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Solomon’s Key

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Solomon's Key is a platform game with both action and strategy elements. On each level your goal is to retrieve a key which can then be used to unlock the exit. To help out, you have a magic wand which can be used to create and destroy blocks (though some blocks can't be destroyed). In order to r...

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Developer
Tecmo

Released on
1986

Size
1 Player

Version
NES

Requirements
Nintendo Entertainment System

Downloads
Action

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

Solomon’s Key is a platform game with both action and strategy elements. On each level your goal is to retrieve a key which can then be used to unlock the exit. To help out, you have a magic wand which can be used to create and destroy blocks (though some blocks can’t be destroyed). In order to reach the key you will need carefully to arrange the blocks on the screen so you can jump your way around safely. Wandering around each level are a variety of enemies which will cause you to lose a life if you’re caught. Some creatures can be killed by destroying the block they are standing on, others must be dodged. Hidden bonuses and magic can be found on many of the levels, sometimes even hidden in blocks. Some treasures give you bonus points, others can form magic spells to help deal with the enemies. To make the game more difficult, each level has a time limit in which it must be completed.

Solomon's Key

Overview & History

Developed by Tecmo and originally released in Japanese arcades in 1986 before making its iconic NES debut in 1987, Solomon's Key is a punishingly brilliant blend of platforming and single-screen puzzle action. The storyline casts players as Dana, a valiant wizard tasked with rescuing the world from malicious demons by retrieving the magical Solomon's Key across nearly fifty claustrophobic, trap-laden subterranean stages. Eschewing traditional side-scrolling progression, the game demands meticulous spatial reasoning and precise execution. Each level is a self-contained labyrinth where Dana must collect a key, unlock the exit door, and navigate past relentless ghosts, bouncing fireballs, and patrolling imps. Its legendary difficulty curve and unique thematic blend of mysticism and logic have cemented its status as an enduring cult classic of the 8-bit era.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Unlike standard action titles of the NES era, Solomon's Key turns every screen into a shifting grid of tactical decisions. Dana's primary weapon is his ability to conjure and destroy magical bricks directly adjacent to himself. This mechanic allows him to construct improvised staircases, seal off bottomless pits, trap pursuing monsters, or smash through barriers—though players must manage a strict time limit and limited spell reserves. Power-ups like fiery magical rods, fairy companions, and bonus-scoring items are hidden inside breakable blocks, rewarding thorough exploration. Puzzles often require multi-step solutions where a single misplaced brick spells doom, trapping Dana with no way out and forcing a restart. The psychological tension of evading homing phantoms while meticulously engineering an escape route gives the game its distinct, addictive flavor.