An arcade Ghouls 'n Ghosts ported to SFC, gorgeous and brutal. A great classic to be tackled only with patience and steel nerves.
Your verdict
Category
Action1 player12+
Description
Action platformer featuring Sir Arthur battling demon armies in comically horrifying levels. Published by Capcom, released in Europe in 1991. Arthur losing his armor on the first hit, terrifying and humorous settings, legendary difficulty and soundtrack by Yoko Shimomura. Super Nintendo port of the Capcom arcade, one of the finest games of the generation.
Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Haunted graveyards, hordes of demons and teeming gothic settings: the game unfurls a macabre fantasy of rare richness, carried by deep colours. The density of the enemies and the care of the backgrounds overflow with character. This visual direction, dark and polished, elevates a classic renowned for its ruthlessness.
Re-orchestrating the series' mythic themes, Capcom's music deploys a heroic gothic of striking intensity, from the famous main theme to the most nightmarish levels. Each track charges the game's fearsome difficulty with a galvanising energy. This sonic signature stays etched in players' memories.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Punishing"
The double jump, as thrilling as it is unforgiving, never rescues a badly judged arc: here the armor falls at the first hit and the magic armor must be earned. Treacherous gusts, ambushing enemies and the duty to clear the adventure twice make a trial of endurance and nerve. Formidable yet utterly honest, it remains the gold standard of Capcom-style difficulty.
The European PAL SNES edition of Capcom's Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts from 1991, the PAL version of the Japanese Chou Makaimura. The PAL cart is rarer than the Japanese Super Famicom version, and PAL boxed CIB in the original cardboard box is valued for the coherence of a Makaimura/Ghouls'n Ghosts SNES PAL collection. The cote climbs steadily, sustained by physical scarcity and by the legendary difficulty that forges the cult aura of the line.
Memorable bosses
Renowned for its relentless difficulty, this entry sends the knight Arthur against a demonic procession built for punishment: infernal giants, flying creatures and a lord of darkness who must be beaten after a required second loop. A double jump and specific weapons nuance every fight, where the slightest slip costs dearly. A legendary rigor that forged its reputation for merciless guardians.
Is Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts still worth playing in 2026?
Chou Makaimura, known as Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts in the West, remains one of the most demanding platformers on the SNES and an absolute peak of Capcom's 16 bit craft. The directional double jump turns jump reading into precise placement work, and the full loop, namely having to play through again with a special ring to reach the true ending, demands complete mastery. The bestiary, atmosphere and soundtrack stay unforgettable. Recommended to retro challenge addicts and lovers of merciless design.
