Game Catalogue

The Evil Dead

1984

Palace Software's debut: a text adventure with action elements, based on Sam Raimi's 1981 cult horror film. Developed in-house. Established Palace's appetite for provocative licences from the very first release.

Source: Wikipedia · MobyGames

Cauldron

1985

Platform shoot-'em-up starring a witch on a broomstick. Programmed by Steve Brown; music by Richard Joseph (C64). Palace's first major commercial success, demonstrating their ability to produce fast, visually crisp games.

Credits: Steve Brown (code) · Richard Joseph (C64 music)

MobyGames · Lemon64

Sacred Armour of Antiriad

1986

Post-apocalyptic action-adventure involving a futuristic armoured suit. Built a devoted cult following on the Spectrum. Richard Joseph's C64 soundtrack is among the most praised of his Palace-era compositions.

Credits: Richard Joseph (C64 music)

Wikipedia · MobyGames

Cauldron II: The Pumpkin Strikes Back

1986

Sequel to Cauldron. Steve Brown returns as C64 programmer; Richard Joseph provides both the C64 and Spectrum music. The Pumpkin Strikes Back maintained the platform action of the original while refining the formula.

Credits: Steve Brown (C64 code) · Richard Joseph (music)

MobyGames · Lemon64

Biggles

1986

Side-scrolling aerial combat game based on the 1986 film adaptation of W.E. Johns' classic character. A licensed tie-in that reinforced Palace's partnership with film and media properties alongside their original IPs.

MobyGames · Lemon64

Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior

1987

Palace's most commercially successful title. One-on-one sword combat with 16 moves including the infamous goblin-kick decapitation finisher. Box art featuring Michael Van Wijk and Maria Whittaker provoked the Whitehouse campaign. Zzap!64: 96%. North American Amiga release titled "Death Sword".

Credits: Steven Brown (code) · Michael Barlow (graphics) · Richard Joseph (C64/Amiga music)

Wikipedia · MobyGames · Deep dive

Frenzy

1987

Multi-directional shooter published by Palace Software. Music by Richard Joseph. Released in the same year as Barbarian, Frenzy benefited from Palace's growing commercial momentum.

Credits: Richard Joseph (music)

MobyGames · Lemon64

Barbarian II: The Dungeon of Drax

1988

Sequel to Barbarian. The format shifts from one-on-one combat to side-scrolling action: Hegor pursues the sorcerer Drax through his dungeon. Richard Joseph provides the C64 and Amiga soundtracks. Zzap!64: 88%.

Credits: Richard Joseph (music)

Wikipedia · MobyGames

Advanced Pinball Simulator

1988

Physics-based pinball simulation. Awarded Zzap!64's Gold Medal (93%) and received strong reviews across platforms. Music by Richard Joseph. Demonstrated Palace's technical versatility beyond their action-game speciality.

Credits: Richard Joseph (music)

MobyGames

Valkyrie 17

1989

A shoot-'em-up representing the later phase of Palace Software's active development. By 1989, the studio was beginning to wind down its original IP output ahead of the Titus acquisition.

MobyGames

Torvak the Warrior

1990

Palace Software's final major Amiga release and one of their last titles before the Titus acquisition. Side-scrolling fantasy action with music by Richard Joseph. Exclusive to Amiga, Torvak is a collector's piece in Palace's discography.

Credits: Richard Joseph (music)

MobyGames · Hall of Light