Nebulus
| Developer: Epyx | Graphics: |
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| Publisher: Hewson | Sound: |
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| Year: 1988 | Difficulty: |
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| Genre: Platformer | Lastability: |
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| Number of players: 2 alternating | Rating: |
6/10 | |
Also known as Tower Toppler in the United States (and Castelian on the NES and Game Boy), Nebulus was originally developed for 8-bit computers (ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64) before being ported to the Amiga and Atari ST a year later.
The objective is straightforward: reach the top of a cylindrical tower by climbing a labyrinth of precarious platforms, sometimes connected by lifts or doors. Along the way, you’ll need to avoid touching any creatures – unless you fancy tumbling down several floors and losing precious seconds while racing against the clock.
Its standout feature is the presentation: the character stays fixed in the centre of the screen, while the entire environment rotates around the tower’s axis, either left or right, depending on the direction of movement, creating a rather impressive 3D effect.
While outrageously difficult and downright infuriating, it’s hard to resist coming back for its polished design and the endearing look of its hero – a cross between a pig and a frog, with enormous eyes whose pupils wobble as he walks.
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