Conquest of the Crystal Palace Play Online 🪙 NES Games

Summary

Conquest of the Crystal Palace (known in Japan as Matendōji, “Demon Heaven Boy”) is a 2D action‑platformer that lets you juggle three crystal powers right from the start. Choosing the Flight crystal boosts Farron’s jump, the Life crystal pads his health, and the Spirit crystal hands him unlimited fireball attacks – all of which can be mimicked temporarily by power‑ups dropped by enemies or bought at Kim’s shop. I’m always impressed by how the game blends swordplay with scroll‑based ranged abilities and the occasional summon of Zap, the loyal guardian dog, for extra damage. The US version was noticeably tamer: ghostly child enemies became insects, rocky terrain was simplified, and the overall difficulty was dialed back, plus a cheat code was slipped in for instant full health, invincibility, or extra lives. It’s also a historic footnote, marking the first collaboration between planner Yasumi Matsuno and composer Masaharu Iwata, a duo that later shaped classics like Ogre Battle and Final Fantasy Tactics.

Storyline

Years before the events of Conquest of the Crystal Palace, the Kingdom of the Crystal Palace fell to the evil Zaras, who declared himself king. Only Zap, a loyal dog Keeper of the Crystal Palace, and the infant prince Farron escaped the takeover. When the game begins, a now‑teenage Farron meets Zap, who tells him the time has come to retake the palace. Zap hands the prince one of three magical crystals that grant special powers to their bearer. Farron’s journey leads him through five perilous realms filled with bizarre enemies. He receives help from Zap, a shopkeeper named Kim who also serves as a hint‑dropping news reporter, and the kidnapped Crystal Princess. If Farron rescues her, she rewards him with the Moon Mirror, a powerful artifact.

Edited by Maya Carter