Set in an abandoned space station, this side-scrolling action-adventure for the Commodore 64 offers a rare Metroidvania experience on the platform. You control an android named L3573R, navigating over 60 interconnected rooms filled with enemies, obstacles, and hidden items. Progression relies on finding key upgrades that unlock new areas, often requiring strategic backtracking.

The game stands out with vivid, bright graphics that break away from the typical muted colors of many Commodore 64 titles. An atmospheric soundtrack featuring 11 unique tracks enhances the immersive exploration, making your journey even more engaging.

Gameplay emphasizes precise platforming and combat. An upgradable energy bar provides some resilience, but a limited number of lives increase the challenge—especially in later stages where timing is crucial. Defeating enemies grants experience points that can restore health upon reaching certain thresholds.

While the pacing is deliberately slower than in modern platformers, it complements the exploration and strategic elements. Responsive controls and reliable hit detection contribute to a satisfying experience.

Set in ancient Egypt and available in both English and Spanish, this challenging platformer offers a humorous adventure on the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC. You control Ramiro, a vampire on a quest to collect torn pieces of a scroll called El Misterio del Papiro (The Mystery of the Papyrus). Developed by The Mojon Twins, this is the fourth installment in the series, known for its quirky and engaging titles.

Gameplay revolves around navigating single-screen levels filled with traps, enemies, and puzzles. Mechanics include moving, jumping, and a gliding ability introduced in later episodes, allowing you to reach distant platforms. Interacting with characters provides mini-quests, such as gathering coins to exchange for items at an altar, which can then be given to other characters to progress.

The difficulty level is high, with only one life and an energy meter that depletes upon contact with hazards. In earlier episodes, sunlight drains your energy, but in this installment, it’s replaced by magical eye bricks that sap energy when open, adding a new layer of challenge. Timed sequences, like escaping flooding rooms, require precision and quick reflexes, rewarding patient players who enjoy tough platforming experiences.

Set in a dark and eerie kingdom, Bufonada is a puzzle-platformer available for the ZX Spectrum and MSX, developed by Roolando. You play as a creepy jester trapped in a cage who must figure out how to escape each single-screen level. Your unique ability is to summon your spirit animal—a goat—which becomes essential in solving the game’s puzzles.

The gameplay revolves around switching between the jester and the goat, each possessing distinct abilities. The jester can jump higher by bouncing on the goat, effectively using it as a trampoline, while the goat can charge forward to break certain walls and can traverse gaps by flying over them when summoned. This mechanic is crucial for reaching buttons or levers that open exits or alter the environment.

Visually, the game is notable for minimizing the typical color clash associated with the ZX Spectrum, resulting in crisp and clear graphics. The art style employs backlit silhouettes and illuminated windows, creating a perpetual night atmosphere that adds to the game’s creepy charm. This design choice reflects the game’s theme of a kingdom shrouded in eternal darkness.

Bufonada offers a mentally engaging experience that emphasizes puzzle-solving over fast-paced action. Its thoughtful level design and unique character mechanics provide a rewarding challenge reminiscent of classic titles like The Lost Vikings. The game appeals to players who enjoy a combination of platforming and brain-teasing puzzles set in a hauntingly atmospheric world.

In this arcade adventure you control an adorable guinea pig catching falling carrots of various colors. By pressing a button, you change your guinea pig’s color to match the carrots, adding a simple yet challenging twist to the gameplay. The excitement builds as you create streaks, increasing your point multiplier and offering a satisfying sense of progression. Despite its straightforward mechanics, the game captivates with charming graphics and the thrill of chasing high scores, making it easy to pick up but hard to put down.

This sequel transforms the experience into a puzzle-platformer with 24 creatively designed levels. Navigating single-screen stages, you must collect keys to unlock exits while grabbing bonus carrots along the way. The innovative use of Tetris-like blocks that you can pick up and place to build paths adds a strategic layer to the gameplay. New elements such as movable stools, levers, and teleport pads introduce fresh challenges that require thoughtful planning and problem-solving. With a handy password system to track progress, the game offers both accessibility and depth, wrapped in delightful visuals.

Concluding the trilogy, the final installment shifts to a top-down, Zelda-like perspective focused on intricate tile-based puzzles. Your goal is to clear all destructible tiles in each room before exiting through a manhole. Each tile displays a number indicating how many times it can be stepped on, adding complexity to your pathfinding. The introduction of mechanics like inflatable cushions, sliding wheels, and teleporters keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging. Enhanced by an atmospheric soundtrack and polished graphics, the game demands meticulous strategy and offers a deeply satisfying challenge. A password system and helpful hints assist you through increasingly complex levels, making it a standout conclusion to the series.