Conquest of the Crystal Palace

Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990, Conquest of the Crystal Palace is a fantasy action-platformer developed by Quest and published in North America by Asmik. The game combines sword-fighting, challenging platforming, magical abilities, and a memorable story about a young prince reclaiming his lost kingdom. Its distinctive visual style and unusual supporting characters help it stand apart from many other NES adventures of the era.

You play as Farron, the rightful heir to the Crystal Palace. Years earlier, the evil war spirit Zaras conquered the kingdom and destroyed Farron's family. Raised in secret by his guardian, who has been transformed into a dog named Zap, Farron finally sets out to defeat Zaras and restore peace to the land. His journey takes him through five dangerous stages filled with strange creatures, treacherous terrain, and powerful bosses.

Farron begins with a sword, but combat becomes more flexible as you discover additional weapons and magical items. At the start of the adventure, you can choose one of three crystals: Flight improves your jumping ability, Life increases your health, and Spirit grants access to a powerful fireball attack. This early decision lets you tailor the experience to your preferred play style.

Zap is more than just a companion. You can summon him during battles to attack nearby enemies, providing valuable assistance when a fight becomes overwhelming. Money dropped by defeated foes can also be spent at Kim's shop on food, weapons, and other useful supplies. Managing these resources is important, particularly during the tougher later stages.

With its combination of traditional platforming and light shopping and upgrade mechanics, Conquest of the Crystal Palace offers more depth than its straightforward appearance suggests. It remains an intriguing choice for retro gamers looking for an atmospheric fantasy adventure beyond the better-known NES classics.