Crystalis (1990) | Nintendo Original Game Boy Color Game
Experience Crystalis on Game Boy Color, a classic action RPG featuring real-time sword combat, exploration, character progression, and a unique post-apocalyptic fantasy storyline.
Crystalis is an action RPG that blends fast-paced sword combat with exploration, character progression, and a surprisingly engaging post-apocalyptic story. Originally released for the NES in 1990 by SNK, the game later received a Game Boy Color version in 2000, bringing the classic adventure to Nintendo's handheld audience.
The story takes place in a distant future after a devastating global war has nearly wiped out civilization. You play as a young man who awakens from a long period of cryogenic sleep with no memory of his past. Emerging from a secluded shrine, he discovers a world that has rebuilt itself around magic rather than technology. As he travels across the land searching for answers, he becomes caught in a struggle against the powerful Draygonian Empire, a force threatening to repeat the mistakes that once brought humanity to the brink of extinction.
What begins as a simple quest for identity gradually expands into a larger journey involving ancient powers, legendary swords, wise sages, and the fate of the entire world. Even decades after its original release, Crystalis remains one of the more memorable action RPGs from its era thanks to its mix of storytelling, exploration, and rewarding progression.
How to Play
Crystalis is played from a top-down perspective, allowing you to explore towns, forests, caves, mountains, and other regions while battling enemies in real time. Unlike turn-based RPGs, combat happens directly on the field, requiring you to move, attack, and react to enemy patterns as they happen.
Throughout the adventure, you'll collect stronger equipment, discover magical abilities, and unlock elemental swords that play a major role in both combat and progression. Certain areas and enemies can only be accessed or defeated once you obtain the appropriate weapon or power, encouraging exploration and backtracking as your character grows stronger.
Defeating monsters rewards experience points that increase your level. As your level rises, your attack power, defense, and overall survivability improve, making it easier to take on tougher enemies and bosses. Along the way, you'll also gather useful items, upgrade your gear, and interact with a variety of characters who help move the story forward.
The game's balance of action and RPG mechanics creates a steady sense of progression, with new abilities constantly opening up previously unreachable parts of the world.
Controls
The controls are straightforward and easy to learn:
- Directional Pad – Move your character in eight directions.
- A Button (or 'Z' key in desktop) – Attack with your currently equipped sword.
- B Button (or 'X' key in desktop) – Use the selected item or magical ability.
- Start Button – Open the character status screen.
- Select Button – Access the inventory menu.
As you progress, you'll be able to equip different swords, armor sets, shields, and magical powers, allowing you to customize your approach to combat and exploration.
Final Thoughts
Crystalis stands out as one of the stronger action RPGs of its generation. Its combination of real-time combat, exploration-focused gameplay, and an unusual science-fiction-meets-fantasy setting helps it feel distinct from many other games released during the same period. While some aspects show their age, the adventure remains enjoyable thanks to its rewarding progression system, memorable world, and engaging storyline.
For players interested in classic action RPGs, Crystalis is a title that still deserves attention years after its original release.
