Difference between revisions of "Dragon Crystal"

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{{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''', known as '''''Dragon Crystal: Tsurani no Meikyu''''' (ドラゴンクリスタル ―ツラニの迷宮―) in Japan is a [[Sega Master System]] and [[Sega Game Gear]] roguelike. The gameplay and much of the graphics are shared with ''[[Fatal Labyrinth]]''.
 
{{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''', known as '''''Dragon Crystal: Tsurani no Meikyu''''' (ドラゴンクリスタル ―ツラニの迷宮―) in Japan is a [[Sega Master System]] and [[Sega Game Gear]] roguelike. The gameplay and much of the graphics are shared with ''[[Fatal Labyrinth]]''.
 +
 +
==Story==
 +
As you ride a bicycle one late afternoon, you turn down an alley that you never before noticed and enter an antique shop. There, a mysterious glowing crystal is sitting on a shelf. Upon approaching the crystal and gazing into it, a powerful force pulls you in, causing a blackout.
 +
 +
You awaken in a forest with a large egg following behind. This forest is a huge maze, crawling with dangerous creatures. You find weapons and other items scattered around with which to fight the monsters. The only way out is to continue onward, defeating monsters and growing in power along the way.
 +
 +
==Gameplay==
 +
The game is a roguelike, which is a subgenre of role-playing games characterized by a dungeon crawl through procedurally generated levels. The hero awakens in the middle of a maze and must battle monsters through 30 randomly generated levels of increasing difficulty. At the end of each level but the last is an exit that leads to the next floor. The last level ends with the hero obtaining a holy goblet that frees him from the crystal.
 +
 +
The hero moves in any direction using the D-Pad; an egg follows him everywhere. In the Game Gear version, holding {{Start}} increases the hero's movement speed; in the Master System version, pressing {{Pause}} switches between slow and fast movement. The game is essentially turn-based, with each movement or action the equivalent to one turn. Monsters, which appear randomly, take turns with the hero exchanging attacks. This means that getting surrounded can be particularly dangerous as every enemy gets one attack for every one attack that the player gets. It also means that the player can pause a battle simply by waiting to make a move. Killing monsters increases the hero's experience. The hero gains a new level when he acquires enough experience, which increases his hit points. Hit points are traded in battle with the enemy but are recovered by moving around. The egg accompanying the hero hatches into a dragon that grows with him as he gains levels. Gold is used to revive from death, with the cost increasing with the number and severity of previous deaths.
 +
 +
Weapons, armor, potions, rings, food, and gold are randomly placed throughout the levels and can be picked up by pressing {{2}} when standing over them. The hero must regularly pick up food to avoid starving. Each food point allows the character to move six spaces on the screen. Bread gives 10 to 30 food points and meat gives 31 to 50 food points; the maximum number of food points is 99.
 +
 +
Items picked up in the game, with the exception of weapons and armor, are color-coded, with colors representing an effect that cannot be discovered until the player uses an item of that color or throws it on an enemy. Generally speaking, Pots are potions that can heal or poison the player, Books provide either maps or spells that may strengthen the player in some way or negate a harmful effect (such as removing cursed items), Rods cast spells that affect enemies, and Rings provide bonuses to stats (or sometimes are cursed, such as the Hunger Ring, which makes the player consume food much more quickly and requires a Bless Book to remove). The hero has a limited inventory. Unwanted items, such as armor or weapons weaker than the ones already worn by the player or cursed or poisonous items, can either be dropped or thrown at enemies for minor damage. The player can bring up a status screen for viewing and managing items by pressing {{1}}.
 +
 +
==History==
 +
===Legacy===
 +
A ''[[Dragon Crystal II]]'' was planned for mobile phones but never released.
 +
 +
The Game Gear version of the game was released for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] [[Virtual Console]] in 2012.
  
 
==Versions==
 
==Versions==

Revision as of 15:20, 19 March 2023

n/a

  • Master System
  • Sega Game Gear
    US/EU
  • Sega Game Gear
    JP

DragonCrystal title.png

Dragon Crystal GG US title.png

Dragon Crystal GG JP title.png

Dragon Crystal
System(s): Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System, Pocket PC, Virtual Console
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Genre: RPG[3][4], Action[5], Adventure Role-Playing[6]

















Number of players: 1
Official in-game languages:
Sega Master System
  • English
    • Sega Game Gear
  • English
  • 日本語
    • Release Date RRP Code
    Sega Game Gear
    JP     		¥3,5003,500 G-3206
    Sega Game Gear
    US     		2305
    Sega Game Gear
    EU     		2305
    Sega Game Gear
    UK     		£24.9924.99[9][8] 2305
    Sega Master System
    EU     		5123
    Sega Master System
    PT
    Sega Master System
    UK     		£29.9929.99[10] 5123
    Sega Master System
    AU
    Sega Master System
    MX
    Sega Master System
    BR     		023440
    Pocket PC
    JP    		 ¥500[11] ?



    Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
    JP ▼     		¥286 (300)286 (300)[12]
    CERO: A
    Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
    US ▼     		$2.992.99[13]
    ESRB: Everyone 10+
    Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
    EU ▼     		€3.003.00[14]
    PEGI: 12+
    Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
    DE ▼     		€3.003.00[14]
    USK: 6
    Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
    UK ▼     		£2.702.70[14]
    PEGI: 12+
    Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
    AU ▼
    OFLC: General (G)

    This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.

    Dragon Crystal, known as Dragon Crystal: Tsurani no Meikyu (ドラゴンクリスタル ―ツラニの迷宮―) in Japan is a Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear roguelike. The gameplay and much of the graphics are shared with Fatal Labyrinth.

    Story

    As you ride a bicycle one late afternoon, you turn down an alley that you never before noticed and enter an antique shop. There, a mysterious glowing crystal is sitting on a shelf. Upon approaching the crystal and gazing into it, a powerful force pulls you in, causing a blackout.

    You awaken in a forest with a large egg following behind. This forest is a huge maze, crawling with dangerous creatures. You find weapons and other items scattered around with which to fight the monsters. The only way out is to continue onward, defeating monsters and growing in power along the way.

    Gameplay

    The game is a roguelike, which is a subgenre of role-playing games characterized by a dungeon crawl through procedurally generated levels. The hero awakens in the middle of a maze and must battle monsters through 30 randomly generated levels of increasing difficulty. At the end of each level but the last is an exit that leads to the next floor. The last level ends with the hero obtaining a holy goblet that frees him from the crystal.

    The hero moves in any direction using the D-Pad; an egg follows him everywhere. In the Game Gear version, holding  START  increases the hero's movement speed; in the Master System version, pressing  PAUSE  switches between slow and fast movement. The game is essentially turn-based, with each movement or action the equivalent to one turn. Monsters, which appear randomly, take turns with the hero exchanging attacks. This means that getting surrounded can be particularly dangerous as every enemy gets one attack for every one attack that the player gets. It also means that the player can pause a battle simply by waiting to make a move. Killing monsters increases the hero's experience. The hero gains a new level when he acquires enough experience, which increases his hit points. Hit points are traded in battle with the enemy but are recovered by moving around. The egg accompanying the hero hatches into a dragon that grows with him as he gains levels. Gold is used to revive from death, with the cost increasing with the number and severity of previous deaths.

    Weapons, armor, potions, rings, food, and gold are randomly placed throughout the levels and can be picked up by pressing 2 when standing over them. The hero must regularly pick up food to avoid starving. Each food point allows the character to move six spaces on the screen. Bread gives 10 to 30 food points and meat gives 31 to 50 food points; the maximum number of food points is 99.

    Items picked up in the game, with the exception of weapons and armor, are color-coded, with colors representing an effect that cannot be discovered until the player uses an item of that color or throws it on an enemy. Generally speaking, Pots are potions that can heal or poison the player, Books provide either maps or spells that may strengthen the player in some way or negate a harmful effect (such as removing cursed items), Rods cast spells that affect enemies, and Rings provide bonuses to stats (or sometimes are cursed, such as the Hunger Ring, which makes the player consume food much more quickly and requires a Bless Book to remove). The hero has a limited inventory. Unwanted items, such as armor or weapons weaker than the ones already worn by the player or cursed or poisonous items, can either be dropped or thrown at enemies for minor damage. The player can bring up a status screen for viewing and managing items by pressing 1.

    History

    Legacy

    A Dragon Crystal II was planned for mobile phones but never released.

    The Game Gear version of the game was released for the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console in 2012.

    Versions

    Localised names

    Also known as
    Language Localised Name English Translation
    English Dragon Crystal Dragon Crystal
    English (US) Dragon Crystal Dragon Crystal
    Japanese ドラゴンクリスタル ―ツラニの迷宮― Dragon Crystal: Tsurani no Meikyu

    Production credits

    Game Gear version

    Source:
    In-game credits
    Dragon Crystal GG credits.pdf
    [18]


    Master System version

    • Graphic: Gaga
    • Program: XYZ
    • Sound: E.Fugu
    • Coordinate: Gaga
    • Special Thanks: Waka
    Source:
    In-game credits
    Dragon Crystal SMS credits.pdf
    [19]


    Magazine articles

    Main article: Dragon Crystal/Magazine articles.

    Promotional material

    Logo-pdf.svg
    Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1991-01: "January 1991" (1990-12-08)
    also published in:
    Logo-pdf.svg

    Artwork

    • Dragoncrystal logo.png
    • Dragoncrystal keyart.jpg
    • Dragoncrystal banner.jpg

    Physical scans

    Master System version

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    {{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
    Based on
    0 review
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
    67
    		[21]
    Consoles + (FR) PAL
    88
    		[22]
    Console XS (UK) PAL
    82
    		[23]
    Gamers (DE) PAL
    53
    		[24]
    Joypad (FR)
    68
    		[25]
    Joystick (FR) PAL
    73
    		[26]
    Mega Force (FR) PAL
    65
    		[27]
    Mega Force (FR) PAL
    55
    		[28]
    Player One (FR) PAL
    25
    		[29]
    Play Time (DE) PAL
    74
    		[30]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    82
    		[31]
    Video Games (DE)
    65
    		[32]
    Sega Master System
    		 66
    Based on
    12 reviews

    Dragon Crystal

    Master System, EU
    DragonCrystal SMS EU Box.jpg
    Cover
    DragonCrystal SMS EU Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Dragon Crystal SMS EU Manual.pdf
    Manual
    Master System, FR (Blister pack)
    DragonCrystal SMS FR blister back.jpgDragonCrystal SMS FR blister front.jpg
    Cover
    Master System, PT
    DragonCrystal SMS PT cover.jpg
    Cover
    Master System, AU (Hotline sticker)
    DragonCrystal SMS AU hotline cover.jpg
    Cover
    DragonCrystal SMS AU Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Master System, AU (NIAL sticker)
    DragonCrystal SMS AU nial cover.jpg
    Cover
    DragonCrystal SMS AU Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Master System, BR
    Dragoncrystal sms br cover.jpg
    Cover
    DragonCrystal SMS BR Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Dragoncrystal sms br manual.pdf
    Manual
    Master System, MX
    DragonCrystal SMS MX Box.jpg
    Cover
    DragonCrystal SMS EU Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Dragon Crystal SMS EU Manual.pdf
    Manual

    Game Gear version

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    {{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
    Based on
    0 review
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    ACE (UK)
    75
    		[33]
    Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
    70
    		[34]
    Console XS (UK) PAL
    86
    		[35]
    Dragon (US)
    100
    		[36]
    GamePro (US) NTSC-U
    88
    		[37]
    Games-X (UK)
    74
    		[38]
    Génération 4 (FR)
    73
    		[39]
    Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
    50
    		[40]
    Hobby Consolas (ES)
    78
    		[41]
    Joystick (FR)
    65
    		[42]
    Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
    70
    		[43]
    Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
    70
    		[44]
    Raze (UK) NTSC
    84
    		[45]
    Sega Power (UK) PAL
    25
    		[46]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    80
    		[47]
    Sega Pro (UK)
    82
    		[48]
    Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
    42
    		[49]
    Video Games (DE)
    53
    		[50]
    Sega Game Gear
    		 70
    Based on
    18 reviews

    Dragon Crystal

    Game Gear, JP
    DragonCrystal GG JP Box Back.jpgDragonCrystal GG JP Box Spine.jpgDragonCrystal GG JP Box Front.jpg
    Cover
    DragonCrystal GG JP Cart.jpg
    Cart
    DragonCrystal GG JP Manual.pdf
    Manual
    Game Gear, US
    DragonCrystal GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngDragonCrystal GG US Box Front.jpg
    Cover
    DragonCrystal GG US Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Dragoncrystal gg us manual.pdf
    Manual
    Game Gear, EU
    DragonCrystal GG EU Box Back.jpgDragon Crystal GG EU BoxSpine.jpgDragonCrystal GG EU Box Front.jpg
    Cover
    DragonCrystal GG US Cart.jpg
    Cart
    Dragon Crystal GG EU Manual.jpg
    Manual

    Technical information

    ROM dump status

    System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
    Sega Master System
     ?
    CRC32 9549fce4
    MD5 e05484f93011055c5b76ffabfea84367
    SHA-1 021c6983fdab4b0215ca324734deef0d32c29562
    		128kB Cartridge (EU)
    Sega Game Gear
     ?
    CRC32 89f12e1e
    MD5 da0b9e94ffb9c3930501c7a7a90fbf18
    SHA-1 ea323c4ac28d7762277039450c341d0f025093d8
    		128kB Cartridge (JP)
    Sega Game Gear
     ?
    CRC32 0ef2ed93
    MD5 8431baccd169025f79c9cbc44e31622d
    SHA-1 6d53f32001d419a5b5e9c16cb62e07e548d2f44a
    		128kB Cartridge (US/EU)

    External links

    • Sega of Japan 3DS VC catalogue pages: Game Gear
    • Nintendo catalogue pages: JP, US, UK, AU

    References

    1. ↑ http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Sanritsu
    2. ↑ https://www.mtwo.co.jp/development/retrogame-2/#tab-4
    3. ↑ File:DragonCrystal GG JP Box Front.jpg
    4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-12-07 04:57)
    5. ↑ File:DragonCrystal GG EU Box Back.jpg
    6. ↑ File:DragonCrystal SMS EU Box.jpg
    7. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "April 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 29
    8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Sega Power, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-06), page 20
    9. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-15), page 97
    10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Computer & Video Games, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-10-15), page 83
    11. ↑ http://www.segapda.com/gg/ggdetail?contentsID=SPDA9100000000209999 (Wayback Machine: 2003-08-11 08:01)
    12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 http://vc.sega.jp/3ds/crystal/ (Wayback Machine: 2018-03-23 23:11)
    13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 http://www.nintendo.com:80/games/detail/9RXBY2pwF8yA3KFlAzot_wUEEA_yOQ4F (Wayback Machine: 2012-03-09 00:01)
    14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 http://www.nintendolife.com/games/gamegear/dragon_crystal (Wayback Machine: 2017-06-24 20:56)
    15. ↑ https://www.nintendo.fr/Jeux/Console-virtuelle-Nintendo-3DS-/Dragon-Crystal--275572.html (archive.today)
    16. ↑ https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Virtual-Console-Nintendo-3DS-/Dragon-Crystal--275572.html (archive.today)
    17. ↑ https://www.nintendo.de/Spiele/Virtual-Console-Nintendo-3DS-/Dragon-Crystal--275572.html (archive.today)
    18. ↑ File:Dragon Crystal GG credits.pdf
    19. ↑ File:Dragon Crystal SMS credits.pdf
    20. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-08), page 124
    21. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Februar 1992" (DE; 1992-01-10), page 122
    22. ↑ Consoles +, "Février 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 92
    23. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 140
    24. ↑ Gamers, "Februar/März 1992" (DE; 1992-xx-xx), page 34
    25. ↑ Joypad, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1991-12-1x), page 52
    26. ↑ Joystick, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 125
    27. ↑ Mega Force, "Novembre 1991" (FR; 1991-11-19), page 86
    28. ↑ Mega Force, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1992-01-15), page 83
    29. ↑ Player One, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 94
    30. ↑ Play Time, "3/92" (DE; 1992-02-05), page 92
    31. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70
    32. ↑ Video Games, "1/92" (DE; 1992-02-03), page 36
    33. ↑ ACE, "August 1991" (UK; 1991-07-08), page 73
    34. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "February 1991" (JP; 1991-01-08), page 85
    35. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 147
    36. ↑ Dragon, "Vol. XVI, No. 6: November 1991" (US; 1991-1x-xx), page 61
    37. ↑ GamePro, "June 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 58
    38. ↑ Games-X, "31st May 1991" (UK; 1991-05-24), page 36
    39. ↑ Génération 4, "Février 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 110
    40. ↑ Hippon Super, "February 1991" (JP; 1991-01-07), page 43
    41. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Noviembre 1991" (ES; 1991-1x-xx), page 38
    42. ↑ Joystick, "Février 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 101
    43. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Octubre 1991" (ES; 1991-xx-xx), page 36
    44. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 143
    45. ↑ Raze, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-07-25), page 48
    46. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 61
    47. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
    48. ↑ Sega Pro, "December 1991" (UK; 1991-11-21), page 47
    49. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 88
    50. ↑ Video Games, "3/91" (DE; 1991-09-06), page 81


    Dragon Crystal

    DragonCrystal title.png

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    Dragon Crystal series of games
    Sega Game Gear
    		 Dragon Crystal (1990)
    Sega Master System
    		 Dragon Crystal (1991)
    Pocket PC
    		 Dragon Crystal (2002)
    i-mode 503i
    		 Dragon Crystal (2003) | Dragon Crystal II (2003)
    J-Sky (50KB)
    		 Dragon Crystal (2004) | Dragon Crystal II (2005)
    Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
    		 Dragon Crystal (2012)
    Retrieved from "https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=Dragon_Crystal&oldid=862096"