Overview
- Number of Players
- 1 (Single Player)
- Genre
- Release Date
NES
Jul 1987
30th Mar 1990
Wii (Wii Shop)
19th Nov 2006, 500 points
15th Dec 2006, 500 points
2nd Dec 2006, 500 points
3DS (3DS eShop)
5th Dec 2012, ¥500
Wii U (Wii U eShop)
1st May 2013, ¥500
9th May 2013, £3.49
9th May 2013, $4.99
3DS eShop
22nd Aug 2013, £3.59
19th Sep 2013, $4.99
- Also Available On
- Series
- Tags
- Controller Support
Reviews
Review Solomon's Key (3DS eShop / NES)
You'll need the wisdom of Solomon for this one
In Solomon's Key – an action / puzzler from Tecmo – you take command of a wizard named Dana as he searches for a magical formula that's said to banish all evil from the world. It began life in arcades back in 1986, finding its way to NES a year later, and now it's resurfaced on the 3DS Virtual...
Review Solomon's Key (Wii U eShop / NES)
One door closes, another one opens
In Solomon’s Key – an action / puzzler from Tecmo – you take command of a wizard named Dana as he searches for a magical formula that’s said to banish all evil from the world. The game began life in arcades back in 1986, finding its way to NES a year later, and now it’s resurfaced on Wii U Virtual...
Review Solomon's Key (Wii Virtual Console / NES)
I've got the key, I've got the secret!
Solomon’s Key started life as a little known arcade game, but the NES version is probably more well known and remains a faithful rendition of the original. Playing as a little wizard by the name of Dana, you are tasked with escaping from a series of dungeons, using a handy magic wand that can create or...
Screenshots 4
Solomon's Key News
News Solomon's Key Joins Hamster's Arcade Archives Series On The Nintendo Switch
Magical
Hamster is adding Tecmo's 1986 release Solomon's Key to its Arcade Archives line on the Nintendo Switch. The title supports 1-2 players and will set you back $7.99 / €6.99 / £6.29. From June 6th, 2019, Arcade Archives Solomon's Key will be available digitally for Arcade Archives, the downloadable series by HAMSTER for Nintendo Switch...
Nintendo Download 11th October (North America)
Starlink, The World Ends with You, LEGO Super-Villains!
The latest Nintendo Download update for North America has arrived, and it's bringing new games galore to the eShop in your region. As always, be sure to drop a vote in our poll and a comment down below with your potential picks for the week. Enjoy! Nintendo Switch retail: Starlink: Battle for...
Video Here's A Look At The Latest NES Releases Now Playable On Switch
A blast from the past
If you're not sure what games have been added to the Switch Online NES library recently, Nintendo's YouTube channel has released a clip showing off each one in action. For the month of October, the releases include Solomon’s Key, Super Dodge Ball and NES O
Reminder Three New NES Games Are Now Available To Play On Switch
Technically four, actually
While the new 'Special' edition of The Legend of Zelda stole the show and hit the headlines earlier on today, we felt it worth reminding you lovely readers that today marks the arrival of the first set of new NES games on Switch - and give you a little bit of background info on all three, of course. The three games in...
News Nintendo Adding Three More Games To Switch Online NES Library Next Week
Membership required to play
In the month of September, we found out three classic games would be added each month to the Nintendo Switch Online NES library until the end of 2018. Nintendo's website even went to the extent of revealing the titles players could expect to see appear on the recently launched service. In case you missed it, the month of...
Nintendo Download 19th September (North America)
A legendary HD release, monstrous discounts, classic Mario and much more
We have a bumper Nintendo Download week for you, North America, with over a dozen games gracing the Wii U, 3DS and even the DSi. A certain Zelda title is headlining, but we also have terrific — but brief — Monster Hunter discounts, some retro goodies and enough new 3DS...
Nintendo Download 22nd August (Europe)
A Wonderful download, Giana Sisters, Street Fighting and much more
It's Monday morning, but shake off those new week blues, Europeans, as the Nintendo Download update news is here. We have two major retail releases on Wii U, a new download-only game, retro goodies and a lot of new offerings on the 3DS, so let's get right to it. Wii U eShop: Giana...
Nintendo Download 9th May 2013 (North America)
Mario and DK team up, X-rated speed, game development dreams and more
It's that time again, North America, when your Nintendo systems are updated with new downloadable delights to sample. The humble Wii is the only platform to miss out, and overall you have Virtual Console titles to consider, a retail demo and some fresh games to contemplate. Let's...
Nintendo Download 9th May 2013 (Europe)
Moving Minis, an adventurous starship, a commando, retro goodies and more
It may be a Bank Holiday in some parts, but the European Nintendo Download waits for no-one, with this week's update being a fairly meaty offering featuring every current platform. We have some high-profile arrivals on the 3DS eShop, an assortment of retro treats and even a...
About The Game
To save his world from rampaging demons, Dana goes on a dangerous quest to find Solomon's Key and seal the monsters away. An audacious mix between an action game and a giant puzzle, Solomon's Key is one of the toughest challenges on the NES, but also one of its most endearing adventures.
The player is required to combine logic and cunning reflexes to unravel all the mysteries of each room. Several secrets ought to be unlocked by the brightest minds, and only a few have been deemed worthy of seeing all the different endings. Will you be clever enough?
Comments 40
This game is fantastic, and incredibly hard. It is a challenge that will earn your 500 wii points
Infinite continues would be nice with the Wii's rom-freezing feature. I don't like playing those first levels over and over but this is a really great game! It's worth the time it takes to master it.
It is great indeed The VC's underrated NES game, very worth the 500 points. And yes, it does have infinite continues, after the game over screen (which came up very frequently for me >_>), you're sent back to the title screen, but pressing start brings you to the level you were just on. <br> <br>But as I say, it's brilliant. Difficult though, the relief I had completing it was a lot to say the least!
One of the hardest NES games out there, Solomon's Key will infact win the hearts of many Puzzle and RPG fans.
I skipped over this one in the 80s and 90s. I have it now on the VC, and it is great. Disregard the graphics. The puzzles will keep you coming back! 4/5 stars from me too.
I love this game. FYI, there are infinite continues. At the GDV screen (game over screen), hit Up+A+B. Good luck all!
It is a challenging game and a REAL CLASSIC!
It's got many levels as well as good graphics for an NES game.
It's got tight controls, tons of secrets and just one of the best soundtracks on the NES ever.
With unlimited continues and Wii-save-function everyone can play through it. I give it 4 Stars.
There was apparently a Monster Rancher game based on this released for the Game Boy Color. It used the same game mechanics and even has the same room clearing jingle this has.
aesome game it is a platformer and a puzzle
I like puzzlers but this is a waste of $5; (I can only get to 2 levels)I am going to delete it and buy adventures of lolo. Bomberman 93 and Chew Man Fu are 2 games that are must downloads for puzzle fans!!
If you give up after 2 levels, you have a serious issue with puzzle games, haha ! It isn't that hard, especially with continues.
I loved this game when I was about 10 - I can't wait for release in the EU!
Dee - You don't need to wait any longer. The EU got this game on 15 Dec 2006!!
I can't seem to find it anywhere - really want it but don't know how to get it!!! Ahhhh!
even with infinite continues, the game is still pretty bad. anti-climactic un unnecessarily hard. i made the mistake of downloading this game on virtual consoleand just wasted 500 wii points. dont get this game. dont even accept it as a gift
hmmm. from the video I can totally see how this game could be cool. I still think it was a strange choice for a VC launch game though...
I love love love this game, but it is hard as hell
It's not THAT hard, people. Just learn the solution to the levels, and they'll fall easily. If I can beat it, so can you.
As someone who breezed through Lolo 1 & 2 (except PROB, C and D), this is harder, I guess because of the faster action. I've cleared the first ten rooms. Still looking for a difficult puzzler (as opposed to a difficult action game). So far I like this game and will play more.
Dig the boxart, too.
I haven't really gotten the feel of this game. I feel like I'm brute-forcing through the levels.
It takes a while to get used to. The best hint I can give is "learn the levels". Learn the sure-fire method that will always enable you to beat a level every time you try it. Collect extra lives and fairies. Learn where the hidden treasures are. Knowledge is everything in this game, since you'll keep getting booted back to the title screen if you die too much. I can get through the first 30-or-so levels without dying without too much trouble, and rack up about 15 lives on the way - all it takes is practice and a willingness to learn safe methods rather than ramboing through. Remember that fireballs are there for a reason, too.
I've spent hours on that horrible room 17.
Room 17 is easy, you just need to block yourself in completely every time you move to a new concrete block.
At the beginning, wait for the ball right in front of you to pass you, then make a block toyour left, get on top of it to reach the concrete block, and make blocks to your left and right. Wait for the balls to travel clear off the blocks you've been making, then destroy the block you made to the left, make a block right under where it was when the ball on the next concrete block has passed, then walk over to it and make blocks to your right and left again, protecting you from the balls as they travel to outskirt of the room. Continue like this until you're past all the concrete blocks and balls, then extend the floor all the way to the left, while leaving a small hole for the balls to travel through once they return to this area. block the hole when the balls try getting back out. No problem.
Yeah, I figured that much but it still took my about four sessions to actually do it. Maybe over a hundred tries. I like this game a lot as an action game but it wasn't what I was looking for when I bought it, which was right on the heels of the Lolo games that I already found too much based on timing and action. I like timing/action games too, but sometimes I just want to think, not practice my twiddly fingers (sometimes it's the opposite), it's a mood thing, I guess. Solomon's Key for me falls squarely into the "twiddly fingers" camp. Thanks for the advice.
I downloaded this yesterday, it was well worth 500 points.
Finally finished it, after chipping away on-and-off for weeks. Superb game. The levels are really beautifully crafted, although they do get increasingly hellish. Rooms 43 and 46 must be among the most fiendish ever committed to code - they had me chewing the furniture...
Anyway, I wish Tecmo would update this rather than pumping out their silly, soft-porn, boobs-on-the-beach 'games'.
Can anyone recommend a similar experience on VC?
Adventures of Lolo, maybe?
Solomon's Key is unique. The closest you'd get would be the Lode Runner games, but they're really not that similiar.
Still a fun game, but nothing groundbreaking. Of course it never really was to begin with.
A fun game, but dang it's hard.
@ Corbie. It may not have been groundbreaking, but I think that it did combine action and puzzling in a more innovative (and evil) way than anything I can think of for that generation. That said, I haven't got Lolo yet, so I know nothing...
For only 500 points, I'm even more eager to give this a try!
Buy it now, it is a forever shining gem =)
"twiddly fingers" camp.. did you meen the word skill?
8/10 all the way
I had the one for the original gameboy...bought this a month ago, this game is SOO awesome. Go Figure, a week or two after I bought the NES version the release the Arcade version on the VC...oh well this game still kicks butt
The only contue I can do is back to the first level
If someone can tell me how to continue i will tell how to skip from level 15 to 21
I figured out that you continue by pressing up a and b AT THE SAME TIME!
now I need to know how to beat level 43
Come on, Nintendo! Release this in the States for the 3DS E-Shop!
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