There are a ton of differences between every version of the Makaimura/GnG original arcade game, and I think like at least four major different versions of the game? It's mostly related to wildly different enemy placements on the final stage, as well as the AI of the Satans which will range from either completely simple and manageable, to absurdly random and luck based.
The ones you'll usually come across on bootleg arcade boards in the west are the ones where the final stage will force you to take a hit against a unicorn, but is otherwise really easy, meanwhile good luck taking down all the Satans without dying.
Jonny2x4 wrote:
Is Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins worth it? Is on sale right now on the PS Store and it's apparently compatible with PSTV.
This'll be one to split the audience. I was unsure of where to put it for a while, but I ultimately settled on hating the game.
Of course, it's worth noting that two versions of the game exist, and if you get Goku Makaimura Kai, you'll get both versions included.
The original version requires you to seek out a bunch of hidden items and upgrade your character along the way, collecting new armors and skills along the way, even encouraging backtracking. I hated this aspect when the game came out, I wanted classic arcade makaimura.
The Kai version is basically that. One weapon at a time, every powerup only lasts until you get hit, every stage in linear order, etc. etc.
Unfortunately the game just doesn't work for this format IMO. The game is looong, and the stages last forever. They also seem to be designed around the upgrades you get in the normal mode, and the game is insanely hard in what I'd consider to be all the wrong ways. You need to basically memorize everything in the game to avoid being killed completely without warning, and with the length of the game, there is a
lot to memorize.
And let's not forget all the passages where you need to wait out patterns, or sit on moving platforms etc. The game will really test your patience, which in my case just lead to even more reckless deaths.
After beating the end boss after endless amounts of credit feeding, I never felt like going back to even brush on the thought of a 1CC.
The original release of the game might actually be the better version at the end of the day, but I haven't tried returning to it after picking up Kai.
Of course, if you are into playing some
really hard GnG, this game is your bro. It is by far the hardest game of the entire series. And I'm
not saying that in the same way some people say SGnG is the hardest game ever made...