Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins

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At least 210% better than the last time we were stuck in a graveyard wearing only our underwear

This ghoulish, side-scrolling action title has a very simple premise - you're a knight given the task of running constantly to the right (and sometimes up), fending off the fangs, claws and death touches of a metric ton of creepy-crawlies. You start out in a full suit of armor, but each time an enemy hits you with its death touch, you lose some. Eventually, you're re-slaying the undead while wearing only heart-covered boxer shorts and a beard.

That's the basic set-up, as it has been since this series first appeared in the arcades. However, the remaining details of this preview may prove very difficult to write. One crack GamesRadar editor literally refused to stop playing the game long enough to write anything down, and the other managed only to scribble the word "awesome" 14 times over three pages. Want the CliffsNotes? This one's looking solid.

As one might expect from a game whose ancestors were arcade-ruling token-gobblers, finely tuned gameplay is Ultimate G'nG's stock in trade. This is one of the most instantly playable games you'll ever touch: tilt the analog stick to the right to run until you reach an obstacle. When that happens, either jump (and eventually, double jump) with this button or kill it with that other button. Repeat as needed.

Of course, the devil - as well as the wizard, the crazy, eyeball thingy, and about a zillion ghosts - is in the details. Theis obviously an old-school game, but it feels wonderfully cutting edge as well.

Eric Bratcher
Eric Bratcher
I was the founding Executive Editor/Editor in Chief here at GR, charged with making sure we published great stories every day without burning down the building or getting sued. Which isn't nearly as easy as you might imagine. I don't work for GR any longer, but I still come here - why wouldn't I? It's awesome. I'm a fairly average person who has nursed an above average love of video games since I first played Pong just over 30 years ago. I entered the games journalism world as a freelancer and have since been on staff at the magazines Next Generation and PSM before coming over to GamesRadar. Outside of gaming, I also love music (especially classic metal and hard rock), my lovely wife, my pet pig Bacon, Japanese monster movies, and my dented, now dearly departed '89 Ranger pickup truck. I pray sincerely. I cheer for the Bears, Bulls, and White Sox. And behind Tyler Nagata, I am probably the GR staffer least likely to get arrested... again.