Ghosts 'n Goblins

Side-scrolling platformer where you guide knight Sir Arthur through six demon-infested stages to rescue Princess Prin Prin from Satan. You hurl weapons—lances, daggers, torches—at zombies, ogres, and dragons while dodging attacks and managing a strict time limit per level. Arthur dies in two hits: the first strips his armor, leaving him in boxers; the second sends you back to the stage start or checkpoint. Weapon pickups change your attack pattern, and you'll need a specific one to damage the final boss. Beat that boss and the game reveals it was a decoy—you must replay all six stages at higher difficulty for the real ending. Expect to memorize enemy patterns and leap timing. This arcade original defined punishing difficulty in 1985 platformers.