Solomon's Key is a puzzle game developed by Tecmo in 1986 for arcade release on custom hardware based on the Z80 chipset. The game is generally recognized as one of the most difficult games to appear on the NES. The player, controlling a sorcerer known only as Dana must overcome unlimited enemy spawning, challenging level designs, a countdown timer, instant death from any physical contact with enemies, and limited ways to dispatch enemies.
PlatformPuzzleArcadeFantasyghostsmagicdeathfairymultiple endingspixel artbonus stagepictographic level designgoblinslaunch titlespuzzle platformersingle-screen levelArcade, Commodore C64/128/MAX, ZX Spectrum, Atari ST/STE, DOS, Amstrad CPC
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Answered from what people have written, never made up: a verdict, how much when it's a matter of degree, and the sentences that say so, quoted with their names. Reviews here first, then TMDB's reviews and the title's Wikipedia plot and reception. If nothing settles it, you can put it to the curators.
Character
Plot-driven, earnest, grave and relentless.
- character-ledplot-driven
- earnestironic
- gravecomic
- contemplativerelentless
- effortlessdemanding
Who loves it, who doesn't
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Reviews
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About the game
- Platforms
- Arcade, Commodore C64/128/MAX, ZX Spectrum, Atari ST/STE, DOS, Amstrad CPC, Sega Master System/Mark III
- Developer
- Tecmo, Tecmo
- Publisher
- U.S. Gold, Tecmo
- Released
- July 1, 1986
- Modes
- Single player, Multiplayer
- Perspective
- Side view
IGDB rating 7.0/10 from 25 ratings.
Screenshots

Similar in taste
Closest on the same fourteen dimensions, from everything scored on Curator Co. Other media included when they land close.
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Karateka 198466% alikeBoth earnest, plot-driven, grave.
Both plot-driven, grave, earnest.
Exolon 198765% alikeBoth plot-driven, earnest, grave; this one is more epic.
D.O.A. 198852% alikeFilm · Both grave, earnest, plot-driven; this one is more effortless.
Killer's Kiss 195548% alikeFilm · Both grave, earnest, plot-driven; this one is more effortless.
Often played with
Similar games per IGDB. Opening one adds it to Curator Co.











