]

Dude, my core childhood memory right here 😅❤

[@sahilkhan2470]

One hell of a spooky game, but well done for the 90s!

[@RaptureMusicOfficial]

I played it in 1992 on my SNES and I didn't find it too hard. I beat the game within 1-2 weeks no problem :) Great game, super soundtrack! It's much better than the Mega Drive version :P

[@NavySharkz]

I agree. the NES and Genesis versions are waaaay more brutal than this one.

[@RaptureMusicOfficial]

@@NavySharkz Yep :) Also the C64 version of Ghouls'n'Ghosts and Ghouls'n'Goblins are brutal, of course also the arcade version :)

[@AYANAMlREl]

i think legend of the mystical ninja harder than this game

[@RaptureMusicOfficial]

@@AYANAMlREl Never played it.

[@someguy5035]

Yep. The double jump made it way easier.

[@maverickhuntermeta4954]

Who's ready for Ghosts & Goblins Resurrection on Nintendo Switch?

[@majesticking8056]

After watching "The Sopranos" with Pauly's infatuation with what Christopher told him on Season 2, this game really brought out memories playing as a kid- I was like 7-8 years old when I played this game-Good action sequences and really allowed me to like the Capcom games series- especially my true favorite to this day- Megaman!

[@AlidarJarok1]

Awesome run man, I hope you do more horror themed games for Halloween.

[@chbon9873]

Big emotion when you discover you will go back with the bracelet! 😭

[@jussimatikainen4681]

Yeah. I was kid me and my friend played this like mad and finally got the the end. The was this bracelet stuff and we just gave up 🙈

[@LighHope]

This game was and is definitely hard glad I never beat the whole game so I now can play with my brother and fish it to put a huge smile on my inner child’s face 💜

[@grantwileyesq.5962]

Still my favorite game of all time. This and Streets Of Rage 2

[@shemarlosscott4103]

Amazing game

[@justinkeenan1598]

That's some skill, never could complete this game

[@p6mkq]

Loser.

[@gavinpickens4009]

This guy plays like a boss

[@ichigoeater]

Princess Prin Prin. I don't know which startles me more, the name, or the measurements written under it.

[@4hisglory864]

This game was soooo hard couldn’t even beat the first level. This makes dark souls look easy

[@chbon9873]

Remember this old game so long times

[@Des_Zee]

Super fun game but so unbelievably hard and I liked challenges🤣

[@courtneyevrrlyn9644]

So cathartic

[@hfcarwash]

Why didn't she tell me about the bracelet earlier

[@pureflix8086]

I like how the monsters can literally beat the sleeves off of our hero😂

[@Navemusic0]

The memories...

[@jeffeastwood1051]

"Get the Knife" - AVGN (Angry Video Game Nerd) on You tube haha. That video is epic.

[@MAKgargos]

The measurements of the princess are very important.

[@thefifthdoctor6780]

My game right here 😎

[@Shadowfynx]

Great game.

[@SoulStreak64]

My best record is the middle of stage 4...the *in game cheat code* i used to get to the true final boss doesn't count as a win in my book, sadly...

[@killeing]

God, and I thought mario had it bad. At least he doesn't have to travel all the way to world 8-4 before being told his princess is in another castle...

[@NatureBoi80]

I remember making it to the ice level as a kid, I left my SNES on while I was outside playing, mind you the TV was off, and my mom turned off the SNES...I havent it since lol this back in 1992 the game was just super hard

[@Sega_Dreams]

This was the third game I ever owned for my SNES (after Super Mario World and F-Zero). I loved it despite the miserably bad slowdown. I always sort of regretted getting F-Zero -- but not this game!

[@anthonychung5611]

The Main thing I know about this game is it is VERY HARD

[@calvinmessick9406]

You make it look so easy

[@chriscavender9195]

Favorite growing up

[@c.s.hayden3022]

Still the best in the series. That double jump mechanic made for better level design.

[@luciebureau6815]

I don’t mind trying this game, even if i’m a rage quitter.

[@NintendoComplete]

Hahaha best of luck to you. It takes some real effort to finish this one.

[@luciebureau6815]

NintendoComplete but maybe it’s less difficult than Ghosts n’ Goblins NES ?

[@NintendoComplete]

@@luciebureau6815 I think it's much less difficult and frustrating than the NES game.

[@luciebureau6815]

NintendoComplete i heard of its reputation. I saw your gameplay of Ghost n’ Goblins NES(nice gameplay), and i read your description and the comments of the other internauts. It’s almost the same observation : this game is damn difficult !

[@stephenmanuel9860]

My best advice is to look up the locations of the hidden chests in each level, collect as many money bags as you can for extra continues, and master the double jump.

[@utciadafcb]

I never played this game as a kid being a Mega Drive fanboy but since discovering it, it is quite amazing. Doesn't mean I'm any good at it. I'm not. But it's an amazing game

[@Bloodreign1]

Not many are, it's a game to test one's mettle and reflexes, to see if they are still sharp as a tack.

[@davidvilchez2209]

Professional with just the torch and base arrmor : )

[@alannunes8819]

Great! Can you do the longplay of Equinox for the SNES?

[@NintendoComplete]

I do have that one planned for sometime in the not too distant future. It's a great game!

[@ImaFnT-Rex]

favorite soundtrack was on that version (grave yard)

[@rtchoke4333]

you make it look easy, this game is so hard 😭

[@youisiaint]

This was the only one I could get anywhere on mainly because of the double jump.

[@dragonprinceHP]

Wow it's amazing how you can do all the levels without dying unless you just pieced together video of the game between deaths or something I couldn't tell lol I loved this game when I played it lst as a teenager!

[@Officialcbr]

MEMORIES!!!!!

[@LordSephleon]

I played and beat this game so much when it first came out and throughout the years after that I knew every hidden treasure location by memory (and which ones to avoid if the magician's transformation spell would be difficult to dodge). This and Super Castlevania were my go-to action games when I just felt like beating a game in an hour or so. Still my favorite era of video games between the SNES and Genesis/Sega CD. :) That said: I've only ever truly beaten the original NES Ghosts 'N Goblins once. I must have played that nearly as much as this one, and I've been able to beat difficult games in my childhood, teenage, and young adult years - record for Bionic Commando on NES was under 20 minutes with no deaths, which I did my first year of college in front of friends who didn't believe me that I could even beat the game (none of them ever beat the game apparently, which I thought was odd since I personally found it easy even back when I started playing it as a kid). And yeah, I tried revisiting this game in recent years... I've forgotten so much, and all that skill is long gone. I'd have to practice like crazy to get it all back. Well, thanks for playing!... Congraturation This story is happy end. Thank you. EDIT: To this day, Stage 2 (Ghost Ship and the Ocean) is still my favorite stage. Just atmospheric... :)

[@lisamoore528]

LordSephleon yes the ghost ship and I also found the ice level very memorable and atmospheric. It's a superb game!!!! I played it endlessly as a kid. Probably one of my very favourite of all time games, even to this day.

[@Sinn0100]

What is with your game? Your very first pickup is the Knife, the second chest was the Green Armor, and the third was the Gold Armor, and fourth the shueld? If I remember correctly you should get weapon, wizard, armor, wizard, and armor, finally the shield. Then it repeats itself. Also your enemy count seems really low for the graveyard... Addendum- I know you're not cheating or anything...is this on an emulator by chance? Which version is this? I ask because so far I don't see any slowdown. *Edit- I did see it slowdown a couple of times now. Still...it was far worse back when I played it on a cart.

[@chrismaloma8327]

Nice

[@Cerebrus000]

Ahh the bane of my childhood

[@cjatak]

Could never defeat the end boss with that wand the second time around, it drove me mental lol

[@Rodzilla97]

i'm just happy i can beat it on beginner, 1 time through. not really interested in going through it a 2nd time. i consider it beat the first time through, and beating it again is just true ending. great game! especially the "Super Ghouls n Ghosts restoration" (the only one i play now! bye bye slowdown) really only time i got upset beating it was when i'd get knocked back into a weapon i didn't want, and then have to die and keep looking in chests for my other weapon again(it should let you scroll through any weapon you pick up and use them at any time, but i guess it's kinda fun to get all upset about it too, lol)

[@icecsm16]

I had this game as a kid and could never beat it. My dad ended up beating it twice lol.

[@LITTLE1994]

Compared to the NES game, this one is definitely nicer in terms of graphics and music. But the difficulty didn't tone down quite much.

[@Kim-py3iv]

Will you be able to do a playthrough of Ultimate Ghost n Goblins on PSP? I'd totally watch that.

[@someguy5035]

Kind of seeming like you have an invincibility code on or something? You took direct hits at least 10 times.

[@startervisions]

All in the code my dude

[@p6mkq]

Stage 4 and 5 were the best!

[@S.Madman]

Was just thinking why no one had a full play-through of this at 60 fps, and this falls on my lap.

[@NintendoComplete]

Glad I could accommodate!

[@KyLe-cp7lh]

I think Arthur is the thirstiest man in video game history 😂

[@NavySharkz]

I don't know. The Mario Bros may be about even if not more so with as many times they risked all to save Peach ,lol!!

[@armandocarricaburu540]

Was this 2nd part to ghost and goblins??

[@vitallink4830]

As a kid i used to smash this game. Probably put 1000s of hours into it. Back then you would be lucky to get more than 2 games a year brought for you, so you would hammer them to death. 😂

[@shotokanslugger9291]

wait, so the demon the looks exactly like firebrand isn't firebrand? considering both ghosts and goblins and demons crest are both made by capcom, I would of thought they used the same character, guess I was wrong.

[@WhiteFangofWar]

Red Areemer Ace gets billing over final boss Sardius in the credits. Sounds appropriate.

[@someguy5035]

I noticed that too.