Ghouls n ghosts - SNES or SuperGrafx

[timp29]

Hey guys, I really want to give ghouls n ghosts a go having never played it before. However, there are potentially 3 versions from which to choose (although the supergrafx obviously hasn't been released yet).

It looks like Super Ghouls and Ghosts (SNES) beats the megadrive version, but I was wondering if the supergrafx version beats the SNES version and if I should wait for it.

Cheers people.

[hansolo350]

First of all I'm a huge GnG fan. Secondly all 3 GnG games on the VC are different games, but I believe the SuperGrafx version was the same as the Genesis one. Anyway, not counting the SG one, Ghouls n' Ghosts is my favourite. It's better than Super GnG because it has infinite continues making it easier to get into.

[SAB]

I have Super Ghouls n Ghosts on the VC and it's awesome, but ridiculously hard. I'll probably look into one of the earlier versions sometime, after I get my practice with SGnG in.

[Eltigro]

Everything I've read seems to imply that the Supergrafx version is the closest to a perfect arcade port. If I had my choice, I'd go with that one. But then, I'm a big TG-16 fan, too. =)

Check out this website... it has some nice comparison screen shots of different versions of the game.

http://www.pcengine.co.uk/HTML_Games...s_n_Ghosts.htm

[Kobayashi]

Originally Posted by Eltigro

Check out this website... it has some nice comparison screen shots of different versions of the game.

http://www.pcengine.co.uk/HTML_Games...s_n_Ghosts.htm

WoW... very nice PC Engine site.

[parallaxscroll]

Ghouls 'N Ghosts on SuperGrafx is Dai Makaimura, the 2nd game in the series. Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts on SNES is Chou MakaiMura, the 3rd game in the series, a sequel. So obviously they're not directly comparable. It would be like comparing Super Mario Bros 2 to Super Mario Bros 3.

Originally Posted by Eltigro

Everything I've read seems to imply that the Supergrafx version is the closest to a perfect arcade port. If I had my choice, I'd go with that one. But then, I'm a big TG-16 fan, too. =)

Check out this website... it has some nice comparison screen shots of different versions of the game.

http://www.pcengine.co.uk/HTML_Games...s_n_Ghosts.htm

SuperGrafx Ghouls 'N Ghosts is nowhere near arcade perfect. It has far fewer colors on-screen from a much smaller pallete, and simplified graphic detail in the backgrounds. While the graphics of the SG version were, in most aspects, closer to the arcade than the 5 megabit MegaDrive/Genesis version, the 8 megabit SG version is still well short of the 32 megabit arcade. It was only the closest home version for a few years, from 1990 to 1994.

Aside from the versions on Saturn, PS1 (Capcom Generation 2) and PS2, Xbox, PSP (Capcom Classics Collection), the only truly arcade perfect port released on a home platform, before 32-bit consoles, was on the 16-bit Sharp X68000 computer released only in Japan.

The comparison on that website is alright, but does not fully show the huge difference between Arcade and SuperGrafx version, here is a much more telling comparison:

Arcade CPS - 1988



SuperGrafx - 1990



MegaDrive/Genesis - 1989



X68000 - 1994
(notice it's the only one here that has the same level of detail & color of the arcade)



In these 4 versions, this is the same scene from the same level of the same game. Stage 2-2 right after the rock turtled and just before the burning village. The degree of difference there is between Arcade and SuperGrafx is basicly the same with every level and every part of any level.

The best way to play this game is on MAME. The PS1 version which was reused for the PS2/Xbox/PSP versions, has very dim, difficult to see distant backgrounds. If you own a Saturn, I highly recommend finding a copy of Capcom Generation 2. It has the best console version of the game.

[Eltigro]

Okay, so I stand corrected. I've never seen much about the X68000, so it is news to me.

Out of all the versions though, the Mega Drive/Genesis version is definitely the least like the arcade. Any ideas how the SNES version compares in these? Also, what is the availability of the different versions? I'm sure either the Mega Drive/Genesis version or the SNES version are far more available than either the SuperGrafx or X68000.

[hansolo350]

Originally Posted by Eltigro

Okay, so I stand corrected. I've never seen much about the X68000, so it is news to me.

Out of all the versions though, the Mega Drive/Genesis version is definitely the least like the arcade. Any ideas how the SNES version compares in these? Also, what is the availability of the different versions? I'm sure either the Mega Drive/Genesis version or the SNES version are far more available than either the SuperGrafx or X68000.

The Genesis and SNES game are quite common since I'm pretty sure they both sold a million copies.

[Betagam7]

There's also a GBA version of Super with a new arrange mode that you might want to check out if you have a GBA, GBP or DS.
One thing that might be important to you is finding a version of this with save or infinite continues as the game is so difficult.

[parallaxscroll]

Like I said, the SNES game Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts is a sequel, a totally different game, so there's no direct comparison.

[darthmix]

Originally Posted by hansolo350

First of all I'm a huge GnG fan. Secondly all 3 GnG games on the VC are different games, but I believe the SuperGrafx version was the same as the Genesis one. Anyway, not counting the SG one, Ghouls n' Ghosts is my favourite. It's better than Super GnG because it has infinite continues making it easier to get into.

Wait, doesn't Super GnG have infinite continues also? I've continued a ridiculous number of times (I'm on the last level, second run-through) and it hasn't shut me out yet.

[hansolo350]

Originally Posted by darthmix

Wait, doesn't Super GnG have infinite continues also? I've continued a ridiculous number of times (I'm on the last level, second run-through) and it hasn't shut me out yet.

I just checked and there are 9 "credits" that you use to continue after losing all of your lives.

[darthmix]

I've continued a lot more than 9 times. I've checked around gamefaqs since my last post and the general understanding seems to be that you earn more continues by picking up money bags, with the amount of money you need changing at different difficulty levels, and 9 being the maximum continues you can have at any time.

[hansolo350]

Originally Posted by darthmix

I've continued a lot more than 9 times. I've checked around gamefaqs since my last post and the general understanding seems to be that you earn more continues by picking up money bags, with the amount of money you need changing at different difficulty levels, and 9 being the maximum continues you can have at any time.

I forgot that's what happens, it's been a long time since I seriously played the game.

[SKTTR]

I've just beaten the Mega Drive Ghouls'n Ghosts.
It's definately much easier than Super GnG.

So if you want to get into the series, I recommend the Mega Drive version.
It might look bad on the pictures above and in general comparison to the SNES version. But I think it's more playable (better controls) and better for beginners (unlimited continues).

The SNES version is just very VEEERY difficult, I never could beat it.
9 continues isn't enough. There are too many traps.
You have to learn every aspect of level design and monster AI, collect the right weapon at the right time to make any progress.
Casual gamers/beginners shouldn't play the SNES version at all. Most of them will never see Stage 2.

I love the series, preferably Demon's Crest (SNES).
I wish Super GnG had some sort of saving function after each stage.
That would have saved me from big frustration.

[darthmix]

You know, I always remembered Super GnG being unbelievably hard, so I put off downloading it for the longest time. Maybe I built up its difficulty too much in my head. If you roll up your sleeves, and if you don't totally suck at games, it isn't actually that bad. I got all the way through the first run-through and halfway through the second in a single evening. And I'm definitely not any kind of super-player; I have tons of VC games I still haven't beaten.

I mean, for sure, the game is hard. You will die a lot. But with persistence you can make steady progress. Playing it again for the first time since the SNES era, I've enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. And as long as you set it at a non-insane difficulty level and be sure to pick up money bags, you'll keep earning continues.

But I've never actually played the MD game, so it might indeed be better. I should try it.

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by SKTTR

I've just beaten the Mega Drive Ghouls'n Ghosts.
It's definately much easier than Super GnG.

So if you want to get into the series, I recommend the Mega Drive version.
It might look bad on the pictures above and in general comparison to the SNES version. But I think it's more playable (better controls) and better for beginners (unlimited continues).

The SNES version is just very VEEERY difficult, I never could beat it.
9 continues isn't enough. There are too many traps.
You have to learn every aspect of level design and monster AI, collect the right weapon at the right time to make any progress.
Casual gamers/beginners shouldn't play the SNES version at all. Most of them will never see Stage 2.

I love the series, preferably Demon's Crest (SNES).
I wish Super GnG had some sort of saving function after each stage.
That would have saved me from big frustration.

You might want to pick up the Game Boy Advance version of Super, it allows saving and has an interesting new "arrange" mode

[parallaxscroll]

It's really not fair to compare the Genesis and SNES games-- They are two completely different games. It would be like comparing Gradius II to
Gradius III or Castlevania II to Castlevania III.

The SNES never got its own version of the 2nd game in the series: DaiMakaimura (Ghouls 'N Ghosts), but instead got a made-for-SNES sequel: ChouMakaimura (Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts).

[Refa]

Originally Posted by parallaxscroll

It's really not fair to compare the Genesis and SNES games-- They are two completely different games. It would be like comparing Gradius II to
Gradius III or Castlevania II to Castlevania III.

The SNES never got its own version of the 2nd game in the series: DaiMakaimura (Ghouls 'N Ghosts), but instead got a made-for-SNES sequel: ChouMakaimura (Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts).

What's wrong with comparing Gradius II to Gradius III?

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Originally Posted by parallaxscroll

It's really not fair to compare the Genesis and SNES games-- They are two completely different games. It would be like comparing Gradius II to
Gradius III or Castlevania II to Castlevania III.

The SNES never got its own version of the 2nd game in the series: DaiMakaimura (Ghouls 'N Ghosts), but instead got a made-for-SNES sequel: ChouMakaimura (Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts).

Ah, but the question of this thread is this:

"It looks like Super Ghouls and Ghosts (SNES) beats the megadrive version, but I was wondering if the supergrafx version beats the SNES version..."

[Refa]

Originally Posted by Jogurt the Yogurt

Ah, but the question of this thread is this:

"It looks like Super Ghouls and Ghosts (SNES) beats the megadrive version, but I was wondering if the supergrafx version beats the SNES version..."

Even though Ghouls 'n" Ghosts (both the Genny and the TG16 versions) is a completely different game than Super Ghouls 'N' Ghosts.