Ramparts

About

Ramparts is a frenetic arcade game where you play as a colossal knight tasked with demolishing a multi-layered castle. The action unfolds on a single screen, with you and up to one opponent hopping left and right across the foreground. The goal is to punch buildings into rubble, but structures often overlap, meaning you must methodically dismantle lower layers before reaching higher ones. Between destruction, swarms of goblins, archers, and cackling witches try to thwart you with arrows, spells, and general chaos. The game’s clever building mechanics and frantic combat set it apart from its 1980s peers. Unlike other beat-'em-ups, Ramparts forces you to plan demolition sequences, as collapsing the wrong wall can block your path. The two-player mode adds chaos, with both knights sharing lives and points, turning allies into potential rivals. Though often compared to Rampage, its medieval twist and puzzle-like level design give it a distinct charm. Released in 1987, it remains a cult favorite for its simple yet clever approach to cooperative destruction.