Spacegulls, a polished NES homebrew platformer from Morphcat, cleverly blends gameplay inspired by classics like Joust and Mega Man. Players control birds flapping through screens, battling enemies and collecting keys. Despite its NES limitations, fluid animation and vibrant visuals impress. Gameplay is engaging, mixing precise flapping controls with strategic enemy encounters. Difficulty progressively increases, yet frequent checkpoints prevent frustration. A highlight is the quirky final boss and hidden paths for dedicated explorers. Multiplayer options extend replayability, enhancing the game’s appeal.

Here’s another award-winning NES homebrew! This other Morph Cat title stands out with its unique physics-based platforming mechanics. Players control a fragile bubble floating on water, carefully diving beneath obstacles and leaping above hazards using momentum. The bubble bursts on contact with solid surfaces, adding tension and precision to navigation. Gameplay centers around gated exploration, unlocking critical upgrades such as infinite diving, a double jump, and block-breaking abilities. Visually remarkable, Böbl impresses with detailed animations including realistic water ripples and responsive bubble physics—pushing NES hardware to its limits. Checkpoints are frequent but thoughtfully placed, balancing challenge with accessibility. Optional collectibles, such as hidden rubber duckies, encourage deeper exploration. A built-in time trial mode featuring a speedrun-friendly ghost mechanic greatly enhances replayability. Despite the absence of enemies, environmental challenges ensure engaging gameplay throughout, making Böbl an expertly crafted, polished, and memorable NES title

Originally a ZX Spectrum game by Dave Hughes, ported later to Windows by Loco Malito, this game impresses with its vibrant graphics and detailed single-screen, collect-em-all gameplay. Each level tasks players with collecting pixel-like beings. An introductory screen details who you’re rescuing and any specific conditions. The game strongly recalls classic titles like Bubble Bobble, emphasizing platforms and item collection mechanics. Visually, it surpasses typical C64 standards, offering striking colors and smooth animations. Notably, the port features exceptional music, incorporating recognizable tunes that linger long after playing. The overall speed and fluidity make it an outstanding adaptation

This exploration platformer is recognized as a perfect port from the 2012 original by Kyle Pittman, initially released on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. Known for its clever puzzle mechanics, including screen-wrapping, surprising teleports through mirrors, and the acquisition of special upgrades like “spider gloves” that allow wall climbing. Levels demand precision, particularly jumping mechanics that require specific timing and rapid movement to navigate through quickly-moving hazards. Visually striking, the game diverges from typical C64 aesthetics with high pixel density and bright neon colors reminiscent of ZX Spectrum graphics. Available for free, this game is praised for both its gameplay ingenuity and graphical prowess

A classic platformer by Michael Tillander, creator of the game Tanzer (reviewed here). Set against a simple yet evocative backdrop, you play as a knight on a quest for a magical grail to revive a loved one. The gameplay features straightforward exploration, light Metroidvania-style mechanics, and emphasizes upgrading equipment—swords and armor imbued with elemental powers (earth, water, wind, fire, and ice). Combat uses a rock-paper-scissors logic, making equipment selection strategic. Visual cues distinguish these items clearly, and upgrades remain permanently accessible. Gameplay, though slow-paced, includes classic platforming challenges and environmental traps.

This sequel to Knight’n Grail, also developed by Michael Tillander and released in 2018, continues the story after the grail is passed to a sorceress. Retaining a similar platforming structure and engine from its predecessor, the game introduces new mechanics centered around spellcasting via gems (rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and topaz), which slot into a pendant. Gem choice impacts gameplay, affecting both creatures and puzzle-like obstacles in the environment, such as color-coded walls. While clearly sharing DNA with its predecessor, this sequel offers enough fresh gameplay dynamics to feel distinct and engaging .