Ghosts n Goblins

Ghosts ‘n Goblins - the 1986 run and gun for Commodore 64 from Elite Systems.

Dash through graveyards, forests, and dungeons as Arthur while a strict
stage timer and relentless spawns keep you moving. Hurl lances, grab
upgrades, and survive long enough to push to the next checkpoint.

Core loop
- advance through side scrolling stages under a timer
- pick up stronger weapons and occasional armor refills
- clear sections while managing limited lives and continues

Systems and items
- weapons - lance (standard), dagger (fast), torch (arcing), axe (heavy)
- armor - first hit shatters armor, the next hit costs a life
- pickups - score items and extras tucked in enemies and stage objects

Level design and feel
Tight enemy waves, ladders, and vertical detours with nasty jump timing.
Aggressive respawns make camping risky - momentum is safety. Mark Cooksey’s
C64 title tune is a standout and sets the pace.

Why it is notable
- C64 conversion for Elite by Chris Butler
- iconic difficulty that defined many players’ early C64 memories
- celebrated title music by Mark Cooksey

Tips
- keep moving forward to prevent overwhelming spawns
- grab the dagger when possible - it has the quickest throw rate
- learn safe jump arcs over graves and platforms before committing

At a glance
Year - 1986
Developer - Elite Systems
Design and programming - Chris Butler
Music - Mark Cooksey
Publisher - Elite Systems
Genre - Run and gun
Players - 1
Controls - Joystick in port 2