After 22 Years, I finally beat Ghosts 'N Goblins for NES-EDIT:Adventure Island too!

[rbudrick]

At long last, this monkey is off my back. I know others here have done it, but I'm glad to finally be in this exclusive club. The FAQ on gamefaqs.com was invaluab;e for telling me where hidden armor is, and most importanly, how to handle some NASTY glitches where invisible enemies appear out of nowhere (how to make them visible) and where you take damage for no reason at all.

I managed to get to stage 3-2 by myself and then left the Wii Virtual Console saved there for probably a year. Last night, I picked it up and played until 3 in the morning, making it to stage six. Of course, once I passed that, Lucifer was done on the first try. Amazingly, I ran through the entire second quest in under two hours right after that! I couldn't believe it, especially having not played the first 3.5 stages in ages. I breezed through all the stages of the second quest in very little time. Stage 6 took as much time as the previous 5 combined, although I almost nailed it on first shot (one more hit on the second Lucifer), but alas, it took nearly another hour.

I know someone here made a similar post a couple years back, but I could not find it. Anyway, only beating Holy Diver for the Famicom has brought me this much satisfaction for having beaten it, at least in recent memory.

-Rob

[Bloodreign]

Congraturation, you feel strongth welling in your body, return to starting point and try again.

A bigger challenge would be beating the arcade version of Ghosts N Goblins, that one is even more insane than the NES version by far (there's a superplay at Superply.uk that has a guy one lifeing both quests of the arcade game.

[Felixthegamer]

Congrats and welcome to the club!

[MrRoboto19XX]

Congratulations, that's some impressive stuff!

[ShinobiMan]

Now that game gives you a feeling of accomplishment for sure! One of the hardest I've ever played. My cousin and I stayed up into the wee hours of morning trying to beat it, only to get caught in Lucifer's trap and have to play the game over again (2nd quest). That was a kick in the balls.

On to Super Ghouls & Ghosts?

[heybtbm]

Congratulations. I don't think I'll ever be able to do it. Does anyone know if the arcade version in Capcom Classics Collection has unlimited lives? It might be possible if that's the case.

[NE146]

I've beaten every G&G game normally except for the PSP version.

However, in this day and age if you were to get me to play the NES version, there's no way I'd play it unless it was via an emulator with save states. I've put in my time years ago, so now I like to play it the FUN way LOL

[rbudrick]

Congraturation, you feel strongth welling in your body, return to starting point and try again.

A bigger challenge would be beating the arcade version of Ghosts N Goblins, that one is even more insane than the NES version by far (there's a superplay at Superply.uk that has a guy one lifeing both quests of the arcade game.

Yes! I've heard that one is quite the beast, perhaps I will attempt it while I still have the knack.



On to Super Ghouls & Ghosts?


Actually, I think I beat that back when it was released...don't remember it being that hard.


Congraturation, you feel strongth welling in your body, return to starting point and try again.

A bigger challenge would be beating the arcade version of Ghosts N Goblins, that one is even more insane than the NES version by far (there's a superplay at Superply.uk that has a guy one lifeing both quests of the arcade game.

Bloodreign would you happen to have a link to this? I don't see that superply.uk (typo?) or superplay.uk are valid URLs. Hmmm...

EDIT: I think this is it: http://www.super-play.co.uk/index.php?superplay=1221



I've beaten every G&G game normally except for the PSP version.


Interesting, since game is fairly easy if you are persistent (it's just a big quest, but not a very hard one). That's one of the only PSP games I have played through. It's definitely worth it to find all 30 or 33 whatchamacallits. You get one killer end boss battle and the real ending that way. Ok, so the the PSP game is fairly tough, but not as tough as the NES game...also, the PSP one is more balanced, so when you mess up, it's almost always your own fault rather than some stupid glitch, so it's hard to get mad (I mean seriously, who gets mad and starts throwing controllers at a GnG game? They are *supposed* to be that hard). The PSP game is HIGHLY reccomended to fans of the series. It's GnG at its finest.

-Rob

[Bloodreign]

Yes that is doctorXX0079 (from the Shmups forum, not sure if he's a member here), I still can't believe the guy pulled off such an impressive feat, but he did. It's taken me many a credit to put down the arcade version on MAME, Saturn, PSX, and PS 2, never finished the PSP version on Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded.

Edit: typo monster struck and changed my Superplay.uk to superply.uk, sorry about that, but that is the run.

[makaar]

When I was younger I played SG&G for SNES, got all the way to the end and was told I had to go back...boy was I peeved...I never tried it again until they released it for GBA with unlimited lives. I know its not Ghosts N' Goblins but I was proud, regardless...game is hard as it gets.

[The 1 2 P]

This will be how I feel when I finally beat the Nes version of Ninja Gaiden 1....if it ever happens.

[Graham Mitchell]

I've beaten it as well. Pat yourself on the back, it's a bitch. It's awful, in fact. I've also gone all the way through the Genesis and Arcade versions of Ghouls 'N' Ghosts, but I don't think that game is nearly as hard as Ghosts 'N' Goblins. Super Ghouls 'N' Ghosts is worse than all of those, IMO.

[cyberfluxor]

Congrats on the win Rob! Also thanks for the link, never seen that site before. Game On!

[kainemaxwell]

Congrats! Beating it via its console, VC, emulation, etc still counts as a win!

[Bloodreign]

Congratulations. I don't think I'll ever be able to do it. Does anyone know if the arcade version in Capcom Classics Collection has unlimited lives? It might be possible if that's the case.

It has infinite credits, but definitely not infinite lives, you'll see the Game Over screen a lot.

[rbudrick]

This will be how I feel when I finally beat the Nes version of Ninja Gaiden 1....if it ever happens.

NG is infinitely easier! At least the enemies there have distinct patterns that you can nail. GnG has waaay too many variables out of your control. I used to be able to one life NG every now and then, but could almost always get to 6-2 without dying. I can still get to 6-2 without continuing.

As for the Arcade GnG one life video, I swear he got hit with a fireball right at Lucifer on the second quest (I think with one hit left on old Luc. Ouch)!! What a shitty place to die after all that....but he didn't. It had me scratching my head.


Congrats on the win Rob! Also thanks for the link, never seen that site before. Game On!

I never did either until Bloodreign pointed it out! So thanks, Bloodreign!

-Rob

[Haoie]

yayness.

Now time to go outside and do something really worthwhile.

[Sonicwolf]

I was in a similar situation. I only just beat Super Mario Bros 3 nes a few months ago for the first time without someone else playing second.

[jperryss]

Yes! I've heard that one is quite the beast, perhaps I will attempt it while I still have the knack.

Actually, I think I beat that back when it was released...don't remember it being that hard.

Bloodreign would you happen to have a link to this? I don't see that superply.uk (typo?) or superplay.uk are valid URLs. Hmmm...

EDIT: I think this is it: http://www.super-play.co.uk/index.php?superplay=1221


Looks tool-assisted to me. Not 'perfect run' tool assisted (it could definitely be done faster with the right person at the wheel) but a lot of the dodges and jumps look almost unnecessarily risky like you'd usually see in a TAS video.

I suspect lots of save-stating and load-stating to make this vid.

[lazyhoboguy]

Yea I have a copy of this game for nes I found at a thrift store still sitting around, kinda afraid to start it lol.

[rbudrick]

Looks tool-assisted to me. Not 'perfect run' tool assisted (it could definitely be done faster with the right person at the wheel) but a lot of the dodges and jumps look almost unnecessarily risky like you'd usually see in a TAS video.

I suspect lots of save-stating and load-stating to make this vid.

I agree. I have to call shenanigans on this video. He definitely uses an emulator, but I can't tell what one from the screen that flashes in the beginning. The Red Satan boss of stage 5 was killed in about 5 hits (both quests), along with the pair of them in stage 6. I can now tell you from experience that I had to wail the everliving shit out of that boss to kill him. I swear I hit him 15 times, at least, at POINT BLANK range. And yes, I do know his wings have to be open. I just now finally made it to stage 6. I have to say, it's a little tougher than the NES version, but a lot of it has to do with unlearning certain minor quirks of the NES version. There is some major luck manipulation going on in that video. Like the NES version, so many variables are completely out of you control to pull this off. It is completely unavoidable to sometimes have something kill you where there was NOTHING you could have done about it.

Also, that video uses rapid fire, not that that is a big deal or anything. No matter how hard I tried, I could not fire fast enough to keep those Big Men (the ogres with the hearts on their arms) from moving forward, where in the vid it is done effortlessly. It was really easy to do on the NES if you had daggers.

I just now finally made it to stage 6. I have to say, it's a little tougher than the NES version, but a lot of it has to do with unlearning certain minor quirks of the NES version. The Red Demons are a LOT easier to deal with and there aren't nearly as many glitches as the NES version, but there are a few that pissed me off quite a bit.

I'm fairly confident that if you can beat the NES version, you can beat this one. It's not THAT much harder, and in many places, it is easier.

EDIT: On stage six of the video there is only one Unicorn up on the first ladder. In the one I am playing there's two. There's a chance he may have set the dip switch settings to something easier, but I don't know because I don't know what the dip switch settings do and I can't tell because when I enter the MAME menu the words are all garbled for some reason. I am using the newest version of MAME.

Edit#2: Ok, so I got through the first quest. Easy way around those two unicorns? Jump on the left one's head and you will rise up one level via glitch when you get hit (classic old school trick). Then beat the dragon and you will get an armor after you climb the ladders. Beating the two Red Satan bosses is just complete shit luck to have them lined up. I lucked out. BIG time. I mean, you have to practically win the lottery to line them up for good hits. Getting both of them lined up happened by no skill of mine when I finally got them. As for Lucifer's fireballs, they can indeed sometimes pass through you. Also, other than the two unicorns, level six was a shit ton easier than the video's level 6. I only had to fight two regular old red demons. The stage was actually pretty easy, other than the boss. There must be different version of the arcade release.

-Rob

[Bloodreign]

No problem on the link, this version is from the Capcom Classics Collection on PS 2, so I don't think it's been modified nor is a TAS. The arcade game is full of glitches, like being able to make an entire boss disappear if pulled off right (the first serpent boss that you take down segment by segment comes to mind), plus quite a few other tricks that can also be pulled out on the arcade Ghosts, as well as on the Capcom Generation 2 Saturn and PSX Ghosts N Goblins (and lets not forget the Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded PSP version). I kinda doubt you can load and save states on a real PS 2 (I can't believe no one caught the CCC pregame menu before the game started, for shame). Rapid fire can be done in this game, it's a twitch platformer, fast fingers will do the trick (you want TAS surf Youtube).

And yes there are different variations of the arcade game, 2 US versions, 2 Japanese versions, an Italian bootleg that allows you to use the cross of the Japanese version instead off the shield of the Western releases, plus perhaps others.

Game: Ghosts 'n Goblins

Description: One Life Clear - Both Loops (best ending)
Player: doctorx0079
Comments
Capcom Classic Collection version - all defaults

The description also lets you know it's the Capcom Classics Collection version. ;)

[kupomogli]

I've only beaten SGnG and only once.

I don't care if you have to play through the game a second time as some sortof gimmick to say you beat the game. I beat the game. A loop of the exact same thing doesn't change that.

[Draven]

I've only played this game a total of 5 minutes, but all this talk about how challenging it is has really got me excited to pick it up again. Guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend! I know the feeling you're talking about. It took me about 20 years to finally beat Batman on NES!

[kupomogli]

I've only played this game a total of 5 minutes, but all this talk about how challenging it is has really got me excited to pick it up again. Guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend! I know the feeling you're talking about. It took me about 20 years to finally beat Batman on NES!

I'm still trying to beat that one. I don't play it that often. I pick it up once maybe twice a year and try a couple times. Last time I played I got to the last stage. I should have just continued until I beat the game, but the way I play I end up completely starting over because I don't like to continue on platformers.

[rbudrick]

I've only beaten SGnG and only once.

I don't care if you have to play through the game a second time as some sortof gimmick to say you beat the game. I beat the game. A loop of the exact same thing doesn't change that.

The second quest is harder. You haven't beaten it! ;) It's actually easier though, in a way. The reason is that if you can make it through stages 5 and 6, stages one through 4 are super easy after that because you are so used to the game by then, believe it or not.

I've been on stage six of the second quest of the arcade version for longer than I've played both quests so far. I've completely mastered the level, cruising through it with no problems until I get to those goddamn Red Satan bosses. They are the only thing in this game so far that has pissed me off beyond belief. I think I've fought them well over 100 times and they have absolutely no set pattern I can discern, no warning of what they are going to do next, and they have a sweeping attack where they rush across the screen in an arc where no matter where you are standing it is undodgeable 29 times out of 30. Their hit detection is set on always, even if they are a block away. The one time I got one in a pattern it never worked again. Also, they take such a shit ton of hits it is impossibly stupid to beat them with the goddamn shield that only travels FOUR BLOCKS AWAY. On top of this, they are either way to high to hit them, or they are so low that their next move when they sweep across the screen is going to kill you no matter what...they are so fast, there's nothing you can do. All this and they are throwing a constant barrage of shurikens at you. After probably 12 hours spent on this level, I can't take it any more. I'm going to bed.

If anyone on earth knows what pattern I am supposed to use on these things or know any method of attack prediction, I'd love to know. There is just no fucking rhyme or reason to them. They are honestly tons harder than the rest of the game combined. I got so incredibly insanely lucky when I beat them in the first quest. The rest of the game is extremely easy compared to these guys. Seriously...I got through stages one through four of the second quest in just 35 minutes. Stage 5 took about two hours, and I've been on this level for what seems like months now. ARGHHH!

EDIT: Glad I had a chance to vent last night. :) I was pretty frustrated. Anyway, I woke up this morning and within 10 to 20 lives I beat those two bosses and of course, Lucifer being a very easy boss, him too. In the end, in took me 208 credits to beat the game, so that's probably about 630 something lives. If it weren't for those two bosses I would say it is actually easier than the NES version, but because of them, much harder. Of course, if I were playing the Capcom Classics Collection version where those bosses only take 5 hits each, it would probably be an easier game than the NES version. Then again, stage 6 in the CCC version has many more Red Demons and Big Men.


-Rob

[rbudrick]

Hey, anyone got any suggestions for the next old-school "impossible" game I should attempt next? After those two I feel like I should really relook some I passed in the past for their difficulty.

Also, I edited the above post a couple days back in case no one saw that.

-Rob

[Sonicwolf]

Hey, anyone got any suggestions for the next old-school "impossible" game I should attempt next?

Also, I edited the above post a couple days back in case no one saw that.

-Rob

all three Super Star Wars games :D

Personally I find them to be hard as hell. Especcially the first one
Its a big Pain in the ass.

[NE146]

Man.. Super Star Wars is easily finishable if you just devotedly sit there and do it :p

Battletoads is one idea, although to me it what makes it "hard" is just the lightning fast reflexes required on some parts.. so if you don't have it, forget it.

How about Blaster Master? I didnt think it was hard back in the day, but maybe now it is.. especially if you haven't finished it before.

Course there are several older topics about hard games as well..

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7774
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=127771
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103681
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5196
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48882
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44488
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33358
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27272

[Graham Mitchell]

legacy of the wizard, or deadly towers without maps or the cheat code.

[evil_genius]

Hey, anyone got any suggestions for the next old-school "impossible" game I should attempt next? After those two I feel like I should really relook some I passed in the past for their difficulty.

Also, I edited the above post a couple days back in case no one saw that.

-Rob

Adventure Island

[Bloodreign]

Hey, anyone got any suggestions for the next old-school "impossible" game I should attempt next? After those two I feel like I should really relook some I passed in the past for their difficulty.

Also, I edited the above post a couple days back in case no one saw that.

-Rob


Two old school Capcom arcade titles, Trojan and Tiger Road, both quite brutal in how hard they can be (amazingly both running off the Ghosts N Goblins arcade hardware).

[rbudrick]

Ah, the Star Wars games...yeesh! Maybe I'll try those! I've already done Blaser Master and Legacy of the Wizard. I never did Deadly Towers w/o the code, though. Maps are a MUST for that game no matter what, though. ;)

Adventure Island...now there's one I never beat legitimately. Perhaps that will be my next. Battletoads...hmmm, I dunno if I'm that good, those damn racer stages are brutal. I'm down for a bit of memorization, but man, they go overboard. The limited continues is a bitch too!

As for Trojan, I remember the NES game being really easy to one-life. Never played the arcade version! Will definitely look into that and Tiger Road.

-Rob

[Graham Mitchell]

As for Trojan, I remember the NES game being really easy to one-life. Never played the arcade version! Will definitely look into that and Tiger Road.

-Rob

The arcade version of Trojan gets just plain impossible in stage 3. No amount of skill or practice...not even MAME save stating has allowed me to get through that damn elevator level. You just get barraged, and there is no skill or technique that helps you at the boss. If you get near enough to score a hit on him, he'll take half you life meter in a second. If you can do it, my hat is definitely off to you.

[rbudrick]

Well, since I made my last post, I made it to stage 7-4 of Adventure Island. Time for bed! Will continue tomorrow. I should have gave this game more of a chance when I was younger, but I think it just figured it was impossible without the axe in some levels.

-Rob

[rbudrick]

Success! Adventure Island is finished. The game starts to get extremely tough around world 6, but is absolutely brutal in stages 7 and 8. That game has the most difficult jumps I've ever seen in any game, really, ever! They make SMB Lost Levels look like something you can do with one hand. I'd say it's just as hard as GnG, but much longer.

I never thought I'd beat that game ( Idon't think I ever passed world 2 before the last day). The tip of my left thumb is numb and my right index finger is very sore right now due to pressing against the back curve of the Playstation controller I was using via an adapter. I might have to wait a couple days before I try any of the other suggestions.

I might attempt Battletoads next, but the limited continues really scares me. If anyone here has beaten it before, I'd love some pointers.

-Rob

[mnbren05]

This is one game I have never come close to beating. I always end up getting ticked by what seem like random glitches you are speaking of. Congrats on the win, maybe I'll try my hand at it again.

[williewonka2k1]

Bucky O'Hare gets extremely hard towards the end.

Also give Cobra Triangle a try. Two of my favs.

[Blitzwing256]

Success! Adventure Island is finished. The game starts to get extremely tough around world 6, but is absolutely brutal in stages 7 and 8. That game has the most difficult jumps I've ever seen in any game, really, ever! They make SMB Lost Levels look like something you can do with one hand. I'd say it's just as hard as GnG, but much longer.

I never thought I'd beat that game ( Idon't think I ever passed world 2 before the last day). The tip of my left thumb is numb and my right index finger is very sore right now due to pressing against the back curve of the Playstation controller I was using via an adapter. I might have to wait a couple days before I try any of the other suggestions.

I might attempt Battletoads next, but the limited continues really scares me. If anyone here has beaten it before, I'd love some pointers.

-Rob

my best suggestion for battletoads is "don't"
but I recomend learning where the warp zones are after you've legitamately beat each level so you can get to the next faster each time you lose all your lives (it'll happen ALOT)

GOOD LUCK, I could only get up to level 4 once, and died a horrible death after making it that far.

[rbudrick]

Bucky O'Hare gets extremely hard towards the end.

Also give Cobra Triangle a try. Two of my favs.


I remember playing Bucky in an emu once and got really far, then the levels were all glitched up and I couldn't go forward. I was so mad! Anybody know an emu that plays this perfectly? Then again, I have upgraded to the newest FCE Ultra, so maybe it's fine now.


my best suggestion for battletoads is "don't"
but I recomend learning where the warp zones are after you've legitamately beat each level so you can get to the next faster each time you lose all your lives (it'll happen ALOT)

GOOD LUCK, I could only get up to level 4 once, and died a horrible death after making it that far.

I think I made it through stage 2 ONCE. What's the easiest way through the game with warps?

-Rob