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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