King Arthur's World

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I spent 12 years working at a gaming company before starting this newsletter, and as you can imagine, countless conversations turned to the games we grew up with.
But in all that time, every chat, every nostalgia-fueled tangent, not one person I spoke to had ever heard of King Arthur’s World.

It’s not a classic and you won’t find it topping any “Best of SNES” lists. But it’s one of those hidden gems that, if you gave it a chance, could win you over with its quirky charm and timeless puzzle solving maps.

The best way to describe it? Imagine Lemmings with swords, arrows, and catapults. It combined real-time strategy elements with side-scrolling platformer mechanics, creating a hybrid genre that was rare for consoles at the time.

It’s not a game that instantly springs to mind when talking about retro classics, but whenever I do remember it, the urge to dive back in is irresistible.

Let’s step into the world of King Arthur!

The core gameplay revolves around commanding King Arthur and his growing army through side-scrolling battlefields. You start each level with only Arthur emerging from his royal tent, then strategically deploy different troop types to overcome obstacles and enemies.

Arthur is like the King in chess: if he dies, it’s game over. Everyone else is expendable. Your goal is to capture the enemy’s gold chest, and only Arthur can claim it, meaning you must eventually escort him to the far side of the map.

The problem is the enemy isn’t just waiting politely. They have their own knights, ranged units, hero characters, traps, and more to stop you. To break through, you can call on a variety of units.

Shield bearers hold the line against advancing troops, while archers pick off targets from a distance and knights wade into close combat.

Builders handle the practical work, creating bridges, setting ladders, and smashing down doors. Mages provide support with healing magic and powerful area attacks. My personal favorite is the barrel unit, who drops explosives that ignite after a few seconds, blasting through doors, ladders, enemies, and occasionally my own troops (oops).

Managing these units is key. Most have multiple abilities, each costing 1–5 points to use, and your available abilities depend on how many troops of that type are on the field.

The game lets you scout ahead with the shoulder buttons, which becomes crucial. Progress usually goes like this: figure out the obstacle ahead, then send in the right troops in the right order. Success depends on timing and placement rather than frantic button-mashing.

What really makes it stand out is that the AI fights back, sending its own waves of units to keep you on the defensive while you’re trying to attack.

At first, the game moves at a measured pace. Units trudge along slowly, and you can only deploy a limited number at any given time. A long but valuable tutorial introduces each unit one by one, giving you time to learn their strengths and quirks.

Then the game throws a curveball. Suddenly, a massive wave of enemy troops charges toward your base. If you haven’t mastered the controls, they can overrun you in seconds, ending the match before you know it.

I loved these moments and they kept me on my toes. They can feel overwhelming at first, but each difficulty spike is a chance to learn. The challenge never feels unfair; it’s always a puzzle to crack. Before long, you’ll adapt, counter those waves with confidence, and discover that this constant problem-solving is what makes the game timeless.

Another interesting feature is that the game supports the SNES Mouse. You can easily play with a controller, but the mouse gives a precision boost strategy fans will appreciate.

Each world has unique challenges, from underground trap-filled caverns to mystical cloud kingdoms, ensuring no two levels feel the same.

The graphics aren’t flashy, but they get the job done, and the music, while enjoyable, does start to feel repetitive after hearing the same track across multiple battles. Still, the puzzle-like gameplay kept me hooked. I found myself genuinely looking forward to each new level, eager to see what fresh challenge it would throw my way.

King Arthur’s World isn’t just another forgotten SNES title, it’s proof that developers of the era weren’t afraid to take big swings.

While other games chased fast action and flashy sprites, this one dared to slow things down, delivering a cerebral, tactical experience that was almost unheard of on consoles at the time. It was the kind of strategic depth you’d expect from a PC title… but packed into a Super Nintendo cartridge.

The result? A game that feels just as fresh today as it did decades ago. Its puzzle-like battlefields force you to think, adapt, and outwit your enemies, and the rush of conquering a tough map is timeless. I would love to see this game make a comeback with a sequel.

For modern players tired of button-mashing their way through the past, King Arthur’s World is a hidden gem worth digging up. Put on the crown, rally your troops, and lead them to victory, the kingdom awaits.

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