Nebulus (history and reception)

Crash reviewed the ZX Spectrum version in December 1987, giving Hewson as producer, £7.95 as the price, and John M. Phillips as author, and gave it 85% overall (Presentation 77%, Graphics 88%, Addictive qualities 85%); its three reviewers gave 85%, 86% and 83%. The review describes Pogo climbing steps and platform lifts around the outside of the towers, the tower rotating as he moves, losing one of his three lives if he falls into the sea, and armed with a bubble gun. nebulus-history/spectrum-crash-review

MagazineCrash, issue 47 (December 1987) · p. 12 (image 12), Nebulus review, facts line — checked on the page image (image 12)Producer: Hewson Retail price £7.95 Author: John M PhillipsCrash, issue 47 (December 1987) · p. 12 (image 12), Nebulus reviewplatform lifts around the oulakk ofOur translation(a series of steps and) platform lifts around the outside of (the towers)Crash, issue 47 (December 1987) · p. 12 (image 12), Nebulus reviewlasps to the left and right, the towerOur translation(as he toddles and) leaps to the left and right, the tower (rotates)Crash, issue 47 (December 1987) · p. 12 (image 12), Nebulus reviewthe lower and Jands in trie choppyOur translation(If Pogo tumbles to the base of) the tower and lands in the choppy (sea)Crash, issue 47 (December 1987) · p. 12 (image 12), Nebulus reviewone of his three lives is lostCrash, issue 47 (December 1987) · p. 12 (image 12), Nebulus reviewA bubble gun solves some problemsCrash, issue 47 (December 1987) · p. 12 (image 12), Nebulus reviewPogo gathers points byRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Added the platform lifts, rotation and choppy sea quotes.

The marks were read on the page images, which the text layer doesn't carry: Robin 85% and Mike 86% (p. 12, image 12), Nick 83% and the box (p. 13, image 13): Presentation 77%, Graphics 88%, Playability 86% (blurred; could be 66%, so it is left out), Addictive qualities 85%, OVERALL 85%. Crash 48's index (image 99) lists the review as issue 47, page 12.

Cited by: Nebulus

Your Sinclair reviewed the ZX Spectrum version in January 1988 (Hewson, £7.95) and gave it 9 out of 10 and its Megagame stamp. The reviewer, signed Rick, called it John Phillips's follow-up to Impossaball, his earlier Hewson game, and faulted only the lack of color and the climbing back after a fall. nebulus-history/spectrum-ys-review

MagazineYour Sinclair, issue 25 (January 1988) · p. 103 (image 103), review heading — checked on the page image (image 103): "Rick" is the bold run-in that starts the text; the page also carries a YS Megagame stampHewson/£7.95 RickYour Sinclair, issue 25 (January 1988) · p. 103 (image 103), YS ClapometerTOTAL 9Your Sinclair, issue 25 (January 1988) · p. 103 (image 103), reviewthose hoopy Hewson boys got together with programmer, John Phillips and megagame Impossaball was bornYour Sinclair, issue 25 (January 1988) · p. 103 (image 103), reviewNebulus has little to fault it, barring a lack of colour in the graphicsYour Sinclair, issue 25 (January 1988) · p. 103 (image 103), YS ClapometerJohn Phillip's latest is the neatest and nattiest platform variant yetChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

Cited by: Nebulus

Your Sinclair's review of the ZX Spectrum version describes the game: as Pogo, the player has to destroy eight towers that have risen from the sea by climbing each one along spiral steps around its outside, through doors to other parts of the tower, while the tower turns in 3D. He has three lives, a timer counts down from 500, and every 5,000 points earn an extra life. nebulus-history/spectrum-structure

Cited by: Nebulus

Zzap!64 reviewed Hewson's Commodore 64 version in December 1987 as a Gold Medal game, priced £8.95 on cassette and £12.95 on disk, and gave it 97% overall, with 95% for presentation, 97% for graphics, 88% for sound, 97% for hookability and 91% for lastability: "One of the most innovative games ever". nebulus-history/c64-zzap-review

MagazineZzap!64, issue 32 (December 1987) · p. 156 (image 156), review heading — the OCR reads £6.95 and garbles the publisher's name; the page image (image 156) reads "Hewson, £8.95 cass, £12.95 disk"£6.95 cass, £12.95 disk, joystick or keysZzap!64, issue 32 (December 1987) · p. 3 (image 3), contentsGold Medal platform gameZzap!64, issue 32 (December 1987) · p. 157 (image 157), ratings boxPRESENTATION 95%Zzap!64, issue 32 (December 1987) · p. 157 (image 157), ratings boxSOUND 88%Zzap!64, issue 32 (December 1987) · p. 157 (image 157), ratings boxGRAPHFCS 97%Our translationGRAPHICS 97%Zzap!64, issue 32 (December 1987) · p. 157 (image 157), ratings box — the OCR reads "OVERALL 97°/"; read on the page image (image 157) as 97%OVERALL 97Zzap!64, issue 32 (December 1987) · p. 157 (image 157), reviewer's commentthe programmer has managed to capture the most elusive element of allZzap!64, issue 32 (December 1987) · p. 157 (image 157), ratings box, comment — the OCR's next line reads "games ewer"; HOOKABILITY 97% and LASTABILITY 91% are not in the OCR and were read on the page imageOne ol Ihe mosT inn oval iveOur translationOne of the most innovative (games ever)Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Added the graphics and overall comment quotes; hookability and lastability noted as image readings.

Read on the page images (pp. 156-157, images 156-157): the price line, the Gold Medal rosette, and the box (PRESENTATION 95%, GRAPHICS 97%, SOUND 88%, HOOKABILITY 97%, LASTABILITY 91%, OVERALL 97%, "One of the most innovative games ever, and one which adds a whole new dimension to the platform game format"). The comments are signed by caricatures labelled J.R, P.S and S.J.

Cited by: Nebulus

The One's review of 1988, in January 1989, credited John Phillips for Hewson's year with Eliminator and Nebulus, called Nebulus his "tower-toppling classic", and said his next project was provisionally titled JMP4. nebulus-history/phillips-1988-review

MagazineThe One for 16-bit Games, issue 4 (January 1989) · p. 6 (image 6), review of the yearHewson did itself proud - or rather, John Philips did, with Eliminator and Nebulus.The One for 16-bit Games, issue 4 (January 1989) · p. 6 (image 6), review of the yearHis latest project (provisionally titled JMP4) promises to be equally as innovative as his tower- toppling classic.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

Cited by: Nebulus

In April 1989 The One reported Hewson's first 16-bit compilation, The Premiere Collection, headed by Nebulus, which The One had given 88% in its second issue (the item doesn't say for which machine), with Zynaps, Netherworld and Exolon. nebulus-history/premiere-collection

MagazineThe One for 16-bit Games, issue 7 (April 1989) · p. 14 (image 14), news item "Hewson bundle"has released its first 16-bit compilation - The Premiere CollectionThe One for 16-bit Games, issue 7 (April 1989) · p. 14 (image 14), news item "Hewson bundle"Nebulus (awarded 88% in Issue Two) tops the billThe One for 16-bit Games, issue 7 (April 1989) · p. 14 (image 14), news item "Hewson bundle"Zynaps, Nether¬ world and ExolonRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The 88% isn't tied to a machine.

The One 2 (November 1988) and its review haven't been read.

Cited by: Nebulus

The One's April 1989 update reviewed the PC (DOS) version, released in April at £19.99, after the game's re-release on compilation for the Atari ST and Amiga. It found the game too slow even on the fastest PC and the tower's rotation not smooth enough to convince, but the shoot-'em-up sub-game between towers and the second set of eight towers were kept, so that it played more like the Atari ST and Amiga versions, and it gave 70% overall. nebulus-history/dos-the-one-update

MagazineThe One for 16-bit Games, issue 7 (April 1989) · p. 18 (image 18), UpdateHewson's Nebulus has only just made it to the PC in full-price form.The One for 16-bit Games, issue 7 (April 1989) · p. 18 (image 18), UpdateThe main problem is the speed which even on the fastest PC leaves a lot to be desired.The One for 16-bit Games, issue 7 (April 1989) · p. 18 (image 18), UpdateThe rotation effect on the tower, one ofThe One for 16-bit Games, issue 7 (April 1989) · p. 18 (image 18), Updatefers and simply doesn't flow smoothlyOur translation(suf)fers and simply doesn't flow smoothly (enough to be convincing)The One for 16-bit Games, issue 7 (April 1989) · p. 18 (image 18), Updateas is the second set of eight towers, so at least it plays more like its ST and Amiga counterpartsThe One for 16-bit Games, issue 7 (April 1989) · p. 18 (image 18), Update, ratings — the row's headings read price, release date, graphics, sound, playability, value£19.99 April 62% 39% 75% 64% OVERALL 70%The One for 16-bit Games, issue 7 (April 1989) · p. 18 (image 18), Updateshoot ’em up sub-game is presentRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The game too slow and the rotation not smooth, with the rotation line quoted.

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Amiga Format's first issue (August 1989) included Nebulus (Hewson, £19.99) in its "Best Ever" list of Amiga games, calling it "a magnificent concept, superbly executed, instantly addictive". nebulus-history/amiga-format-best-ever

MagazineAmiga Format, issue 1 (August 1989) · p. 59 (image 59), Best Ever top tenNEBULUS HEWSON £19.99Amiga Format, issue 1 (August 1989) · p. 59 (image 59), Best Ever top tensuperbly executed, instantly addictiveAmiga Format, issue 1 (August 1989) · p. 59 (image 59), Best Ever top tenas you struggle to reach the top of the towersChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

Cited by: Nebulus

Sinclair User's December 1987 tips pages (Zapchat, pp. 28-29) gave a written walkthrough of Nebulus's first tower, which they named the Tower of Eyes. nebulus-history/spectrum-su-maps

MagazineSinclair User, issue 69 (December 1987) · p. 28 (image 28), ZapchatNebulus from Hewson is such a good idea for a gameSinclair User, issue 69 (December 1987) · p. 28 (image 28), Zapchat — the walkthrough runs on to p. 29 (image 29), read on the page images; the pages' maps belong to other gamesStarting off on the first level (The Tower of Eyes)Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: A written walkthrough of the first tower, not maps; pp. 28-29.

Atari's manual for the Atari 7800 version, Tower Toppler (1988), sets the game on the planet Nebulus: the player, an explosives expert for Destructo, Inc., has to climb eight rotating towers in a toxic sea and blow them up, armed with a snowball gun and carried between towers in a minisub. nebulus-history/atari-7800-premise

ManualTower Toppler (Atari 7800) game manual, Atari Corporation · p. 2 (image 2)toxic sea on the distant planet Nebulus, far from the sight of land, stand eight mys- terlous rotating towers.Tower Toppler (Atari 7800) game manual, Atari Corporation · p. 2 (image 2)you're the top explo- slves expert at Destructo, Inc.Tower Toppler (Atari 7800) game manual, Atari Corporation · p. 2 (image 2)each tower to blow it down.Our translation(You have to climb to the top of) each tower to blow it down.Tower Toppler (Atari 7800) game manual, Atari Corporation · p. 2 (image 2)Your minisub awaits you!Tower Toppler (Atari 7800) game manual, Atari Corporation · p. 4 (image 4)next tower.Our translation(speed to the) next towerTower Toppler (Atari 7800) game manual, Atari Corporation · p. 3 (image 3)You're armed with a snowball gunRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Added the "blow it down" and "next tower" quotes.

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The Atari 7800 manual gives the rules: the clock starts when the player leaves the sub, reaching the top of a tower sets off its destruction, an enemy can knock the player partway down or into the water, a fall into the water costs one of three lives, a bonus life comes every 5,000 points, and between towers the player catches fish from the minisub for bonus points. One or two players can play. nebulus-history/atari-7800-rules

ManualTower Toppler (Atari 7800) game manual, Atari Corporation · p. 3 (image 3), Playing the GameThe clock starts ticking the moment you step out of your sub.Tower Toppler (Atari 7800) game manual, Atari Corporation · p. 4 (image 4)automatic destruction sequenceOur translation(set off the) automatic destruction sequenceTower Toppler (Atari 7800) game manual, Atari Corporation · p. 4 (image 4)they'll knock you down the towerTower Toppler (Atari 7800) game manual, Atari Corporation · p. 4 (image 4)and maybe even into the water,Tower Toppler (Atari 7800) game manual, Atari Corporation · p. 4 (image 4)partway down when you slip.Tower Toppler (Atari 7800) game manual, Atari Corporation · p. 4 (image 4)You start your mission with only three lives, and you use one up every time you go for a swim.Tower Toppler (Atari 7800) game manual, Atari Corporation · p. 4 (image 4)You gain a bonus life every time you earn 5,000 points.Tower Toppler (Atari 7800) game manual, Atari Corporation · p. 4 (image 4)Between towers, you can relax in the minisub, racking up bonus points by stunning and catching fishTower Toppler (Atari 7800) game manual, Atari Corporation · p. 2 (image 2), Getting Startedup or down to select 1 or 2 playersRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Added the destruction, knock-down and slip quotes.

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The Atari 7800 manual names the eight towers in order: Tower of Eyes (the easiest), Realm of Robots, Trap of Tricks, Slippery Slide, Broken Path, Swimmer's Delight, Nasty One, and Edge of Doom (the hardest). nebulus-history/atari-7800-towers

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The Atari 7800 manual is copyright 1988 by Atari Corporation and says the Tower Toppler program is licensed from U.S. Gold, which holds the Tower Toppler trademark. nebulus-history/atari-7800-license

ManualTower Toppler (Atari 7800) game manual, Atari Corporation · p. 6 (image 6), back pageCopyright © 1988, Atari CorporationTower Toppler (Atari 7800) game manual, Atari Corporation · p. 6 (image 6), back page — the OCR reads "lensed"; the page image (image 6) reads "is licensed from U.S. Gold Ltd., copyright © 1987"Tower Toppler game program is lensed from U.Tower Toppler (Atari 7800) game manual, Atari Corporation · p. 6 (image 6), back pageis a trademark of U.S. Gold Ltd., U.K.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The "licensed" reading is noted from the page image.

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Nintendo of America's release list gives Castelian, from Triffix, as an NES release of June 1991. nebulus-history/release-nes

PublisherNES Games (Nintendo of America release list) · PDF p. 3 — the row reads Triffix, June 1991CastelianChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

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Triffix's 1991 advertisement for Castelian says the names Castelian and Julius belong to Triffix Entertainment Inc. and Rollogame Ltd., and gives Triffix's address in Montreal. nebulus-history/nes-rights

MagazineElectronic Gaming Monthly, issue 22 (May 1991) · image 106, Triffix advertisementThe names Castelian© and Julius® are proprietary to Triffix Entertainment Inc. and Rollogame Ltd.Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue 22 (May 1991) · image 106, Triffix advertisementTRIFFIX ENTERTAINMENT INC., 5756 Royalmount Ave., Montreal, Quebec, CanadaElectronic Gaming Monthly, issue 24 (July 1991) · image 5, Triffix advertisementare proprietary to Triffix Entertainment Inc. and Rollogame Ltd.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

No source read says what Rollogame Ltd. did, or who programmed the NES version.

Cited by: Nebulus

Nintendo Power's March/April 1991 issue reported that Triffix, a new licensee, would bring Castelian to the Game Boy that year, and its Pak Watch section showed a screen shot of Castelian, a "castle-climbing puzzler". nebulus-history/nes-np-preview

MagazineNintendo Power, issue 22 (March/April 1991) · image 67, Game Boy newsNew licensee, Triffix, will introduce Game Boy players to Castelian this year.Nintendo Power, issue 22 (March/April 1991) · image 67, Game Boy newsThe action takes place on the outside of a castle tower and the tower rotates as characters climb upward.Nintendo Power, issue 22 (March/April 1991) · image 105, Pak Watchcastle-climbing puzzler, CastelianRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Dropped "of the NES game".

Cited by: Nebulus

In the NES version, as the American magazines of 1991 describe it, aliens have ringed the island of Jemmerville, on the planet Centrus, with towers: seven are built, and the eighth would doom it. The player is Julius, who climbs each tower and topples it, shooting or avoiding the creatures on it, and plays a bonus round of gem collecting after each tower. nebulus-history/nes-premise

MagazineElectronic Gaming Monthly, issue 22 (May 1991) · image 16, Review CrewJemmerville was just another quiet island on the planet Centrus in the Triangulum galaxy.Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue 22 (May 1991) · image 16, Review CrewIf one more tower plants itself, the gemmining island is certainly doomed.Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue 22 (May 1991) · image 16, Review CrewIt's your job as Julius to climb each tower and topple them.Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue 22 (May 1991) · image 16, Review Crewuntil 7 alien towers sur-Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue 22 (May 1991) · image 16, Review Crewyour score, as well as shoot or avoidOur translation(You can grab gems along the way to increase) your score, as well as shoot or avoid (l-balls, metafili's and other baddies)Game Player's, issue 24 (June 1991) · p. 74 (image 76)Seven of the struc- tures were already built,and when the eighth was finishedGame Player's, issue 24 (June 1991) · p. 74 (image 76)demolish it with a well-placed Destructo BombGame Player's, issue 24 (June 1991) · p. 74 (image 76)before time runs out, you'll visit aOur translation(If you reach the top of a tower in one piece) before time runs out, you'll visit a (bonus round)Game Player's, issue 24 (June 1991) · p. 74 (image 76)The gems in the bonus stage can be cashed in for pointsRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Added the ringed island, shoot-or-avoid and bonus round quotes.

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Electronic Gaming Monthly's Review Crew reviewed the NES version in May 1991 (Triffix; action; eight levels; average difficulty; release April) and scored it 5, 4, 4 and 6. The comments praise the rotating tower and the game's originality but find it repetitive, with too little to it beyond the tower effect. nebulus-history/nes-egm-review

MagazineElectronic Gaming Monthly, issue 22 (May 1991) · image 16, Review Crew — read in the OCR, which breaks up parts of the comments; the four scores, 5, 4, 4 and 6 from the top, were read on the page image (image 16), which prints no reviewers' namesNintendo - Triffix Castelian Type: Action Release: Apr. Levels: 8 Difficulty:Avg.Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue 22 (May 1991) · image 16, Review CrewOriginality is its saving grace.Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue 22 (May 1991) · image 16, Review Crewrepetitive.Our translation(It starts out as a different type of action cart, (but)) becomes repetitive.Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue 22 (May 1991) · image 16, Review CrewThere isn't a lot of game in Castelian.Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue 22 (May 1991) · image 16, Review CrewThere's not much that you can really say is very goo^about CastelianRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Added the "repetitive" quote.

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The same EGM issue gave Castelian a feature whose fact file lists Triffix, the NES, a 1-megabit cartridge, a "maze chase" theme, average difficulty, one or two players, and "Available: Now"; a caption calls the tower's turn "a rarely seen rotation effect for the NES". nebulus-history/nes-egm-feature

MagazineElectronic Gaming Monthly, issue 22 (May 1991) · p. 78 (image 80), fact fileManufacturer: Triffix Machine: NES Cartridge Size: 1 Meg Number of Levels: NA Theme: Maze Chase Difficulty: Average Number of Players: 1 or 2 Available: NowElectronic Gaming Monthly, issue 22 (May 1991) · p. 78 (image 80), captionHere is a rarely seen rotation effect for the NES!Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

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VideoGames & Computer Entertainment reviewed the NES version in May 1991 at $42.95, rating it 4 for sound and music, 4 for graphics, 5 for playability and 5 overall. Its reviewer, Brent Walker, pointed readers to Tower Toppler on the computers, called Castelian "a faithful reproduction" with bonus rounds added, and said he couldn't get into it. nebulus-history/nes-vgce-review

MagazineVideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 28 (May 1991) · p. 44 (image 44), review heading — the ratings are marked cells that the OCR doesn't keep; read on the page image (image 44): Sound/Music 4, Graphics 4, Playability 5, Overall 5, of 10TRIFFIX For the Nintendo Entertainment System ($42.95)VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 28 (May 1991) · p. 44 (image 44), reviewThe name Tower Toppler may be more recognizable, that's how it has appeared on the Atari STVideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 28 (May 1991) · p. 46 (image 46), reviewCastelian is a faithful reproduction with an addition of bonus rounds to give it some freshness.VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 28 (May 1991) · p. 46 (image 46), reviewI personally couldn't really get into this gameVideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 28 (May 1991) · p. 46 (image 46), byline— Brent WalkerChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

The computer versions also have a bonus stage between towers (Zzap!64, Atari 7800 manual); the review's "addition of bonus rounds" is its own reading.

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Game Player's reviewed the NES version in June 1991. Gary Meredith called it "a close translation of a British computer game called Tower Toppler", frustrating to play, but with cute graphics and a unique look from the rotating towers. nebulus-history/nes-game-players-review

MagazineGame Player's, issue 24 (June 1991) · p. 74 (image 76), bylineCASTELIAN Gary Meredith Version reviewed: Nintendo.Game Player's, issue 24 (June 1991) · p. 74 (image 76)a close translation of a British computer game called Tower TopplerGame Player's, issue 24 (June 1991) · p. 74 (image 76)Castel- iancanbeamighty frustrating game to playGame Player's, issue 24 (June 1991) · p. 74 (image 76)But the graphics are quite cute, and the rotating towers give the gamea unique look.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

The OCR prints an Asmik address beside the byline, which belongs to the page's layout rather than to Castelian; the review prints no mark in the OCR.

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Total! reviewed the European NES version, from The Sales Curve (£36), in August 1992, and gave it 71 percent; the review is signed Andy. It describes Julius climbing eight alien towers within a time limit, with lifts, stairs that slide the player back if he stops, and vanishing platforms; touching a monster drops him to a lower platform, and only a fall into the sea kills him. nebulus-history/nes-total-review

MagazineTotal!, issue 8 (August 1992) · image 26, NES reviewsurrounded by eight alien towers and only an Anurian Hybrid called Julius can save youTotal!, issue 8 (August 1992) · image 26, NES reviewthe tower and blow it up -within a time limit.Total!, issue 8 (August 1992) · image 26, NES reviewsurprisingly, go up and down, and take you furtherOur translation(lifts which,) surprisingly, go up and downTotal!, issue 8 (August 1992) · image 26, NES reviewhave to keep going. Stop and you just slide backTotal!, issue 8 (August 1992) · image 27, NES reviewThis platform also disappears whenTotal!, issue 8 (August 1992) · image 26, NES reviewTouching a nasty doesn't necessarily mean instant death - you just fall off the platform onto a lower one (or into the sea, in which case you do die).Total!, issue 8 (August 1992) · image 26, NES review — the publisher's name is in the review's box, which the OCR breaks up; the price (£36, p. 27), the signature ANDY and "Final rating 71 Percent" were read on the page images (images 26-27)Sales CurveTotal!, issue 8 (August 1992) · image 26, page footerNES REVIEWS TOTAL! Issue Eight August 1992Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Added the time limit, lifts, sliding stairs and vanishing platform quotes; the statement follows them.

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Total!'s Game Boy review says the Game Boy version lacks the NES version's choice of Novice or Hero mode and its two-player game, and has less elaborate bonus levels. nebulus-history/nes-modes

MagazineTotal!, issue 8 (August 1992) · image 53, Game Boy reviewAnd the bonus levels aren't quite as elaborate. And, er, you don't get the choice of Novice or Hero mode. Or two players.Total!, issue 8 (August 1992) · image 53, Game Boy reviewalmost exactly the same as its NES big brotherChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

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Mean Machines reviewed the NES version in August 1992 (Sales Curve, £35.99, released in August; three lives, two continues, two skill levels) and gave it 73%. Its reviewer noted the game had been out on computers for years as Nebulus, and blamed collision detection and the lack of a password for a game that didn't live up to expectations. nebulus-history/nes-mean-machines-review

MagazineMean Machines, issue 23 (August 1992) · image 59, fact box — checked on the page image (image 59): Presentation 70%, Graphics 72%, Sound 73%, Playability 75%, Lastability 62%, Overall 73%BY: SALES CURVE PRICE: £35.99 RELEASE DATE: AUGUSTMean Machines, issue 23 (August 1992) · image 59, fact boxLIVES: 3 CONTINUES: 2 SKILL LEVELS: 2Mean Machines, issue 23 (August 1992) · image 59, ratingsOVERALL 73%Mean Machines, issue 23 (August 1992) · image 59, comment signed RADCastelian has been out for years on computer formats under the name of NebulusMean Machines, issue 23 (August 1992) · image 59, comment signed RADThe old dodgy collision detection rears it's ugly head againMean Machines, issue 23 (August 1992) · image 59, comment signed RADsurely it couldn't have been too difficult to put in some sort of password system?Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

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A Game Boy Castelian was announced alongside the NES one: EGM listed it from Triffix in May 1991, and in Europe The Sales Curve sold it, Total! giving £25 and Mean Machines £19.99 in August 1992. Total! gave it 75 percent, and Mean Machines gave it 70% and found the same faults as in the NES version. nebulus-history/gameboy-version

MagazineElectronic Gaming Monthly, issue 22 (May 1991) · image 49, new productsLike the version for the NES, Castelian for the GameBoy features the same tower climbingElectronic Gaming Monthly, issue 22 (May 1991) · image 49, new products, headingTriffix/ GameBoyTotal!, issue 8 (August 1992) · image 52, Game Boy review boxfor Game Boy (1 player) From The Sales Curve Price £25Mean Machines, issue 23 (August 1992) · image 61, fact boxBY: SALES CURVE PRICE: £19.99 RELEASE DATE: OUT NOWMean Machines, issue 23 (August 1992) · image 61, ratingsOVERALL 70%Mean Machines, issue 23 (August 1992) · image 61, comment signed RADby all the same flaws as the NES version also reviewed this issueRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: "announced alongside" for "followed"; added the "Triffix/ GameBoy" heading quote.

Total!'s "Final rating 75 Percent" (p. 52, signed Steve on p. 53) and Mean Machines' marks were read on the page images (images 52-53 and 61): Presentation 68%, Graphics 72%, Sound 71%, Playability 70%, Lastability 62%, Overall 70%.

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Micom BASIC's December 1992 list of new Famicom games gives Kyoro-chan Land (キョロちゃんランド) from Hiro, a puzzle game at ¥5,800 for 11 December: an action puzzle starring Kyoro-chan, the confectionery mascot, in which a tower-shaped 3D maze turns through 360 degrees, with eight towers. The entry doesn't mention Nebulus. nebulus-history/famicom-micom-basic

MagazineMicom BASIC Magazine, December 1992 · image 227, release listお菓子のキャラクターとして有名なキョロちゃんを使ったアクション・パズル。塔の形をした立体迷路を 360 度回転させOur translationan action puzzle using Kyoro-chan, famous as a confectionery character; a tower-shaped 3D maze is turned 360 degreesMicom BASIC Magazine, December 1992 · image 227, release list — The OCR runs the entry's heading together ("ソド 5 竹手ヒログバズルング 5,800 円 12 月 11 日"); the page image (image 227, printed p. 243, under the Family Computer header) reads the title キョロちゃんランド and the line "ヒロ/パズル/5,800円/12月11日" (Hiro / puzzle / ¥5,800 / 11 December), and "塔の数は八つ" (eight towers).ヒロOur translationHiroMicom BASIC Magazine, December 1992 · image 227 (printed p. 243), release list5,800 円 12 月 11 日Our translation¥5,800, 11 DecemberRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Added the price and date quote; the statement says the entry doesn't mention Nebulus (moved out of the page's Versions).

Cited by: Nebulus