Game Information

Original Release Date: December 31, 1985

Platforms: Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Apple IIGS, Atari ST/STE, Commodore C64/128/MAX, DOS, Mac, Nintendo Entertainment System, ZX Spectrum

Involved Companies: Interplay Productions, Electronic Arts, Pony Canyon

Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Adventure

Summary: Tales of the Unknown: Volume I, better known as "The Bard's Tale", is an RPG developed by Interplay Productions in 1985 originally for the Apple II. It was quickly ported to numerous other platforms and became widely successful. This was partly because it incorporated unprecedented 3D graphic design, featuring partly animated character portraits and engaging gameplay. It also helped that the game was available on the Commodore 64-the most successful game console at the time, whereas the main competitor-the Ultima series, was not.