Ghosts 'n Goblins, known in Japan as , is a series of run-and-gun platform video games developed and owned by Capcom. The first entry in the series was Ghosts 'n Goblins, released in arcades on July 7, 1985. The series has subsequently been ported to and released on a variety of personal computers, game consoles and mobile platforms and spawned several sequels and spin-offs.
The main series focuses on the knight Arthur's quest to save princess Prin-Prin from the demon king Astaroth. The primary spin-offs include the Gargoyle's Quest and Maximo game series.
The series as a whole has sold over 4.7 million units as of December 31, 2025 and stands as the 13th best-selling Capcom game franchise. It has gained a reputation among players for its high level of difficulty.
The most recent game in the series, Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection, was released on February 25, 2021.
List of games
Main series The main series consists of run and gun platformers with players controlling a knight named Arthur who must battle through hordes of the undead in order to rescue the kidnapped princess Prin-Prin (also known as Guinevere, or not named altogether depending on the game/translation) from the demon king Astaroth. Arthur's health and magic level is represented by the armor he wears, with Arthur capable of finding better armor and various weapons in treasure chests hidden throughout the game stages; even so, regardless of how powerful the armor Arthur wears is, he will lose it with a single hit. Once losing his armor Arthur is left only wearing his boxers (an image which has become iconic for the series). In most of the main series, once completing the game the player is forced to re-play the game's stages at a higher difficulty level in order to receive the game's "true" ending. The series has gained a reputation among gamers for its high level of difficulty.
Ghosts 'n Goblins (1985) (Arcade, Commodore 64, Amiga, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, IBM PC compatibles, Commodore 16, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, NES, Xbox, Saturn, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Virtual Console, Nintendo Switch Online, Plus/4) Ghosts 'n Goblins GOLD (2008) (Java) – A port of Ghosts 'n Goblins adapted for the Java platform Ghosts 'n Goblins MOBILE (2017) (iOS, Android) – A port of Ghosts 'n Goblins adapted for mobile platforms Ghouls 'n Ghosts (1988) (Arcade, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, X68000, Saturn, Xbox, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, SuperGrafx, Master System, Genesis, Virtual Console, ZX Spectrum) Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts (1991) (SNES, Sega Saturn, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation Portable, Virtual Console, Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network) Choumakaimura R (2002) (Game Boy Advance) – An enhanced re-mixed version of Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts Makaimura for WonderSwan (1999) (WonderSwan) Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins (2006) (PlayStation Portable) Gokumakaimura Kai (2007) (PlayStation Portable) – An enhanced re-mixed version of Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins Ghosts 'n Goblins: Gold Knights (2009) (iOS) Ghosts 'n Goblins: Gold Knights II (2010) (iOS) Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection (2021) (Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows)
Gargoyle's Quest series The Gargoyle's Quest series is a group of side-scrolling adventure games with mild role-playing video game elements. Players control the character of Firebrand, a character who is based on an enemy in the main series.
Gargoyle's Quest (1990) (Game Boy) Gargoyle's Quest II (1992) (NES) Makaimura Gaiden: The Demon Darkness (1993) (Game Boy) – An enhanced port of Gargoyle's Quest II Demon's Crest (1994) (SNES)
Maximo series Maximo is a 3D hack and slash platformer series developed by Capcom's US-based Studio 8 for the PlayStation 2. The games are based on the Ghosts 'n Goblins universe and feature original character designs by Japanese illustrator Susumu Matsushita.
Maximo: Ghosts to Glory (2001) (PlayStation 2) Maximo vs. Army of Zin (2003) (PlayStation 2)
Other Arthur to Astaroth no Nazomakaimura: Incredible Toons (1996) (PlayStation, Sega Saturn) – Puzzle game based on Dynamix's Sid & Al's Incredible Toons Makaimura Online (NA) (PC) – A licensed Korean MMO game. It began a closed beta in 2010 before proceeding to an open beta in 2013. However, the game never received a full release and the test servers were shut down in 2015.
Capcom Party Capcom released a series of Ghosts 'n Goblins-themed Flash based mini-games for Capcom Party; a subscription service related to its Capcom Park i-mode mobile app.
Small Makaimura (2001) (Flash)Official webpage for Puzzle Makaimura in Capcom Japan Puzzle Makaimura (2001) (Flash) Puzzle Makaimura Revenge (2002) (Flash)Official webpage for Puzzle Makaimura Revenge in Capcom Japan Puzzle Makaimura Final (2004) (Flash)Official webpage for Puzzle Makaimura Final in Capcom Japan
Cancelled games Gargoyle's Quest II: The Demon Darkness (Game Boy western release) Ghosts 'n Goblins 3D (PlayStation) Ghouls 'n Ghosts 64 (Nintendo 64) Maximo: Ghosts to Glory (Nintendo 64, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo GameCube) Ghouls 'n Ghosts Online (Microsoft Windows, Apple OSX, PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox)
Arcade gambling machines Double Fever Makaimura (1987) (Arcade) – A Japanese redemption game Gekimakaimura (2005) (Arcade) – A Japanese medal game
Appearances in other game series Higemaru Makaijima – A Red Arremer appears as the end boss. Black Tiger – A Red Arremer appears as an enemy. Breath of Fire – Paintings of Arthur appear in some homes. The Gargoyle enemies may be a nod to the Red Arremer enemies. Cannon Spike – Arthur is a playable character. Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure – A Ghosts 'n Goblins themed minigame appears. We Love Golf! – Arthur is a playable character. Dead Rising – An Arthur costume can be worn in the game. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - An Arthur costume for Mii Swordfighters was made available as DLC.
Mega Man series Mega Man 7 – The Ghosts 'n Goblins theme music can be heard at Shade Man's stage through a secret code. Mega Man: The Power Battle – The Ghosts 'n Goblins theme music can be heard. Mega Man Powered Up – A Ghosts 'n Goblins themed level pack is available for download including an Arthur costume for Roll. Mega Man Universe – Arthur was planned as a playable character before the game's cancellation and was featured in the game's teaser trailer.
X Capcom series Namco × Capcom – Arthur is a playable character. Astaroth, Nebiroth, and Red Arremer Joker appear as bosses along with several Ghosts 'n Goblins mob characters. The Demon Village is a major location in the game as well. Project X Zone – Arthur is a playable character. Arremers appear yet again as standard enemies.
Vs. Capcom series
Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes – Arthur is an assist character. SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium – A Ghosts 'n Goblins themed minigame can be played. SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos – A Red Arremer is a playable character as well as a secret boss. Tatsunoko vs. Capcom – Arthur, Firebrand and Astaroth make cameos in Soki's ending. Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds – Arthur appears as a playable character along with a Ghosts 'n Goblins themed stage featuring Astaroth and Red Arremer. Additionally, Firebrand appears in Dormammu's ending. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 – Firebrand joins Arthur as a playable character, with Red Arremer King and Zombie Arthur/Bishamon-themed Armor appearing as downloadable costume for these two respective characters. Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite – Both Arthur and Firebrand are playable.
Comics and manga
Wan Pakku Comics In 1986, Ghosts'n Goblins was adapted into a manga by Sawada Yukio and published by Wan Pakku Comics, released as a five-part story in the anthology series .
Comic BomBom Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts and Gargoyle's Quest are two of the video games featured in the manga titled Rock'n Game Boy, by Shigeto Ikehara and published by Comic BomBom October 1989 to December 1991.
Corocoro Comic Ghosts 'n Goblins, was one of the video games adapted into a manga titled Famicom Ryu (1985–1987) and Nekketsu! Famicom Shounendan (1986–1987), published by Comic Coro Coro.
Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts is one of the video games featuring in the manga titled Cyber Boy, by Nagai Noriaki, Published by Coro Coro Comic and Shogakukan, from 1991 to 1993.
Archie Comics The series would later be included in the Archie Comics Worlds Unite crossover along with various other Capcom and Sega franchises, with the Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man comic lines providing the backdrop.
Characters Arthur: A knight in the service of princess Prin-Prin. Arthur is the main protagonist of the Ghosts 'n Goblins series. He is named for King Arthur of Arthurian Legend. Prin-Prin: Princess Prin-Prin is the ruler of the human realm (Ghouls 'n Ghosts specifies the Kingdom of Hus) and the last human with royal blood. She serves as the primary damsel-in-distress of the Ghosts 'n Goblins series. Astaroth kidnaps her in order to use her royal blood to invade the human realm. Although always referred to as Prin-Prin in Japan, she has been called both Prin-Prin and Guinevere in the various American releases. The latter is an allusion to Guinevere of Arthurian Legend. Satan: A red beast who appears in both Ghosts 'n Goblins and Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts to kidnap Princess Prin-Prin for the current demon lord, but is only fought in Ghosts 'n Goblins. He is extremely cunning and sets up traps for Arthur in the first game. A similar character appears in the Gargoyle's Quest II called Malgor in the English translation, but he is known as Skull Satan in Japan, implying they are the same character. In the game, he is almost perfectly impersonating King Darkoan for Breager, showing his cunning nature. However, Firebrand sees through his disguise and defeats him. He returns as the boss of the Cave of the Occult in Ghosts 'n Goblins: Resurrection. He is named for Satan in the Abrahamic religions. Astaroth: A demon king and the main antagonist of the Ghosts 'n Goblins series. When near death he transforms into the undead demon king Nebiroth, a separate entity and personality from Astaroth. He is named for Astaroth, a demon found in medieval demonology. Some English translations refer to him as The Devil or Great Satan, the latter to distinguish him from Satan. Lucifer: Also known as Rushifell in Gargoyle's Quest and Gargoyle's Quest II, and alternatively referred to as Loki in the Sega Genesis version of Ghouls 'n Ghosts. Lucifer is an extremely powerful noble in the demon realm and serves as the final boss of Ghouls 'n Ghosts and Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection. In the Gargoyle's Quest series he functions as both a rival and assisting character, testing and then aiding Firebrand in reaching his full potential. He is named for Lucifer, an entity found in Greek mythology and later Christianity. His alternate name Loki is a reference to Loki of Norse mythology. Sardius: Known as Samael in Japan, he is the main antagonist and final boss of Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts. He is named for Samael of Talmudic lore. Hades: The Lord of Darkness who governs the Demon World in Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins. He seeks two goals in his invasion of the Human Realm: to destroy Arthur, and to use the Prin Prin's blood to create a mixed-blood union between humans and demons, giving the demons dominance over the humans. He resides in a stronghold dubbed the Black Palace, with Astaroth serving as his lieutenant. He returns as the true final boss of the shadow levels in Ghosts 'n Goblins: Resurrection. The usage of Hades is an allusion to Hades in Greek mythology.