Conquest of the Crystal Palace (1990-)

• Developer: Quest

• Publisher: Quest | Asmik Corporation

• Genre: Platform

• Designer: Takaharu Mita, Yasumi Matsuno

• Composer: Mitsuyasu Tomohisa

Conquest of the Crystal Palace is an action-platformer developed by Quest and released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990. Published by Asmik, the game was a North American exclusive and did not receive a release in Japan despite being developed by a Japanese studio. It was also never ported to other platforms, remaining an NES-only title. This game marked one of Quest’s early projects before the company would go on to develop more widely recognized tactical RPGs like Ogre Battle and Tactics Ogre.

The game tells the story of Farron, a young prince who sets out to reclaim his kingdom from the evil Zaras. Guided by a talking dog companion named Zap, Farron must battle his way through a variety of mystical and challenging stages. The gameplay mixes traditional side-scrolling platforming with light RPG elements, such as item purchases and selectable power-ups. Notably, players can choose between different crystals that grant Farron unique abilities, offering some variety in play style. The game also features a memorable in-game shop system run by a character named Kim, who appears in live-action stills—a unique visual choice for the NES.

Conquest of the Crystal Palace did not have any prequels or follow-ups, standing as a one-off title. Its marketing was relatively low-key, primarily promoted through magazine advertisements and word of mouth. The game’s unique aesthetic and fantasy storyline made it stand out to players looking for something beyond the typical NES fare. The inclusion of live-action photography and a fantasy theme gave it a distinct presentation, even though it didn’t enjoy widespread recognition at the time of release.

Critics and players who did engage with the game generally responded positively to its solid controls, diverse level design, and atmospheric soundtrack. While not a blockbuster hit, it has since earned a cult following for its unique charm, creative direction, and the way it subtly blended genres. The game is often remembered fondly by NES enthusiasts as a hidden gem in the system’s extensive library, especially due to its ambitious visuals and slightly more mature fantasy tone.

Images from MobyGames