Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts/Stage 5

Stage 5-1
Although this is one of my favorite stages in the game it’s far from a winter wonderland – it does have a fair bit of tricky spots. Double jump near the left corner to get a chest and then head right. Jump over the spikes and start hitting the Werewolf on the right. It will likely try to move closer to you and use it’s icy breathe. If you see it doing that, jump back over the spikes and continue hitting the Wolf from there.

Run to the edge of the cliff after it’s gone and hit the Plant on the platform above you if you got the Crossbow. You will have to jump onto the platform and hit the Plant from there if you don’t have one on hand. Continue to the left and double jump to the next platform. Watch out for the spikes above you when you do jump though. Quickly defeat the Werewolf on the right and continue on until you see the spikes ahead. Jump over them and blast the Plant on the other side.

There will be two more Plants occupying the higher ledges ahead. Defoliate them and jump up there and head to the left. You will see another Werewolf on the higher platform as well as a narrow space where you have to jump onto. Double jump up there and destroy the Werewolf before it can use it’s icy breathe. Jump over the spikes and you’ll enter a cave with those annoying flying enemies with the shields from Ghosts ‘N Goblins.

They aren’t the only obstacle here - long branches of ice will come out of the ground and twist around. The ground will rumble in the immediate spot where they come out so keep your eyes open. Dodge the flying enemies and jump when you reach the first platform here to get a chest. Keep going until you get past the second platform where there will be another Red Gargoyle waiting for you. Ugh. Use the platform to hit it when it’s in the air.

It should make it easier to hit the Red Gargoyle with most of the weapons but don’t get carried away since it will sometimes hide in the ice at the top. The only real disadvantage to being on that platform is the Red Gargoyle will be able to hit you easier and if you run around carelessly it will take advantage of that. You should always keep an eye on it and not run past it. Whew. After it’s gone run across the ice bridge to start the second part of the stage.

Stage 5-2
You won’t have to deal with any more Red Gargoyles here but there’s a new challenge here – the avalanches which will sweep you back if you’re not above it or hanging onto something. Destroy the two Wolves here as well as the one on top of the ledge further ahead. They will jump and then run toward you if you don’t kill them right away. A chest should appear when you start walking past the ledge. Do some short jumps on the right side of the ledge to force it to appear.

Kill the Wolf sitting inside the narrow portion of the cave and then jump to the ledge on the right. Stay on the edge and kill the Wolf there and the Werewolf on the higher ledge above you. You will have to jump onto the small ledge that’s almost level with the Werewolf but it can hit you with it’s icy breathe if it’s right at the edge. After it’s gone, jump to the ledge where the Werewolf was and then jump again to the ledge above you.

Double jump over the spikes and climb the ladder to avoid the avalanche which is preceded by the rumbling. Fall off the side and kill the Werewolf that was deposited by the avalanche and continue on. Kill the Wolf sitting by itself and climb down the ladder a little. Another avalanche will sweep across the screen when you do. I don’t know how a ladder will help you from getting thrown off the mountain but that’s Nintendo logic for you.

Anyway, don’t jump over the spikes right away. Stand at the edge and kill the Wolf in the corner and the Werewolf behind it. Jump back over the spikes if it moves toward you and uses it’s icy breathe. Defeat it on the other side and then jump back over the spikes. Double jump over the two sets of spikes ahead and climb down the ladder to avoid another avalanche. You will be in the clear from this point on. Just run to the right and you’ll meet the boss.

Stage 5 Boss - Freon
Freon moves like a typical boss – left to right and up and down, but its attacks can be harder to avoid. The first attack is an orb that breaks into eight pieces that will freeze you temporarily on contact. That one is easy to avoid, just keep your distance and stand between the pieces of the orb. If you get frozen, mash the jump and fire buttons until you thaw. The second attack involves the arms of the boss, which will fly out toward you. You can avoid that one by staying away and jumping over or ducking under them if they get too close which can happen if the boss traps you in the corner. You have to time your jump right though because one arm will be slightly behind the other one but you won’t have enough time to jump over each arm.