Lost Vikings, The (Europe)

The Lost Vikings is a classic puzzle-platformer that originally came out on multiple platforms in the early 90s, and the European SEGA Genesis version followed shortly after. Developed by the team that would later become Blizzard Entertainment (then Silicon & Synapse) and published by Interplay, this game puts you in control of three very different Norse warriors. The core hook is that they've been kidnapped by aliens and must work together to escape, blending sci-fi with viking humor in a way that was pretty fresh for its time.

As the player, you switch between the three vikings - Olaf, Baleog, and Erik - each with their own special moves. Olaf can block attacks with his shield and glide down slowly, Baleog uses a bow and sword to fight enemies from a distance, and Erik can run fast and break walls with his head. You need to use their abilities in the right order to solve environmental puzzles, cross gaps, avoid hazards, and reach the exit of each stage. The gameplay is all about timing and swapping characters to overcome obstacles that none could handle alone.

This game still holds up well today because its puzzle design is clever and varied, requiring real thought rather than just fast reflexes. It's a good choice for anyone who enjoys brain-teasing platformers like Lemmings or Adventures of Lolo. While the graphics are typical 16-bit and the music is catchy but simple, the core concept of coordinating three distinct characters keeps it engaging. If you're into retro games that reward patience and experimentation, this is a solid pick for the Genesis library.