Sega Genesis / Mega Drive · Platformer / Beat 'em Up
Ghouls 'n Ghosts
Certified classic
| System | Sega Genesis / Mega Drive |
|---|---|
| Released | 1989 |
| Genre | Platformer, Beat 'em Up |
| Developer | Capcom |
| Publisher | Capcom |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Ghost'n Goblins |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 14 |
Ghouls 'n Ghosts is a platformer released in 1989 for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, developed by Capcom. It blends platformer and beat 'em up elements.
It belongs to the Genesis's earliest wave of games. Other notable Genesis releases from 1989 include Tetris, Golden Axe and Phantasy Star II. Among the 160 Genesis platformers in our database, it ranks #16 by legacy score.
It is part of the Ghost'n Goblins series. The series also appears on other systems with Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts (SNES) and Ghosts 'n Goblins (NES). Capcom also made Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers, The Punisher and Mega Man: The Wily Wars for the Genesis.
Ghouls 'n Ghosts is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you want to experience one of the Genesis's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Ghouls 'n Ghosts is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
Ghouls 'n Ghosts cheats & codes
36 codes on file (Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:
| Infinite Time (Console Only) | FFB049:0030 |
|---|---|
| Infinite Lives (Player 1) | FFB213:03 |
| Infinite Lives (Player 2) | FFB273:03 |
| Infinite Time (Player 1&2) | FFB049:59 |
| Invincibility after 1st hit (Player 1&2) | FFB319:FF |
| Infinite Armor (Player 1) | FFB210:01 |
Ghouls 'n Ghosts walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Ghouls 'n Ghosts.
If you like Ghouls 'n Ghosts, the Matrix also picks…
Sonic the Hedgehog Classic
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Classic Co-op
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Classic
Battletoads & Double Dragon Deep cut Co-op
Sonic & Knuckles Classic
The Tick Deep cut
Playing Genesis games today
Genesis games are fast and immediate, and many are made for two players. Official collections and Nintendo Switch Online carry a big slice of the library, and Rec0m88 can run your own Genesis backups with online netplay.
Ghouls 'n Ghosts FAQ
When did Ghouls 'n Ghosts come out on the Genesis?
Ghouls 'n Ghosts was released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1989.
Who made Ghouls 'n Ghosts?
It was developed by Capcom.
Is Ghouls 'n Ghosts multiplayer?
No. Ghouls 'n Ghosts is a single-player game.
How long does Ghouls 'n Ghosts take to play?
As a platformer, Ghouls 'n Ghosts typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Ghouls 'n Ghosts on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.