Wi-Philes

• Platform: NES (VC)
• Genre: Puzzle
• Developer: Tecmo
• Publisher: Tecmo
• The word from N-Philes
• Cost: 500 points
• Average Rating:

Find other Wi-Philers with this game

Comments

All Done?

Add Game

You might also want to check out...

• Wario's Woods (WVC)

Solomon's Key

In 1987, Tecmo decided to port over Solomon's Key from the arcades to the Nintendo Entertainment System, causing 11-year-olds across the country to stay up all night trying to solve almost-impossible puzzles and later have nightmares involving orange blocks and an endless supply of killer fireballs. Or was that just me?

In any case, what you have here is simply a fun and challenging puzzle actioner that was easily one of the most difficult of its time. Dana, the wizard hero of this game, has the athletic ability of my grandma - but unlike Nana Lucy, he wields a mighty magic wand capable of creating and destroying blocks that will lead him to Solomon's Key and the end of a dark era. Sure it doesn't sound overly exciting but once you start, it may be hard to stop.

While figuring ways to reach a key located in each room, Dana must battle demons, ghosts and other nasties that have wreaked havoc on the world. Using magic scrolls and potions, Dana is able to shoot fireballs capable of taking out enemies, but he also faces another big problem: a time limit. As if being attacked by dragons, goblins, gargoyles and sparkling electroballs of doom isn't enough, you had better bust out the Red Bull, because you only have so much time before your life is snuffed out.

In all, Solomon's Key is a great puzzle game that can keep you busy for hours, and even if you beat the game, the developers created a system that scores your adventure, which is either a great way to extend gameplay, or insult to injury. The graphics are nothing to get excited about, but the tunes aren't annoying and really, it's all about the gameplay here.

Legacy...

Solomon's Key was ported over to more than a few consoles including the Sega Master System and the Commodore 64, but it's best known for its entry on the Nintendo Entertainment System. If you have an NES, the game will be pretty easy to find on Ebay, but perhaps not as easily at your local shops that sells used NES games. Downloading it from the Wii's Virtual Console for 500 points will save you a trip to the mall or a shipping fee on Ebay.

Reader Reviews