Last updated on March 7th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Solomon’s Key is a single-screen platformer game released in 1987 by US Gold for the Commodore 64. The game has a cult following and is known for its challenging gameplay and unique mechanics.
In 1987, US Gold brought Tecmo’s 1986 arcade gem *Solomon’s Key* to the Commodore 64, and it quickly enchanted a generation of gamers with its devilishly clever blend of puzzle-solving and platforming. You play as Dana, a pint-sized wizard armed with a magic wand that lets you conjure and shatter blocks on the fly. The goal? Navigate 50 intricate single-screen levels to reach and unlock glowing shrines, all while dodging demons, fireballs, dragons, and other mythical nasties.
What sets Solomon’s Key apart is its brilliant mechanic: every level is a frozen diorama of peril, demanding you think three moves ahead. Create a block to stand on, destroy one to drop through, or build bridges over bottomless pits—it’s like a magical game of Tetris crossed with QBert on steroids. A strict time limit adds relentless pressure, forcing split-second decisions that turn triumph into tragedy (and vice versa) in an instant. Nail a level, and you earn a password to pick up where you left off—no quarters required.
The C64 port shines with crisp sprites, smooth animations, and a soundtrack that burrows into your brain: that bouncy, chiptune theme loops like a siren’s call, fueling late-night sessions even today. Sure, it’s brutally unforgiving—50 levels of escalating chaos that humble even seasoned players—but that’s the hook. It’s the rare game where failure teaches mastery, rewarding persistence with “aha!” moments that feel earned.
Decades later, Solomon’s Key endures as a cult masterpiece, perfectly capturing the C64’s magic. If you crave brain-bending challenges without hand-holding, fire up an emulator and grab your wand. Just don’t blame me when you’re still puzzling at 3 AM.
Solomon’s Key Remake
In this well done game you have to help the Wizard get the key to open the exit to go onto the next level. You will have to use the blocks that you find to step on or generate new ones by using your wand while avoiding the monsters and getting over the obstacles. There are 47 levels for you to complete and many are challenging.
Save the passwords for the levels you want to restart by pressing F4.
Controls:
Arrow keys for movement
Z : create crate or destroy create
X : Fire weapon
F4 : Show password for level
No install needed
