Smurf: Rescue in Gargamel's Castle

A little blue man pushes through the forest, leaping over fences and dodging bats to rescue the kidnapped Smurfette — Smurf: Rescue in Gargamel's Castle from 1982 was one of the first attempts to forge a beloved cartoon license into a colorful home platformer. And for its time it was a remarkably successful attempt.

The story is simple and likable: you control a Smurf on his journey through forests and caves all the way to the castle of the evil sorcerer Gargamel, where the captive Smurfette awaits. The gameplay rests on jumping over obstacles — fences, snakes, spiders and other hazards — with an emphasis on precise jump timing. It's not a difficulty massacre, but rather a pleasantly toned challenge that suits younger players too.

For its time, the game captivated with its multicolored, detailed backgrounds that felt surprisingly rich. In 1982 it wasn't common to see scenery on a home console that so faithfully evoked a cartoon series. This very visual aspect was a big draw and made Smurf a family title that parents were happy to buy for their children.

Behind the game stands Coleco itself, the console's maker, and it was one of the commercially successful titles that helped build the ColecoVision library. Licensed games based on popular brands were a clever strategy back then for reaching a broader audience than just hardcore arcade enthusiasts — and the Smurfs were an ideal choice.

Today, Smurf is a charming reminder of the early days of licensed games, when the industry was still figuring out how to bring beloved characters from television to the console screen. It's not a technically demanding game, but it has its unmistakable retro charm and a place in the hearts of those who grew up with the little blue creatures.

Why play: For a nostalgic, colorful piece of early licensed platformers that still delights today with its simplicity and cartoon charm.