Play The Lost Vikings (E)(Eurasia) Online

I picked up The Lost Vikings on Game Boy Advance, a port of the original Blizzard game that came out in 2003. It was a time when puzzle platformers were finding a solid home on handhelds, and this one stood out for its cleverness, not just its name.

You control three Vikings, each with a unique skill: Erik runs and jumps, Baleog fights with a sword and bow, and Olaf blocks attacks with his shield. The goal is to guide all three to the exit in each level, switching between them to combine their abilities. You might use Olaf’s shield as a platform for Erik to reach a high ledge, or have Baleog clear a path of enemies so the others can pass. The puzzles demand careful timing and a lot of trial and error, with a difficulty that ramps up steadily. It feels satisfying to finally piece together a solution after several failed attempts.