Nobby the Aardvark

Nobby the Aardvark is a platform adventure game developed by Genesis Software and published by Thalamus in 1993 for the Commodore 64. The game was designed by Dave Clarke and Jonathan Smyth and represents one of the final commercial releases for the aging 8-bit system, arriving at a time when most developers had moved on to 16-bit platforms.

You control Nobby, a heroic aardvark on a mission to save his girlfriend from the clutches of evil forces. What sets this game apart, in addition to its impressive visuals, is its remarkable variety in gameplay styles. While the core experience revolves around traditional platform jumping and enemy avoidance, Nobby seamlessly incorporates shoot-em-up sequences and top-down maze exploration sections. This genre-blending approach keeps the experience fresh and unpredictable.

The technical presentation is impressive. Genesis Software created detailed sprites and backgrounds that rival 16-bit platformers. Nobby himself is beautifully animated, with smooth walking and jumping animations that showcase the programmers' expertise. The level design demonstrates careful attention to visual variety, ranging from lush outdoor environments to industrial complexes, each with its distinct color palette and atmospheric details.

The soundtrack deserves special mention, featuring funky, upbeat compositions that perfectly complement the game's lighthearted tone. The music maintains the high standard that Thalamus was known for, with catchy melodies that stick in your head long after playing. Sound effects are crisp and well-implemented, adding impact to jumps, enemy defeats, and special actions.

Nobby's biggest weakness lies in its punishing difficulty level. The game demands pixel-perfect timing and extensive memorization of enemy patterns and level layouts. Lives are precious commodities, and progress can be frustratingly slow for casual players. Unlike more forgiving platformers like The Great Giana Sisters, Nobby shows little mercy for mistakes, often sending players back to distant checkpoints after a single misstep.

Despite its demanding nature, Nobby the Aardvark stands as a testament to what dedicated programmers could achieve on the C64 in its twilight years. The game rivals contemporary 16-bit platformers in terms of visual flair and gameplay innovation. For C64 enthusiasts and platformer fans willing to accept a serious challenge, Nobby represents one of the system's finest late-period achievements.

The Amiga version we offer is the beta/work version of the unreleased Amiga port, with six of eight playable levels. Level 7 can't be completed.