What is the best game similar to Ghosts 'n Goblins?

The closest game to Ghosts 'n Goblins is Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. They share 5 gameplay attributes, including precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Ghosts 'n Goblins?

The three closest games to Ghosts 'n Goblins are: 1. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (97/100, 5 shared attributes) 2. Super Mario World (97/100, 6 shared attributes) 3. LittleBigPlanet (91/100, 5 shared attributes). All share Ghosts 'n Goblins's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 7 dimensions.

Is Super Mario World similar to Ghosts 'n Goblins?

Yes, very much so — Super Mario World scores 97/100 similarity to Ghosts 'n Goblins. They share 6 attributes, including precision platforming and adventure storytelling. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What Platformer games are similar to Ghosts 'n Goblins?

The best Platformer games similar to Ghosts 'n Goblins are Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Super Mario World, LittleBigPlanet and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. All share the Platformer genre alongside other key Ghosts 'n Goblins attributes like precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.

How is similarity to Ghosts 'n Goblins calculated?

We compare Ghosts 'n Goblins against every game in our catalog using 7 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Ghosts 'n Goblins experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

50 Games like Ghosts 'n Goblins that you should try

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Ghosts 'n Goblins is hard to replace: few games combine precision platforming, fantasy world and single-player focus in quite the same way. We compared Ghosts 'n Goblins against over 6,700 titles across 7 gameplay attributes and found 50 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Super Mario World and LittleBigPlanet lead the list, with Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island reaching a 97/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Ghosts 'n Goblins special.

iRank82/ 100

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GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Top games similar to Ghosts 'n Goblins

50 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Ghosts 'n Goblins. Each one has been evaluated across 7 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island

iRank100

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerFantasy2D

IGDB100· 1

Year 1995Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, fantasy world and single-player focus.

≠ Missing: shooter.

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerFantasy2D

IGDB100· 1

Year 1990Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and fantasy world.

≠ Missing: shooter.

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerFantasy2DCo-op

IGDB96· 9

Year 2008Dev Media Molecule · Sony Computer EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, fantasy world and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, sandbox world and co op, while skipping shooter

Details →

#4Super Mario Bros. Wonder

iRank93

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerFantasy2DCo-op

IGDB95· 7OC91· 150

Year 2023Dev Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 10 · NintendoOn Switch

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, fantasy world and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual and co op, while skipping shooter

Details →

Nintendo

#5Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

iRank70

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerFantasy2D

IGDB70

Year 1995Dev Rare · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, fantasy world and single-player focus.

≠ Missing: shooter.

Details →

Nintendo

#6Donkey Kong Bananza

iRank91

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2DSkill TreeThird Person

IGDB90· 3OC91· 172

Year 2025Dev Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 8 · NintendoOn Switch

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings skill tree progression and visual third person, while skipping shooter

Details →

Nintendo

#7Super Mario Maker 2

iRank88

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2D

IGDB87· 12OC88· 120

Year 2019Dev Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 10 · NintendoOn Switch

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.

≠ Missing: shooter.

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2D

IGDB86· 8

Year 2012Dev RedLynx · Microsoft StudiosOn PC

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Its own twist: racing gameplay, while skipping shooter

Details →

Xbox

#9Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

iRank86

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2D

IGDB88· 12OC84· 138

Year 2018Dev Retro Studios · NintendoOn Switch

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.

≠ Missing: shooter.

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2DIsometricThird Person

IGDB87· 2

Year 2002Dev Dimps · THQ

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings visual isometric and visual third person, while skipping shooter

Details →

#11Kirby: Planet Robobot

iRank83

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2DRanged

IGDB82· 15OC84· 58

Year 2016Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings ranged combat, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerFantasy2DCo-op

Steam👍 94%· 5.9KIGDB89· 8

Year 2011Dev Ubisoft Montpellier · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · PC · Mac

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, adventure storytelling and fantasy world

≠ Its own twist: melee combat, co op and offline, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2DIsometric

IGDB79· 1

Year 2001Dev Dimps · THQOn Android

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Where it differs: brings visual isometric, while skipping shooter

Details →

#14Kirby Super Star Ultra

iRank77

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2DMagicMelee

IGDB77· 4

Year 2008Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with combat magic and melee combat, while skipping shooter

Details →

#15Yoshi's Woolly World

iRank79

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerFantasy2DCo-op

IGDB79· 10OC80· 71

Year 2015Dev Good-Feel · Nintendo

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, fantasy world and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings co op and visual third person, while skipping shooter

Details →

Nintendo

Complete list of Ghosts 'n Goblins alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Ghosts 'n Goblins, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

Spiritfarer

Platformer · Adventure

Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment

Platformer · Adventure

Super Mario Bros. 3

Platformer

Super Mario Bros.

Platformer

Claw

Platformer

Sonic Colors

Platformer · Adventure

Metal Slug 2

Platformer · Shooter

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!

Platformer

Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

Platformer · Adventure

Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse

Platformer · Adventure

Trials Fusion

Platformer · Racing

Donkey Kong Country Returns

Platformer

Kirby: Triple Deluxe

Platformer · Adventure

Super Paper Mario

Platformer · RPG

Sonic Lost World

Platformer · Adventure

Donkey Kong Country

Platformer

Gumboy Tournament

Platformer · Racing

New Super Mario Bros. 2

Platformer · Adventure

Sonic Rush

Platformer

Doodle Jump

Platformer · Survival

Worms 2

Platformer · Shooter

Circus Charlie

Platformer

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels

Platformer · Adventure

Super Mario Bros.

Platformer · Adventure

Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc

Platformer

Sonic & Knuckles

Platformer

Frogger

Platformer · Survival

Kirby's Adventure

Platformer

Kirby & the Amazing Mirror

Platformer · Adventure

Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse

Platformer

Sonic Forces

Platformer · Adventure

Kirby's Dream Land

Platformer

Kid Icarus

Platformer · Shooter

Super Mario Bros. 2

Platformer · Adventure

ActRaiser

Platformer · Simulation

Explore games similar to Ghosts 'n Goblins by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best 2D Platformer Games Best Platformer Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Ghosts 'n Goblins?: The closest game to Ghosts 'n Goblins is Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. They share 5 gameplay attributes, including precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Ghosts 'n Goblins?: The three closest games to Ghosts 'n Goblins are: 1. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (97/100, 5 shared attributes) 2. Super Mario World (97/100, 6 shared attributes) 3. LittleBigPlanet (91/100, 5 shared attributes). All share Ghosts 'n Goblins's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 7 dimensions.
Is Super Mario World similar to Ghosts 'n Goblins?: Yes, very much so — Super Mario World scores 97/100 similarity to Ghosts 'n Goblins. They share 6 attributes, including precision platforming and adventure storytelling. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Platformer games are similar to Ghosts 'n Goblins?: The best Platformer games similar to Ghosts 'n Goblins are Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Super Mario World, LittleBigPlanet and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. All share the Platformer genre alongside other key Ghosts 'n Goblins attributes like precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.
How is similarity to Ghosts 'n Goblins calculated?: We compare Ghosts 'n Goblins against every game in our catalog using 7 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Ghosts 'n Goblins experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.