Demon’s Crest for SNES is a 16-bit power fantasy

destructoid.com:

If you’ve played the Ghosts ‘n Goblins series, you probably know Red Arremer, even if the name doesn’t ring a bell. The red gargoyle was a memorable addition to the classic arcade title, as their AI was extremely cruel. They would hover just outside of range, then swoop down at opportune moments to trip you up. At a time when most enemies did little more than move from right to left and maybe bounce if they were feeling sassy, Red Arremer stood out as a worthy (and vexing) foe.

You can scarcely tell by looking at it, but Demon’s Crest is the third in a series of Ghosts ‘n Ghouls spin-offs that was originally titled Gargoyle’s Quest. So, after Gargoyle’s Quest 1 and 2, we got Demon’s Crest. I often complain about the bonkers nomenclature for the Ghosts ‘n Goblins localized titles. But in this case, the Japanese version of Demon’s Crest (Demon’s Blaze: Makaimura Monshou Hen) doesn’t follow their established nomenclature either.

Anyway, I don’t want to talk about the title. I’d rather discuss what a work of art Demon’s Crest is.

Demon’s Crest starts with one of the best intros to a video game since Jake Armitage kicked his way out of his own morgue slab in Shadowrun. It immediately cuts in with Firebrand (the localized name of Red Arremer) standing aimlessly in a ruined colosseum. Suddenly: zombie dragon.

Before you’ve even established the difference between jump and shoot in your brain, you’re fighting a huge undead dragon. After you kill it, you break out of a window, and then the dragon’s head pops out behind you. Firebrand could just leave the dragon to be stuck there, but Demon’s Crest wants you to know one thing about the humpable piece of demon meat; he’s an absolute badass. So, he melts the head off the dragon