The protagonist, Dana the wizard can generate blocks, and destroy them. Using blocks as shields, staircases and hovering platforms, you have to guide Dana to collect a key in each level. Grabbing the key unlocks the stage-ending door, and making it to and through that portal continues the quest.
There are over 60 levels in Solomon's Key, many of them hidden and most of them incredibly difficult. There are several games showing up in the NES Virtual Console lineup that are shallow and repetitive – Solomon's Key is not one of them. This game has true depth, with hidden items and features that would take hours of dedication to uncover – and did, for the gamers in the '80s who were the first to take that challenge.
It would be easy to write this game off as simplistic, but it is on the later levels when the fiendishness of the game's challenges becomes apparent. In a day and age where games sell based on graphics and have often have shallow gameplay underneath the hood Solomon's Key is a breath of fresh air.
It definitely ranks as a worthy addition to the Virtual Console NES catalogue and should not be overlooked. Let’s hope that it's excellent, but lesser known sequel Fire n’ Ice makes it to the VC soon also.
1. Zweck36
25 Feb 2007, 20:42 GMT
This game is fantastic, and incredibly hard. It is a challenge that will earn your 500 wii points
2. Wolf
06 Mar 2007, 05:26 GMT
Infinite continues would be nice with the Wii's rom-freezing feature. I don't like playing those first levels over and over but this is a really great game! It's worth the time it takes to master it.
3. Jazzem
06 Mar 2007, 21:28 GMT
It is great indeed
The VC's underrated NES game, very worth the 500 points. And yes, it does have infinite continues, after the game over screen (which came up very frequently for me >_>), you're sent back to the title screen, but pressing start brings you to the level you were just on. <br> <br>But as I say, it's brilliant. Difficult though, the relief I had completing it was a lot to say the least!
4. Jonno
14 Mar 2007, 18:40 GMT
One of the hardest NES games out there, Solomon's Key will infact win the hearts of many Puzzle and RPG fans.
5. nephew77
09 May 2007, 03:08 GMT
I skipped over this one in the 80s and 90s. I have it now on the VC, and it is great. Disregard the graphics. The puzzles will keep you coming back! 4/5 stars from me too.
6. Harmonica
01 Jun 2007, 18:38 GMT
I love this game. FYI, there are infinite continues. At the GDV screen (game over screen), hit Up+A+B. Good luck all!
7. SKTTR
11 Jun 2007, 09:52 GMT
It is a challenging game and a REAL CLASSIC!
It's got many levels as well as good graphics for an NES game.
It's got tight controls, tons of secrets and just one of the best soundtracks on the NES ever.
With unlimited continues and Wii-save-function everyone can play through it. I give it 4 Stars.
8. LiekosOfMobius
24 Jul 2007, 23:58 GMT
There was apparently a Monster Rancher game based on this released for the Game Boy Color. It used the same game mechanics and even has the same room clearing jingle this has.
9. Flip13lolb
05 Aug 2007, 20:49 GMT
aesome game it is a platformer and a puzzle
10. NintendoFan25Years
15 Aug 2007, 22:54 GMT
I like puzzlers but this is a waste of $5; (I can only get to 2 levels)I am going to delete it and buy adventures of lolo. Bomberman 93 and Chew Man Fu are 2 games that are must downloads for puzzle fans!!
11. sanjuro
15 Oct 2007, 15:59 GMT
If you give up after 2 levels, you have a serious issue with puzzle games, haha !
It isn't that hard, especially with continues.
12. Dee
03 Dec 2007, 00:09 GMT
I loved this game when I was about 10 - I can't wait for release in the EU!
13. Dazza
03 Dec 2007, 07:34 GMT
Dee - You don't need to wait any longer. The EU got this game on 15 Dec 2006!!
14. Dee
04 Dec 2007, 00:34 GMT
I can't seem to find it anywhere - really want it but don't know how to get it!!! Ahhhh!
15. chris h.
27 Dec 2007, 19:35 GMT
even with infinite continues, the game is still pretty bad. anti-climactic un unnecessarily hard. i made the mistake of downloading this game on virtual consoleand just wasted 500 wii points. dont get this game. dont even accept it as a gift
16. learn japanese ds
15 Jan 2008, 05:32 GMT
hmmm. from the video I can totally see how this game could be cool. I still think it was a strange choice for a VC launch game though...
17. Zweck36
21 Jan 2008, 21:14 GMT
I love love love this game, but it is hard as hell
18. Adamant
23 Feb 2008, 07:50 GMT
It's not THAT hard, people. Just learn the solution to the levels, and they'll fall easily. If I can beat it, so can you.
19. 2097
26 Feb 2008, 23:41 GMT
As someone who breezed through Lolo 1 & 2 (except PROB, C and D), this is harder, I guess because of the faster action. I've cleared the first ten rooms. Still looking for a difficult puzzler (as opposed to a difficult action game). So far I like this game and will play more.
Dig the boxart, too.
20. 2097
27 Feb 2008, 11:34 GMT
I haven't really gotten the feel of this game. I feel like I'm brute-forcing through the levels.
21. Adamant
28 Feb 2008, 11:20 GMT
It takes a while to get used to. The best hint I can give is "learn the levels". Learn the sure-fire method that will always enable you to beat a level every time you try it. Collect extra lives and fairies. Learn where the hidden treasures are. Knowledge is everything in this game, since you'll keep getting booted back to the title screen if you die too much. I can get through the first 30-or-so levels without dying without too much trouble, and rack up about 15 lives on the way - all it takes is practice and a willingness to learn safe methods rather than ramboing through. Remember that fireballs are there for a reason, too.
22. 2097
02 Mar 2008, 21:52 GMT
I've spent hours on that horrible room 17.
23. Adamant
17 Mar 2008, 19:47 GMT
Room 17 is easy, you just need to block yourself in completely every time you move to a new concrete block.
At the beginning, wait for the ball right in front of you to pass you, then make a block toyour left, get on top of it to reach the concrete block, and make blocks to your left and right. Wait for the balls to travel clear off the blocks you've been making, then destroy the block you made to the left, make a block right under where it was when the ball on the next concrete block has passed, then walk over to it and make blocks to your right and left again, protecting you from the balls as they travel to outskirt of the room. Continue like this until you're past all the concrete blocks and balls, then extend the floor all the way to the left, while leaving a small hole for the balls to travel through once they return to this area. block the hole when the balls try getting back out. No problem.
24. 2097
16 Jun 2008, 00:08 GMT
Yeah, I figured that much but it still took my about four sessions to actually do it. Maybe over a hundred tries. I like this game a lot as an action game but it wasn't what I was looking for when I bought it, which was right on the heels of the Lolo games that I already found too much based on timing and action. I like timing/action games too, but sometimes I just want to think, not practice my twiddly fingers (sometimes it's the opposite), it's a mood thing, I guess. Solomon's Key for me falls squarely into the "twiddly fingers" camp. Thanks for the advice.
25. sparrow-1993
23 Jun 2008, 08:52 GMT
I downloaded this yesterday, it was well worth 500 points.
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