DaiMakaiMura (Ghouls 'N Ghosts)

Ghouls 'n Ghosts was the first MUST OWN game for the Super Grafx, unfortunately it was also the first must own game for the Sega Genesis. Having said that, let me just assure you, no matter what system you get it for Ghouls 'n Ghosts is one of the best side scrolling games of all time. Period.

Ghouls 'n Ghosts is the arcade sequel to Ghosts and Goblins, a fun little Capcom game that assured itself a cult appeal with its off kilter level designs, demonic bosses, and sick sense of humor (after being hit you run around in your underwear). But Capcom wasn't prepared to just retread the series; instead Ghouls And Ghosts improves on just about every aspect of the original, and still is regarded as one of the greatest platformers available.

It's all very simple, you see, Sir Arthur, a noble knight, has set off on an adventure to save the beautiful maiden in distress. Armed with his trusty spear, torch, knives, and axe he is ready to fight through five levels of action. Each of the levels is extremely diverse, and none are cliché. In one level you are riding on big tongues from statues, in another level you are fighting in the middle of a town on fire. And you can always gauge your progress by the map, a standard of the series.

It may sound like the original, but it's on such a different level it can hardly be compared. For one thing, a new armor has been added, giving all weapons a charge attack. Some of the weapons have better special attacks than others, but they all serve a purpose in the game. Speaking of weapons, several new weapons have been added, one of which is my favorite in the game: the sword! When you have the sword Sir Arthur does a swing attack at rivals Strider's! And did I mention that a wizard can turn you into a duck or an old man ... no fun!!

Something that hasn't changed, though, is the ending ... which forces you to do what you did ALL OVER AGAIN. This ironic joke may piss you off, and curse the name of Capcom for not including a save feature, but it keeps with the tradition very nicely. Regardless of what you think of the end, the fun of this game is getting there, plain and simple. And I can't think of too many games that fit in this caliber.

With Arthur's recent cameos in Cannon Spike (Dreamcast), SNK vs. Capcom: Match of the Millennium (Neo Geo Pocket Color), and Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (Dreamcast), and his new 3D sequel (Maximo for the PlayStation 2) it looks like the Ghost and Goblin's franchise is alive and kicking in the 21st century. If you can't wait for the next game, be sure to check out Ghouls 'n Ghosts, no matter what system you can find it for, it's a real treasure.