Barbarian

Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior - the 1987 sword-fighting action game
for Commodore 64 from Palace Software.

Fight one-on-one duels to the death with swords and brutal finishers as
a barbarian warrior battling for Princess Mariana’s freedom.

Core loop
- face a series of opponents in single combat
- use joystick combinations to strike, block, or roll
- defeat all challengers, including the evil wizard Drax

Systems and items
- 16 combat moves - slashes, thrusts, and the famous decapitation swing
- stamina meter - depletes with each hit or failed block
- arena boundaries - use spacing to bait and counter
- two-player mode - duel head-to-head outside the story sequence

Level design and feel
Static dueling screens with detailed pixel art and fluid rotoscoped
animation. The backgrounds shift from dungeons to throne rooms, each
fight punctuated by the goblin dragging off fallen foes.

Why it is notable
- infamous for its realistic swordplay and graphic finishing moves
- cover art featured Page 3 model Maria Whittaker and caused controversy
- regarded as one of Palace Software’s most polished action titles

Tips
- learn timing for the decapitation strike—it ends fights instantly
- block low against crouching foes, high against aggressive swings
- backstep between combos to reset stamina safely

At a glance
Year - 1987
Developer - Palace Software
Design and programming - Steve Brown
Graphics - Steve Brown
Music - Richard Joseph
Publisher - Palace Software
Genre - Fighting action
Players - 1 or 2 (versus)
Controls - Joystick in port 2