Video games - Ghosts 'n Goblins

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	Video games - Ghosts 'n Goblins

__NOEDITSECTION__ Ghosts 'n Goblins (魔界村 Makaimura, or "Demon World Village," in Japan) is a platform/run and gun arcade game by Capcom. Released in 1985, it was followed by two official sequels, Ghouls 'n Ghosts
and Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts
, and was ported to numerous home computer platforms. The Maximo
series of games for the PlayStation 2 are generally considered to be unofficial sequels to Ghosts 'n Goblins

Gameplay

Ghosts 'n Goblins is a platform game where the player controls a knight, named Arthur, who must defeat zombies, demons and other undead creatures in order to rescue a princess. Along the way the player can pick up new weapons, bonuses and extra suits of armor that can help in this task. The game is often considered very difficult by arcade standards and is commonly regarded as one of the most difficult games released for the NES.

The game did have a two-player feature, but in this mode play simply alternated between the two players.

Controls

The arcade cabinet allowed the player to control his character through a standard 4-way joystick and two buttons - one button to fire his weapon and the other to jump.

Lives

The player starts out with three lives, and is awarded an extra life when the player reaches 20,000 and 70,000 points. A further life is awarded at every 70,000 points after that, though these settings could be changed using the DIP switches. Two hits from an enemy attack will result in a life being lost. After the first hit, Arthur is reduced to his briefs. A second hit turns him into a skeleton. At the start of each level, Arthur is dressed in full armor whether or not he had armour at the end of the previous level. At certain points in the game, Arthur can suffer instant death whether he is suited in his armour or not.

If the player does lose a life, he is returned to the start of the level, or the halfway point if he has managed to get that far. Furthermore, each life can only last a certain length of time (generally around three minutes), the clock being reset at the start of a level. If the clock does run out, the player instantly loses that life.

Weapons

Arthur is armed with one of the following weapons. Only one can be carried at any time.

Lance

:The player begins with this weapon. Moves in a straight line across the screen.

Dagger

:A powerful weapon. Similar to the Lance but travels much faster.

Flaming Torch

: A weapon of dubious value. Moves in a descending arc from the point of release. It momentarily burns on the ground, destroying any enemy it comes in contact with. It will kill enemies quicker than the Lance or Dagger but is more awkward to use.

Axe

:Moves in a similar manner to the Flaming Torch. However, this weapon continues through enemies, allowing one axe to kill multiple targets. More powerful than the Flaming Torch but, again, is awkward to use.

Shield (or Crucifix depending on version)

:Similar to the Lance in movement but with a very limited range. However, unlike all other weapons, it can also block enemy fire. The Shield is the only weapon capable of defeating the final boss. (See below).

Levels

The game comprises seven levels, each with an end-of-level boss who must be defeated before progressing to the next stage. Only after the defeat of the final boss for the second time, is the game's finale sequence displayed and the player declared victorious.

The Graveyard and Forest

The games begins in a graveyard with one of Astaroth's minions kidnapping Arthur's girlfriend, Princess Prin-Prin. Arthur must then make his way through the graveyard, avoiding or killing the zombies and demons he meets on the way. After crossing a river, he then enters the forest. Defeating the boss at the end of the forest allows him to collect a key and progress to the next level.

The Ice Palace

The Ice Palace involves more jumping than the previous level. The player must make his way through the level, avoiding or killing the flying sprites and spitting plants. The player can suffer instant death in this level if he misses a platform when jumping. In the latter half of this level, the player must make his way through a large dilapidated house, defeating several minotaurs along the way. After finally defeating two bosses, the player proceeds to The Caves.

The Caves

The third level ratchets the difficulty up a notch. Similar in design to the Graveyard, the player must fight more demons, cover more ground and two new enemies are introduced - bats and spitting pillars. The pillars can be particularly difficult to kill, as they are only vulnerable for a short period of time. If Arthur makes it through to the end of this level, he must face the first dragon of the game. If he manages to defeat this boss, he will again be awarded a key and move on to the next level.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Ghosts 'n Goblins ]

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