Nintendo Entertainment System · Platformer
Ghosts 'n Goblins
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1986 (originally 1985) |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Developer | Capcom |
| Publisher | Capcom |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Ghost'n Goblins |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 7 |
Ghosts 'n Goblins is a platformer released in 1986 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Capcom. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1985.
It came out in the NES's second year on the market. Other notable NES releases from 1986 include Arkanoid, Metroid and Dragon Quest.
It is part of the Ghost'n Goblins series; on the NES you can also try Ghost'n Goblins. The series also appears on other systems with Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Genesis) and Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts (SNES). Capcom also made Mega Man, Mega Man 2 and Mega Man 3 for the NES.
Ghosts 'n Goblins supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
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 have a friend to play against
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
What playing Ghosts 'n Goblins 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.
Ghosts 'n Goblins cheats & codes
206 codes on file (Game Genie, Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| 1 Life For Players 1 And 2 | PAEKPTLA |
|---|---|
| 6 Lives For Players 1 And 2 | TAEKPTLA |
| 9 Lives For Players 1 And 2 | PAEKPTLE |
| Infinite Lives For Players 1 And 2 | SZEGNOVK |
| 4 Lives For Player 1 Only | VAEKZVSE |
| Speed Up Game | ZAKILZLA |
Ghosts 'n Goblins walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Ghosts 'n Goblins.
If you like Ghosts 'n Goblins, the Matrix also picks…
Super Mario Bros. Classic
Super Mario Bros. 3 Classic
Ghouls 'n Ghosts Classic
Ice Climber Classic Co-op
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers Classic Co-op
DuckTales Classic
Super Mario Bros. 2 Classic
Playing NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Ghosts 'n Goblins FAQ
When did Ghosts 'n Goblins come out on the NES?
Ghosts 'n Goblins was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986; the original game dates back to 1985.
Who made Ghosts 'n Goblins?
It was developed by Capcom.
Is Ghosts 'n Goblins multiplayer?
Yes. Ghosts 'n Goblins supports up to 2 players.
How long does Ghosts 'n Goblins take to play?
As a platformer, Ghosts 'n Goblins 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 Ghosts 'n Goblins 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.