The Barbarian
Play Online The Barbarian
In 1987, Palace Software released Barbarian: Ultimate Warrior. You step into sword fights and land a brutal blow sending a head rolling. Artists focused on epic fantasy art to paint each clash. Every hit looked harsh and raw.
Battles pop up in places like forest clearings and muddy pits. You pull off combos with simple stick-and-button moves. A friend can join you for a head-to-head fight on the same screen. Smooth frame-by-frame animations bring muscles and armor to life. The controls feel tight from the first match.
Ads paired the brutal action with a bold model in minimal swimwear. Some shops pulled that campaign amid a taste uproar. The controversy sent its sales soaring. Later fighters chased the same visceral clashes and live-action feel. This release pushed on-screen violence into a new era.